2010 Archive

HoMedics Swedish Massager

Fancy a Swedish massage while you work? This could be the closest thing to it, without leaving your office chair.

We’ve just completed our review of the HoMedics Swedish Style Massager – Strap this to your chair, plug it in, and experience one of the six rolling or Swedish massage settings.

Fits most office chairs and has four independent rollers, optional heated massage , width adjusters and a spot massager.

Find out more in our review of the HoMedics QRM-409H Swedish Style Massager.

Looking forward to the start of the Premier League, but not looking forward to paying Sky to watch the matches? There is an alternative – BT Vision Sport

After pressure by the regulators OfCom, Sky has had to give their rivals access to Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 2 at a reasonable price, and BT Vision has been quick to jump at the chance to undercut Sky. Here’s a summary:

• Sky Sports from £6.99 a month
• Free ESPN Sport with any Value Pack
• Access to catch-up TV from BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five
• On-demand TV shows, sporting action and movies (far more than with Sky Anytime)

As well as over 50 channels of live TV, BT Vision makes use of a BT Broadband connection to let you watch on-demand TV shows, films, kids shows and sporting action on your TV using your home Internet.

The only down side, is that BT’s not able to offer Sky Sports in HD. If you want Sky Sports and ESPN in HD, Sky’s still the one.

Find out more about BT Vision’s cheaper Sky Sports service at btvision.bt.com

Looking to get yourself into better shape, but need a helping hand?

For the last few weeks, we’ve been testing out Fitbug, the rather novel little fitness programme. Carry the bug in your pocket, connect it to your PC or Mac, and have your results analysed. Also, put in your targets and food intake for advice, information and progress towards your goals. You also get Nectar points for carrying your bug.

Want to know more? Check out our new Fitbug Review

Originally £150, the o2 Joggler is currently only £50 – an amazing bargain that you can’t ignore!

The Joggler is a touch-screen device that does a whole lot for the money – A digital picture frame, mp3 player, video player, Internet radio, travel and weather service, news and sports headline display, YouTube player, Google Maps device, online calendar and SMS text terminal.

All that for £49.99

We suggest you hurry, as this ends on 31st May 2010. More at  shop.o2.co.uk/joggler.

Want 10% of ink and toner? You’ll have to hurry, as the 10% off deal ends on Friday 7th May 2010.

10% off ink and toner at Staples

If you send a lot of text messages, here’s an offer that’s worth a look… T-Mobile has just launched a “free texts for life” deal with their Pay-As-You Go SIM cards.

Get yourself a free SIM cards from T-Mobile, top it up with just £10 a month and you can send unlimited text messages.

Even if you don’t have a burning need to get a SIM or do lots of texting today, get up to two free SIM cards by entering your name and address at http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/free-pay-as-you-go-sim-cards/.

Want to pay silly money for something surprisingly useful?

Last year, o2 were pushing their “Joggler” device – intended as a way to keep the family in touch. At the time, the price was just under £150, but now, you can get one for £50.

What does the Joggler do? It’s a stylish-looking touch-screen device that does a whole lot for the money – A digital picture frame, mp3 player, video player, Internet radio, travel and weather service, news and sports headline display, games, online calendar and SMS text terminal.

All that for £49.99

We’re not sure when o2 will pull this offer, so we suggest you hurry. Get one from shop.o2.co.uk/joggler.

Shop online? Test how savvy you are – you may even win a memory card. Have a look at the following video, and at the end, complete the test…

Sky has just made signing up to their digital TV service – if you sign up by the 25th of March, there’s a £50 Marks and Spencer in it for you. The free Sky+ HD box offer is also running too, making it a good time to sign up, if you’re considering it.

To get a £50 M & S voucher, you’ll need to sign up by 25th March 2010. You must sign up online (not on the phone), the offer is for new customers only, and it’s one voucher per household.

To find out for, or to get the £50 voucher, go to Details at www.sky.com/shop/tv

New addition to the site – Review of the Saeco Mio Modo Lavazza espresso coffee maker.

If you’re a lover of fine Italian coffee, see our review for details of a Lavazza espresso, latte and cappuccino machine that’s impressed our gormet coffee taster.

Our review is here: Lavazza Coffee Machine Review. We also have a podcast review, if you want to hear the machine in action.

Mothercare’s 10% offer is still on… Get 10% off orders over £120 by using the voucher code AF9 at the checkout when ordering online at Mothercare .

We’re not sure how much longer this code will continue.

If you’re with Tiscali for your Broadband, take note. From this Thursday, the 7th of January 2010, Tiscali customers will be migrated across to TalkTalk, as a result of the Carphone Warehouse’s takeover of Tiscali in May 2009.

Those with Tiscali, and in particular, on a broadband-only tariff with Tiscali, may find that their once-great Broadband deal becomes uncompetitive. Those on a £14.99 broadband deal will have to pay £19.99 from Thursday, unless they’re prepared to switch over to TalkTalk’s home phone package.

If you’re not happy about being shifted to TalkTalk, there are plenty of better deals out there…

This follows last year’s acquisition of Tiscali by the Carphone Warehouse.

Current Tiscali customers that only use Broadband will find that their monthly bill will rise from £14.99 a month to £19.99 a month, unless they start using TalkTalk’s home phone service too. TalkTalk are also keen to lock you into an 18 month contract.

If you’re with Tiscali, you might want to start considering some of the cheaper alternatives to get a better deal.

Plusnet is offering three months free broadband to Tiscali customers who switch between now and the 31st of January 2010. To take advantage of this offer, go to Plusnet Tiscali Switch and use the special promotion code tiscalisave on the payment details screen.

Alternatively, there’s BE Broadband’s basic service for £7.50 a month. Details: Be Broadband

Switching providers is easy – the first thing you’ll need to do is contact Tiscali / TalkTalk to get your MAC (migration authority code). You’ll need to tell your new provider this code when you sign up, to ensure that the switch goes through without a loss of broadband service.

More on the options on our UK Broadband Offers page.

Any thoughts? Add a comment!