Computer Club Dates


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Computer Club Date

Wednesday 14th October 2026

Google Account – Linked Apps/Accounts
Over time, you may have allowed some apps to access certain Google features such as your Calendar, Google Drive or Gmail.  You may have used the “Sign in with Google” option to sign in to some accounts.  From time to time, it might be worth looking at what links you have set up and whether you still need them – for example, you may have linked your Google account to other accounts that you no longer use.

You can see these links to other apps/accounts by going to:-
https://myaccount.google.com/linkedapps

You will see a list of linked apps.  Click one to see more information and, if appropriate, remove the app’s access to the relevant Google features.

Under “View by”, you can use the buttons to see:-

  • Sign in with Google - See which accounts you sign in to using Sign in with Google.
  • Linked accounts - See which accounts you allowed to access some of your Google information, or vice versa.
  • Access to - See where you allowed other accounts to access specific Google features (e.g. Calendar or Gmail).


Landline Switch Off
The PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network), the analogue telephone landline system, which has been in use for over 100 years, is due to be switched off by the 31st of January next year (2027).  The original target date was the end of 2025, but this was extended to give the industry, especially telecare alarm providers, more time.  We have discussed the landline switchover to digital several times before:-

Before the end of January next year, existing landline phones need to be switched to a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) connection, branded by some companies as “Digital Voice” or similar.  This Which? article from 7 July this year has more:-
https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/broadband/article/digital-voice-and-the-landline-phone-switch-off-what-it-means-for-you-aPSOH8k1i6Vv

The switch to Digital Voice/VoIP often coincides with an upgrade to full fibre (i.e. Fibre to the Premises or FTTP), but VoIP can work on FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet), which is fibre except for the last link between your house and the street cabinet.

The rollout of full fibre will not finish until around 2032.

We had quite a long discussion about the pros and cons of Digital Voice.  One of the key issues is ensuring you can make an emergency call in the event of a power cut.  Digital Voice relies on having power to the ONT (Optical Network Terminal - the box where the fibre comes in), the router (aka hub), and the DECT phone base station (if applicable).  Your telecoms provider must provide a battery back-up system for at least one hour if you don't have a working mobile phone service.  Alternatively, you could purchase your own UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) to support the system, possibly including your desktop PC, etc.


iPhone 18 and iOS 27
We talked about this last time, just hours before Apple made the announcements at its event.  This article from Macworld has more to say about iOS 27:-

https://www.macworld.com/article/3233886/not-sure-whether-to-update-to-ios-27-these-new-iphone-features-will-convince-you.html

In particular, this article looks at some of the new AI features:-

  • The improved AI Siri with a Siri app which will remember your previous chats.
  • New AI features in the Photos app – Clean Up, Extend and Reframe.
  • New AI features in Safari.
  • AI-generated Shortcuts.

Also, the translucency of the controversial Liquid Glass effect can now be adjusted using a slider control.

If you want to know more about the iPhone 18 Pro, this Engadget article explains:-
https://www.engadget.com/2274578/iphone-18-pro-feature-try-when-unboxed/

In particular, it describes:-

  • New camera controls, including variable aperture.
  • Changes to the Dynamic Island.
  • And faster charging.


Googlebooks Launched
At the Club in June, we mentioned that Google was developing Googlebooks:-
https://computerclub100.blogspot.com/2026/06/

Googlebooks will run an Android-based operating system so they can run Android apps.  Developers will be encouraged to upgrade their apps to work on laptop-sized screens.  This article from Ars Technica has more details, including five Googlebooks that have just been launched:-
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/09/googlebook-laptops-launch-october-4-starting-at-899-preorders-for-five-models-live-today/?comments-page=1#comments


Virgin Media Email Service Ending
Virgin Media stopped offering new email accounts back in 2022, and they are now ceasing to provide email services completely.  This affects Virgin Media email accounts which end with any of the following:-

  • ntlworld.com
  • blueyonder.co.uk
  • virgin.net
  • virginmedia.com
Virgin Media have made an arrangement for customers with the above email accounts to transfer them to Junara, an email service provider.  There will be a charge to use the Junara service, but existing Virgin Media customers will get the first 12 months free, as I understand it.  Customers should receive an email explaining their options.  Clearly, this could be an opportunity for scammers to get in on the act, so customers need to be cautious and make sure they are only dealing with Virgin Media or Junara.  See the Virgin Media announcement for more detail:-
https://news.virginmediao2.co.uk/helping-customers-understand-upcoming-changes-to-their-virgin-media-email-services/

Note that users who fail to take any action will, after 165 days, have their email account deleted.

Customers could set up a free email account with Google's Gmail (gmail.com), Microsoft's Outlook (outlook.com) or Proton Mail (proton.me/mail) instead.  Proton's free email account is limited to 1GB of storage, but you can pay £3.99 a month for 15GB and other benefits.


Next Session
Wednesday 11th November 2026 at 2pm by Zoom.


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