News in September 2009
- 30 Sep 2009LG launches simple touchscreen 'Pop' mobileThe LG GD510, or 'LG Pop' mobile phone, has been launched, with LG claiming that it's 'the most compact 3-inch full touchscreen phone ever made'.
- 30 Sep 2009Hot car deals, 30 September 2009Which? cuts through the forecourt bunting with a look at the latest hot car deals from across the UK. From Ford to Volvo we've got something to suit every pocket.
- 30 Sep 2009Many confused by new energy label schemeChanges to the current energy efficiency labels found on household products will confuse British consumers, according to new research from Which?.
- 29 Sep 2009Council 'hooded spies' checked binsA local council has been criticised for sending 'hooded spies' to take away the contents of rubbish bins as part of a waste monitoring exercise without informing households beforehand.
- 29 Sep 2009FSA seeks further redress for PPI mis-sellingThe Financial Services Authority (FSA) has published new measures designed to recompense customers who were mis-sold Payment Protection Insurance (PPI). Banks are to reconsider 185,000 rejected complaints. New guidance binding by end of year.
- 29 Sep 2009Sainsbury's launches 0%-on-purchases credit cardNew Best Buy credit card charges 0% for 10 months
- 29 Sep 2009O2 loses iPhone exclusiveVodafone mobile customers will be able to get the Apple's iPhone or iPhone 3GS from early 2010, following Vodafone's announcement of an agreement with Apple.
- 29 Sep 2009National upgrade for Freeview digital TVViewers of digital TV service Freeview must retune their Freeview equipment from tomorrow if they want to keep getting all their TV channels.
- 28 Sep 2009Which? slams energy firms over price delaysWhich? has criticised rules which allow energy companies to charge higher prices for up to 65 days without telling their customers.
- 28 Sep 2009Marks and Spencer slashes returns policyWhich? has criticised Marks & Spencer for slashing the amount of time its shoppers have to return something by nearly two-thirds.
- 28 Sep 2009ISA changes for over-50sOver-50s to get more tax-free savings allowance from October 2009
- 28 Sep 2009Portable music players may carry health warningEuropean Commission wants to limit MP3 decibels
- 28 Sep 2009Cheque guarantee cards to be scrappedIndustry-wide move will see cheque guarantee cards withdrawn by 2011. Reflects decreasing cheque usage and move to debit cards. Cheques will still be used but no longer guaranteed.
- 28 Sep 2009Pawnbroker reports bumper profits Pawnbroker Albemarle & Bond, with 115 branches, has reported increased profits of £42.4m, up 16% on 2008. Income from pawnbrokng rose 30%, while the firm also benefitted from rising gold prices. Its new gold purchasing service made £1.4m.
- 25 Sep 2009Higher energy bills for cash and cheque customersCustomers who pay energy bills by cash or cheque are still being charged more than those paying by direct debit, a consumer group claimed today.
- 25 Sep 2009Disney netbook branded marketing spinAsus and Disney team up on netbook
- 25 Sep 2009September consumer news quizJust how much do you remember about the headlines from the past month? Find out with our monthly quiz.
- 24 Sep 2009Plug socket covers may be 'waste of money' Which? tests show some child safety plug socket covers could, in a worst case scenario, actually increase the risk of your child being electrocuted.
- 24 Sep 2009Hot Car Deals, 24 September 2009Save on new cars with hot car deals from Which? Massive savings on VW California, Mercedes A-class, C-class, E-class Coupé, SLK, M-class, CLK, S-class and CL Coupé, plus the Vauxhall Astra Estate.
- 24 Sep 2009Palm Pre to launch in UK on 16 OctoberO2 has confirmed that it will exclusively launch the hotly-anticipated Palm Pre in the UK on 16 October
- 24 Sep 2009Setback for sterlingHolidaymakers rue the falling pound as sterling plunges against the US dollar and the euro.
- 24 Sep 2009HTC Tattoo to launch in OctoberThe HTC Tattoo will launch next month and is already available to pre-order from Vodafone
- 24 Sep 2009Number of uninsured drivers risesSky high car insurance premiums are driving more young, insured motorists off the road. Research by Moneysupermarket.com also reveals that a greater proportion are driving without insurance cover.
- 24 Sep 2009Npower and British Gas worst for customer serviceThe big six suppliers of gas and electricity (Npower, British Gas, EDF Energy, Eon Energy, Scottish Power and Scottish & Southern Energy) received some of the worst customer satisfaction scores Which? has seen overall this year.
- 23 Sep 2009Microsoft working on Tablet-style PCMicrosoft Courier could steal the march on Apple
- 23 Sep 2009Beko unveils 'world's fastest' washing machineBeko has launched a washing machine it says is the fastest in the world. See the Which? review of washing machines for reviews of Beko washing machines.
- 22 Sep 2009Starbucks offers coffee card holders free Wi-FiStarbucks' UK customers can now get free Wi-Fi in the chain's coffee shops, in a tie-up with BT Openzone.
- 22 Sep 2009Hot car deals, 22 September 2009This week we’ve unearthed big savings on two prestigious saloons: the Audi A6 and Jaguar X-Type, plus the Kia Sorrento - a bargain 4x4 that excels off the beaten track
- 21 Sep 2009Aviva policyholders let down by FSA, says Which?The High Court approves Aviva's reattribution of the £1.2bn inherited estate, raising concerns over the FSA's regulatory framework.
- 21 Sep 2009Chances of winning with Premium Bonds up 50%Prize fund increase leads to 500,000 extra Premium Bond winners from October 2009
- 19 Sep 2009Frankfurt Motor Show: Skoda Superb EstateFrankfurt Motor Show: Skoda Superb Estate. Which? takes a detailed look at the new Skoda Superb Estate, which made its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany.
- 18 Sep 2009Energy prices may rise, warn suppliersThe 'big six' energy suppliers have indicated to industry watchdog Ofgem that gas and electricity prices are unlikely to fall over the next year, and may even increase.
- 18 Sep 2009Gordon Ramsay launches professional kitchen rangeCelebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has launched a professional kitchen range - including kettles, toasters, blenders and mixers.
- 18 Sep 2009Hot car deals, 18 September 2009This week we've tell you how to save stacks of cash on the VW Passat in frugal Bluemotion form, the sporty Vauxhall Astra and the small but perfectly formed Nissan Note
- 17 Sep 2009World's first cold water washing machine launchedAEG-Electrolux has unveiled a new 'Super Eco' washing machine – the world's first dedicated cold-wash washing machine.
- 17 Sep 2009Cowboy gas fitters carry out 250,000 illegal jobsNew research by the Gas Safe Register has revealed that 7,500 cowboy gas fitters are carrying out a quarter of a million illegal gas jobs each year, without skills or qualifications.
- 17 Sep 2009Frankfurt Motor Show: three-door VW Polo VW launched the three-door version of its new Polo supermini at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
- 17 Sep 2009Students get cheap Windows 7 dealUK University students can order cut-price copy of Microsoft Windows 7 in special Windows 7 cheap discount deal
- 17 Sep 2009Principality over-50s Isa pays 3.8% until 2012New Principality Isa paying 3.8% AER allows transfers in and £1,500 top-up for the over-50s from 6 October
- 17 Sep 2009Mobile retailers must clean up their actsMisleading and pressure selling of mobile phone services could soon become a thing of the past, if new rules that came into force yesterday prove a sufficient deterrent to less than scrupulous mobile retailers.
- 17 Sep 2009Freesat now 'fourth-biggest' digital TV providerSubscription free digital satellite TV service Freesat from the BBC and ITV has increased its sales by 50% since May - making it bigger than rival service BT Vision.
- 16 Sep 2009Frankfurt Motor Show: Audi e-TronThe electric-powered e-Tron sports car was Audi’s surprise show-stopper at Frankfurt. The sleek two-seater even boasted ‘Quattro’ four-wheel drive, provided by an electric motor inside each wheel.
- 16 Sep 2009Frankfurt Motor Show: Saab 9-5Saab made an impressive comeback at the Frankfurt Motor Show with an all-new 9-5 saloon.
- 16 Sep 2009Frankfurt Motor Show: Kia VengaKia is breaking the supermini mould with the new Venga, unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
- 16 Sep 2009Hot car deals, 16 September 2009The Which? newshounds don their sheepskin jackets in search of the very latest car deals. How about £5k off a BMW 3 Series for example?
- 16 Sep 2009Frankfurt Motor Show: VW Golf RVW surprised everyone at the Frankfurt Motor Show by unveiling the most powerful Golf ever - the Golf R.
- 16 Sep 2009Frankfurt Motor Show: Citroën REVOLTeCitroën's new concept car hasn’t been blessed with the nicest of names, but it does give us an insight into city cars of the future.
- 15 Sep 2009Energy newcomer launches two 'competitive' tariffsNew energy company Ovo Energy is taking on the big energy suppliers with two competitive energy tariffs.
- 15 Sep 2009Frankfurt Motor Show: VW unveils E-Up! conceptVW has been showing off an all-new electric car at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
- 15 Sep 2009Frankfurt Motor Show: Seat's 'family sized' IbizaSeat has unveiled a ‘family-sized’ version of its popular Ibiza supermini at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany.
- 15 Sep 2009Frankfurt Motor Show: Toyota Auris Hybrid detailsToyota has released more details of its Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept, going on show at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week.
- 15 Sep 2009Frankfurt Motor Show: Peugeot prices RCZ coupéPeugeot has announced the pricing details of its Audi TT-rivaling RCZ coupé. Should the German marque be worried about this new French upstart?
- 15 Sep 2009Frankfurt Motor Show: BMW X5 special editionWhich? looks under the lid of BMW's latest X5, which celebrates its tenth anniversary. It's special, but so it should be for the £10,200 premium.
- 15 Sep 2009Lloyds TSB shamed over complaints handlingThe Financial Ombudsman Service has published its complaints data. The data from the FOS reveals that Black Horse, a Lloyds brand attracted more than 1,000 complaints, 95% of which were upheld in favour of the consumer.
- 15 Sep 2009FOS naming-and-shaming victory for consumersWhich? welcomes the release of banks' complaints statistics by the Financial Ombudsman Service
- 15 Sep 2009Openreach to bring broadband to ‘notspots’New BT technology to deliver broadband to remote areas over copper wires
- 15 Sep 2009BT free to offer better phone and broadband dealsBT will be free to offer discounted phone, TV and broadband bundles for the first time, following phone watchdog Ofcom's decision to remove one of the last pieces of regulation in the retail fixed-line telephone market.
- 14 Sep 2009Recycled glass study is boost for green bottlesShoppers are just as likely to buy products in jars and bottles made with green-tinted recycled glass as they are to purchase items in clear glass packaging, according to a joint study by Sainsbury's and Wrap.
- 14 Sep 2009Frankfurt Motor Show: Lexus LF-Ch hybridLexus has revealed more details of its LF-Ch Concept ahead of the Frankfurt Motor Show, starting tomorrow. It’s a premium hatchback with stunning looks and a hybrid heart.
- 14 Sep 2009Frankfurt Motor Show: VW and Seat green dieselsWhich? looks under the covers of new super-green eco models from Seat and Volkswagen - ahead of the Frankfurt Motor Show
- 14 Sep 2009One in three consumers feel rights are 'ignored'One in three people feel their consumer rights have been ignored, according to a new government survey into consumer sentiment which helps to kickstart this year's National Consumer Week (14-18 September).
- 14 Sep 2009Gaggia owners face wait for spare partsThe demise of Gaggia UK, Gaggia's distributor in the UK but not part of the Italian company, has left coffee machine owners without a supply of parts just as Philips purchases Gaggia itself. There will be a delay for spares.
- 14 Sep 2009Lehman Brothers - FSA to take actionThe FSA has announced that it will take action against firms following a review into Lehman-backed structured products.
- 14 Sep 2009Which? scores a win on cost of calling your GPPatients should pay no more to call their GP or other NHS services than they would to call a geographic (01 or 02) number, the Department of Health (DH) has said.
- 14 Sep 2009LG and Motorola unveil new Android mobile phonesLG and Motorola have both joined the Android bandwagon with the announcements of the LG-GW620 and the Motorola Dext
- 11 Sep 2009Honda announces revised CR-VHonda CR-V updated. Which? takes a closer look at the new Honda CR-V 4x4, now available with a diesel engine and automatic gearbox for the first time.
- 11 Sep 2009First:utility emerges as cheapest energy supplierFirst:utility has taken on the energy giants with a new online dual fuel tariff that makes it the cheapest energy supplier in the UK.
- 11 Sep 2009Hot car deals, 11 September 2009There are some very eye-catching deals on the Ford Ka and Jaguar X-type at present, but the one that’s got us checking our bank accounts is 10% off all Audi TTs…
- 11 Sep 2009Latest batch of Which? TV test resultsWhich? has just published its latest batch of TV results, with three Best Buys and one Don't Buy out of the 16 models on test
- 11 Sep 2009Barclaycard offers pre-application checking Barclaycard has launched an online service which allows customers to check their eligiblity for a new card without any impact on their credit rating.
- 11 Sep 2009Free Wi-Fi for local communities
- 11 Sep 2009Thomas Cook currency ad banTravel agent's currency boast ruled 'unsubstantiated' by ASA
- 11 Sep 2009Tesco and Microsoft to offer DVD downloadsMicrosoft and Tesco team up to offer DVD downloads
- 10 Sep 2009Tyre pressures key to saving cash, campaigners sayMotorists can reduce the impact of this month’s fuel duty increases by keeping their tyres at the correct pressures, a road safety group has claimed.
- 10 Sep 2009Comet launches appliance scrappage schemeComet is offering up to £200 off new Bosch, Siemens and Neff fridges, freezers and washing machines when you recycle your old appliances.
- 10 Sep 2009Premium brand Maytag launches fridge freezerMaytag has launched a new American-style, stainless steel fridge freezer as part of its new refrigeration range.
- 10 Sep 2009Microsoft aims to get Britain workingMicrosoft says it will help find 500,000 jobs by 2012 as part of its Britain Works campaign
- 10 Sep 2009One in 12 conned by fake concert ticket websitesThe government is warning against scam ticket websites
- 10 Sep 2009Bosch launches hand blendersThe 2009 Which? Best Domestic Appliance Brand winner has launched a range of four hand blenders, ranging from fairly to very expensive, with the top model featuring a 'quattro' blade and powerful 750W motor
- 09 Sep 2009Volvo reveals updated C30Volvo C30 updated. Which? has first news of the Volvo C30 facelift, including a new look and a sportier chassis for Volvo's Best Buy C30 hatchback.
- 09 Sep 2009Bosch launches 'most powerful' iron on the marketBosch has launched a new range of powerful steam irons, including an iron Bosch claims is the most powerful in the market.
- 09 Sep 2009HDTV: BBC announces autumn HD programme scheduleThe BBC's autumn schedule of HD TV programming has been announced online, and includes popular favourites such as Strictly Come Dancing and Doctor Who, plus new arrivals such as the Electric Proms and Emma.
- 09 Sep 2009Hot car deals, 9 September 2009With autumn and the Frankfurt Motor Show looming large, it's a great time to find deals on some Mercedes, BMW and Ford models.
- 09 Sep 2009Traffic-calming measures 'could increase CO2'Excessive traffic-calming measures could actually be increasing CO2 emissions, the AA said on Wednesday.
- 09 Sep 2009Help for struggling homeownersGovernment launches website and helpline to provide advice for homeowners who are struggling to pay their mortgage
- 09 Sep 2009Apple announces the new iPod Nano with videoApple today unveiled a new iPod Nano with video camera, FM tuner and pedometer as well as a series of updates to products including other iPods and iTunes.
- 09 Sep 2009Worldwide game of Monopoly launchesSnap up global addresses with online Monopoly game using Google Maps
- 08 Sep 2009John Lewis to launch Value rangeJohn Lewis is launching a new Value range of 100 home products next week.
- 08 Sep 2009Frankfurt Motor Show 2009: Ford C-MaxFrankfurt Motor Show: Ford C-Max. Which? has the first pictures of the new Ford C-Max MPV, set to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
- 08 Sep 2009Good Food Guide - top 50 restaurants revealedThe Good Food Guide 2010, published today, announces the 50 best restaurants in the UK
- 08 Sep 2009Recycling rewards scheme is extendedA council scheme in Windsor and Maidenhead which rewards points to homes that recycle will be extended to cover drinks cans, plastic and glass bottles, jars and paper from today.
- 08 Sep 2009Sony Ericsson Xperia X2 details disclosedSony Ericsson has announced the details of the Xperia X2, the follow up to the company's first smartphone: the Xperia X1
- 08 Sep 2009Orange and T-Mobile to join forcesIn a move that's likely to shake up the UK's mobile market, Orange UK and T-Mobile UK have announced plans to merge their two companies to, in their words, 'create a new mobile champion'.
- 08 Sep 2009Digi-novel combines a book, movie and a website Novel combines a book, movie and a website in one
- 07 Sep 2009IFA 2009: Pure shows pan-European digital radios IFA, Europe's largest consumer electronics show, has touched down in Berlin from 4-9 September, and Pure chose to demonstrate the first commercially available DMB-R digital radio at IFA 2009.
- 07 Sep 2009Parents must do more to protect children onlineIgnorance of technology is no excuse for parents to ignore the online safety of children, says senior police officer
- 07 Sep 2009Barclaycard launches 1% cashback credit cardNo-fee card offers excellent deal for low spenders
- 07 Sep 2009Which? welcomes lower RBS bank chargesRBS Group has slashed the penalties it imposes on customers who get overdrawn.
- 06 Sep 2009IFA 2009 videos: Samsung, LG, Nikon and PanasonicIFA 2009, Europe's largest consumer electronics show has touched down in Berlin from 4-9 September, and Which? is there bringing you launch news and first look videos of TVs, cameras and mobiles, direct from the show floor.
- 05 Sep 2009IFA 2009: TomTom iPhone car kit on showIFA, Europe's largest consumer electronics show, has touched down in Berlin from 4-9 September, and TomTom chose to unveil its iPhone sat nav car kit at IFA 2009.
- 05 Sep 2009IFA 2009 video: Samsung 8 series LED TVs Samsung has launched its new 8 Series range of LED TVs on its stand at IFA 2009 in Berlin, including 40-inch and 46-inch 200Hz LED TVs.
- 05 Sep 2009Frankfurt Motor Show 2009: Volvo refreshes C70 Volvo has announced details of the mid-life facelift for its four-seater C70 coupé-convertible.
- 05 Sep 2009Family tree website goes back to schoolSchool registers help you trace your ancestors
- 04 Sep 2009IFA 2009: LG Edge LED TVs launchedLG has launched a new range of LED TVs on its stand at IFA 2009 in Berlin, including the LH9000 LED TV, the Borderless Edge SL9000 LED TV and SL8000 LCD TV.
- 04 Sep 2009Paper energy bills cost £224 moreCustomers who pay their energy bills by traditional means are paying an average of £224 more than those who pay by direct debit and manage their accounts online.
- 04 Sep 2009Tesco under fire for Clubcard health scansTesco has been criticised for offering vouchers for health scans through its Clubcard loyalty scheme.
- 04 Sep 2009Hot car deals, 4 September 2009The scrappage scheme won’t last much longer, and it’s worth considering if you’re after a Seat, but for other makes, including Ford, you can get bigger discounts on other deals.
- 04 Sep 2009IFA 2009: Samsung cameras, TVs and mobilesSamsung is showing its latest digital cameras, TVs and mobile phones on its stand at IFA 2009 in Berlin, including the twin-screen ST550 camera, 82-inch Ultra-HD TV, and Galaxy Android smartphone.
- 04 Sep 2009Learner drivers face new theory test questionsLearner drivers taking the theory test will be made to answer new ‘case study’ questions from the end of this month.
- 04 Sep 2009FSA publishes complaints figures FSA figures, published for the first time, reveal increased disastisfaction with financial products and their providers. Bank complaints rose by 32% from 2006 to 2008. Current accounts and credit cards are the most common cause.
- 04 Sep 2009YouTube plans online movie rentalInternet video website YouTube is in talks to offer internet rentals streamed via the internet
- 03 Sep 2009Sony announces Vaio X UltraportableSony announces Vaio X carbon-fibre ultraportable laptop at the IFA 2009 consumer electronics show in Berlin
- 03 Sep 2009Two new Mini concepts to be built in UKBMW has announced plans to produce two new models at the Mini plant in Cowley, near Oxford.
- 03 Sep 2009Frankfurt Motor Show 2009: more hybrids revealedToyota and Lexus have both confirmed they are to show new petrol-electric hybrid hatchback concepts at the forthcoming Frankfurt motor show.
- 03 Sep 2009Frankfurt Motor Show 2009: BMW Vision conceptFrankfurt Motor Show - BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept revealed. Which? takes a closer look at the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept, due to be on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
- 03 Sep 2009Which? responds to file sharing plansWhich? responds to the government's file sharing plans
- 03 Sep 2009Online users may live to regret digital tattooSecurity firm warns people are putting too much personal information online, including postcodes, bank details and phone numbers.
- 03 Sep 2009EBook store partners with Google
- 03 Sep 2009HSBC launches 1.99% discounted mortgage dealCompetitive 2-year deal available for those with 40% deposit and comes with £1,199 fee
- 03 Sep 2009Music videos return to YouTubeBritish viewers can once again view pop videos on the video-sharing website
- 03 Sep 2009Sony unveils MHS-PM1 pocket HD camcorderSony has confirmed the launch of the MHS-PM1 pocket HD camcorder, which can record full HD 1080p video as well as still 5Mp images.
- 03 Sep 2009Over 50s card use climbsCredit card use among over 50 years olds is on the rise according to research from Saga.
- 03 Sep 2009Libor low sparks mortgage hopes As 3 month sterling Libor continues to fall, three main lenders have cut their rates for borrowers. HSBC, Woolwich and Cheltenham & Gloucester have announced cuts in interest rates, with HSBC offering a chart-topping 2 year discount deal at 1.99%.
- 03 Sep 2009Young people need internet safety guidanceOfcom report says young children don't know how to protect themselves online
- 02 Sep 2009IFA 2009: Panasonic, Sony and LG TV newsThe IFA 2009 consumer electronics show is due to kick off in Berlin tomorrow, and there has been a flurry of press releases from Sony, LG and Panasonic announcing the very latest in TV technology.
- 02 Sep 2009Energy firms 'failing to pass on price cuts'As wholesale energy prices hit their lowest level for almost three years, two studies have suggested that energy suppliers aren't fully passing on the savings to their customers.
- 02 Sep 2009£350m earmarked for 90,000 home energy makeoversA new community energy saving programme launched today will help to deliver whole house and whole street energy makeovers over the next three years.
- 02 Sep 2009Microsoft announces Windows Mobile release dateMicrosoft announces the release date for version 6.5 of its Windows Mobile operating system.
- 02 Sep 2009Panasonic unveils the GF1 micro four-thirds cameraPanasonic has confirmed the launch of the GF1: a new, compact micro four-thirds camera and the third model in the Panasonic G Series
- 02 Sep 2009Samsung announces app store for smartphonesCustomers of Omnia smartphones can download apps from the company's Applications Store
- 01 Sep 20093 launches MiFi (mobile Wi-Fi) wireless modem Mobile network 3 has announced the price and launch date of its 'MiFi' mobile Wi-Fi wireless modem.
- 01 Sep 2009EU ban on traditional light bulbs beginsFrom today, retailers will no longer be able to buy new stocks of traditional clear 100 watt incandescent light bulbs or frosted light bulbs.
- 01 Sep 2009Search traffic reaches record levelsWeb search engine traffic up 41% in a year, Google still has Lion's share of market
- 01 Sep 2009Canon EOS 7D announcedCanon has confirmed the launch of the hotly-anticipated EOS 7D, the latest camera in Canon's line of high-end digital SLRs
- 01 Sep 2009Sony to ship PCs with Google ChromeSony snubs Microsoft to offer Google Chrome browser on its laptops
