Category Archives: Gadget Man

Shure Aonic 50 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones debut in a New Colour

With Christmas just around the corner, a great sounding pair of noise-cancelling headphones should be at the top of everyone’s list. Whether drowning out background sound while working from home or rocking out to the greatest hits in the back of the family car, noise-cancelling headphones help listeners make the most of the moment.

Expanding users’ choices—and fusing together style + function—Shure is unveiling a new White/Tan colour option of its award-winning AONIC 50 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones. Also available in Black and Brown, all three colours will be available at a special promotional price of £289 from now through November, that’s a more than a 30% discount!

AONIC 50 WIRELESS NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES DEBUT IN A NEW COLOUR
AONIC 50 WIRELESS NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES DEBUT IN A NEW COLOUR

Music and style icons all over the globe have relied on Shure on and off the stage for decades – Adam Levine, J Balvin, and Jennifer Lopez just to name a few. They—along with Elvis, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Aretha Franklin, and others—have trusted Shure microphones and gear in the studio and on stages worldwide.

“Shure has an impressive history of creating headphones for the professional audio industry – people who wear them all day for a living – so creating comfortable, high-quality headphones for anyone, including consumers, is in the Shure DNA,” said Eduardo Valdes, Senior Director, Global Marketing, Musician and Consumer Audio, at Shure. “Now, with Shure’s AONIC 50 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones, music lovers can also experience that same quality of audio wherever they may be. The additional colour choices fit into consumers’ style and aesthetic – no matter their preference.”

AONIC 50 WIRELESS NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES DEBUT IN A NEW COLOUR
AONIC 50 WIRELESS NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES DEBUT IN A NEW COLOUR

When it comes to headphones, consumers expect audio that is high-quality, clear, and an accurate reflection of the artist they’re listening to. But today, headphones can also represent your personality and style. The addition of the gorgeous White/Tan colour completes the aesthetic portfolio of AONIC 50, giving listeners even more ways to express themselves.

AONIC 50 WIRELESS NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES DEBUT IN A NEW COLOUR
AONIC 50 WIRELESS NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES DEBUT IN A NEW COLOUR

Built To Provide Studio-Quality Audio For Work and Play

Engineered from decades of stage and studio experience, AONIC 50 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones deliver a premium listening experience with exceptional comfort and durability. Shure’s first wireless headphones, AONIC 50, feature adjustable noise cancellation to help block distractions for a truly immersive experience with the flip of a switch. Users who want to interact with the world around them can activate Environment Mode to hear immediate surroundings.

Up to 20 hours of battery life on a single charge provides a week of use without needing to recharge. Fingertip controls provide quick access to answer calls, adjust volume, or pause music with a push of a button. AONIC 50 Wireless Headphones offer Bluetooth® 5 wireless technology for enhanced stability and a range of up to 30 feet. Featuring a dedicated, high-performance headphone amplifier, AONIC 50 supports popular audio codecs, including Qualcomm® aptX™, aptX™ HD, aptX™ Low Latency audio, Sony LDAC, AAC, and SBC.

AONIC 50 WIRELESS NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES DEBUT IN A NEW COLOUR
AONIC 50 WIRELESS NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES DEBUT IN A NEW COLOUR

When Bluetooth isn’t an option, AONIC 50 Wireless Headphones can connect to wired sources with a 3.5mm analogue audio input to ensure an uninterrupted connection to any device.

Shure’s AONIC 50 headphones are a precise blend of cutting-edge technology and tried-and-true design. Developed with comfort in mind, the sleek, modern AONIC 50 is beautifully crafted with elegant stitching on an adjustable headband for precise ear-to-ear fit, ensuring users get the most out of each listening session. The earpads and underside of the headband are cushioned with plush memory foam and lined for outstanding comfort while taking long calls from home or while on-the-go.

Customisable Listening Experience with the ShurePlus PLAY App

When paired with the free ShurePlus PLAY App, listeners can personalize their noise cancellation and Environment Mode levels. Available for iOS and Android, the PLAY app is also a full-featured music player with EQ, supporting standard and hi-res music files.

In addition to the feature controls, the PLAY app lets users customize tone and voice prompts for important notifications, like power on/off, connection confirmation, and low battery. It can also be used to upgrade firmware for AONIC 50 headphones.

The limited-time promotional pricing is effective for all AONIC 50 Wireless Headphones (Black, Brown, White/Tan) now through November 30.

We may earn commission if you visit Amazon through our links

Cat S62 Pro Smartphone Reveals Potential Fire Risks from Working from Home

The possible electrical dangers faced by Britain’s army of home workers are today revealed with the help of mobile thermal imaging technology.

For millions of us, our homes are now our offices, but very few of us are aware of potential electrical safety hazards in our home-office setups or how to ensure we safely accommodate the equipment we use every day.

[s201_bai id=”1″]

These images, captured with the new Cat S62 Pro thermal imaging smartphone, show the fire risks that poorly thought-through domestic office setups can cause.

Bullitt Group, the makers of the Cat S62 Pro, have partnered with Electrical Safety First to highlight the issue and offer tips and advice on how to make your home office set up safer.

[s201_bai id=”2″]

The gallery of images, captured in a home working environment, shows the varying levels of heat invisible to the naked eye that is produced by different electrical setups and devices. The images show common habits including:

  •      Charging laptops and phones on flammable surfaces
  •      Stacking equipment due to lack of space
  •      Daisy-chaining extension leads because you’ve got more to plug in than usual
  •      Overloaded sockets
  •      Routers covered with office materials / or boxed in
  •      Extension cables covered with household items

Working from home is now commonplace but little thought is given to the set-up of our temporary work desks, many just working wherever there is space.

[s201_bai id=”4″]

New research commissioned by Bullitt Group, shows electrical safety checks by employers have dropped by nearly half (a decrease of 46%) since lockdown.

The research, compiled by Censuswide using a 2k sample of people working at home due to COVID, also shows:

  •      Many home workers surveyed (41%) operate in cramped workspaces and things often get piled on top of extension units
  •      Over a third don’t have enough plug sockets (36%)
  •      Over a third say that have to daisy chain extension cables to get the length they need (35%)
  •      There is a high level of complacency around electrical safety with more than half (56%) of respondents saying they are not worried about electrical dangers
  •      When asked about where they currently work, more than a third (36%) say they often move their laptop and charger around as they work in different spots
  •      Almost a third (30%) have never considered the dangers of working in some domestic spaces
  •      23% are sharing electrical sockets for work with other domestic items
  •      21% do not have a dedicated workspace at home and 19% feel the quality of work is affected by not having a dedicated workspace

Working closely with Electrical Safety First, Bullitt Group has come up with some simple guidelines to make the home office environment safer.

Key tips include:

  •      Avoid overloading sockets
  •      Do not leave phones or laptops plugged in to charge overnight and don’t charge on a bed – always charge on a hard, flat, non-flammable  surface
  •      Don’t “daisy chain” extension leads. If your cable doesn’t reach, don’t plug it into another adaptor. Move your workspace closer to the socket or use a longer lead
  •      Regularly check electrical cords and extension cords for damage
  •      Only use extension cords on a temporary basis
  •      Do not plug a space heater or fan into an extension cord or power strip
  •      Do not run cords under rugs/carpets, doors, or windows
  •      Make sure cords do not become tripping hazards
  •      Keep papers and other potential combustibles at least 1m away from space heaters and other heat sources
  •      Make sure you use the right wattage for lamps/lighting
  •      Only use chargers provided with the product and buy any replacements from reputable retailers you know and trust
  •      Keep your work area tidy and keep drinks away from electrical items
  •      Make sure your home has smoke alarms. Test them monthly and replace the unit every 10 years or as directed by the manufacturer

[s201_bai id=”6″]

“When the country first locked down, homeworking was seen as a temporary situation. Now it’s looking more long term, it’s important that both employers and employees are fully aware of the risks and how to mitigate them,” said Nathan Vautier, CEO at Bullitt Group.

“The thermal imaging technology built into the S62 Pro is a quick and simple way to see a world that’s invisible to the naked eye and can improve safety in any working environment.  Tradesmen have used our thermal phones to spot electrical faults and issues for some years, but this is also a genuinely useful tool for anyone who wants to improve safety and monitor what’s going on with electrical equipment in their homes,” continued Vautier.

A spokesman for Electrical Safety First said: “There is simply not enough awareness out there about the possible dangers of poorly set up home office environments. Thermal technology is certainly one way to monitor electrical equipment for overheating issues and the images that Cat phones have created here show very clearly just what is going on and highlight some of the common dangers we regularly warn people against.”

[s201_bai id=”8″]

Other survey results:

  • Before lockdown, 40% of respondents’ companies had a procedure in place to regularly check electrical items. This has now dropped to just 22% since working from home began
  • Almost a third (31%) feel their employer should be doing more to provide safety and other guidance about home working
  • Only 19% have received safety advice/guidance from their employer concerning their home working set up
  • Almost half (45%) don’t know when work specific electrical items were last safety checked

The Cat S62 Pro smartphone has an MSRP of £599 and is available to buy from  Rugged Mobiles

Shure Unveils MV5C Home Office Microphone Designed for Professionals who Require Pristine Audio

Latest Addition to MOTIV Microphone Line Provides Consistent Audio for Important Meetings

Executives presenting to leadership, sales teams pitching to a new client, and teachers tackling the world of distance-learning, all demand one thing in this new age of virtual collaboration: crystal clear audio that allows them to speak confidently while delivering their message. To support the needs of this new working environment, Shure launched the MV5C Home Office Microphone, which provides optimal audio quality by prioritising the user’s voice and not the environment. The ideal solution for working-from-home professionals, the sleek digital microphone provides clear audio for conferencing and video calls from any home office, without the need to wear headphones.

Shure launches the MV5C Home Office Microphone
Shure launches the MV5C Home Office Microphone

“With nearly everything now operating from home—TV productions, education, health and wellness, and our everyday work—we quickly realized the need for improved audio in these settings,” said John Born, Senior Global Product Manager at Shure.

“The MV5C provides drastically better sound from a brand that professionals have been trusting for decades to support their biggest moments on stage. In the simplest and most concise way, you can now have the confidence that your message, presentation, or story, is being heard loud and clear.”

Shure launches the MV5C Home Office Microphone
Shure launches the MV5C Home Office Microphone

One-Step Set-Up
User set-up is intentionally simplified, so professionals of all levels can unbox the MV5C, plug it into their computer, and that’s it. The set-up also provides different audio modes for “set it and forget it” applications. Headphones are optional, allowing users to take a break and listen through the computer’s built-in speaker or external speakers. The microphone is compatible with Mac or Windows devices by using the supplied USB-A or USB-C cables for a direct connection.

Studio-Quality Sound for the Home Office
Out-of-the-box, the MV5C is a directional microphone and features Shure’s Speech Enhancement Mode to enhance the user’s voice on audio or video calls for even clearer sound. Users can speak with assurance knowing that their voice will be heard clearly during virtual pitches, presentations, and lessons without having to repeat themselves or be asked to talk louder.

Shure launches the MV5C Home Office Microphone
Shure launches the MV5C Home Office Microphone

Retro-Inspired Design
The MV5C features a sleek, compact design that easily fits on any desk for a powerful solution that offers studio-quality sound. The fully adjustable desk mount stand allows users to easily tilt the position of the MV5C toward the talker’s mouth. The MV5C is a home audio upgrade to help professionals speak more confidently, knowing they will be clearly heard on the other end of the call.
The MV5C Home Office Microphone is available for purchase at select retailers and at www.shure.com for £115 GBP.

Shure’s range can also be purchased on their Shure Amazon Store

Gadget Man – Media Project – I made a music ‘Fan Video’ – DTALM – Smile

I’ve been recently listening to the Melodic Progressive Station on DI.FM. DI.FM was one of the first online radio networks to go live in 1999, DI.FM has grown into a destination and lifestyle for over 3 million unique listeners who tune in every month.

Sometimes a track jumps out as being a bit special and from there you go looking for it.

One such track for me, is ‘Smile’ by DTALM.

Smile is a really catchy and happy track and it’s particularly popular with my son James. Currently, the track doesn’t have a video, so armed with an excuse to hone my Adobe Premiere editing skills, I set about making one myself.

Smile - YouTube cover photo
Smile – YouTube cover photo

The cover-photo for the track on YouTube features someone standing facing a field of flowers, so I wanted to incorporate that idea into the beginning and end of the video, but my main theme was going to be showing lots of people smiling for all sorts of reasons.

Fortunately, there is an amazing library of free video clips available at Pexels.com, now ‘free’ is a pretty vague term, but Pexels make this very clear with the following terms and conditions.

  • All photos and videos on Pexels are free to use.
  •  Attribution is not required. Giving credit to the photographer or Pexels is not necessary but always appreciated.
  •  You can modify the photos and videos from Pexels. Be creative and edit them as you like.

Armed with a website with thousands of high-quality videos, I set about searching for ‘smiling’ people.

Searching for a smile on Pexels.com
Searching for a smile on Pexels.com

As you can see, my search returns lots of videos, in fact, LOADS of results! This was good news because I wanted videos that had clips of at least 4 seconds, was at least 1920 x 1080 (which included ‘vertical video’ of 2304 in width) and showed very happy people.

This seemed doable, although a bit of rudimentary maths told me I might need about NINETY clips to fill the six-minute video. Having spent quite a bit of time finding clips and downloading them, I then set about assembling it all into an Adobe Premiere CC project.

DTALM Smile - Adobe Premiere CC Project
DTALM Smile – Adobe Premiere CC Project

Having cut each clip down to about 4 seconds, I then resized it where necessary, colour graded (if it needed a tweak) and in some cases slowed it down using Premiere’s Speed/Duration Tool with using Optical-Flow to smooth the slow-motion footage. As planned I started the video with a lady walking through a field and ended with another lady walking through another field with her little girl. All the other clips with shoehorned in between.

DTALM - Smile - Play head
DTALM – Smile – Completed Track

I then did some small edits for timing and then published the video using Premiere’s ‘YouTube 1080p Full HD’ setting via Adobe Media Encoder.

Now, obviously, I don’t own the rights to the music, however, YouTube has a very able system in place to ensure that the correct attribution is made automatically. This can sometimes result in the video not being available in some territories or the rights owner can monetise the video for their own gain. Obviously, I was happy for this to happen as I wasn’t responsible for the hard-work creating the track. I was maybe a little bit more nervous about getting a copyright-strike! Thankfully, this didn’t happen and upon uploading, the video was immediately flagged for the correct copyright attribution and remains available to play (see below).

As a matter of courtesy, I contacted DTALM and let them know I had made the ‘Fan Video’ with a link to it. I received an amazing reply!

DTALM Reply
DTALM Reply

So, having waded through my ‘waffle’, please enjoy, my music video for Smile, by DTALM

You can buy Smile by DTALM from Amazon, using the links below.

If you click through Amazon links on our website, we may be paid a commission.

Kebao Air 3: Game-Changing air purification comes to the UK

Poor air quality has become one of the largest environmental risks to the health of people of the United Kingdom and with the Coronavirus Pandemic, it has become more important than ever that we breathe healthy air that is free from harmful particles and unpleasant viruses.

So, it was incredibly timely that I was recently contacted by Kebao to test their new ‘filterless’ air purifier, namely the Kebao Air 3.

The Air 3 combines sleek design with cutting edge technology, which in turn completely eliminates 99.99% of airborne pollutants, viruses, bacteria and allergens and consequently provides ‘Surgical Grade’ air and deodorisation.

Instead of using standard High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters that can capture particulate matter of 0.3 microns or larger with 99.95% efficiency (a human hair is between 17 and 181 microns), the Kebao Air 3 is capable of eliminating particles down to a size of 0.01 microns. This is a big deal because COVID19 particles are around 0.12 microns in size, small enough to pass through a HEPA filter, but the too big to pass through the Air 3!

Kebao Air 3 is now available on Amazon
Kebao Air 3 – now available to buy on Amazon

The Kebao Air 3 does this using a brand-new type of 5-stage filtration. Stage 1 is a pre-filter which removes larger particles from the air and can be cleaned and reused for the lifetime of the product. Stage 2 uses a high-voltage negative charge to deactivate viruses and bacteria and retains the debris on charged plates stopping re-release. Stage 3 using a mind-blowing ‘Photocatalytic Oxidisation’ based on Albert Einstein’s ‘Photon Energy’. UV light initiates a stepwise free radical decomposition of organic compounds, which produces water and carbon dioxide as a by-product. The Air 3 has 48 LED bulbs and a Ti02 alumina ceramic photocatalytic ozone-free filter. Stage 4 uses 4kg of loose granulated carbon, impregnated with amines which absorb and decomposes any harmful gasses. Stage 5 Surgical grade, deodorised air is circulated through you room clear of 99.99% of harmful particulates!

The display shows PM2.5 and TVOC readings
The display shows PM2.5 and TVOC readings!

The display shows air quality in two readings, the first two numbers are the temperature and humidity, the second set is PM2.5 and TVOC readings. PM2.5 is a measure of the number of particles less than 2.5 microns in size and are caused by burning fuel, chemical reactions and forest fires. PM2.5 particles are very unhealthy, causing eye, nose and throat irritations, coughing, sneezing and shortness of breath. They can also cause asthma, chronic bronchitis and heart disease. In the UK, air must remain below 25, the WHO recommends below 10, London’s average is 10, my house is currently 1 after having the Air 3 running for over a week!

The second setting is TVOC (Total Volatile Organic Compound) which is another way of measuring air quality, again this was negligible at 0.02 after a week of running.

The Kebao Air 3 is both sleek and quiet
The Kebao Air 3 is both sleek and quiet

All of this amazing technology comes at a price. The unit is aimed at commercial enterprises who want to keep their staff and customers safe, so it would suit a restaurant or office space as it is actively cleaning the air the whole time. The price of £1680 reflects a premium commercial product, but I can honestly see it becoming something of a norm in the UK especially due to the current crisis!

It is available to buy on Amazon via the link below, we may earn a commission for sales made through these links

Gadget Man – Episode 170 – Cat S62 Pro with Thermal Imaging, Humax Aura 4K Freeview Box and problems with Ring

Welcome to Gadget Man Episode 170, here I talk to James Hazell at BBC Radio Suffolk about the CAT S62 Pro mobile phone with FLIR thermal imaging camera, the Humax Aura Android TV 4K Freeview Play Recorder, and the issues that some owners of Ring doorbells have been experiencing due to incorrect installation.

Cat S62 Pro FLIR Lepton Thermal Imaging Camera
Cat S62 Pro FLIR Lepton Thermal Imaging Camera

I will be adding full reviews of the CAT S62 Pro and Humax Aura over the coming days.

The Humax Aura 4K Freeview  can be purchased through Amazon here

The CAT S62 Pro can also be purchased from Rugged Mobiles

We earn a commission from Amazon for sales made through our links.


Stay well
Matt

Cutting-edge Swedish fashion brand WeSC launches range of contemporary true wireless headphones

Fashion and lifestyle brand WeSC, known for stand-out creativity and style, has released a line of headphones.

Specifically designed for youth on-the-go, the range is made up of affordable yet stylish true wireless in-ear and on-ear headphones, as well as a more traditional wired stereo headset.

Cutting-edge Swedish fashion brand launches range of contemporary true wireless headphones
Cutting-edge Swedish fashion brand launches range of contemporary true wireless headphones

Featuring high-quality dynamic sound and with a minimal, striking and contemporary look, the headphones are in-keeping with the brand’s young, fresh and stylish aesthetic.

Founded in 1999, WeSC (We Are the Superlative Conspiracy) is known for its fashionable designs, mixing skateboarding, music, and art youth sub-cultures to create stand-out pieces.

Joseph Janus, CEO of WeSC, said: “We are extremely excited to be launching our latest headphone range.

“True wireless continues to grow in the market and customers are looking for trusted brands where fashion meets function, and we are confident our products deliver.”

Cutting-edge Swedish fashion brand launches range of contemporary true wireless headphones
Cutting-edge Swedish fashion brand launches range of contemporary true wireless headphones

The headphones are available in an assortment of colours – black, white, navy and pink and include a variety of features aimed at the needs of urban teens.

The brand’s true wireless earbuds boast up to 20 hours playing time when fully charged, and the over-ear model was designed with travel in mind with a foldable and light design.

Cutting-edge Swedish fashion brand launches range of contemporary true wireless headphones
Cutting-edge Swedish fashion brand launches range of contemporary true wireless headphones

WeSC is known for numerous exclusive collaborations and limited editions with renowned brands and artists such as Adidas, Absolut Vodka, Nokia, Smart and the Andy Warhol Foundation, RZA, Skrillex, Axwell, Beny Fairfax, Jason Lee, Arto Saari, Galantis and more.

The new collection of lifestyle-inspired headphones is available from Amazon and start from £14.95

If you decide to purchase using the links below, we may receive a commission.

New Cat® S62 Pro Smartphone featuring FLIR Lepton Advanced Integrated Thermal Camera – Reviewing Soon!

The launch of the Cat® S62 Pro is the pinnacle of innovation, functional design and rugged durability. It incorporates the highest resolution FLIR Lepton® thermal imaging, which is a game-changer for more demanding work environments, such as engineering, mining, manufacture, agriculture and wildlife. Compared with its predecessor, it is 12% more compact, with a 10% bigger screen. It is faster, more powerful and incredibly tough, making it the ultimate work phone.

Cat S62 Pro Dirtproof
Cat S62 Pro Dirtproof

With isotherm alarming, you can monitor a custom temperature range (anything between -20 degrees Celsius to +400 degrees Celsius) and add alarms to alert you when something falls within that range. This is hugely useful and time-saving when watching for machinery to reach a specified temperature, screening for unusually elevated temperatures, finding game or livestock at night, or even checking if the braai is at the right temperature. 

Cat S62 Pro FLIR Lepton Thermal Imaging Camera
Cat S62 Pro FLIR Lepton Thermal Imaging Camera

Powered by the FLIR Lepton 3.5 and the new MyFLIR™ Pro app, the S62 Pro offers a four-fold increase in the number of thermal pixels and an unmatched feature set within the included application. For the first time, professionals and consumers can access FLIR Systems’ VividIR™ image processing, enhanced MSX® (Multi-Spectral Dynamic Imaging), and visible-to-thermal blending technologies integrated into their smartphone. 

Users can now vary the intensity of MSX®, which overlays visual outline detail from the scene onto the thermal image or use the new alpha blending feature to combine thermal detail with the visual image from the Sony dual-pixel camera. Together these upgrades deliver dramatically enhanced image quality, sharper images and higher thermal resolution to provide greater context and understanding of the thermal image you are seeing.

Cat S62 Pro Waterproof Smartphone
Cat S62 Pro Waterproof Smartphone

Tested to Cat® phones’ demanding, market-leading rugged standards, the S62 Pro is incredibly tough. It achieves and surpasses an ingress protection rating of IP68 and US military standard, Mil-Spec 810H. It has undergone rigorous testing including repeated drop tests from 1.8m onto steel, with multiple drops onto every side and corner, as well as extensive waterproof, dirt and dustproof, temperature extreme survivability, and vibration and tumble tests. 

It is hygienic too – it can be fully submerged and easily washed with soaps and disinfectants or cleaned with alcohol wipes, which makes it ideal for hygiene-conscious consumers, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. The IP69 rating has recently been added, which includes the ability to withstand washing with high-pressure washers. 

The S62 Pro’s display has been upgraded to 5.7” FHD+ (18 x 9), and memory is now 6GB RAM and 128GB ROM. It also features a faster Qualcomm chipset, Android™ 10, and a large, optimised long-life battery. The Cat® S62 Pro is fully enterprise-ready. It supports Android Enterprise features, including Zero-touch, and has undergone a series of enrolment and policy provisioning tests with leading EMM solutions. Manage all the Android devices in your organisation simply. It is built for business, is rugged and ready to go anywhere – work or play.

We will be reviewing this product very soon!

Key Specifications:

• Picks up heat and measures surface temperatures from a distance of up to 30m.
• Scalable and movable regions of interest with ‘hottest’ and ‘coldest’ indicators.
• Horizontal field of vision is expanded to 57 degrees to capture more of the scene.
• 9 thermal colour palettes to choose from depending on the situation.
• PDF reporting.
• Powerful 4,000mAh battery.
• 12MP Sony dual pixel rear camera and 8MP front camera.
• Hardwearing, non-slip rubberised TPU back.
• Bluetooth 5.0, NFC.

Gadget Man – Episode 169 – Ofcom orders Phone Networks to Stop Locking Phones + Advice and Tips about Switching Networks

In this episode, I chat to James Hazell on BBC Radio Suffolk about the ban on locking mobile phone handsets in the UK.

Mobile phone companies will be banned from selling ‘locked’ handsets, under a range of new rules from Ofcom that will make switching even simpler.

Some companies – including BT/EE, Tesco Mobile and Vodafone – still sell mobile phones that can’t be used on other networks unless they are unlocked. But this is a potentially complicated process which can also cost around £10. Ofcoms research shows that more than a third of people who decided against switching said this put them off.

Switching between mobile networks should now be simpler following Ofcom ruling
Switching between mobile networks should now be simpler following Ofcom ruling

Almost half of the customers who try to unlock their phone have difficulties doing so. For example, they might experience a long delay before getting the code they need to unlock their phone; the code might not work, or they could suffer a loss of service if they did not realise their phone was locked before they tried to switch.

So, following consultation, Ofcom has confirmed that mobile companies will be banned from selling locked phones. This will allow people to move to a different network with their existing handset, hassle-free. The new rules will come in from December 2021.

Gadget Man – Episode 168 – Snakebyte E-Sports Starter Kit – Covid Track and Trace – Ordo Sonic+ Toothbrush – iPhone 12

This is the slightly delayed episode from 15th October 2020. Packed with lots of news and comment. Here I discuss the Snakebyte E-Sports Starter Kit Package , Covid Track and Trace, the Ordo Sonic+ Toothbrush and the iPhone 12 (in four different sizes!).

You can listen in to the recording above or subscribe using your favourite podcast player. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, share or comment! See you presently! Matt.

Ordo Sonic+ Toothbrush
Ordo Sonic+ Toothbrush
Snakebyte E-Sports Starter Kit
Snakebyte E-Sports Starter Kit
Apple iPhone12, iPhone12 Pro, iPad Air
Apple iPhone12, iPhone12 Pro, iPad Air – Image Apple Inc