Articles and competitions.

Check out some of the latest mobile news, reviews and advice to help you get more out of your smartphone.

  • 545 Topics
  • 13,714 Replies

545 Topics

Emil
iD Mobile Employee
EmiliD Mobile Employee
published in Articles and competitions.

Nuisance and Unwanted Calls/Texts

How to stop nuisance calls and textsThere’s nothing quite like an annoying text or call to take you away from that Netflix episode, platform game or group chat. Whether it’s a call about an ‘accident’ that you never had, a bogus text from the bank or even a legitimate company trying to sell you stuff you’re not interested in, there are a few things you can do to stop it. Here’s what we recommend: Be careful what you’re tickingTo prevent nuisance calls, be careful of any online forms that ask you to fill tick-boxes that say something like “I give permission for third parties to contact me by phone” or “I give you permission to contact me by phone”. Don’t tick them if you don’t want to be contacted!The same thing goes for all kinds of communications, be they email or text. For example, some comparison sites make you enter your personal details when you look for an insurance quote, and it’s easy to end up finding yourself on a mailing list. Whenever you buy or subscribe to something onlin

35990
Emil
iD Mobile Employee
3 years ago
Emil
iD Mobile Employee
EmiliD Mobile Employee
published in Articles and competitions.

Introducing the iPhone 12

Introducing the iPhone 12After much rumour and speculation, Apple have finally confirmed the launch of the brand-new iPhone 12 series. And we’re excited.With four different handsets to choose from, the iPhone 12 series caters for everyone, from those who love big-screen entertainment on the move to those who miss that comfy handheld feeling of their old phone. Whichever handset you choose, however, there’s one thing you will get, and that’s 5G power.The smallest iPhone this generation offers is the iPhone 12 Mini. At 5.4-inches, it takes a big turn away from the current smartphone trend of ever-bigger screens, but there’s no doubt it’ll be the most powerful small phone out there.The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro both come in at 6.1-inches, while the giant iPhone 12 Pro Max is more of a ‘phablet’ at 6.7-inches. All the screens are made from a type of glass Apple call Ceramic Shield, which they say is the toughest smartphone glass around. That’s handy if you tend to rely on screen protecto

7240
Emil
iD Mobile Employee
3 years ago
Emil
iD Mobile Employee
EmiliD Mobile Employee
published in Articles and competitions.

Build Your Own Smart Home

Build your smart home with this top techWith everyone spending more time at home, there’s never been a better moment to make your living space work better for you.From your security to your central heating, the right smart tech puts everything that makes your house your home in the palm of your hand. You can even get your smart tech to team up with ‘routines’. For example, if you’ve got a smart front door lock and smart lights, you can automatically lock the door and shut off the lights just by saying ‘goodnight’ to your smart speaker. Amazing.Here’s some of the best tech you can add to make your home smarter: 1. Smart lights Smart lights can be programmed to turn on to make your house seem occupied when you’re out or away on holiday. Some lights use your phone’s location to switch on lights to welcome you home. Look out for smart lights you can sync with movies and music from your smartphone and colour changing bulbs that can create different moods.Philips Hue is one of the most popul

660
Emil
iD Mobile Employee
3 years ago
Emil
iD Mobile Employee
EmiliD Mobile Employee
published in Articles and competitions.

PlayStation 5 vs. Xbox Series X/S

Everything you need to know about the PS5 and Xbox Series X & SWhether you’re into your games or have friends or family that are gamers, you’ve almost definitely heard that Sony and Microsoft have new consoles on the way.We’ve been gearing up for next-gen gaming for a while, and we can’t wait to discover new journeys in better detail and team up with friends in immersive, virtual worlds. Now that we know much more about both consoles, and with Christmas and Black Friday on the horizon, we’re breaking down the key features to help you make that big decision: PS5 or Xbox?  Sony PlayStation 5True to form, the Sony PS5 is a very stylish console. A new white and black design (with matching controller of course) set to make any gamer’s spine tingle.Sony has confirmed that the PS5 will be available in the UK on 19th November 2020. It’s got a Blu Ray disc drive for all your 4K movies and games, making it a great all-round entertainment device. It’ll be priced at £449, and there will also b

7915
Ryan
iD Mobile Employee
3 years ago
Emil
iD Mobile Employee
EmiliD Mobile Employee
published in Articles and competitions.

Capture Those Perfect Autumn Snaps

Capture the perfect autumn scene with these top phone camera apps and tipsAutumn is upon us, and that means long country walks, hearty meals and colourful scenery all around. It might be getting a little cooler, but there’s nothing like a wander through nature to cure those post-summer blues.Whether it’s the natural light shining through tree branches, or multicoloured leaves laying on the ground, who could blame you for stopping to capture it all on your phone camera? Don’t just go for the default settings and hope for the best, though. When it comes to shooting nature on your smartphone, the chances are it’s got some neat tricks to nail photos and videos.Here are a few things you can do to get that instantly Instragamable photo: The Rule of ThirdsIf you’re new to photography, there’s a foundational rule that’s helpful for keeping every scenic photo interesting, and that’s the Rule of Thirds. In your phone’s camera app, you should be able to place a grid over your display in the setti

6250
Emil
iD Mobile Employee
3 years ago
iD Mobile
iD Mobile Employee
iD MobileiD Mobile Employee
published in Articles and competitions.

Free music streaming: Spotify vs Deezer.Blog

[b]Are you a cash-strapped music fan? Then why not make the most of free (and legal) music streaming?[/b] Two of the best music streaming services out there are Spotify and Deezer. And the great thing is, you don’t have to part with your hard-earned cash to enjoy them. Yes, they offer paid subscriptions, but they also give you the option of signing-up and listening to songs for free. You might have to sit through an advert every now and then, but that’s not too much trouble is it? To help you decide which of these music streaming heavyweights to go for, here’s a run-down of each one. [h1][b]Spotify[/b][/h1] ([url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.spotify.music&hl=en_GB]Android[/url], [url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/spotify-music/id324684580?mt=8]iOS[/url]) There are 170 million active Spotify users worldwide, with 95 million using the service free of charge. Spotify has over 35 million songs and thousands of podcasts available. Each Friday, the latest r

257110
J
Newbie
3 years ago
iD Mobile
iD Mobile Employee
iD MobileiD Mobile Employee
published in Articles and competitions.

What to do if you lose your phoneblog

[b]If you’ve ever lost your phone, you’ll know what a complete nightmare it is. Thankfully there are things you can do to try and locate it again. Should the worst happen, and it’s gone forever, then lower the cost and save yourself some extra hassle by following these simple steps. [/b] [h3]Step 1: Attempt to find your phone[/h3] One thing you can do right now is turn on your phone’s location services. Do this, and you’ll be able to log into your account and see its location. Got an iPhone? Then it’s worth having the Find My iPhone app. Sign into iCloud.com to see your phone’s location. Got an Android? Then go to settings, select ‘Security & Location’ and toggle the ‘Find My Device’ to the on position. If you lose your phone, go to [url=http://www.google.co.uk/android/devicemanager]www.google.co.uk/android/devicemanager[/url]. Your phone’s location will appear on the map. From here you can ring your phone, lock it, or erase its contents remotely. [h3]Step 2: Cancel your

374812
SuzanneC
Newbie
3 years ago
Richard.C
iD Mobile Employee
Richard.CiD Mobile Employee
published in Articles and competitions.

Back To School

It’s that time of year where the kids are getting back into the world of academia. Whether it’s the first day of school, the start of GCSEs or a new journey at university, it can be an exciting and daunting time for both students and parents alike.However, the right tech can help students of all ages adjust to the new academic year and all the hard work that’s needed. Phones, tablets, iPads and laptops may be great sources of entertainment, but they can also make getting creative and staying productive much easier.From tracking classes, staying on top of coursework progress and storing files, to juggling multiple deadlines and keeping focus, there are plenty of apps and software out there that make studying a whole lot more manageable.Here are a few that we think make for a great head start: My Study LifeFree on iOS and Android If your child is starting secondary/high school and they’re feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the different classes, subjects and homework there's a great app

3320
Richard.C
iD Mobile Employee
3 years ago
Emil
iD Mobile Employee
EmiliD Mobile Employee
published in Articles and competitions.

How Tech Is Transforming The Fashion Industry

Technology affects our lives in ways we rarely consider. Improvements to tech in the past 30 years haven’t just changed the way we interact, work, and play, they’ve transformed how we think, and create.There are plenty of industries that are innovative with tech, but one of the main industries leading the charge is fashion. With Fashion Week just around the corner in London, Paris, Milan and New York, there’s no better time to celebrate the contribution that technology is making, from the design stage all the way through to your wardrobe.In recent times, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has helped to train stylists, creatives and colleagues across a whole host of fashion houses and retailers. Designers can now easily reach out to one another across any social channel and collaborate on projects. And our phones can actually help us decide what to wear.It’s made creativity more accessible, too. Anyone can draw up designs, engage with fellow creatives, set up shop online and gain exposure for

3530
Emil
iD Mobile Employee
3 years ago
Emil
iD Mobile Employee
EmiliD Mobile Employee
published in Articles and competitions.

The Best Augmented Reality Apps To Try

Augmented Reality brings new ideas and experiences to familiar surroundings with the help of your phone’s camera and clever tech. Here are a few of the apps that do it best…We love apps that use augmented reality (AR) here at iD. What started with us scouring the great outdoors searching for Pokémon, has become a super-practical tool with an astounding range of useful applications. From strategy games that make your living room the arena, to design programs that help visualise projects, developers are creating apps that use our phone cameras in ways we couldn’t imagine only a few years ago. Here’s our pick of some of the best apps that feature AR: IKEA PlaceFree on Android and iOSHave you got a plethora of cushions lining your sofa hiding years’ worth of food and pet stains? Is your dining room table looking a little tired? Or maybe you’re looking to convert that spare room into a new home office. The IKEA Place app lets you browse their massive selection of furniture, choose the area

4180
Emil
iD Mobile Employee
3 years ago
Emil
iD Mobile Employee
EmiliD Mobile Employee
published in Articles and competitions.

Our Pick Of Top Activities For You This Summer - Closed

Things to do out and about in local citiesThis summer may not be the traditional British summer filled with beach visits, festivals, extended getaways and late nights surrounded by all our mates. However, no matter where you live, you can still make the most of the sunshine and socialise at the same time. Here are just a few things you can do around the country with friends, housemates or family to make this heatwave season one to remember. Check out a drive-in cinemaWhile conventional cinemas aren’t the best option to take advantage of the weather, outdoor drive-ins are the perfect solution. Since the easing of lockdown restrictions, plenty of drive-in picture houses like Luna Cinema, At The Drive In and more have popped up in London, Manchester, and many other cities across the country.The way it works is simple. Just book your tickets and movie snacks online and rock up to the cinema. You’ll be allocated a spot for your car, and your food gets delivered straight to you. With so many

217844
Emil
iD Mobile Employee
3 years ago
iD Mobile
iD Mobile Employee
iD MobileiD Mobile Employee
published in Articles and competitions.

How to beat your post-holiday blues

Let’s face it, sometimes you get back from holiday and feel like you need another one. As soon as you’re back to the commute on a rainy old Monday morning, it can seem like you’ve never been away. So, we’ve put together a few hints and tips, together with helpful links and apps, to help you beat those post-holiday blues and arrive at work with a positive attitude. And, if you haven’t been away yet, read on, a little pre-holiday planning can make it much easier when you do get back.1. Plan to succeedAfter a long, lazy hols that alarm on your first morning back can be tough. So, make things easy on yourself with a little planning the night before. Choose what you’re going to wear, get your bag ready for work, find your security pass, etc. And, make to-do lists of what needs to be prioritised on the first day or week. There are some great apps, like Evernote Wunderlist or Trello that can help you with this kind of prep and planning.If you haven’t been away yet, making plans and to-do list

691119
BrownLuther007
Civilian
3 years ago
iD Mobile
iD Mobile Employee
iD MobileiD Mobile Employee
published in Articles and competitions.

Pay Monthly Tablet plans

Pay Monthly Tablet plans are now available to purchase directly from the Carphone Warehouse, online and in-Store. The plans allow you to get a great value tablet and iD Mobile Data Only SIM for a set monthly cost. At the moment, the plans are only available through the Carphone Warehouse. However, you still get the perks of being an iD Mobile customer, such as the iD Mobile App, Data Rollover, Bill Capping and Inclusive Roaming. If you've already purchased a Pay Monthly Tablet plan, or you're considering it, we've got a few FAQs that may answer any questions you have below:  How Do I Register My Pay Monthly Tablet plan on the iD Mobile App or My Account Online? Once you've downloaded the iD Mobile App or visited My Account online, registering your account on your tablet is easy. Here's what you'll need and how to register:  1.Open the iD Mobile App or My Account online 2.Select the 'Register' tab. 3.Enter personal details –Your iD Mobile number – This can be found on the Carphone Wareh

22620
iD Mobile
iD Mobile Employee
3 years ago
Emil
iD Mobile Employee
EmiliD Mobile Employee
published in Articles and competitions.

Favourite City Competition T&Cs

1. To enter this promotion, you will have to register to the iD Mobile Community and answer the question on the corresponding topic thread: "August Community Newsletter Competition".2. No purchase necessary.                                                                                                                                                                                                          3. The closing date for entries is 23.59 (GMT+1) on 20th August 2020. The prizes to be won as follows:                                                                                    4. 1 x £100 Curry's PC World voucher. The winner will be contacted to confirm acceptance of the prize.                                                                                                                                                                                   5. This promotion is open to all UK residents aged over 18 years (except for employees and their families of the Promoter an

1003
Natalie S
Newbie
3 years ago
Emil
iD Mobile Employee
EmiliD Mobile Employee
published in Articles and competitions.

Best Fitness Apps For Indoor and Outdoor Workouts

Looking for ways to keep fit without heading to the gym? Our pick of the best fitness apps will help you hit your goals anywhere…If there’s one thing that lockdown (and Joe Wicks) has proved, it’s that you don’t need your usual workout-spot to keep hitting your targets. Sometimes, all you need is a bit of space motivation, and a handy app to keep you on track. Here are a few that we love: FitplanFree 7-day trial. Available on iOS and AndroidMissing your gym partner or personal trainer but not ready to go back just yet? Fitplan may have the answer. Combining one-to-one personal training with goal-focused workouts, you can hit your targets with the help of professional trainers and athletes.There’s a huge choice of workouts available, from sessions designed to build strength, to weight-loss focused exercise. Just pick the exercise plan that best suits your motivation and get tracking! Fitplan works on a subscription basis, so you pay for your ideal fitness program at a fraction of the co

17970
Emil
iD Mobile Employee
3 years ago
Emil
iD Mobile Employee
EmiliD Mobile Employee
published in Articles and competitions.

How To Keep Your Phone's Software and Apps Up To Date

Having the latest version of the operating system and apps you use is pretty important. Here’s why, and how to make sure you’re always one step ahead.Whether you’re watching a YouTube clip on your smartphone or browsing the web, update notifications can be an annoying distraction. All too often, it’s easy to swipe them away and forget about them. However, keeping your software and apps up to date is essential. It’s also quick, simple, and can avoid issues later on.For starters, the latest app updates come with security updates too. Many of the apps you use store your personal info, and hackers can take advantage of outdated app design to steal your data. The best way to prevent that is with a quick update.Updates also solve bug fixes. If you’ve ever tried to load an app and found it repeatedly crashing when you tap a certain button, the chances are it’s already been fixed in a newer version. So, it’s always worth checking.As for your operating system, updates are there to improve your

14190
Emil
iD Mobile Employee
3 years ago
KieranC
iD Mobile Employee
KieranCiD Mobile Employee
published in Articles and competitions.

iD Mobile Trustpilot Review Prize Draw - 28th August 2020: Terms & Conditions

iD Mobile Trustpilot Review Prize Draw: Terms & Conditions To enter the prize draw you must post a review on the iD Mobile Trustpilot page by 28th August 2020 to be in with a chance to win a 1 x £50 Currys PC World eGift Card. The star rating and review content do not affect the likelihood of winning the prize draw. However, if you contravene Trustpilot’s user guidelines, your review might not be included in the prize draw. Trustpilot’s user guidelines can be found at: https://legal.trustpilot.com/user-guidelines No purchase necessary. All entries received between 11/08/20 and 28/08/20 by 17.00 (GMT*1) will be entered into the prize draw. This prize draw is only open to UK residents (excluding Northern Ireland) aged 18 and over, excluding employees of Promoter and their families, their group of companies, agents (including affiliates), suppliers and anyone connected with this promotion. Only 1 entry per person is permitted, duplicate entries will not be entered into the draw. The e

1000
KieranC
iD Mobile Employee
3 years ago
Richard.C
iD Mobile Employee
Richard.CiD Mobile Employee
published in Articles and competitions.

The best music apps this summer

From exclusive podcasts to limitless downloads, there’s an audio streaming app out there for everyone. With the summer months beginning, the weather getting better and barbeque season in full swing, there’s never been a better time to turn to streaming apps for convenient listening, hassle-free downloads and the huge range of choice they provide. But which one should you go for? To help you choose, here’s a run-down of the top 5 music streaming apps for Android and iOS this year, and what makes them so great. Get your sunglasses on, the speakers turned up and that playlist ready!   Spotify   (Android, iOS) There are over 217 million Spotify users around the world right now, and over 100 million of them pay for Spotify Premium. So, what are the benefits? When you subscribe to Spotify Premium, you can download an unlimited number of albums and songs to listen to offline in higher quality. Once you start building your library, Spotify learns what kind of music you like and makes g

5601
F
Newbie
3 years ago
Richard.C
iD Mobile Employee
Richard.CiD Mobile Employee
published in Articles and competitions.

Make Great Pictures Amazing - COMPETITION CLOSED

Who would have thought that once upon a time when you took a photo you would have to wait until you had 36 other photos on your film before you could see any of them! Then you would have to take them to get developed, wait a few hours (or even days!) only to realise there was a finger over the lens or someone walking past your perfect shot.   Now, our smartphones offer us pretty much unlimited opportunities to get ‘the perfect shot’. But even if we can’t take the ‘perfect shot’ there is an abundance of apps that will help make it even better then when you took it.   This month we are looking at the best apps available to help make those moments look even better, read to the end to see how you can enter this month’s competition to win a brand new Google Pixel 3a XL and be a part of next month’s newsletter.   Adobe Lightroom CC Available on: iOS & Android One of the best photo editing apps available, Lightroom CC not only has a comprehensive free option with more options to

340174
A
Civilian
3 years ago
iD Mobile
iD Mobile Employee
iD MobileiD Mobile Employee
published in Articles and competitions.

iD Mobile Trustpilot Review Prize Draw - 13th July 2020: Terms & Conditions

iD Mobile Trustpilot Review Prize Draw: Terms & Conditions   To enter the prize draw you must post a review on the iD Mobile Trustpilot page by 13th July 2020 to be in with a chance to win a 1 x £50 Currys PC World eGift Card. The star rating and review content do not affect the likelihood of winning the prize draw. However, if you contravene Trustpilot’s user guidelines, your review might not be included in the prize draw. Trustpilot’s user guidelines can be found at:https://legal.trustpilot.com/user-guidelines No purchase necessary. All entries received between 06/07/20 and 13/07/20 by 17.00 (GMT*1) will be entered into the prize draw. This prize draw is only open to UK residents (excluding Northern Ireland) aged 18 and over, excluding employees of Promoter and their families, their group of companies, agents (including affiliates), suppliers and anyone connected with this promotion. Only 1 entry per person is permitted, duplicate entries will not be entered into the draw.

1180
iD Mobile
iD Mobile Employee
3 years ago
Richard.C
iD Mobile Employee
Richard.CiD Mobile Employee
published in Articles and competitions.

July Community Newsletter Competition T's&C's

Terms and conditions Terms and conditions 1. To enter this promotion, you will have to register to the iD Mobile Community and answer the question on the corresponding topic thread: "July Community Newsletter Competition". 2. No purchase necessary. 3. The closing date for entries is 23.59 (GMT+1) on 12th July 2020. The prizes to be won as follows: 4. 1 x Google Pixel 3A XL phone worth £369. The winner will be contacted to arrange delivery of prize. Winning photograph will be featured in August's newsletter. 5. This promotion is open to all UK residents aged over 18 years (except for employees and their families of the Promoter and their group of companies, agents (including affiliates), suppliers and anyone connected with this promotion). 5. Only 1 entry per person is permitted, duplicate entries will not be entered into the draw. 6. The Promoter may, in its absolute discretion, disqualify any entries which it feels do not comply with these terms and conditions or w

960
Richard.C
iD Mobile Employee
3 years ago
Richard.C
iD Mobile Employee
Richard.CiD Mobile Employee
published in Articles and competitions.

Virtual Summer Events

What’s usually an extremely busy time for festivals, parades and other events is upon us but owing to the current climate most if not all of the events we would have been looking forward to have been cancelled. While it may feel like life has given us lemons, the entertainment industry is making them into lemonade by hosting a whole manner of ‘virtual’ events to make us still get those festival vibes.   We may not be able to go to Glastonbury, take part in a Pride march or visit Comic Con but through the wonder of the internet we can still go visit a local park, meet up with our social bubbles and stream the events through our devices!   Just a reminder; you can always stay on top of your data allowances through the iD Mobile App so you don’t run out of data, you can also change your price plan to give you more allowances should you need to and even add data bundles! If you haven’t done already download the iD Mobile app to your device and head here to find out more.            

2190
Richard.C
iD Mobile Employee
3 years ago
Richard.C
iD Mobile Employee
Richard.CiD Mobile Employee
published in Articles and competitions.

Streaming Content Outdoors

With the weather getting consistently hotter, the days already longer (read about that here) and our restrictions easing even more the options for leaving the house are widening.   A lot of us have been so used to being on Wi-Fi during lockdown we’ve not been taking full advantage of our mobile data plans, we thought we’d remind you about some of the great apps and services available to stream content! Whether you are on a long car journey, in a field or enjoying the sun from the garden there’s something for everyone!   Just a reminder; you can always stay on top of your data allowances through the iD Mobile App so you don’t run out of data, you can also change your price plan to give you more allowances should you need to and even add data bundles! If you haven’t done already download the iD Mobile app to your device and head here to find out more.   Sports!             With most sporting leagues being postponed earlier in the year there is a lot of catching up to do now mos

3720
Richard.C
iD Mobile Employee
3 years ago
iD Mobile
iD Mobile Employee
iD MobileiD Mobile Employee
published in Articles and competitions.

How to switch your old data to your new iPhoneBlog

[b]If you’ve got new iPhone congrats. It’s an amazing piece of tech. But before you ditch your old phone for good, there are a few things you should do.[/b] [h3][b]First things first, set up your iCloud account[/b][/h3] If you already have an iCloud account (also known as Apple ID) then good for you - ignore this step. But if you don’t, set one up now – then you can do all sorts of things like downloading apps from the App Store. Here’s what you need to do: 1. Go into [b]Settings.[/b] 2. Tap [b]Don’t have an Apple ID or forgot it?[/b] 3. Tap [b]Create Apple ID[/b] 4. Enter your [b]birth date[/b], tap[b] Next.[/b] 5. Enter your [b]first and last name[/b], tap [b]Next[/b]. 6. Select your current [b]email address[/b], or get a new iCloud email address. 7. Enter your [b]email address[/b]. 8. Create a [b]password[/b], then [b]verify[/b] it. 9. Select a [b]security question[/b], type in the [b]answer[/b] (repeat this stage twice). 10. [b]Agree[/b] to the Terms an

20783
P
iD Mobile Employee
3 years ago
Richard.C
iD Mobile Employee
Richard.CiD Mobile Employee
published in Articles and competitions.

June Community Newsletter Competition - CLOSED

Welcome to the June competition!    What’s the prize? Last month’s giveaway was so popular, we decided to do it again for June! You could be in with a chance of winning a £50 Currys PC World voucher to use online so you can treat yourself to some of the latest tech!   How to enter For a chance to win, all you need to do is tell us ‘What is your most cherished summer time memory is’   Make sure you post your answer in the comments below. Don’t miss out! The competition ends at midnight on Sunday 7th June, and we’ll reveal the lucky winner shortly after.   Best of luck and we hope you have a great month!   The legal stuff Terms and Conditions apply

112941
sharonbarnes
Newbie
3 years ago
Terms & Conditions
Why iD Mobile?