
WiFi alert issued to all UK homes to check routers NOW over ‘mass blackout' risk
Although hot weather is great for BBQs and tanning, your internet connection might suffer.
Advertisement
1
Hot weather could slow down internet connectivity by 25 per cent
UK homes could experience connectivity issues with 25 per cent slower WI-FI.
According to Broadband Genie, high temperatures could overheat your router with upload speeds dropping by 27 per cent.
These black boxes, just like most devices, don't like being too hot and could completely shut down.
In order to avoid a total blackout, it is advised to keep your router away from the direct sunlight.
Advertisement
read more on tech
The Broadband Genie team told Mirror: 'Broadband companies design and test their equipment to operate in and around temperatures up to 40°C.
'If users can keep their broadband router below this, we'll avoid a wave of mass broadband
blackouts
.
'Customers should check their router isn't placed in an unsuitable spot, such as
next
to any sunny south-facing window or a sweltering loft space.
'A couple of minutes taken here will save your broadband grinding to a halt, avoiding any broadband-related frustrations.'
Advertisement
Most read in Tech
Breaking
Exclusive
Breaking
But don't tuck away your router inside a cabinet either as that could block the signal.
It is recommended to place your black box at least 30cm off the floor on a flat, hard surface.
Brand new Wi-Fi router revealed
Broadband Genie also warns pet owners to keep their fur
babies
away from the router.
Your fluffy friend's fur could congest the air ducts which will prevent ventilation.
Advertisement
If your router is too old and is struggling to keep cool even with all precautions taken, you might want to consider an upgrade.
Experts say households should
The newer
models
run cooler and aren't as perceptive to the temperature, and they could cost you only £50.
If all else fails and the temperatures reach 40+ degrees, it is best to disconnect from the internet and bask in the Sun while giving your devices a break.
Advertisement
You might enjoy chatting to family and friends over BBQ or reading a book on a patio or in the park in the meantime.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
I test mind-boggling 4mm thin Samsung phone that folds in HALF – & it has huge perk your posh iPhone is missing
THIS is it. Samsung has finally done it. For years, phone makers have been trying to make foldable phones work. Well, I've been trying out the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 for a few weeks – and it actually delivers on the dream. Advertisement 13 The Sun's tech editor Sean Keach has been testing out the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun 13 At a glance, it just looks like a regular mobile Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun 13 But it folds out into a tablet in the blink of an eye Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun Foldable phones are meant to fit in your pocket like a regular mobile, and then fold out to give you a massive screen. The idea is that you get a phone and a tablet in one. But so far, the bulk of these devices have had a load of compromises. The main one? They're usually as thick as tree trunks. Now Samsung has managed to slim down its latest foldable to just 4.2mm thick unfolded. It's shockingly thin. I reckon you could use it as a frisbee if it didn't start at £1,799. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, £1,799 or £75 a month And even folded, it's just 8.9mm thick. That's only marginally beefier than the 8.25mm Advertisement Read more on Samsung SAMSUNG GALAXY Z FOLD 7 DESIGN – THE LOOKS If I was using this mobile on the tube, folded over into a smartphone, no one would look twice. It looks just like a regular Samsung phone. There's a line down the side, but you'd ignore it as a design quirk. At the same time, if I unfolded this and lay it out flat on the table, you'd think it was a tablet. There's no visible crease down the middle (unless you tilt it to a sharp angle). It just looks like a regular Samsung slate. You'd probably remark on the svelte side profile, but that's it. And this is the magic to Samsung's new phone. Advertisement Most read in Tech Breaking It doesn't look like a rubbish version of a phone and a similarly dodgy tablet. This looks good no matter which way you're holding it. I'm using the Blue Shadow colour option. It's eye-catching and I really like it – but you might prefer the safer Jetblack or Silver Shadow versions instead. Sun's tech editor shows NEW 4mm thin folding Samsung – & teases 'flip iPhone' too It also comes in a very fresh Mint option but you can only get that directly from Samsung. There's not much else to note on the outside. There's a very prominent camera bump on the back, which is possibly the only disappointing design aspect – but there's no real way around it. If you want top pics, you need big sensors and lenses. Advertisement The exterior smartphone-style screen is a 6.5-inch OLED panel with a 2,520 x 1080-pixel resolution. This is high-end stuff – no scrimping. And inside you've got an enormous 8-inch OLED display with a 2,184 x 1,968-pixel resolution. Again, that's high-end tablet territory. 13 Lay it down while closed and it's only marginally thicker than an iPhone Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun It's still dwarfed by full-size tablets, of course, but this puts it in iPad Mini territory. You're meant to use it for watching telly, or reading an ebook, or playing a video game. Advertisement And when you're just texting or scrolling through Instagram, you'll be fine with the regular mobile display. But ultimately, the choice is yours. Fold and unfold at will. SAMSUNG GALAXY Z FOLD 7 PERFORMANCE & FEATURES – THE POWER AND PERKS Alright, so it looks good – but does it work well? Performance is a non-issue. It has a blisteringly fast Snapdragon 8 Elite processor made by US chip giant Qualcomm. Chuck whatever you like at it – browsing, gaming, the works. Advertisement Computing speed hasn't been an issue on top-end phones for years now, and it's the same story with Samsung's latest mobile. It comes with 256GB of storage as standard, but you can upgrade this. And for memory – that's the active space for whatever you're doing in the moment – you get 12GB, with an option to pay for 16GB. 13 The only thick part of the phone is the hefty rear camera array Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun Advertisement The 16GB is chucked in with 1TB of storage. So it's the storage space you're more likely to be paying for there, as the 12GB of memory will be plenty for most people. Multi-tasking is no problem at all. And because you've got a tablet here, you actually can multitask. You can have several apps open at once. Just drag and drop them from the tray into your desired position. So you could have a YouTube video and your messaging app stacked on top of each other on the left, and a web browser taking up the full right-side of the screen. Advertisement 13 The cameras are impressive and taking stunning snaps Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun That's the sort of thing that simply isn't possible on a regular phone screen. This phone is also running on Google's Android software (albeit skinned with Samsung's own look), so you get access to all of those perks too. That means the vast array of apps on the Google Play Store, and Google's anti-malware protections. Advertisement But you'll also bag access to Google's extremely powerful Gemini AI assistant. SAMSUNG GALAXY Z FOLD 7 – THE KEY SPECS Here's the list of specs you need to know about... Cover display: 6.5 inches (2,520 x 1080 AMOLED) Main display: 8 inches (2,184 x 1,968 AMOLED) Weight: 215 grams Main Camera: Wide (200MP) / Ultra-Wide (12MP) / Telephoto (10MP) Front Cameras: 10MP / 10MP Operating System: Android Battery: 4,400mAh Processor: Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Picture Credit: Samsung I've used a load of AI chatbots and virtual helpers, and I've generally been most impressed by Gemini. I love my iPhone, but we've still yet to see the best version of Siri. For instance, I've used Gemini as a the voice chat feature that lets you have a live conversation with it. It's a free tour guide in your pocket. Gemini is powerful, easy to use, and keeps getting smarter. And you can access it at lightning speed just by holding down the lock button on the Galaxy Z Fold 7. Neat. Advertisement If you've used an Android phone before then the whole Galaxy Z Fold 7 interface will feel very familiar. It's very customisable, works based off of apps, and is snappy and performant. 13 When unfolded, the gadget is strikingly thin – at just over 4mm thickness Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun Battery life is great, all things considered. And by all things, I mean having two large and pixel-dense screens plus a phone body that's wafer thin. Samsung has managed to stuff a fairly sizeable 4,400mAh battery inside this thing. You can easily get through a day with this device, which is all that matters. Advertisement And finally, let's talk about the camera. This mobile isn't just for show. The days of foldable phones being just a gimmick seem increasingly to be behind us. 13 You only see the crease on the 8-inch AMOLED tablet display when you're viewing it at an off-angle Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun And that means Samsung has also fitted this mobile with a proper high-end camera that rivals the best. Advertisement Or rather, five cameras. You've got a 10-megapixel one on the front, and another inside when the tablet opens up. And on the back of the phone (usable in all views) is a series of three powerful shooters. That includes a 200-megapixel wide-angle camera, a 12-megapixel snapper for ultra-wide capture, and then a 10-megapixel telephoto lens for zoom. The selfie cameras are fine and capture very respectable snaps. Of course, the real photography comes from the rear camera array, which takes brilliant pics even in rubbish lighting conditions. The pics are sharp, detailed, and colour-accurate. Advertisement And if you're into zooming (always fun!) then you can go right up to 30x. Only 3x is optical zoom (so actual zoom from the camera lens) and then the rest is digital. So you will get a quality drop off the deeper you zoom in – but it's still pretty effective. You won't win any photography awards at 30x zoom, mind. If there was one downside, it would be that I wish the optical zoom was higher – even at 5x. For a high-end smartphone, this feels like a slight misstep. 13 When the phone is flipped open, you can take selfies using the rear camera while enjoying a face preview on the outside screen Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun Advertisement I should also note: there's a preview mode when you're snapping in tablet view. So as you're shooting pics, you can have them appear on the left half of the screen. So you can instantly see if your pic was rubbish and you need to go again. And there's something called Cover Screen Preview. So if you want to take a selfie with the main camera, you can spin the phone around and see your face on the exterior display. Then you can snap yourself easily using that preview, while getting the full heft of the main camera array (which is also facing you, because you've got the phone flipped open as a tablet). Advertisement 13 The phone is very easy to open and close – and it's lightweight in the hand too Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun SAMSUNG GALAXY Z FOLD 7 PRICE – SHOULD YOU BUY IT? It all sounds pretty dreamy, right? Well that's until you get to the checkout. You come crashing down to Earth and realise you're about to spend £1,799 on a phone – or £1,899/£2,149 if you want 512GB or 1TB of storage. Even without any mobile add-ons or interest, the base price divides up to £74.95 a month over two years. Advertisement Even Apple's top iPhone can only be customised up to £1,599 (that's £66.62 a month). Of course, that doesn't fold. 13 Samsung has managed to cram in a fairly large battery, so you'll get through a day of use without much bother Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun And there's not really anything as strikingly thin as this on the foldables market. I've reviewed dozens of mobiles over the years, and it's rare that I'm shocked by a phone. This Samsung mobile wowed me. Advertisement And everyone that I've let hold this thing has been impressed too. I haven't had a single person say: "What's the point?" It's finally thin enough that people get it. It's clearly pocketable. The inner screen has an obvious use. The whole package makes sense. 13 The only giveaway that this is a foldable phone is the gap on the side of the mobile Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun This is the bleeding edge of smartphone design, so it makes sense that it Advertisement If you want a cheaper foldable, Samsung certainly has thriftier options. And rival gadget makers like Google and Huawei have very nice foldables too. But it's impossible to deny that Samsung has crafted something very beautiful here, and it feels special. I can't recommend this mobile to absolutely everyone. It's an expensive device that won't fit in with a lot of budgets. If you're a gadget fan on the Android side of the mobile divide, I've got no doubt you'll love this. I think even Apple die-hards would struggle not to be impressed by Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7. Advertisement And if this is just too expensive for you, feel safe in the knowledge that this tech will trickle down. Svelte foldables won't always cost mega money , but breakthroughs like this will always be pricy at first. Samsung has achieved something brilliant here, and phone enthusiasts among you should (and undoubtedly will) consider buying one you've got the spare cash. This device can very effectively replace both your phone and tablet. And so in some ways, that means the price isn't as intense as it might first seem. It's also something that the iPhone hasn't managed – SAMSUNG GALAXY Z FOLD 7 – THE PROS AND CONS Here's what you need to know... Pros: Thin enough to function as a phone and a tablet Looks brilliant – a real showstopper Powerful processor, great camera, and stunning displays A multi-tasking powerhouse Cons: Very expensive for most people Large camera bump Optical zoom could be better There are loads of times during a day where I'm using my phone and wish it had a tablet-sized screen, but I can't be bothered to pull my actual tablet out of my bag. Advertisement This solves that issue with ease. And for some phone fans, that'll make the price feel bang on. The Sun says: A foldable phone to convert the doubters – Samsung has crafted an impossibly thin (and endlessly tempting) super-phone that comfortably doubles as a tablet. It's a top buy, if you can afford it. 4.5/5 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, £1,799 or £75 a month 13 This is a brilliant example of how useful foldable phones can really be Credit: Sean Keach / The Sun Advertisement All prices in this article were correct at the time of writing, but may have since changed. Always do your own research before making any purchase.


The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
‘Greatest inventions of all time revealed' as survey puts the internet, penicillin and TV on the list
THE GREATEST inventions of all time have been revealed as a new survey puts the internet, penicillin and TV on the list. A poll of 2,000 adults saw electric power generation, which Thomas Edison is widely credited as inventing, come top. Advertisement 2 THE greatest inventions of all time have been revealed in a new survey Credit: National News 2 Electric power generation came top but sadly there was no place for sliced bread in the top 40 Credit: Rosie Windsor / SWNS Sir Tim Berners-Lee's 1990 creation - the internet came second, followed in third spot by penicillin, which Sir Alexander Fleming discovered in 1928. More recent inventions such as the smartphone, GPS, and the 3D printer all made the top 40 but there was no place for sliced bread. Commissioned to mark the launch of the new non-disposable Vuse Ultra vape, which includes smart features and is made from high-grade aluminium, the research found 56 per cent would struggle any longer than a day without using technology. And on average they spend six and a half hours glued to their device daily , with 12 per cent doing so for 12 hours or more. Advertisement Read more News A spokesperson said: 'It's clear Brits are embracing technology that makes their lives better in one way or another – with all of these small improvements adding up to a big difference in their day-to-day life.' The research also found that other popular inventions include home appliances such as the television, the refrigerator, the washing machine, the microwave, and the vacuum. Transport methods such as the airplane, the car, the steam engine, and the bicycle also secured lots of votes. While vaccinations and the defibrillator joined penicillin in representing the world of medicine, with energy sources such as the battery and solar panels well-liked. Advertisement Most read in The Sun The study also found the typical adult spends £1,013 a year on new tech, with those aged 25 to 34 spending the most - £2,121. According to 54 per cent, the best thing about modern gadgets is how they make life easier, while 34 per cent appreciate how some tech helps keep them connected to loved ones. Watch Tesla test self-driving cars on London streets & Swindon's 'Magic Roundabout' It also emerged 21 per cent believe they have the potential to develop a 'good' invention. With possible inventions including 24/7 battery life in devices, a smart shoe which tracks steps, and a fridge on wheels. Advertisement Carried out through OnePoll, the research for Vuse Ultra, which is available in stores nationwide and includes features such as 'Flavour Autotune' and 'CloudControl' and syncs with the MyVuse app, also identified the tech we expect to exist by 2050 with robots or androids as household helpers coming top (30 per cent). Implantable health monitors (29 per cent) and AI personal assistants (28 per cent) completed the top three. Further predictions include universal translators to enable seamless communication (22 per cent), virtual reality holidays and experiences (17 per cent), and self-cleaning homes (15 per cent) TOP 40 GREATEST INVENTIONS OF ALL TIME: 1. Electric power generation 2. The internet 3. Penicillin 4. Vaccinations 5. Television 6. Airplane 7. Telephone 8. Computer 9. The wheel 10 Light bulb 11. The car 12. Smartphone 13. Refrigerator 14. Defibrillator 15. Radio 16. Steam engine 17. Camera 18. Washing machine 19. Satellites 20. Battery 21. Internet browser (e.g. Google, Safari etc.) 22. Printing press 23. Electric motors (e.g. in fans, cars, power tools etc.) 24. GPS (Global Positioning System) 25. Solar panels 26. AI 27. Compass 28. Microwave 29. Air conditioning 30. Contactless payment 31. Bicycle 32. Helicopter 33. Telescope 34. Vacuum 35. ATM (Automated Teller Machine) 36. Smartwatch 37. Sewing machine 38. Electric kettle 39. 3D printer 40. Drones


The Irish Sun
21-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
I instantly saved my nan £720 by logging in to her TV & broadband account – check your family's services NOW
CHECK your elderly relatives' accounts as they could be wasting hundreds on their internet bills. Many of the best offers are available online instantly which may leave those less tech-savvy missing out, as I found out with my own nan this weekend. Advertisement 2 I couldn't believe how much my nan's broadband now cost Credit: Alamy This won't be the case for every elderly person, in fact I know plenty of seniors who are very well-versed with their phone and other gadgets. But my own nanny, who just celebrated her 79th birthday, isn't quite so confident with the tech. And quite severe So, when I went to visit this weekend she told me the shocking amount she was paying for her TV, broadband and phone services. Advertisement Read more about broadband For the basic Virgin Media package, 132Mbps speed broadband and a phone line with free calls for weekends, she was paying £63. "It's gone up again," she told me. It's a situation Brits have become all too familiar with. Most of us tend to look online for a new deal or give them a call. Advertisement Most read in Tech While the latter is probably preferred by my nan that's still a bit of a daunting process for her. So, I asked her if I could take a look. Are you owed cash from an outage? The first hurdle was getting into the account online, seeing as she couldn't remember the password but not to worry as a quick reset sorted that out. I was expecting to have to talk to an agent via the web chat - or worse, call up. Advertisement Instead, to my surprise, there was an alert saying that her current contract had expired and that she should renew. I assumed there might be some unwanted extras but no. Virgin Media were offering the same products for £33 instead of the £63 she was now paying. With a 24 month contract, that's a huge £720 saving across the entire period which is substantial. Advertisement Now, we could have probably saved more by changing to a new broadband provider and switching my nan over to Freeview. But she's familiar with the Virgin box she has and the less change for her the better. She was really chuffed that I saved her so much money with such ease. So, if you have elderly family or relatives who are less tech savvy it's well worth checking in on their accounts as you could save them a heap. Advertisement 2 Log into your family's broadband accounts now to see if they have a hidden offer Credit: Alamy How to save on broadband and TV bills HERE'S how to save money on your broadband and TV bills: Audit your subscriptions If you've got multiple subscriptions to various on-demand services, such as Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Sky consider whether you need them all. Could you even just get by with Freeview, which couldn't cost you anything extra each month for TV. Also make sure you're not paying for Netflix twice via Sky and directly. Haggle for a discount If you want to stay with your provider, check prices elsewhere to set a benchmark and then call its customer services and threaten to leave unless it price matches or lowers your bill. Switch and save If you don't want to stay with your current provider check if you can cancel your contract penalty free and switch to a cheaper provider. A comparison site, such as