Articles and competitions.

Laughter is honestly the best medicine. After all, it’s a simple way to boost your mood and is proven to be a powerful stress reliever. Don’t just take our word for it either. An article by the British Heart Foundation explains how laughing helps release endorphins – otherwise known as feel-good hormones. Just a few minutes of mirth can increase the oxygen you take in, lower your heart rate and blood pressure, and help your muscles relax. You can’t argue with that. And now there’s even more reason to smile… To celebrate World Laughter Day (on May 4, 2025), we’re giving away a pair of Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Bluetooth Noise-Cancelling Headphones! Whether you’re giggling at your favourite podcast, chuckling over a video call, or just enjoying the peace and quiet between laughs, these headphones are perfect for turning up the joy. So, if it’s a quick grin or a full-on belly laugh you’re after, here are a few ideas that are bound to give you a giggle – and don’t forget to enter the giveaw

Technology has transformed how we live, work, and play. In just the blink of an eye, we’ve gone from huge mainframe computers that took up entire rooms to do-it-all smartphones that fit in our pockets! The evolution of technology, especially in the last 100 years or so, has been nothing short of incredible. And in this article, we’re going to explore the transition from old to new tech in areas like communication, entertainment, transportation, and more. Highlighting how these advancements have changed our lives. We’ll also give you a heads up on some cool, cutting-edge tech coming soon. Where we’re going, we don’t need roads… Communication: from landlines to smartphones. In the past, landline phones were our primary means of staying in touch. Fast forward to today, and we have portable smartphones that offer a world of possibilities at our fingertips. But how did we get this far? Invention of the telephone: 1876 — The first telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in the late 1

Thanks for taking a moment to tell us which tech era gets your vote. Whether you’re a fan of old-school gadgets or you’re all about the latest innovations, we’re glad you joined in. While you’re here, why not check out our latest competition? To celebrate World Laughter Day 2025, we’re giving away a pair of Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Bluetooth Noise-Cancelling Headphones. All you need to do is head over to the article below and leave a comment: You’ve got until 16th May at 23:59 to enter. Good luck!

AI isn’t just about chatbots and self-driving cars, although those things are pretty cool! It’s revolutionizing fields in ways you’d never expect. From decoding lost languages to exploring the deep sea, AI is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. So here are 8 of the most fascinating AI applications that might surprise you. Plus, we’re giving away an HP Chromebook Plus with a 12-Month Google One AI Premium Plan! Find out how to enter at the end of the article. 1. Decoding ancient languages. AI is helping linguists decipher lost languages by analysing ancient texts. Using algorithms, artificial neural networks predict missing words in ancient Greek manuscripts and Egyptian hieroglyphs. AI can even accelerate the translation of dead languages that have no modern equivalent. One example is China’s Oracle Bone Script, an ancient divination text carved into cattle bones and turtle shells! 2. Making masterpieces. AI can already transform rough sketches into detailed artwork. Tools like

There’s a lot of loyalty apps around nowadays. Supermarkets, airlines and other big brands all seem to have one. And that can make it tough to work out which ones are actually worth your time. And which ones you’ll want to steer well clear of. So, to narrow things down a bit, we’ve rounded up some of our favourites that definitely deserve a download. But first, here’s a few quick points on why you should even bother with them: Earn points on everyday purchases – Lots of loyalty apps let you build up points on your regular shopping, which can then be redeemed later on for cheaper prices and handy rewards. Receive exclusive discounts – Members usually get access to unique offers that aren’t available to everyone else. You’ll be able to feel smug while everyone else pays top dollar. Unlock special offers – From time limited deals to one-of-a-kind promotions, you’ll be able to get all kinds of goodies while you’re part of a program. And with the cost-of-living crisis we’re in, every little

Summer’s just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to get your garden ready for some outdoor fun and relaxation. Whether you’re dreaming of sizzling BBQs, chilled-out music nights, or lazy afternoons soaking in the sun, a few smart tech additions can seriously level up your outdoor space. Let’s take a look at some of the best around. Ninja Woodfires: The Ultimate Outdoor Cooking Experience. If you're ready to take your BBQ game to the next level, meet your new best friend: the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Oven. This bad boy does it all - grilling, smoking, roasting, air frying - you name it. It's like bringing a smokehouse and an outdoor kitchen together into one sleek, compact unit. With a quick setup and a design that doesn’t hog all your patio space, it’s perfect for whipping up wood-fired meals without the hassle. Expect juicy steaks, smoky ribs, and even crispy pizzas that’ll make your neighbours jealous. Whether it's a casual dinner or a weekend garden party, this gadget brings

Getting your child their first phone is a big deal. It’s a step toward their independence - and it also means you’ll want to keep their digital world safe. This guide walks you through the best first phones for kids, how to set them up for safety, and how to encourage healthy phone habits from day one. The best first phones for kids. When picking a first phone, you want something tough, easy to manage, and loaded with safety features. Here are three great choices: Samsung Galaxy A16 5G. The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is a wallet-friendly phone that can handle the occasional drop (or three). It’s built for durability, making it perfect for kids who are still getting the hang of handling devices. It also comes with Samsung’s built-in parental controls, which make it easy to do things like set screen times and block inappropriate content. Check out the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G deals on iD Mobile. Honor 200 Smart. The Honor 200 Smart hits the sweet spot between performance and battery life. It kee

We know how important it is to stay connected while traveling, and we’ve got you covered with our Pre-Travel Roaming Checklist. So, whether you’re heading off for a quick getaway or exploring new places, we’ll help you avoid surprise charges so you can enjoy your trip without worrying about your phone. Roam Free: 50 Destinations with No Extra Cost. With Roam Free, you can use your UK allowances (up to 30GB) in 50 destinations. That means you can browse, chat, text, and stream just like you would at home, without paying extra roaming fees. Whether you’re heading to Paris, Rome, or beyond, our Roam Free destinations make it easier to stay connected and enjoy your time away. Learn more about Roam Free. Roam Beyond: Add-Ons for Extra Coverage. We offer Roam Beyond add-ons for 10 more destinations. If you’re traveling to places like the USA, Australia, India, or Mexico, you can easily add data to stay connected without worrying about high roaming costs. Here’s a breakdown of the Roam Beyond

Spring’s here, and it’s the perfect time for a fresh start! While you’re busy dusting off shelves and clearing out cupboards, don’t forget your phone could do with a bit of TLC too. We use our mobiles every day, but it’s easy to take them for granted. Over time, they fill up with unused apps, endless downloads, and old photos and videos we’ll probably never look at again. And all that digital clutter? It can slow things down big time.A good spring clean can work wonders for your phone’s performance – and we’re here to help! In this guide, we’ll share some quick and easy ways to declutter your mobile, speed things up, and boost security. Oh, and speaking of fresh starts, how about a chance to win a SHARK Anti Hair Wrap IZ202UK Cordless Vacuum Cleaner - Blue? Yep, we’re giving one away! Read on for top phone-cleaning tips and details on how to enter. Marigolds on – let’s get started! Digital declutter: the essentials. Trash old apps First things first, let’s tackle those apps. Take a mom

Many of the best smartphones now come with AI-powered assistants to make your life easier. Whether you need a hand brainstorming ideas or want to swap out the background in a holiday photo — there are loads of ways Ai can help you be more productive and creative. All with just a voice command or a tap on your screen. It really is that easy! Gemini is Google’s very own AI model that’s comes built into the latest Android phones. But you can also make use of its nifty features on most Android and iOS devices — just download the Gemini app. Let’s find out more about what it can do… What is Google Gemini? Gemini is an AI sidekick that’ll never let you feel stuck or uninspired. It works just like a real-life personal assistant and generates human-like responses using your prompts. You can even have a live chat with Gemini if you want to. Here are a few of the coolest things it can do: Answers your questions: If you ever need a quick answer to something, just ask Gemini. You’ll get a helpful

We’ve all been there at one point or another. You’re sat staring at your phone screen. Then something pops up on your social feed that you really like the look of It could be a cool jacket. Or a tasty dish from your favourite chef. But you don’t know which brand the clothes are from. And that cuisine isn’t like anything you’ve ever seen before. It’s got octopus in it! Usually, you’d have to spend ages tapping out a question on Google to find out what they are. Not here though. Circle to Search to the rescue. Google’s nifty AI tool will help you to learn more about them way quicker than before. And you’ll be able to do it with just a couple of taps. Here’s how it all works… What is Circle to Search? It’s exactly what it sounds like. Google Circle to Search is an AI feature on the latest Android devices that lets you search for text, images or videos straight from your screen. Instead of typing, just circle, highlight, scribble or tap on whatever you’re interested in. Then let the tech d

AI has already changed how we live, work, and chat with our phones. From answering questions in seconds to generating artwork, it’s made life easier—and it’s only just getting started. But what’s coming next? Let’s take a look at some of the coolest AI advancements on the horizon. Smarter assistants that just get you. Right now, AI assistants can set reminders, send messages, and answer basic questions. But in the future, they’ll do so much more. Imagine your phone knowing what you need before you even ask—like reminding you to leave for work with the fastest route already mapped out. AI will also get better at handling complex tasks. Instead of just setting an alarm for your morning run, your assistant might check the weather, your calendar, and your sleep quality to suggest the perfect time to get moving. The aim? To make your digital assistant feel less like a tool and more like a personal sidekick. We already rely on AI to help manage our schedules, but in the future, it’ll become

Mobile and communications technology has totally transformed our lives. It’s fundamental to how we shop, consume entertainment and even date! From coding and encryption to wireless communication and mobile interfaces, it’s the innovators behind this tech that we should be thanking. And it’s important to recognise the trailblazing women that made these breakthroughs. Although women have been at the forefront of research and development, they often don’t get the recognition they deserve. So, let’s help put that right by delving into some of the most game changing inventions by some of the most brilliant women in science and technology. 1. Computer programming - Ada Lovelace, 1840s. If you’ve opened an app, played a game or done just about anything on a computer, you’ve got Ada Lovelace to thank. Often considered the first computer programmer, Lovelace worked with the much better-known Charles Babbage on his Analytical Engine – the first automated, mechanical calculator. In the 1840s, she

Whether you’re a novice cook or a seasoned chef, cooking at home has never been easier. Plus, we’re serving up something extra special, a chance to win a NINJA SLUSHi FS301UK Frozen Drink Maker – Arctic Blue & Grey! Gone are the days of rummaging through old recipe books or calling mum for advice. With the right app, you can search for new recipes, plan meals, or even cook along to step-by-step videos—all from your phone. To save you the hassle of searching, we’ve rounded up some of the best cooking apps out there. Whether you’re an iPhone or Android user, there’s something on this list that’s just your flavour… Kitchen Stories. Kitchen Stories offers thousands of recipes with step-by-step instructions and high-quality photos. This app is perfect if you prefer a visual approach to cooking. There are thousands of recipes, each with an easy step-by-step approach and high-quality images. And you can share your tips and tricks too. Kitchen Stories lets users upload and share their own reci

AI (artificial intelligence) is becoming a part of our daily lives. If you’ve got it on your phone, it’ll be working behind the scenes right now - making things faster, easier, and more personalised. It helps your phone understand what you need, take better photos, and even guess what apps or music you might want next. It’s why your phone can suggest the quickest route home, automatically brighten your photos, and even remind you to leave for a meeting before traffic builds up. But what exactly is AI, and how does it make your phone so smart? Let’s dive in! The power of AI - what can it do? AI helps your phone do things that usually require human intelligence. It’s like having a little assistant inside your device, always learning and adapting to make things easier for you. Here are some of the ways AI is making smartphones smarter: Understanding what you’re saying. Voice assistants like Siri and Google Assistant can set reminders, send texts, and even answer random questions like, “Ho

It’s a fast-moving world and keeping on top of everything can be tough. That’s where generative AI assistants come in. These clever virtual helpers can help you manage all sorts of daily tasks – such as organising your calendar, planning trips, cooking dinner, and even shopping for gifts. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most popular AI assistants -Gemini, Apple Intelligence, ChatGPT, and Copilot - and show you how they can make your life easier. What are generative AI assistants? Generative AI assistants are super smart programs that can understand and respond to your everyday language. Unlike traditional virtual assistants, they don’t just spit out pre-set answers - they come up with new and relevant information based on what you ask. They can take care of various tasks, from managing projects to planning holidays and sparking creative ideas. They get to know your likes and dislikes, offer personalised suggestions, and save you time by handling stuff you’d rat

We love creating content that keeps you in the loop, but we want to make sure it’s exactly what you want to see. Tell us what interests you - whether it’s the latest mobile tips, exclusive deals, tech trends, or something else entirely. Your feedback helps us tailor our newsletter, so it’s always relevant and useful to you. Drop your thoughts in the comments below. We’re all ears and can’t wait to hear what you’d love to see more of

Banking. Social media. Your email. All of them need a strong password. If they don’t have one, your account is going to be way easier for a hacker to break into. And trust us, when that happens, it’s not much fun. It’s stressful and takes ages to sort out. Luckily, we’re here to help you lock down your accounts and avoid that happening entirely. But managing loads of different passwords for different sites can get overwhelming quick. So, you need a way to make this nice and simple. Which is exactly where built-in password managers come in. In this guide, we’re going to cover some of the best options out there for iOS and Android, along with a few general tips and pointers that you don’t want to miss. Let’s get started… Password manager apps. Apple Passwords (iOS) – Apple’s built-in password manager securely stores, syncs, and auto-fills your login details across all your Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It also generates strong passwords for you and alerts you if any sav

World Sleep Day is just around the corner on March 14th. It’s an event all about highlighting the importance of good sleep for your overall health and wellbeing. With this year’s theme being ‘make sleep health a priority’, we thought it’d be a good idea to list some amazing tech that can help you catch more Zzzs. And we’ve also got tips on how to transform your bedroom into the perfect sleep sanctuary. Ahh… Tech to improve your sleep. First up, let's talk about some clever tech that can monitor your sleep and get you drifting off more easily: Smart watches and fitness trackers: Loads of smart wearables come equipped with sensors that keep tabs on your sleep. Just wear one overnight, and you’ll wake up to insights on your sleep stages, duration, and quality. This can help you better understand your sleep habits and make tweaks to improve your rest. Smart rings: These smaller bits of tech can be comfier to wear overnight, with some recording deeper sleep stats like skin temperature and n

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about flowers and chocolates. Tech gifts can show your love and last longer too. Whether your partner loves to cook or loves to look and feel their best, there are plenty of gifts to pick from. So here are some top tech gift ideas from Currys that fit all interests and budgets, meaning your loved one will get the perfect prezzie. Keep reading to the end, share a funny date story and you could win a £100 Buyagift Gift Card! ❤️ ❤️ Dyson Airwrap I.D. Anything with iD in the name has got to be cool, right? The Dyson Airwrap I.D. is a styling tool that works wonders without extreme heat, keeping hair healthy and beautiful. The Airwrap uses air to style and dry hair, making it perfect for your partner who loves looking their best with minimal effort. Whether their hair is straight and wavy or curly and coily , the Airwrap comes with multiple attachments - meaning a variety of salon styles at home. So, they can look their best ready for your romantic dinner date! ❤️

We’re updating the iD Mobile app to ensure you can see important information about your account, along with making it more secure and easier to use. This means the app no longer supports iOS 15 or earlier - so, if your iPhone is running one of these versions, you’ll need to manage your account through my.idmobile.co.uk instead. This change affects customers with an iPhone 7, iPhone SE (1st Generation) or older, as those phones do not support newer iOS versions. But don’t worry! This article explains how you can continue to manage your iD Mobile account: What do I need to do? You can still manage your account quickly and easily by logging in via our website: my.idmobile.co.uk . For even quicker access, you can add a shortcut to your Home Screen - so it’s just like using the app! Here’s how: Open your preferred web browser (e.g. Safari or Chrome) and go to my.idmobile.co.uk . Tap the Share button (the square with an arrow pointing up). Scroll down and tap ‘Add to Home Screen’. Give it a

The internet is a great place to shop, stream, chat with friends, and learn new things. But just like in real life, there are people out there trying to take advantage of others. Scammers and fake websites have become more sophisticated, making it harder to tell what’s real and what’s a trap. Cybercriminals are constantly adapting their tactics, using new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to create convincing scams. That’s why it’s more important than ever to take steps to protect yourself. So let us help you stay smart and scam-free! In this guide, we’ll cover how to recognize fake websites, ways to avoid online scams, how scammers are using AI to trick people (and how you can stay ahead of them), and some key takeaways to help you stay safe online. Let’s get started. Spotting fake websites. Some fake websites can look convincing at first glance. Follow these tips to spot when something isn’t right: Check the URL carefully. Scammers often use slight misspellings (like "am

The internet is packed with cool stuff for kids, but it also comes with some not-so-great things. We’re talking about things like cyberbullying, endless late night scrolling sessions, and the occasional shady stranger lurking in comment sections. Yes, the internet can be awesome - but it can also impact children’s mental health if we're not careful. That’s why having regular chats about online safety is super important. Don’t worry - this isn’t about giving boring lectures that make your kids do eye rolls. We’re here to help you start real, honest conversations that stick. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or the cool aunt/uncle, here’s your friendly guide to talking to kids about staying safe online (without sounding like a broken record). 1. Starting the conversation about online safety (without making it awkward) Talking about online safety doesn’t have to feel like a formal meeting where you’re both sitting stiffly at the dining table. Keep it casual! The goal is to encourage o

There’s a lot to love about the internet, but it’s also important to understand how the web can have a negative effect on your wellbeing. Whether it’s being a victim of cyberbullying or just spending too much time on a social platform, there are a few things online that can cause distress or create unhealthy habits. That’s why in this article, we'll offer tips on how to recognise and respond to issues like cyberbullying and internet addiction. Plus, we’ll discuss the importance of open conversations and ask for some of your best tips for using the internet healthily. What is cyberbullying? Cyberbullying is the use of tech to harass, threaten, or target someone. It can take many forms, ranging from mean replies left on social media posts to the use of insulting language in an online game. Sending hostile direct messages or posting personal info or pictures to embarrass someone counts as cyberbullying too. It's super important to recognise the signs of cyberbullying, as it can lead to an

Today’s kids are born into a totally digital world. It’s now normal for children to be online from a very young age – whether that’s watching videos, doing schoolwork or playing games with friends. And while this can all be very exciting for them, it can be a worry for parents. Whether it’s inappropriate content, cyberbullying or just too much screen time, it’s important to understand the risks. But help is at hand! By knowing your way around digital safety and how to use parental controls, there are simple and effective ways to make sure that your child’s online experiences stay positive. So, we’ll take you through what you should know, and point you to some of the best parental control tools around… Why parental controls matter. Allowing children unrestricted access to the internet can expose them to a host of dangers. Inappropriate content, such as violent or adult material, can be easily stumbled upon. Cyberbullying is another significant risk, as children may experience upsetting