comments (22)

1. So you would either need a Pay Monthly or PAYG sim in this. Pay Monthly would be an ongoing expense which would put people off using this, and PAYG sims will be deactivated if they are not used for a certain amount of time.

   Is there a way to stop a PAYG sim being deactivated ?

   20 July, 2009 10:47

   Nigel says:

2. Any idea when this may be available? I think it sound like a fantastic idea :)

   20 July, 2009 14:45

   Mark Johnson says:

3. Nigel - Thanks for your comment. The remote automatically rejects the call so there is no call charge. When you text it, the message will be charged at the standard rate on whatever plan you have. And as for a way to stop a payg sim from deactivating, we're finding out the answer for you... :)

   Mark - Glad you like it! If you give the guys at Quantek.co.uk, a shout a GSM remote can be all yours :)

   20 July, 2009 15:18

   Ria@The Feed says:

4. Hi
   Most but not all PAYG sim cards will be de-activated by the network they work on if not used to make an outgoing voice call or to send an SMS text message within a specific period. To prevent this simply send the GSM-AUTO a txt command asking it 'what is the signal strength' it will reply by text message, do this once a month to keep the sim active.
   Terry

   21 July, 2009 08:39

   Terry (Quantek) says:

5. Thanks Terry, top work :)

   21 July, 2009 09:23

   Ria@The Feed says:

6. The Terms and conditions for the supply of Orange pay as you go Services in section 3.4 state as follows:

   3.4 We will disconnect your Device if during the previous six months, you have not Registered a new Top Up or you have not made chargeable calls from your Device. For the avoidance of doubt calls shall include but not be limited to voice calls, data calls and text messaging. On disconnection your mobile telephone number will be reassigned. On Re-connection you will be assigned a new mobile telephone number. Orange may at its discretion, on request and on Re-connection to the Services, re-credit the amount remaining on your account at the time it was disconnected.

   So I guess you only have to send an SMS once every 6 months to keep an Orange PAYG card alive be it in a phone or GSM-AUTO.

   21 July, 2009 17:47

   Andy says:

7. Hey Andrew - good digging there. Looks like this is the case, which is incredibly useful for anyone wanting to use the GSM remote who might, for example, live abroad. Ace detective work, we thank you :)

   21 July, 2009 17:54

   Ria@The Feed says:

8. Simple and handy piece of equipment but well over priced at £139 the components are very cheap and probably costs under £10 to manufacture on scaled production.
   Could pick up a manual day/ week hour timer for less than 10% of cost so until scale brings price down I dont see many being sold though I could be proved wrong.

   13 August, 2009 12:21

   Sean says:

9. what a useless gadget! you can buy timers to fit to your lights to switch on at any time ( that your lighting on)and your have timers on your heating systems and this costs you nothing!!...so whats the point of it?????? i see no use for it at all and i love gadgets .....

   13 August, 2009 19:03

   Steve says:

10. Hey Steve - tell it like it is! Fair dues, we like it, but it's not going to get everyone excited :)

    13 August, 2009 19:28

    Ria@The Feed says:

11. Well that's a stupid price.

    13 August, 2009 20:16

    squareeyes says:

12. sounds a great idea would suit disabled people to a T

    13 August, 2009 21:55

    helen says:

13. with been disabled it looks like a very good idea i would like to give it a try,because i have come home wishing i had set the heating to come on,only to home to cold....

    14 August, 2009 08:45

    mike says:

14. I think the gadget is a good idea if a little pricey. I see the point people are making regarding Timers, which is a fair point, but what about those times where it would be nice to heat your home if you hadnt planned to arrive home later or earlier. Lighting Timers also do work but again the same applies.

    14 August, 2009 09:49

    Tim says:

15. I understand the principle of this device, but how would it switch on a device like a computer? Just adding power to many of today's technology will not switch the device on. Or am I missing something here?

    14 August, 2009 09:56

    Darius says:

16. Darius - It will be possible in the future. All you would need to do is add an Ethernet port to the device and connect that to your pc. This will then allow the pc to be started from the network (There is a BIOS option that allows network boot to happen/not happen).

    HTH

    14 August, 2009 10:35

    Stuart says:

17. amazing bit of kit, i would use this.

    14 August, 2009 12:18

    jennifer says:

18. @Darius. There is usually a BIOS option to boot on power restore which would bring the computer up when the power is turned on. Of course, you might still need to log in, but there are utilities for this and if you had VNC running, you could then remotely control the computer.

    14 August, 2009 12:43

    Jules says:

19. Most PAYG deals need a voice call and not just a SMS to keep them activated otherwise they get de-registered (after 3 months).

    14 August, 2009 13:47

    Dave says:

20. With reference to the comment 'useless gadget' here are just some of the uses it IS being used for; controlling access to fuel tanker valves in Nigeria (prevents pilfering when tankers en route to destination). Remote starting of aviation engine pre-heaters. Re-setting of mountain top located comms systems. Re-setting of remote servers. Switching on remote back up radio station transmitters. Automated gate access and remote control. Switching on and off remote scientific instruments. Interactive shop window display in London...............

    17 August, 2009 14:55

    Terry says:

21. how can i get this device?

    26 January, 2010 17:12

    mohd says:

22. Just give the guys at Quantek.co.uk a shout and I'm sure they'll be happy to oblige you mohd.

    26 January, 2010 18:09

    Ria@The Feed says: