LATEST NEWS and VIEWS
The 3 service will be changing again .... ( February 2012 )
Reduction in freebies ...from 90 days of freebies to 45 days, in March 2012
The PAYG service from 3 has now changed .( November 2011 )
I was reminded that the old 3PAY, 90 day PAYG service and the associated Freebies, is no longer available to new users. Please check exactly what you are buying. See lower down....
Cheap foreign phone calls via the 3 service ( April 2011 )
Do you know you can make cheap calls to many countries using your 3 mobile ?
You need to dial a 3 digit code number before the international number required.
Calls are then charged to you account, as normal, and can be to either a landline or mobile number. Check it out........ and you can save the prefixed number for future contacts.
Watch recent changes to Pay as you go Top up ( March 2011 )
There is a new Pay as you go offer available on 3 ....... but it is a 30 day offer.
No way can I use 3000 texts in 30 days, I normally barely use 100 in 90 days. Likewise the 500 Mb of browsing ...... I rarely use 150 Mb in 90 days.
Watch that you don't get transferred to this new service ( unless you want it ! ) when topping up on Pay as you go.
The ZTE 102 3G Mobile phone. ( Aug 2010 )
This phone is now being discounted in several stores, and online. Remarkable value, now at £ 19.99, for what it offers - sometimes with a £ 10 phone credit !
Videos of the Mayenne concert, and Kune Kune pigs, have now been uploaded..... Use the patrickclips link on the menu page.
Youtube size limit now 15min / 2 gb, many formats supported.
More Videoclips on Youtube. ( July 2010 )
The June videos of the Fete de la Musique at Gorron, and of Emma Mory at the Relais de la Varenne, Ambrieres les Vallees, have now been uploaded to the patrickclips channel on Youtube. ( Link on main index page )
TWITTER and "3" extra services. ( May 2010 )
For those who use The Patmail Website as an opening browser page, a quicklink to TWITTER has now been added.
I am on Twitter, with the same name as for Skype........devisaman
"3" phone service now offers free Twitter, and, (allegedly) free Facebook on your mobile, in addition to the free Skype and Instant Messenger services. The advert text received suggested that these NEW services would also be available without a contract or topping up under Pay as you Go.
However, I have yet to get free Facebook, it is charged against my allowance ! And some of the charges for extras are altered - including Voicemail, once free. Nevertheless I have found the " 3 " service to be very good overall, particularly the free calls to other mobile "3" phone users. At least two friends have now changed their service provider to "3".
( See earlier re "3" phone, Skype and more )
The February videos have now been uploaded. ( April 2010 )
Videoclips have now been uploaded to the patrickclips channel. I am investigating uploading widescreen format to youtube, since I have other videos which are in widescreen format and don't tolerate horizontal compression all that well.
I have yet to edit the video taken in Spain during February 2010. ( Feb 2010 )
I hope to edit it and upload it to patrickclips over the next couple weeks.( 26 Feb 2010 )
Can't use free Skype on your phone when connecting to wi fi abroad ?
In some countries it is not always possible to connect up for free with Skype. If you find this is the case have a look at " fring ", ( Google it ). It is a very useful program with which you can keep an eye on, and communicate with, most of the popular programmes like MSN, Twitter, Facebook, etc., including Skype.
I recently downloaded it onto a Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, and successfully used it, when faced with such a problem.
SKYPE ON YOUR COMPUTER . . . . .
Are you on Skype on your computer ? ( My name is 'devisaman' on Skype )
If you are, have you checked the two Sign in page boxes - to start Skype when your computer starts, and, to sign in automatically when Skype starts ? If not you can not be contacted until you start Skype manually.
You can always alter your sign in status from 'Available' if you do not want to be disturbed for a while - but don't forget to change it back again !
SKYPE ON YOUR MOBILE .....
FREE Skype ( and Windows Live Messenger ) forever, is offered by 3 to 3 on the purchase of a 3G mobile phone, or even just a 3 to 3 SIM card if your own mobile phone is compatible ... with no Monthly Plan or Pay as you Go top up credit needed.
I made several calls to France within the first couple of days of purchase - the voice quality was excellent.
( Note: Skype calls under this arrangement can not be made/received on this phone when you are overseas with the phone - you would need roaming access to the Internet for this, to access your online Skype account - which could be more expensive than making a normal phone call )
The cheapest 3 phone is £ 29.99 ( ZTE F102 ) - complete with SIM card. It also works as a modem on your laptop or PC, linked to the computer with the interface software and cable provided. It is far easier to type and read texts on a standard keyboard and monitor !
This cheap mobile phone has many other features, including camera ( also video ), music player, calculator, currency converter, calendar and diary etc., etc.. It can be purchased in 3 Stores, or at other main phone stockists ... other models are available, even at Argos.
You may even obtain a FREE SIM card - check out www.three.co.uk/store. You can also check your own phone compatibility on the three website.
If you top up on PAYG ( minimum £5 online, or on mobile ), or with a Pay Monthly plan, you also get Free calls to other people on 3, a generous allowance of 'free' texts and Internet Access, plus free voicemail. This latter " Free " stuff lasts for 90 days...... and is restored again for another 90 days when/if you top up again.
But Skype and IM Chat lasts forever, with no need to top up.