Technoglam

BT to provide Starbucks with Wi-Fi

Starbucks will be getting Wi-Fi installed in their 650 coffeehouses nationwide thanks to a new partnership with BT. The roll out has just started and will be completed by summer 2009.

There's no news on whether the service will be free but BT broadband customers will be able to email, surf and VOIP chat plus 02 iPhone users will have access included in their contracts plus customers from iPass, Boingo and BT Openzone roaming partners will also be able to use the service. I think this suggests there will be a charge for everyone else, don't you?

Dell launch Della the PC site for women... why?

We all know what Dell is, yes? Did it ever strike you that it might be too masculine for you, a bit too clever? Did that put you off? Is that why Dell has launched Della, a sweet little PC site for little women... like you? Have you just swallowed that or did you, like me, have a little laugh? The idea behind Della is to offer the site as a fashion-friendly guide for women who see their tech as a style statement and need lots of tips for recipes, how to be more organized and ways in which women could use their netbook (calorie counters, online fitness routines etc). OK, none of that is particularly offensive in itself. It does however become patronising due to the fact it's aimed at women.

Where is the equality, Dell? Will Dell next launch 'Dellboy' with tips for DIY, how to build your own shed, fitness videos for warding off the beer belly and where to find vintage cars for the chaps? I think not somehow.

I'm quite happy to see stylish, colourful products and accessories (see Della's Products section) but I don't need it wrapped up in naff website when I could just check out... Dell. I think netbooks are nice and sure I want my kit nice looking but functional too and I fear Della glosses over the latter in favour of cutsifying and dumbing down for our "simple" gender.

Della commenters aren't happy either. One commenter on the Tech Tips section (here's a sample of the so-called tech tips: "Add storage to your netbook with memory cards or memory keys." Seriously) says, "Women have been successfully using computers and the internet just as long as men have; we don't need babying, special colors, or ways to track our workout and diets just to so we'll buy a computer. Want to empower women? Encourage us to do what the above commenter already mentioned: start blogs, upload pictures, e-commerce, etc. " Couldn't agree more. What say you?

Are online name games a ruse for ID theft?

I've noticed a few tweets about this topic this week on Twitter. We've probably all heard of the name game where you take your mother's maiden name, your first pet, your school or your street and put a combination of two together to create a 'porn name' or a 'hollywood name' etc. It's harmless fun, right?

Not quite is the new thinking because these snippets of information or often things that banks ask for in order to confirm your identity or the info other sites need to reset passwords. Have you just freely given that info away?

New research into 'anonymums'

Research into how women use the internet has been released courtesy of the Post Office following a survey conducted by Bounty (the baby brand, not the chocolate bar, in case you wondered).

Apparently modern motherhood is "as much characterised by social networks and online communities as traditional coffee mornings and conversations across the washing line". The research also found that the average online mum chats to 24 online friends who'm they've never met and that a whopping 83% of mums use the internet. The big draw for many women has been the ability to talk about sensitive topics whilst staying - wait for it - anonymums.

“Online social networks and forums offer mums an anonymity that allows them to be candid and frank about the challenges of motherhood without fear of condemnation or embarrassment," said Faye Mingo from parenting club Bounty. “Motherhood can be a daunting prospect and women have always been dependent on friends and family to provide a support network. 
 
“Now we’re seeing these circles of influence grow as women share their problems and experiences with people in the same situation – from choosing baby names to coping with post-natal depression, women are finding additional support and advice thanks to the internet.” 

Though I was ready to feel patronised by a survey like this, I actually wasn't. I certainly feel that the internet is an absolute lifeline for many women, especially mothers, who can feel very isolated without the benefit of work colleagues and friends and family spread out, and too worn out or without babysitting for socialising. Plus, used wisely, the internet is such an excellent research tool (see what mums are searching for after the cut) and it works great as a time saving device for things like online grocery shopping and just to keep your mind stimulated. Kids are wonderful beings but they don't exactly hold a riveting conversation and it's hard to even concentrate on a face-to-face discussion when nipper is darting here and there.

Some of the research's findings are after the cut...

Website of the Week: Broadband Choices

There's a plethora of information on the web and we want to route out what is really useful so every week we'll select a website that we think is on top form be it offering advice or just offering amusement.

Let's kick off with Broadband Choices. Like your other utilities, there are lots of providers out there but how can you find the best one for you? This site compares broadband services, notes pitfalls to watch out for and can find good deals. It couldn't be easier to use either - just enter your postcode to get started.

Find designer brands at discount prices with exclusive members' club Vente Privee

'Designer brands for smart shoppers' is the sell for this top site where top designer brands are sold for up to 50%-70% off. Vente Privee already have a cult following in Europe following their 2001 launch in Paris. It is a members only club so you'll need to register to hear about upcoming sales and you can even snap up money off coupons when your friends sign up.

We're sure you'll love snapping up the bargains so Vente Privee have kindly offered us an exclusive referral link so you can sign up too.

Click here to register.

Samsung's LED sheep art

What's that, you say? Well, Samsung, for reasons only known to themselves, took to the Welsh hills to create this fun video of LED wearing sheep. It's a bit boring to start, but hold on and it gets very cool:

Kindred offers free wallpapers for your PC

Top design blog Decor8 have announced a lovely new partnership with several other designers to create wallpapers for your PC through their Kindred website. There are 10 designs to choose from and all are free to download which is very generous of the designers, don't you think?

They've also included print-it-yourself stationery with gratitude notes and thank you cards with some very pretty designs. They will be updating the wallpapers with another edition come summer. Lovely.

How to sell your old games online

You've played the game once and loved it, played it twice then... never played it again. Sound familiar? How about selling your least favourites and rarely played games and putting the cash towards new ones. There are several services online that can help you do just that. Using a DS Touchmaster game for reference, which generally retails new for around £12, we then checked out three online sellers to see how the service worked and what price we could get for our game:

Amazon: Used and new items are sold alongside Amazon stock where prices from individuals may sometimes beat stock prices. The marketplace can be used by anyone who signs up and it's up to you to pick a price and list its condition with sellers receving feedback. Buyers then choose who to purchase from and will pay via Amazon.

Technoglam test: Prices for the Touchmaster game ranged from £11.34 to £19.96 plus £1.94P&P.

Play: Go to the 'Sell you stuff' page then enter details of the game by title or barcode to find the item you want to sell. You then select the condition, provide a description and choose where you're willing to post it be it UK, Europe or UK&Europe. Play wil tell you what they're selling the game for and the lowest marketplace price in the same category (new - like new etc) then it's up to to select a reasonable price that also covers P&P.

 Technoglam test: Prices ranged from £18.94 to £49.95 (someone's hopeful!)

Music Magpie: Formerly a CD and DVD resale site, they've now expanded to include games too. You'll need to enter the barcode from your game on the front page to find out the resale value and they will only accept undamaged items in original packaging in good condition. Registration is required. They will send you a freepost label for you to send the game to them and they'll send you a cheque.

Technoglam test: £5.67 for the game.

Technoglam tip: Beware sellers who offer cartridge only games online. We would expect all pre-owned games to be available with original packaging and instructions.

Favourite posts across our sites this week...

+ Knitting for charity [Bloom]

+ Easter gift idea: Bunny tin [Shabby Chick]

+ Inspiring spaces: Shella's colourful beachside house [Hygge Nook]

+ Vintage Hollywood wedding dresses by Circa Brides [Bridal Express]

+ Get creative with Mother's Day photo gifts at Photobox [Technoglam]