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Contactless is the new way to pay – letting you use your phone to get that coffee without needing to grab your wallet or take your debit card out. Google and Apple Pay are essentially wallets in your phone, storing your card info so that you can pay for things with just a tap of your phone. As more and more businesses are becoming card only, and almost everywhere takes card and contactless payments, it’s good to know how to get your phone set up. And what’s the difference between Google Pay and Apple Pay anyway? Well, we’re here to break it down and explain everything you need to know about these payment services. Let’s start with a quick explainer: Google Pay The name is pretty self-explanatory – this is Google’s Pay app. It’s only available from the Google Play Store and is the go-to wallet app for most Android users. You can save loads of cards, including membership (that’s your nectar points sorted) and it’s easy to switch which card you want to use. Key features: - Your information is protected with loads of security- No maximum transaction limit (but you’ll need to unlock your phone to spend over £45)- Can be used anywhere contactless is accepted- No PIN needed- Can be used to check out in apps and websites- If your phone is lost or stolen you can lock your phone or wipe your data completely Download from the Google Play Store How to get set up: - Download Google Pay from the Play Store- Open the app and follow the setup instructions- When you’re asked to, add a card (or as many as you want)- And you’re done! Apple Pay Much like Google Pay, Apple Pay does what it says on the tin. It’s Apple’s Pay app. If you have an iPhone, it will already be ready to go – no download needed. Key features: - Your information is protected with loads of security- Wallet app keeps all your passes, credit and debit cards in one place- Can be used anywhere contactless is accepted- No PIN needed, but you will need to use TouchID or FaceID- Can be used to check out in apps and websites, as well as for Apple services- If your phone is lost or stolen you can block Apple Pay from being used How to get set up: - It’s already on your iPhone, so go to the Wallet app- Press the Add button- Select debit or credit card – then Continue- Follow the steps on the screen- Verify with your bank or card issuer- And you’re good to go Is it safe to use contactless? Yes! Apple Pay requires you use FaceID, TouchID or your passcode to allow a purchase, so if someone picks up your phone, they can’t use your card. And because your card details aren’t stored on your phone or given to any shops or businesses you use, no one can steal your bank or card details. Google Pay’s the same – much safer than using cards or cash. Google holds onto your info so that when you pay for something, the shop doesn’t receive your details. And if your phone is stolen, you can wipe your data completely to stop anyone accessing your information. Google Pay vs Apple Pay Time for the clash of the titans (if the titans were different payment apps and they were almost identical). Apple Pay is only available on iPhones and other Apple devices like Apple Watch, while Google Pay is available on any device, but you’ll need to download it on your iPhone. As a rule of thumb, if you have an Android device, Google Pay’s your best bet, and if you’re an iPhone user, Apple Pay. But let’s compare them anyway. We’d say Apple Pay is easier to use (mainly because you don’t need to download anything), but the key difference is how they handle data. Apple doesn’t store your card details or track your purchases, while Google does keep hold of your details and transaction history – functioning a lot more like a real-world wallet would. Pros and Cons of Apple and Google Pay We love a list, so let’s break it down with some pros and cons of using Google and Apple Pay: Pros: - Easy to set up- High security – way safer than using physical cards and cash- They’re both free- You can add multiple cards- Compatible with any Oyster touchpoint for travelling around London- Fingerprint and face recognition makes payment more secure than a PIN number- Your payment details aren’t given to the seller when you pay for something Cons: - Only compatible with NFC phones (most smartphones nowadays will have NFC built-in)- Not accepted EVERYWHERE. Most places, including markets, will have a contactless payment option, but it’s not a given.- Sometimes card readers can reject contactless, or you have to tap in a few times to get it working.- If your phone dies, and you didn’t bring a wallet, you might be a bit stuck. Worth keeping a card on you just in case and, of course, keep an eye on your battery! Top tip: Find out where your NFC point is in your phone. It’s often in the middle, so make sure to tap the centre of your phone (not the top) against the contactless reader for the best connection. Do you use Google Pay or Apple Pay? Or do you have any more questions about getting started with using contactless? Let us know in the comments!

Do you have any old phones and pre-loved items? Here’s how to cash in on them. Be honest. Do you just stick your old phone in a drawer when you get a new one? Still have outdated tech you haven’t used in yonks? Old clothes in the wardrobe you’ll never wear again? If so, why not try and cash in on some of it? It’s easier than you think… Sell your old stuff online There are loads of great apps to help making selling your old stuff easy. Here are a few of the best. Remember, the more popular the app, the more potential buyers there are: Depop – a fashion marketplace for lots of different styles. Here’s a brilliant place for getting rid of your old clothes and accessories. The best way of describing Depop is like a mash up of eBay and Instagram. You can set up your own profile on Depop, so take your time and give it lots of thought. Make it an attractive store-front to attract customers that share your style, and you could be onto a winner. Free to download on iOS and Android Vinted – sell your clothes, toys and homeware all in one place. Vinted is another great app for selling your unloved clutter. It’s quick and easy to upload your items – just take a pic and add a price and description – and wait for it to sell. If it does, you’ll get the listed price minus a ‘buyer protection fee’ (somewhere between 3-8% of the total price). Free to download on iOS and Android eBay – the world’s biggest online marketplace Yep, you can put almost anything up for auction on eBay, and if you put a reasonable price on your item you almost always get a bid. Just make sure you don’t end up bidding for more stuff than you’re actually selling. You’ll never make any money doing that. Free to download on iOS and Android Facebook Marketplace – the selling and buying part of Facebook One of the best things about selling on Facebook Marketplace is that it’s so quick and easy. Just click on Marketplace, tap ‘What are you listing’ field and choose ‘Items for Sale’. Fill out the details of your product, and it goes up for sale (we’ve got it down to less than a minute, but no pressure). You can then put your listing in any local for-sale groups you’re a member of. Facebook is, of course, free to download on iOs and Android Gumtree – a classified ads platform used by millions You can list almost anything on Gumtree, from toys and trinkets to motorbikes and cars. You’ll even find jobs and houses on there. It’s got a powerful local search function, so your next buyer could be literally around the corner! You can also have conversations with people interested in your stuff, and perhaps offer them a cheeky discount for a quick sale. Free to download on iOS and Android Trade in your old mobile phone and tech If you’ve got any old phones lying around, why not Trade it in with iD Mobile. Send us your old phone, and we’ll send you money! Simply as. Check out our Trade-in page to find out how much you could get for your old phone or for more info. Alternatively , if you’ve got old tech you don’t want, you can recycle it responsibly with Currys . They’re the number one tech recycler in the UK. Take your unwanted tech along to one of their stores, and they’ll dispose of it for you in special recycling bins. If your tech’s too big for you to carry, they’ll collect it from your home for a small fee. Have we missed any of your favourite selling sites and services? Got any tips for getting top cash for old tat? Share your thoughts with the Community in the comments below.

Whether you’ve just got a shiny new Android phone (congrats!) or have been attached to your trusty old one for years, here are some of our favourite hacks and tips to help you get the most from it… 1. Track your Android phone There’s nothing worse than losing your phone. That’s where Android’s ‘Find My Device’ feature can help! If you added a Google account to your Android device during set up, then ‘Find My Device’ is automatically turned on. So, if the worst ever happens (fingers crossed it doesn’t, obviously) and your phone goes missing, you can track it down. Just type 'android.com/find' into your web browser, and log in with the same Google account that you added to your phone. You’ll then be able to see the location of your device. Hopefully, it will show your own address, or a close friend or family member. Then it shouldn’t be too difficult to track it down, and you can even make it ring out loud to aid your search (providing it can access the internet, and ‘location’ is turned on). If your missing phone is at a location you don’t recognise, then ‘Find My Device’ has a few other features to stop someone you don’t know from using your phone. First of all, you can erase all the data from it remotely. Then you can lock it down to prevent access, and write a message that’ll appear on the lock screen. So if a good Samaritan finds it, they’ll be able to get in touch. 2. Show emergency contact info on your lock screen If you’re using a pattern, fingerprint or pin lock on your Android phone, you’ve got the option of putting contact details (like an email address or other phone number) on the lock screen. Then if you lose your phone, someone can get back to you using that contact info. To do this, go to: System settings > Security > Personal >> Lock screen & Security >> Add your alternate mobile number. 3. Use custom caller ringtones It's always good to know who’s calling you. And a fun way of doing this is by assigning custom ringtones to regular callers like your friends and family. To do this, go to the Contacts app > Choose the person >> menu options >> edit >> assign ringtone. You can choose any default or custom ringtone, or an mp3 song if you want to personalise things even more. 4. Take a cheeky screenshot Quick! If you want to grab a screenshot of what’s on your phone (such as webpages, text messages, or proof of getting an awesome high-score on your favourite game), here’s a speedy way of doing it: Hold down your power and volume buttons at exactly the same time. You’ll know it’s worked because the screen flashes and you hear a shutter sound. Your image will then be saved to your gallery. 5. Take it easy, and disable your lock screen To keep your phone safe, you might have set up a PIN code or fingerprint scanner to unlock it. Wise move - but it does make it more inconvenient to access your apps. Google's Smart Lock feature lets you remove these security obstacles, giving you instant access to your stuff - but only when you're safely at home. To enable Smart Lock, go to Settings > Security > Smart Lock. As well as disabling the lock screen when you're at home (that's the trusted places option), you can also disable the lock screen when your phone's Bluetooth is connected to a trusted device, like your car stereo. Ideal for long car journeys. 6. Download the iD Mobile app from the Google Play Store Of course we had to add this one in… but we think it’s very cool! You can control your iD Mobile account on-the-go (check allowances, view bills, set a cap, change your plan and more) by simply downloading the iD Mobile app from the Google Play Store. We’ll let you into a little secret too - it’s completely free to download, and won’t eat any of your data allowance if you’re not connected to Wi-Fi! 7. Transfer your old apps and data to your new Android phone Getting a new phone can be amazing… but also a little tricky if you want to bring all your apps, music and photos with you. Whether you’re switching from an old Android or iPhone, check out our guide to find out how to seamlessly switch everything over to your new Android phone! Read more about how to switch your data here 8. Install some apps One of the big advantages of a smartphone…all kinds of apps to explore and download from the Google Play store! To find the Google Play Store simply look for the icon in your menu or search ‘Google Play Store’ using your phone’s search bar. Open it up and get discovering! Some apps are free to download and some you may need to purchase. Prices are clearly displayed under the app title and you can also check out reviews from users to help you decide whether to buy. 9. Say hello to Wi-Fi Calling Wi-Fi Calling is available for selected Android phones on iD Mobile, and it’s a really handy feature. It lets you use Wi-Fi to make calls and send texts when coverage isn’t great. If you’re in a remote location or hit an indoor blackspot, it could be just what you need. Read more about Wi-Fi Calling here And there you have it! Our 9 tips to help you get the most from your Android phone. Any questions on what you’ve read? Or would you like to share some tips of your own? Then go ahead and post a reply below.

Getting food and groceries delivered to our homes is at an all-time high. Last year alone, delivery service use grew by 123%. All you need is a phone and a few choice apps, and you can have meals and groceries delivered to your door in minutes. But which delivery services are the best for you? With so much choice out there, we thought we’d highlight some of the best there is and make it simple for you to work out which ones would suit you. Some are UK wide, while others are exclusive to major cities. Some offer delivery in minutes while with others you have to book a slot and wait your turn. Let’s see which services really deliver… 😉 Takeaways: Just Eat Did somebody say Just Eat? You’ve probably seen the ads, but what’s in it for you? Just Eat delivers to lots of cities and regions in the UK and cover big high street names like McDonald’s, Greggs as well as loads of small restaurants. Their app makes finding your perfect takeaway easy, but they currently lack options like seeing how far away your takeaway is. There’s a delivery and service charge with each order, but you might prefer that to walking to the takeaway in the rain! Uber Eats Uber is a global phenomenon for competitively priced taxi rides, but did you know that they’ve got into the takeaway game too? And because it’s Uber, you can always see how far away your food is. While Uber Eats isn’t always the cheapest option, they regularly run promotions and offers – so it’s a great pick if you love a discount code! Deliveroo Deliveroo was one of the earliest app-based takeaway options, and they’re incredibly well established. They not only cover high street favourites like KFC and McDonald’s, but you can also order anything from daily groceries to a bottle of wine. With each order, you’ll be charged a service fee and delivery charge, but you can also go premium to get free delivery on all orders. It’s a great option if you’re using Deliveroo regularly. Groceries and ingredients: Oddbox Getting your food delivered doesn’t just mean takeaway. Aspiring chefs who like to do their bit for the planet should look into services like Oddbox. Founded in London in 2016, Oddbox works with farmers to deliver fruit and veg that is still delicious but may be a bit wonky for supermarkets to stock – and so would be wasted otherwise. They currently deliver to London, Bristol and much of the South of England, but are expanding their delivery service. Watch this space! Ocado If you don’t want to spend Saturdays pushing a trolley around Waitrose or M&S, Ocado is a great alternative. You can get thousands of groceries from big brands. But it’s not for little shops, since the minimum spend is £40. The good news is that you’ll likely get a next-day delivery slot between 7am and 10pm, so it’s great for weekend deliveries. Spend a little extra and you can get a SmartPass, which gives you priority access to the most popular slots. They’re also committed to reducing CO2 emissions and using recycled carrier bags. Getir Fancy a snack or need an essential ingredient? When you need groceries right away, Getir gets them to you. Getir reckons it can get you what you need in as little as 10 minutes, and cover lots of major UK cities. Their app contains 1,500 products which updates in real time, so you won’t have to make do with substitutions. There are always deals and promotions, so you won’t miss out on those supermarket bargains either. The delivery fee will vary depending upon where you live and how much you order, but it’ll save you from making a trip to the shops. DIY meals: Pasta Evangelists Love pasta but can’t wait? Pasta Evangelists let you choose from 10 recipes a week and they offer next-day delivery that fits right through your letter box. The sauces are premade, so you’ll just need 10 minutes to heat up the pasta. Vegans and vegetarians are well catered for, with authentic recipes like orecchiette with pesto and a pistachio crumb. Fancy! HelloFresh If you love restaurant quality cooking, but don’t fancy peeling potatoes, HelloFresh gives you the best of both worlds. Sign up for their service and they’ll send you a pre-prepared meal kit that you can put together at home in as little as 20 minutes. They offer three different plans – family, classic or rapid – plus you can decide how many meals you want a week. And it’s all pretty good value. Sign up for three recipes a week for two people and it comes in at £5 a meal. Not bad for a seafood linguine! Allplants Lots of us are either trying out veganism or at least making an effort to cut down on meat, but thinking up quick vegan options on a weeknight can be a headscratcher. Allplants currently have 50+ different ready meals to choose from, including a jackfruit burrito bowl or mushroom risotto. And since they come in recycling friendly packaging, you can just heat them up straight away or keep them in the freezer for when you need them. Meals come in at about £7-8 per serving, so maybe not the cheapest, but subscribe and buy in bulk and you’ll make savings. Delivery is UK-wide and free on weekdays, but there’s a small charge for the weekend. Competition Time - Closed This month, we want to know which is your favourite delivery service and why? Maybe it's the convenience of Ocado, perhaps you like a cheeky Uber Eats, or you could be a "pasta evangelist". Those who share their thoughts will be in with the chance to win... a £100 Uber Eats voucher! The competition ends at 23:59 on 20th May 2022, and we'll announce the lucky iD community winner shortly after. T&C's apply.

If you’re in a ‘tricking’ mood for Halloween, we’ve unearthed some of the spookiest and scariest apps to get one over on your unsuspecting friends, family and work colleagues. But be warned – some of these are not for the squeamish or those of a nervous disposition. Scare Prank Get it FREE on Android Here’s the deal with Scare Prank. It’s cunningly disguised as a reaction game, where you – or your unsuspecting friend – are asked to perform simple tasks such as tapping the screen when two boats meet each other. But just as they become fully engrossed and are staring intently at the display, guess what? A horrific ghost-child type thing then flashes up on the screen, accompanied by a blood-curdling scream. The fake game is very well done, so we reckon it’ll easily fool most people. And if you turn the volume on your phone right up, it’s even more effective! Scary Prank: Scare Your Friends With Prank Ghosts Get it FREE on iOS If you’ve got an iPhone, Scary Prank is the app to go for. It’s the same kind of thing as Scare Prank above – it looks like a game (a fun multiple choice quiz, to be exact), but a screaming ghost jumps out half way through, to turn your unsuspecting victim into a gibbering nervous wreck. Scare Your Friend Get it FREE on Android Scare Your Friend lets you choose a horrifying image and a frightening sound. You then simply hand your phone to an unsuspecting victim, and after the amount of time you specified, all hell breaks loose. There’s a nice range of set-up choices at the beginning, and the images are great – scary clowns are always a good choice. There’s no actual game or anything to trick your mate with, so you’ll need to do a bit of careful planning to make sure they’re looking at the phone when the fright comes. Creepy Video Calls Get it FREE on iOS If you’ve got a friend with coulrophobia (that’s a fear of clowns), then download this app, tell them someone wants to speak to them, and hand them the phone. They’ll be ‘treated’ to a special video call from a creepy killer clown – voiced by a professional voice actor, no less. Best of all, their reaction will be recorded with your front-facing video camera, so they won’t be able to deny how terrified they were. Ghost Lens Get it FREE on iOS and Android No list of scary apps would be complete without one that lets you add spine-chilling images to your actual real-life photographs. Ghost Lens is one of the best around, because it also lets you create spook-tacular videos. If you’ve ever wanted to see what it looks like when your spirit leaves your body, now’s your chance. If you prefer, you can float in the air, swap body parts or create a ghost twin… the choice of vile video is all yours. And when you’re happy with your macabre masterpiece, you can share it with friends - or indeed, anyone you think might actually believe you’ve captured footage of your very own ghost twin… If you try out any of these apps over Halloween, let us know how you get on with them. And if you’ve come across any other devilishly good apps to trick your mates, feel free to share. Just reply below.

The iPhone 13 Range: Since iPhone first launched back in 2007, few events in the tech calendar consistently drum up as much excitement as a new Apple release. Fans expect something big when September rolls around, and this year was no exception. A new iPad, iPad Mini and Apple Watch Series 7 all made a feature at the California-based launch. But of course, we can’t forget the main attraction: meet iPhone 13! Like last year’s line-up, four models were announced: iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. With plenty of new features to dive into, including the jaw-dropping Cinematic Mode and the most powerful smartphone chip yet, let’s take a closer look… The Des ign: When it comes to design, why change a good thing? Each iPhone 13 model has the same size screen as its iPhone 12 predecessor, starting from the pocket-sized iPhone 13 Mini up to the 6.7-inch iPhone 13 Pro Max. The iPhone 12 range was praised for its stunning look and feel, so it’s great to see Apple double-down on what iPhone users like. There are a few changes we shouldn’t overlook though: the dual camera system on the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini switches to a diagonal layout, and the phones themselves are made much more sustainably. Those smooth plastic antenna lines are made from recycled bottles, so the phone has some cool eco credentials. The iPhone 13 has a host of colour options: Product Red, Starlight, Midnight, Blue and Pink. For those wanting the iPhone 13 Pro or Pro Max, there’s Graphite, Silver and Gold options, plus Sierra Blue, a new lighter, brighter, more metallic shade than the iPhone 12 Pro’s Pacific Blue. Colour Scheme: As for colours, the iPhone 13 has a host of options. It’s available in Product Red, Starlight, Midnight, Blue and Pink. Pick your favourite and showcase your style! The iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max retain the Graphite, Silver and Gold options, while introducing all new Sierra Blue. It’s a lighter, brighter, more metallic shade than the iPhone 12 Pro’s Pacific Blue finish, and we think it’s a real winner. Incredible OLED: Like the iPhone 12 range, every iPhone 13 screen’s a Super Retina XDR OLED – but this time they’re even better. These screens can go up to 25% brighter, meaning you can easily carry on watching or scrolling when you step outside. And the iPhone 13 Pro and Max both now have a 120Hz ProMotion display like the iPad Pro, which adjusts to whatever you’re doing. We’ve spoken about refresh rates before, and it’s great to see Apple upgrade to 120Hz. It means smoother scrolling, smoother gaming and smoother viewing. Lights, Camera, Action! Camera quality is a key smartphone feature, and few do it as well as Apple. Both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini have a new wide-angle lens which lets in 47% more light, meaning less image noise (blur) and more detail. Put simply: it shoots better, brighter and clearer photos. It’s not just the wide lens though - the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro have larger apertures, while the Pro has the skills to capture 2.2x as much light as the iPhone 12 Pro, making it the best iPhone for night-time photography. Elsewhere on the Pro, autofocus has been added to the ultra-wide lens, so you can get even more creative. Now that macro photography is an option, the iPhone 13 Pro is powerful enough to shoot close-up shots, like rain droplets on leaves. Videos Get Cinematic: The unveiling of Cinematic Mode was something truly different from previous iPhones. Essentially, shooting in this mode allows the focus to automatically shift with the action on screen. Combined with AI, it can even anticipate when a new object is about to move into shot, shifting the focus automatically. This filming technique usually means manually refocusing mid shot - so it’s amazing that Apple has managed to replicate it with a killer combo of hardware and software. It even works with the selfie camera, too. And for even more creative control, you can manually change the focus by tapping your screen or locking onto another object in the shot. Power up With every iPhone comes a new standard-setting chip. The iPhone 13 is no different – its chip is powered by a A15 bionic processor, which Apple claims to be the “fastest chip in a smartphone”, running up to 50% faster than competitors. Though the iPhone 13 and Pro models have the same chip, the regular iPhone will have 4 graphics cores while the Pro has 5, meaning the Pro is better for gaming and editing videos. But make no mistake, with A15 and 5G together, each iPhone 13 from the Mini to the Pro Max is a multitasker’s dream. Better Battery As well as being faster, the new chip is also more efficient. So expect the battery to get you further. In fact, iPhone 13 Mini and iPhone 13 Pro will give you 1.5 hours more power in a day compared to their iPhone 12 counterparts, while iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro Max offer 2.5 hours on last year’s models. More storage... We can’t talk iPhone without mentioning storage. These days we rely on our phones more than ever, and that requires more storage. That’s why this year, Apple has effectively doubled storage capacity compared to iPhone 12. The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini have 128GB, 256GB and 512GB options to choose from – so whichever you go for, you’ve got plenty of room for all your apps, games and files. As for the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, these smartphones get a gargantuan storage upgrade. As well as 128GB, 256GB and 512GB options, there’s now a fourth 1TB option. That’s roughly enough space for 250 movies and is likely to be even more storage than your laptop. When and where is the iPhone 13 range available? Want to get your hands on the latest iPhone? Pre-order the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro now - and all iPhone 13 handsets will be available on Friday September 24th. iD is offering great deals on the latest iPhone line-up, combined with all the flexibility and control you need. Enjoy ultra-fast 5G coverage, roll over your unused data, cap your out-of-plan charges and stay fully on top of your expenses from the iD app, right there on a gorgeous new iPhone.

Data is your hero when you’re out and about and unable to connect to a Wi-Fi network. Whether you need to WhatsApp someone, post something on social media, find your way using maps, or stream your favourite show, we’re more reliant on mobile data than ever before. Yet we all know it can be pricey if you go over your monthly limit – and a huge mobile bill is the last thing you need. Luckily, we’ve put together tips and tricks for tracking and curbing your data usage, so you can still enjoy using your data and avoid any potential charges. Tracking Your Data Usage Tracking your data usage Okay, so we may be biased here; if you’re an iD Mobile customer, the best way to track your data usage is to use the iD Mobile app. The app is free to use (it doesn’t use up any of your data), and best of all, it’s real-time, so you’ll see exactly how much you’ve got left at the point you’re checking it. How to check your data usage using the iD Mobile App: Open iD Mobile app > Log in > Your remaining allowances for that month will appear on the Dashboard tab (It’s that simple). You can also track your data usage on your device; however, this can be misleading as it’s not based on your exact billing month. If you’re using an Apple phone, you’ll need to manually reset your counter when your allowances refresh. And on an Android phone, it’ll be based on the calendar month and not your billing month. So, we’d always recommend the iD Mobile app as your first port of call. Nonetheless, here’s how you check your data usage on your phone: Apple (iOS) Open Settings > Select Mobile Data > Scroll Down to the apps List - your data usage is shown under ‘Current Period’. Please note that your ‘Current Period’ is not your billing month but a calculation since you last manually reset your counter. Android Open Settings > Select Network & internet settings > Select data usage – your data usage for that calendar month will be shown on the screen. Top tips to reduce your data usage Use Wi-Fi whenever you can This one’s simple. Wi-Fi is free and it’s pretty much everywhere. Whether you’re in a café, park or shop, chances are there will be Wi-Fi near you. Sometimes you might have to sign up with an email address, but increasingly Wi-Fi is free to use and anybody can access it. If you do have to get a password, the good news is that your phone will remember it for next time, and you’ll be able to connect automatically. Restrict background data There’s no point allowing apps to sap data when you’re not using them. Restrict your background data to stop this happening. It’s not a magical solution – you’ll still to make sure you have enough data in your plan to cover your usage – but it will help save mobile data for apps you are using. On Android: Go to Settings > Wi-Fi & Internet > Data usage > Cellular data usage. Click on an individual app, then untick Background data – this means you’ll only use data when you’re using the app. On iOS: Restrict all background data – go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and set the slider to off. Restrict individual apps – go to Settings > General > Restrictions and Enable Restrictions. Once you’ve set a PIN number, you can go through each app individually. Using maps? Go offline We all depend on maps and GPS to get us around, but they can be a massive drain on data. The good news is that you can now download maps and use them offline. How? Just open Google Maps and find the area you want to map. On Android: Once you’ve found the place you want to download, tap the bottom and a larger menu will pop up. Tap Download. You’ll find your downloads under Offline maps under the Google Maps menu. On iOS: Open the menu in Google Maps, then tap Offline areas and then the plus icon on the lower right. Select the area you want to download, press Download, name it and tap Save. Use streaming services with offline options Loads of us are YouTube bingers and are subscribed to all kinds of channels. The problem is that it’s easy to burn through all your data in just one kitten video marathon. Fortunately, Youtube Red is a subscription service where you can download videos and watch them offline any time. If music is what your data gets used on, try Apple Music, Google Play Music or Spotify. Most will offer a feature where you can download your favourite songs and albums. If podcasts are more your thing, apps like Castbox will automatically download episodes of your fave podcasts when WiFi is present, so there’s no need to waste data. Change your browsing habits Most sites will automatically have mobile versions, but always choose the mobile version if given the option. Try not to delete your browser cache either. Yes, it does take up a little space on your phone, but it will save your phone from downloading everything from websites you frequently visit. You can also compress pages before downloading – which saves you even more data. But how? On Chrome: Tap the three dots at the top right, choose Settings > Lite mode. This is a little different to page compression, as Google rewrites the page to only give you the essentials – while saving you up to 60% of data. Other browsers like Opera Mini will do this automatically. Turn off automatic downloading in messaging apps like Whatsapp Your mates may be keen to share some embarrassing pics from your night out, but some things are bad enough without throwing away mobile data too. Fortunately, you can turn off automatic downloading and just download things when you want to. Open WhatsApp and tap the three dots at the top-right corner. Go to Settings > Data and Storage Usage. Under Media auto-download there are three options: When using mobile data, When connected on Wi-Fi, and when roaming. Tap on each of these options, deselect all options, then tap OK. Look further down the page and you can also reduce the data used in a call by toggling Low data usage. Be careful watching/uploading on Social Media Uploading and watching auto-play videos is one of the easiest ways to use a ton of data. Plus, images and videos are increasingly high quality, which can mean a ton of data. Instagram: You can use less data on Insta by slowing down the amount of time that videos taken to load. From the main menu, select Settings > Account > Cellular Data Use. You’ll then have the options to Use less data (iPhone) or Data saver (Android). If you’re on Android, you’ll see an extra setting allowing you to control when Instagram shows you High Resolution Media. Make sure it’s on WiFi only. Facebook: When scrolling through your feed, auto-playing videos are everywhere. Fortunately, you can turn these off. In the Facebook app, tap on the menu on the right-hand side. Scroll down to Settings & Privacy. Now tun on Data Saver. This will reduce image sizes and stop videos from playing automatically.

Calling all dog and cat owners! Here are some great apps to help you care for your furry friends. Being a pet parent is hugely rewarding. We’re a nation of animal lovers, with more than half of UK households owning at least one furry friend. Looking after a cat or dog can be challenging though, so we’re here to help. If your dog’s behaviour is a little ruff (sorry), or your puss is far from purr-fect (sorry, won’t happen again) we’ve rounded up some handy apps for you below. Apps for dog lovers: Puppr - for training Download on iOS and Android . Basic version is free, with the option to pay for a premium subscription (after a 7-day free trial). If you think your dog could do with a spot of training, give Puppr a go. It’s a really fun and easy-to-use app, packed with step-by-step video instructions to help you train your dog at home. You’ll find everything from sitting and waiting to house-training (surely a must!) on there. Plus, a ‘circus’ section has more advanced tricks like jumping ropes. Oh, and there’s even a built-in clicker tool that lets your know dog when they’re getting things right – who’s a clever dog? Rover - for dog boarding & walking Download on iOS and Android . It’s free to browse, but you need to pay if you use someone’s services. Need someone to look after your dog for a little while? It can be tough knowing who to trust, but the Rover app is well established and has a great reputation. You can choose walkers, boarders who take in pets, or sitters who come to your home. They’ve all been verified, and you can check out their star ratings and reviews from fellow customers – just like you would on the likes of Airbnb. It’s easy for you to browse for suitable services in your area, and after you hand over your pet, you can get updates and photos sent through the app. So you can keep in touch with your pet, even when you’re apart. Cat alert! This app also caters for cat boarding and house sitting. BringFido – for dog-friendly travel Download on iOS and Android . Completely free to use. If you’ve ever tried travelling with a dog, you’ll know how difficult it is finding suitable places that are happy to accommodate four-legged friends. With the BringFido app, you can easily find dog-friendly places all over the UK, taking a lot of the stress out of planning your journey. We’re not just talking about hotels here. BringFido will also help you find suitable restaurants, pubs, parks, beaches and more. It also has filters to help you search for places that take large dogs, or more than one! For cat lovers Moggie – for monitoring feline fitness Download on iOS . Free to use. Moggie is a free app that does a great job of keeping you updated on your cat’s fitness. You can record all sorts of stats, for your own information or to share with the vet. You can also set reminders of important dates like appointments and medication, and get regular tips on all sorts of kitty care including nutrition, weight control and brushing their fur. Plus, you can connect with other cat owners and share advice. Mumsnet, but for cats – why didn’t anyone think of that before? Joii – for cat health issues Download on iOS and Android . Free symptom checker and nurse consultations. Advanced services have a cost attached. Joii is full of essential medical advice for cats. There’s a free symptom checker, and a ‘health clinic’ that gives you info on things like diet, fleas and worming. Plus, you can even get free expert advice from a qualified nurse via a video call – day or night. Dog alert! This app is great for dogs too. Sponsoring a furry friend: RSPCA sponsorship A monthly cost is involved. Be sure to check before you commit. If you love cats and dogs but can’t actually own one, here’s an alternative. With an RSPCA sponsorship , you can sponsor either cat pods or dog kennels, and get regular updates and photos of the animals you’re helping. You don’t sponsor a single animal. Instead, your cash helps lots of different cats and dogs in centres across the country. You’ll still get a chance to know some of them though, as you’ll regularly be sent photos and stories of the animals you’re helping to recover. Have we missed any of your favourite dog or cat apps? Or would you like to share any pet stories, training tips or health advice? Share your thoughts with the Community in the comments below!

Samsung has launched its new S22 series of flagship phones, and they’re absolute stunners. Three models are available: the Galaxy S22 , Galaxy S22+ and Galaxy S22 Ultra , all packed with incredible tech that Samsung says will make your ‘everyday epic’. Let’s take a closer look… Pro-quality cameras The Samsung S-series is famous for including the best camera tech around, and this is exactly what the S22 is offering. Both the S22 and S22+ have the same triple rear camera setup. There’s a 12MP Ultra Wide Camera that really expands your POV, a 50MP Wide-angle Camera with a truly massive sensor capable of lighting up the night, and a 10MP Telephoto Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (plus 30x digital zoom) that means nothing's too far to shoot. And if you go for the S22 Ultra, you get an even better 108MP Wide-angle Camera, and an extra telephoto lens that ups the digital zoom to a whopping 100x. Samsung is so proud of the camera’s capabilities in the dark, they’re calling it Nightography (nifty name). The super-sized pixel sensor enlarges pixels to pull in more light, and the Super Clear Glass dials down lens flare – this’ll make your night-time photos (and videos) as clear as day. Dazzling displays Here’s another area where Samsung excels – display quality. Colours look vivid, blacks are amazingly deep, and brightness levels can be dialled right up - so you can see clearly even in bright sunlight. The Galaxy S22 has a 6.1-inch AMOLED FHD+ display, while the S22+ rocks a larger 6.6-inch AMOLED FHD+ display. The biggest and sharpest display is – surprise, surprise - on the S22 Ultra. It boasts a 6.8-inch with Quad HD+ resolution, and it’s also slightly curved at the edges – so it looks a little classier too. All-day battery life Each S22 comes with a different sized battery. The S22 has a 3700mAh battery with support for 25W super-fast charging, the S22+ has a 4500mAh battery with support for 45W super-fast charging, and the S22 Ultra has a 5000mAh battery with support for 45W super-fast charging. No matter which phone you go for, the battery intelligently adapts to how you use your phone – so you’ll last all day (24 hours+) before you need to head to the charger. Fastest. Processor. Ever. The Exynos 2200 chipset is under the hood in all three models, and it’s the fastest chip that’s ever been on a Galaxy. It makes everything you do incredibly smooth, from vlogging to marathon gaming sessions. Basically, it’s got the power to keep up with whatever you’re doing. An Ultra S-Pen Still not sure which one to go for? This final fact might sway you. The S22 Ultra comes with a built-in S-Pen (just like the Galaxy Note series), giving you the power to work, create and multi-task more effectively. It’s Samsung’s most advanced and fastest S Pen yet - ultra-responsive, realistic and precise. Water-resistant Don’t worry too much if you’re using your S22 outdoors and the heavens open. All three models have an IP68 dust/water resistance rating, so they can handle a bit of rain. When and where is the Galaxy S22 range available? Want to get your hands on a new S22? You can order the Galaxy S22 , S22+ or S22 Ultra from iD Mobile right now! iD is offering great deals on the latest Samsung line-up, combined with all the flexibility and control you need. Enjoy ultra-fast 5G coverage, roll over your unused data, cap your out-of-plan charges and stay fully on top of your expenses from the iD app, right there on a gorgeous new S22. Competition time… Fancy being one of the first in the UK to get your hands on a Samsung Galaxy S22? Then stick around. Because we’re giving one away in this fab new competition! Simply tell us in the comments below what the greatest Samsung product you ever owned was. In your opinion, of course. We’re talking your all-time favourite. You’ll need to enter before midnight on Wednesday 23rd March, and we’ll announce the lucky winner the following day. T&Cs apply. They always do. Good luck!

Now that we’re getting a tiny hint of sun, it’s time for a good spring clean – and that includes your phone. It’s all well and good to give your screen a wipe with some anti-bac (it lives with you after all) but have you thought about decluttering all your stuff that’s on it too? A good clear out can also help the performance of your phone – giving you more battery and improving the loading times of your apps. Not to mention, when you want to find a photo you won’t have to dig though years of screenshots (or memes as the case may be). 1. Delete photos and videos It’s an obvious (if annoying) one. Photos and videos take up a lot of storage space, so the best place to start is a good tidy, and a liberal delete. Sort through what’s not worth keeping (45 selfies to get good light anyone?) and then move everything else to external or cloud storage. This is really worth setting aside time to do even if storage isn’t an issue – if you ever lose your phone you’ll be relieved to have everything backed up. 2. Remove some apps Do you really need that folder of just-in-case apps? Or the ones that you had to download to order table service that one time? We don’t think so. A lot of apps work in the background even if you’re not using them, so having a dig through and getting rid is an easy way to free up space and save your phone from working harder than it needs to. Tip: Once you’ve decluttered your apps, check that they’re all up to date. You don’t want to miss out on up-to-date security or handy features that improve functionality. 3. Clear out contacts If you have one too many unfamiliar names in your contact list – it’s definitely time to delete some numbers. Not sure which Mark is which? Have a look on WhatsApp – their profile picture should help. And while you’re on WhatsApp, why not clear out old chats? That group organising your friend’s hen do two years ago that hasn’t been touched since. It’s time for it to go. 4. Turn off location tracking There’s no need for Twitter to know where you are every second of the day. And when it comes to improving battery life, turning off location tracking can make a considerable difference. Especially if your phone is just sitting in your bag – apps constantly checking in to see where you are drains your battery (and is a bit creepy). Turning location tracking off, or selectively controlling which apps can see where you are is simple. Just search for ‘location tracking’ in Settings and your phone will show you where to go. 4. Clear your cache Websites and apps store information on you to help you fill out forms, log in, or remember what’s in your basket. But over time this saved information can slow things down. Clearing your cache is done through the internet browser you use (Firefox / Chrome / Safari etc.) and only takes a few minutes. 5. Reset If all else fails and your phone is still painfully slow, it might be time for a good old factory reset. It will wipe everything from your phone as if it was new for a complete fresh start. Before you jump to this, remember to back everything up – on iCloud for iPhones and Google Drive or OneDrive for Android. Competition Time: To be in with a chance of winning the vacuum cleaner we want you to talk it out with your fellow Community members by letting us know which vaccum brand is your favourite. Maybe it's the mighty Henry, perhaps it's the modern Dyson, or just maybe a Shark is the hoover for you. Whichever it is, we want to know! The competition ends at 23:59 on 8th April 2022, and we'll announce the lucky iD community winner shortly after. T&Cs apply. Good luck!

How to make hybrid working work for you Even until a couple of years ago, working from home was something that we did very occasionally or not at all. But lockdown changed all that. Since WFH was the only option, loads of us have got used to it – and it looks like it’s here to stay. Although lots of people are now retuning to their offices, the new normal isn’t about a 9-5, desk job anymore. Say bye to the daily commute and hi to hybrid working! Making hybrid working work is all about setting up your home office so you can be as productive at home as you would be when at work. Here’s our guide to help you get a WFH win! Sort out your workspace Whether you’ve managed to convert a spare room into a home office, or if you’ve just cleared off a bit of the kitchen table, mark yourself out a spot which is just for working. The last thing you want to do is to flop down on a sofa with your laptop. You just won’t be productive that way. If possible, pick a spot with natural sunlight to help you stay motivated and wide awake. But if your workspace isn’t near a window, get yourself a smart lamp that adapts to the time of day – giving you a consistent light level to keep you focused. Philips Hue white & colour smart table lamp is a good bet. Get a second screen Let’s face it. The single screen of a laptop just isn’t going to cut it – especially when you’re multitasking between emails, spreadsheets, and the dozens of other plates we all keep spinning. And it’s not just us saying it. A study by Jon Peddie Research found that home workers who used multiple screens had a 42% boost in productivity. Having a second screen will also help your posture, since you won’t be tempted to hunch over your screen like you might with a laptop. And speaking of which… Upgrade your office chair You need to treat your WFH space as a real office. And that means having a real office chair. Get yourself a seat that can be adjusted to the right height and supports your back and arms. You can add to this with a footrest, laptop riser, document reader, wrist support and whatever else you need to be comfortable. Your employer should be able to help you get some of this equipment or at least give you a workstation assessment. And an office chair isn’t just about healthy sitting. When you’re working from home (especially when you live with other people) it can be hard to separate work life and home life. A chair you use just for working will help you get into the work mindset. Get quality of life tech If you’ve got a laptop and a second screen, that can be enough to get the job done. But hybrid working is all about making remote working as comfortable and easy as possible. Getting a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard means that you’re not limited to your laptop’s keyboard and tracking pad. It also means you can move them around until you’re comfortable, plus you can even customise your keyboard or get an ergonomic mouse – which can be a real gamechanger. Better audio Nothing beats a meeting face to face. But hybrid working still means lots of video calls. And whether that’s Microsoft Teams, Skype or Zoom, a decent wireless headset can make all the difference. Wireless tech offers you clear communication with a tangle-free experience, so you can move around when you’re on a call. As well as great sound quality, many headsets also offer noise-cancelling tech. Getting distracted while working from home? Block out the background noise and get down to work with noise-cancelling headphones. And if you need some recommendations, we’ve got a great rundown of top earphones and headphones. Keep the commute When you’re working from home, the temptation is just to roll out of bed 5 minutes before work begins. Ok, we don’t mean jump on a train and travel to the office when you don’t need to. But having that routine of getting up and getting active before work can be beneficial. So, whether you go for a run, or just take a walk to the shop, start your day with a bit of activity (and hopefully a bit of fresh air) before you get down to business. End your day Working from home should help you achieve a better work-life balance. But without workmates packing away their things and heading off home, it can be easy to lose yourself in work and let it drag on into the evening. Whether you ask Google or Alexa to remind you when it’s home time or program that smart light to dim down to evening vibes, it’s important to set a time to end your day. One way to do this is to write a to do list for the next day. That way you can commit everything to paper that you need to tackle tomorrow – and forget about work for the evening! Got any hybrid working tips? Keep the conversation going and let us know below…

We’ve got some great suggestions for upgrading your security: If you want to upgrade your home security, think about investing in smart tech. There are some really clever products that do an amazing job of keeping everything safe and secure - when you’re fast asleep, at work, or even on holiday. To help you get started, we’ve rounded up some of the best smart security systems we’ve seen lately. See who’s outside with CCTV First of all, let’s talk about CCTV. Those big and bulky beasts of the past are long gone. Now, you can get small and discreet outdoor security cameras that don’t cost the earth. Arlo Essential Spotlight cameras can be placed wherever you need them. You can cover a particular area like a garden fence or rear window, or you can invest in a few cameras and cover every inch of your surroundings. You get super-sharp Full HD quality video and a wide field of view, along with features like motion detection, night vision, and a loud siren. Basically, all you need to make sure you’re protected night and day. Taking control of the camera is easy. It links to an app you can download onto your smartphone or laptop, so you can view what’s going on from anywhere – even if you’re not at home yourself. See who’s on your doorstep Ringing doorbells to find an empty house is a well-known trick used by burglars. The Ring Video Doorbell 4 solves that problem, by giving you the power to answer the front door using your smartphone – wherever you are. You get a smartphone alert when someone rings the doorbell or triggers the motion sensor. You’ll be able to see a wide-angle Full HD view of who’s at the door, and speak to them directly. So you can warn off unwanted visitors, or tell that innocent delivery person where to put your package. Check indoors when you’re out Okay, we’ve covered outdoors. So let’s think about protecting inside of your home. Get an indoor security system like the Hive View Camera , and you can view what’s going on using your smartphone. If you have an unexpected visitor you’ll get a notification, and the camera will automatically start recording. And if you have pets, you can adjust the sensitivity so that the camera doesn’t get triggered whenever your cat stretches. Lights on, nobody home When you go out at night, you’ll leave a light or two on in the house to deter burglars – right? Sorry, but – wrong. Budding burglars have been wise to that trick for years. That’s why the Philips Hue Smart Lighting Starter Kit is great for home security. The Hue smartphone app lets you control your lighting from anywhere, and convince anyone walking past that someone’s home. You can turn lights on and off, schedule them to come on at certain times, or (this one’s our favourite) make them turn on if someone rings your smart doorbell. Plug in for more smart security Want to make your house look like it’s full of busy activity when nobody’s there? Then go for a smart plug (the Hive Active Plug a good one), and you can turn any plug socket into a smart power outlet. You can then use the app on your smartphone to turn appliances like speakers, TVs and lamps off and on. Or simply schedule it all to happen automatically. Take control when you’re home We’ve talked a lot about using apps to control your smart security when you’re far from your house. But of course, you’ll want to keep on top of security when you’re at home too. The Google Nest Hub lets you do exactly that. You can connect all your other smart home security systems to it as long as they’re compatible (most are), and control everything hands-free or with the large touchscreen. Are you happy with your home security setup? Do you have any smart tech you’d like to recommend? Let us know below.

The average British person creates about 12-14 tonnes (yes, tonnes) of CO2 emissions per year. That might sound a bit scary, but there’s a lot we can do to tackle that and make sure our impact on the planet is as small as possible (without having to live in an off-grid yurt). So, this Earth Day, let’s have a look at some easy ways to make our tech footprint that little bit smaller. Let’s start with something we know a lot about - phones Did you know that on average a mobile phone produces 70 kg of CO2 per year when used for 3.5 hours a day? (We don’t know about you, but we use ours a LOT). That’s 1% of the average carbon footprint in just calls, texts and data. Tips to reduce your device’s carbon footprint: 1. Switch your video settings to a lower resolution when you’re streaming and downloading. Sometimes that YouTube video doesn’t need to be in 4K.2. Stream over Wi-Fi rather than 4G or 5G wherever possible.3. Turn off automatic downloads for your apps. (This will save you data and battery too!)4. Turn off background data and close your apps when you’re not using them And when you’re done with your phone and looking for a new one, why not trade-in ! Trade-in your old device We all know that getting a new phone is exciting, but it’s also the perfect time to make sure that your old stuff doesn’t end up in the bin. By trading in your old phone with iD Mobile, your phone will live on as a refurbished device. If it’s in good nick, it could go on to be someone else’s phone. But if not, the parts can be recycled to create new phones. In 2021, we traded in almost 3,000 phones (2,876 to be exact) – that’s a load of waste saved. And on average, those customers got back £150! Definition of a win-win if you ask us. Or… if your phone is still in great shape – keep it a bit longer! If your phone is still in great shape and you still love it (or maybe you’re waiting for the perfect new handset to come out) – keeping hold of it is a great option too. Extending the life of electronics like smartphones can reduce loads of carbon dioxide pollution. If everyone did it for just an extra year, we’d all reduce FOUR MILLION tonnes of pollution by 2030. That’s the same as planting 200,000 trees, taking over 2 million cars off the road, or creating 5 Hyde Parks, if you measure your trees in London parks like we do. Recycle old appliances So that’s phones sorted. But what about ALL the rest of the tech we all have at home? Well, we have you sorted there too. If you didn’t know already, we’re part of the Currys group. At Currys, we collect, re-use and recycle a massive 65,000 tonnes of old tech every year (even if you didn’t buy it from us). And on top of that, we only sell electricals and electronics that can be recycled, as indicated by the symbol of a crossed-out wheelie bin which appears on them. Even if your old electrical appliances or technologies don’t bear this symbol, the good news is we’ll accept them for recycling. Plant trees! (No, really) Did you know that an average mature tree can absorb 20 kg of CO2 a year? That means that planting just 4 trees a year would offset the CO2 produced from your mobile phone usage annually. So, if you want the peace of mind of knowing that your carbon is being offset by trees – you can! Companies like Carbon Neutral Britain have programs where you can pay to offset your carbon emissions. For £6.99 they’ll plant 20 trees around the world – creating new British woodland but also preventing deforestation in Amazon, helping coastal forests in Kenya and loads more. There you have it! That’s just a few ways you can help the planet by reducing your environmental impact. Share with us below what other tips you have on how we can all reduce our own environmental impact.

At iD Mobile we are constantly striving to improve the help and support that we offer our customers. This survey was created to give customers the opportunity to choose the Help Hub topics that they’d like to receive more support on to improve their iD Mobile experience. We thank you all for taking part in the survey, and giving us the opportunity to offer the help you need to get the most out of your iD Mobile plan. What next? Now that we’ve received your response, our team will be busy curating a dedicated email with a selection of relevant articles and guides designed to support you on the topic that you’ve selected. You should receive this topic specific follow-up email within the next few days.

AI, space tourism and cutting-edge consumer tech – it’s all happening in 2021… With much of the daily news focused on the covid-19 pandemic and the global response, you’d be forgiven for missing out on all the exciting developments that are happening right now in the world of technology. And there are quite a few. In some cases, the global pandemic and varying stages of lockdown have meant that technological advancements have sped up rapidly. Businesses and institutions that were previously set in their ways are now a hive of digital collaboration and automation. Schools, offices and shops have adapted to a changing world with the help of amazing tech, and artificial intelligence is getting even smarter. The present is looking ever more futuristic! Even the world of consumer tech is unrecognisable compared to just a few years ago. So, what’s new? Amazon and Virgin CEOs Blast Off Into Space: We’ll start big. Space tourism has been a long-held dream for many, and it looks like we’ve moved a little closer to it becoming a reality! In July, Virgin founder Richard Branson and Amazon chief Jeff Bezos made history by joining only a handful of non-astronauts to have taken a trip above the atmosphere. Branson’s Virgin Galactic project has been developed over the past 17 years, while Bezos’ Blue Origin was founded way back in 2000. Both space flights launched from the US within days of each other, with Bezos’ flight taking just 11 minutes between launch and landing, and Branson’s around 90 minutes. While we’re still in the very early days of commercial space flight, what we do know is that both Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin travel 66 miles above the surface of the earth, and are expected to charge between $200,000 and $250,000 for the once-in-a-lifetime trip. So start saving now! Apple’s Self-driving Car: We may not be there just yet, but automated vehicles will likely transform how we get from A to B forever. And Apple are set to be at the heart of it. It’s no secret that the guys behind the iPhone, iPod and MacBook have been developing the idea. They first started exploring the concept in 2014, hiring over 1000 car experts and engineers to design an electric car. In December last year, it was confirmed Apple are still very much working on it, and aim to release a vehicle in three to six years’ time. What we do know is that Apple will work with a manufacturing partner to produce the cars. The plan is to make a car that allows the ‘driver’ to enter their destination and get there with barely any engagement. They’re also developing a new battery for the car that uses less space and has a much greater range. We can’t wait to see what they come up with. Cloud-based Gaming: If you’re a gamer, you probably miss that feeling of being able to buy a game and dive straight in without the lengthy install process. Some games these days can take as much as half a day to install! There is a solution though, and it’s online. Cloud gaming means that once again, you can play right away. Instead of installing the game directly to your console or PC and using up tons of storage, games are run on a remote server and then streamed to your device as a video. And as connectivity improves, cloud gaming will get better. Faster internet will mean better games, better graphics and faster response times. What’s not to love? It’s been around for a little while, with the likes of Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Now and Google Stadia developing the concept. But it’s growing. Fast. In 2020, almost as many people signed up to a cloud gaming service as they did to Netflix. And speaking of Netflix, we’re hearing news that they’re looking to get into the cloud gaming realm too. Watch this space. What about mobile phones? Cheaper 5G Phones: We’re still very much in the early days of 5G connectivity, but it’s amazing to see it already setting new standards. It means faster downloads, faster loading times, consistent signal in high traffic areas. Even away from phones, 5G is changing the way we work, play and interact. Now, no matter what your budget, you can treat yourself to 5G speeds. We’ve seen phones like the OPPO A54 and Samsung Galaxy A22 offer extreme speed and connectivity at a very affordable price, and we expect phones to double down on that trend. Soon, we’ll all be making HD calls, downloading 4K movies in seconds and gaming like pros on the go. The future is 5G! Higher Refresh Rates: We’ve mentioned refresh rates before – it means how frequently your phone screen flashes every second. The more frequent, the smoother everything looks. While most smartphones from just two years ago supported a refresh rate of around 60hz, now, we’re seeing screens that go up to 90hz, 120hz and even beyond. Phones like the Samsung S21 range and Sony Xperia 5 can adjust all the way to a super smooth 120hz, and it’s looking like that feature is starting to arrive on more budget friendly phones, too. Mobile gaming is about to level up. LiDAR Sensors: The iPhone 12 Pro turned heads when it was announced, and that’s because it had one thing that no other smartphone has ever had before – a LiDAR sensor. What this does is shine beams of infrared light that bounce off of surfaces to create a 3D map. In fact, it’s the tech that’s being used to develop the self-driving car, but it also works a treat with smartphone cameras. By creating a 3D map of the scene you’re shooting, your phone works out where objects are in relation to each other to create a much more realistic photo. While it’s currently only available on the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max, we expect to see Android phones using this technology in the not too distant future. Your camera roll never looked so good. Competition Time: We’ve shared what we think are the biggest tech developments over the past few months, and now we want to hear from you! What technological advancements or pieces of tech have you seen, heard about or purchased that’s got you excited? Let us know below for a chance to win the incredible OPPO Find X3 NEO. Standard competition T&Cs apply. Competition closes 21st September 2021. Best of luck! Winner Announcement: As always a huge thank you to everyone who took part in this awesome competition celebrating the introduction of a new topic on the Community. We cannot wait to continue sharing the latest advancements in mobile and tech and discover what you are all interested in and have your eyes on! Now! enough about that. Back to the competition! Please join me in congratulating @Prologica ! You are the winner of a brand new Oppo Find X3 Neo! Who will win our next competition? Only time will tell, check out our 50K members article on the homepage to enter our new competition. Thanks for entering :D

World Book Day (Thursday 3rd March) is a great time to get into a new book or old classic. Whether it’s a paperback or on e-reader, there’s nothing like reading a great book. But at the same time, it can be hard to fit reading sessions into our busy lives. And that’s what’s great about audiobooks. You can still enjoy brilliant books but have someone else doing the reading for you. And it also means you can enjoy a book audio style while you’re doing other things. So, whether you’re on your daily commute, doing chores around the house or even about to go for a run – get one of these brilliant books on your phone, hook up your headphones and get lost in some incredible worlds. From anything from thought-provoking social issues to bone-chilling crime, here are 5 audiobooks that we think you should download and play right now… The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and now turned into a film, The Hate U Give follows the struggles of Starr Carter. She’s a young, underprivileged black girl who attends a rich, mostly white prep school. Her world is changed when she witnesses her friend become a victim of police brutality. She’s then forced into a tough dilemma: keep quiet and tow the line or expose the truth? This is definitely one audiobook you’ll be talking about for a long time. Stone Mattress by Margaret Atwood If you loved the TV series Handmaid’s Tale and are hungry for more, give this collection of nine short stories a go. You’ll laugh, gasp, hide under the blankets and just about everything in between. The great thing about short stories in an audiobook form is that each one is like a standalone episode which will neatly fit into a commute. Plus, each tale is read by someone different giving each story a totally different feel - including comedy actor Rob Delaney, actress Lorna Raver and even Margret Attwood herself. Why Has Nobody Told Me About This? By Dr Julie Smith Mental health is something that can be difficult to handle and it’s tough to know where to turn for good advice. Fortunately, this audiobook is full of amazing coping techniques from a mental health expert that will help you take on challenges that life can throw at you. It’s also split into different chapters that give you practical advice from managing anxiety, building self-confidence, or just getting motivated. So relax and enjoy! Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes was possibly the first ever modern detective, and probably still the most famous sleuth ever created. Since the first Sherlock Holmes book was published back in 1887, the character has been played by everyone from Christopher Lee to Benedict Cumberbatch and even Will Ferrell. So, while cracking into the original 4 books and 5 collections of short stories may feel a bit daunting, they’ve been helpfully put together as an audiobook read by the calming voice of Stephen Fry. Now you can crack the case of The Man With The Twisted Lip or head to Switzerland to fight arch-enemy Moriarty above the Reichenbach Falls. At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson Since we’ve all been spending more time at home, you might find yourself wondering about the place you live. Why do we all have salt and pepper shakers when there are so many other spices? Who decided houses should have an upstairs? At Home explains the history of almost everything around the house in a funny and interesting way. From pillows to paint to pipes, you’ll find a fascinating fact about everything you take for granted with surprising stories you can share with your mates. You’ll never look at your home in the same way again! Have you heard any of these or listened to any audiobooks you’d love to recommend? Don’t be shy. Comment and tell us all about them below.

Whether you’re kicking back and listening to music, lost in a podcast or just need something to exercise to, there’s nothing like a great pair of Bluetooth earphones or headphones. Pair them up with your phone and you’re good to go. But with so many options out there, it’s hard to know which to pick. That’s why we’ve selected 5 of the best with something for every type of listener – but which do you like the sound of? For sporty types Love to work out or go for a run? Powerbeats Pro from Beats let you listen to your fave playlist to get you moving. Their secure ear hooks mean they won’t fall out no matter how intense your workout and they’re completely adjustable - so you can easily find your perfect fit. Whether you’re out for a run in the rain or you like to work up a sweat, they’re water-resistant and incredibly sturdy - so you can push yourself without worrying about them. They’re not only built to last, but the audio packs a punch too. And because they come packing Premium Bluetooth technology, the music won’t drop out either. Battery’s super important for wireless earphones and there’s no worries there either. You get 9 hours of playback, plus an extra 24+ hours of power from the charging case. And even if you’re really in a hurry to get out on your run, you can charge them up in 5 minutes to give you another 90 minutes of power. Lost on your run? Just say “Hey Siri” and you can ask for directions, request a playlist or even get a weather report. Super simple! For gamers While some people still like to take on one-player campaigns, online gaming has never been bigger. And whether you’re taking on your mates at Fortnite or building blocky worlds on Minecraft, playing online is as much about socialising remotely as it is the game. And for that you need proper gaming headset. LOGITECH G733 LIGHTSPEED are a great pick. For starters, they’re wireless – so you won’t get into a tangle when you’re in the heat of battle. They’re also lightweight and comfy – great for that gaming marathon. They’ll go for 29 hours on one charge – so it’s only game over when you’re ready to put down your controller. But they’ll actually make you a better gamer too. With virtual surround sound, you’ll hear people creeping up on you from behind. And the super clear mic and speakers will let you guide your team to glory! For blocking out distractions Modern life is noisy! Whether it’s commuter trains, busy traffic or background conversation, it’s great to have earbuds that can help block it out. Great if you want to get lost in a playlist, podcast or you’ve just got some work to do on your commute. Sony WF-1000XM3 earbuds not only give you noie cancelling tech but they even adapt to what’s going on around you. But you’ve also got full control too. So, if you’ve got noise-cancelling on but you don’t want to miss your station, it’s easy to adjust your earbuds (with a few taps) to let in as much or as little of the outside world as you want. You’ll get up to 6 hours playback, and if you need a boost when you’re out and about simply pop them back in the charging case for 3 extra charges. And not only is the sound great, but you can also adjust the EQ by downloading Sony’s headphones app. So, you can change from a podcast to some classic hip hop and switch the sound profile to make everything you listen to sound its best. And even if you’re trying to get stuff done at home, these earbuds can be super helpful. Because they’ve got Google Assistant, you can change music or even control your smart home just by asking! For staying in touch If you’ve been working or studying from home, you know how important it is to have a decent pair of headphones that let you talk clearly to people over Teams or Zoom. BOSE Headphones 700 are perfect for that. With their comfortable fit, not only can you hear every word, but the microphone actually adapts to the noise levels going on around you – so you’ll always be heard. Even if the dog starts barking mid-call! And because it’s BOSE, you know that the noise cancelling is going to be a big feature. That means you can take crystal clear calls when you need to but also block out the noise when you’ve got to get your head down and get those deadlines done. And the BOSE app will let you play with EQ and bass, so you get everything sounding just the way you like it. For kids Whether it’s for school or downtime, tech savvy kids will usually have access to a tablet or phone – so it’s good that they have a pair of headphones made just for them. The JLAB AUDIO JBuddies are compact and foldable, so they can be neatly packed into their school bags and go with them anywhere. They also come with an audio limiter, so you don’t have to worry about damaging their ears. They’re easy to control and hands-free – great if they like to catch up with their mates or do some online gaming. And if you’re off for a day out, the JBuddies will give them 13 hours on one charge – perfect for long car trips too. What’s your idea of headphones heaven? Found any brilliant buds you could recommend? Let us know below.

Say hello to Pixel 3 Google’s new smartphones are finally here! Give a warm welcome to the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. Both are amazing and packed to the brim with features, including an awesome camera that you’ll love playing around with. Here’s our hands-on impressions. Beautiful design, no smudges The first thing you notice about any smartphone is its design, and the Pixel 3 is gorgeous thanks to an all-glass front and back. The Pixel 3 is a phone you’ll want to show off to your friends. That glass back also has a two-tone look and a matte finish that gives the phone a nice grip – so it’s less likely to slip out from your hands. The matte finish is also good at keeping fingerprints and smudge marks at bay. Even after a day’s use, your Pixel 3 won’t look grubby. A display made for entertaining Pixel 3 is available in two sizes. Take your pick from the 5.5-inch Pixel 3 or the 6.3-inch Pixel 3 XL. Both have super impressive Quad HD+ OLED displays, so if size matters to you, go for the bigger model – which is superb for watching movies on and doing all the things you love on it. And speaking of entertainment – everything just sounds better thanks to Pixel 3’s front firing speakers. They project sound upwards, so none of that high-quality audio is wasted. The speakers are much louder than they are on previous Pixel phones, so you’ll really hear the difference. Taking a good photo just got easier The Pixel 2 was – and still is – one of the best camera phones around. And the Pixel 3 is even better. Google goes as far as to say it’s the best you can get. And we don’t blame them. The new photo features are excellent. Speaking of which… Top Shot You’ll use this one all the time. It uses Google’s AI to pick out the best picture to use. Open the camera and point it at something. While you’re doing this, the Pixel 3 is automatically stores images before and after you press the shutter button. That way you won’t miss any moment by being slow. And don’t worry if someone blinks or sneezes. Top Shot will find a picture where everyone is perfectly posed. Group Selfie Cam Ever tried taking a group selfie, but struggled to get everyone in the frame? Group Selfie Cam solves this problem by using the Pixel 3’s dual front-facing cameras to take wide angle selfies. It’s also great at solo portraits, where you want to capture yourself against a stunning backdrop or something cool you’ve spotted. Super Res Zoom It can be tricky trying to get a good close-up shot without any blur. Pixel 3 makes it easier, by digitally zooming into whatever you’re pointing the Pixel 3 at, and sharpening the image. It does this using Google’s clever image processing technology. The results are impressive – you’ll be able to make out even small details on faraway objects such as buildings. Lots of power and storage The Google Pixel 3 is lots of fun to use thanks to its fast Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor and 4GB RAM. We’ve put the phone through its paces and can safely say it’ll run anything you can throw at it. And you won’t have to close apps to speed it up – which makes the Pixel 3 perfect for multitasking. The 2,915mAh battery also gives you a full day’s use even if you’ve been taking photos and hitting up Instagram or Twitter throughout the day. Impressively you can get up to hours of power from just a 15-minute charge. Choose from 64GB or 128GB of internal storage. Google also offers free photo storage to Google Photos – so you can take as many pictures as you like without running out of room. Lovely. As you can tell we’re well impressed, and you will be too.

Fancy winning a £100 Currys gift card to spend on some amazing tech? You could use it to treat yourself to new audio equipment, smart home devices, home appliances, gaming and so much more! To be in with a chance of winning, follow the instructions below: Step 1: Click the article below and make your way to the bottom of the article until you find the section titles ‘Competition Time’ Step 2: In the comments section, simply tell us where you want to holiday next and why? Easy! Good luck! T&Cs apply.

In August last year, we shared some of the biggest technological developments of 2021 and how we can expect them to not only shape our world, but impact our everyday lives. By popular demand from our wonderful Community, we’re back with a 2nd edition! And this time, we’re going to showcase the biggest advancements you can expect to see in the world of tech in 2022. So, what’s new? Electric cars Electric cars have been getting better and better throughout the years. More economical, and a greater range means that frequent service station stops to recharge on long journeys are no longer an inevitability. In fact, last year, President Biden announced a challenging new target for the US: Half of all vehicles sold in the country would use electricity rather than petrol by 2030. Naturally, that means that car manufacturers all over the world are ramping up their electric vehicle production and innovation (up by 30% in 2021!). While Tesla are currently the first brand that springs to mind when we think of electric cars, it’s going to become a much more competitive market in the not-too-distant future. Smarter smart homes Smart home tech has been around for a number of years now, and the chances are you’ve already got one or two devices dotted around your home already. In 2022 and beyond, the smart tech you use every day will become a lot more integrated – and you won’t need to be so choosy about which voice assistant or platform you use. In the past, compatibility of certain devices was a bit of an issue. You’d go to buy smart lights, or a doorbell, or a speaker only to find they’re compatible with one particular platform, like Alexa, Google or Siri. This year, all the big smart tech players are planning to release an update so that their tech works with Matter. This is a new standard that was formerly called ‘Project Connected Home’. Matter allows all these different smart devices to communicate with each other regardless of the voice assistant it’s made for! Next time you shop for your smart home kit, look out for a label that says it works with Matter. That means it’s pretty much as adaptable as it gets. Tech for health Every time we go to the gym, we see more and more people wearing Apple Watches, fitness trackers and other kinds of connected health and fitness tech. And with good reason! These trusty devices are great for giving us near-accurate insights into our health, and even specified recommendations on how to boost our fitness. Occasionally, however, a device comes along that completely changes the game. At the world famous CES tech show in Las Vegas in January, tech company Movano introduced the Movano Ring. This ring may look simple enough, but it can track a whole host of useful stats including your heart rate and body temperature. It can detect when you’re napping, and can even accurately make both short and long term personal health recommendations. We can’t wait to see it hit the shelves! What about phones? It’s no secret that smartphones are getting incrementally better, but we’re expecting to see quite a few exciting refinements in the smartphone world in 2022, beginning with the launch of the all-new Samsung Galaxy S22 range. We don’t know what improvements Samsung will make on the awesome S21, but they haven’t let us down yet. So, stay tuned… Elsewhere, here are the smartphone tech features we reckon we’ll be seeing a lot more of in 2022: 5G Connectivity When it was first launched in the UK, 5G connectivity was a feature that was saved exclusively for the more flagship smartphones, like the S21 and Google Pixel 5. Now though, most of the latest phones have superfast 5G capability, and you can even get your hands on a good 5G phone for less than £300! Want to make the most of 5G on iD Mobile? Don’t forget to check our list of iD Mobile 5G approved phones. Even higher refresh rates We’ve spoken about refresh rates a number of times, in particular when smartphones first made the leap from 60hz to 120hz in 2020. Like 5G, this was initially saved for the pricier phones out there. After all, a higher refresh rate makes everything you do on your phone look so much smoother. However, we reckon the best phones of 2022 will go beyond that 120hz benchmark, transforming mobile gaming for the better. And if you don’t want to splash out on one of the pricier phones out there, we reckon you’ll start to see solid mid-range smartphone sporting that 120hz refresh rate too. That’s twice the refresh of the average TV! Snap! Smartphone cameras make up for their lack of zoom ability with some extremely nifty software and artificial intelligence. Over the years, the massive gap in quality between phone photos and digital camera photos has become smaller and smaller. And we’re expecting more of the same from the big phones of 2022. Many tech youtubers have long told their viewers that the big thing that separates the best smartphones from the more affordable handsets is the camera ability. But they’ll also tell you that even those mid-rangers can take some pretty fantastic photos and capture video that stands the test of time. And, now that tech journalists are predicting 50MP lenses to become a base this year, that just gives an indication of how much better your smartphone camera work is about to get. More power, faster Gone are the days of turning up late to college or missing the train to work because you forgot to charge your phone. Fast charging has saved all of us bags of time over the years, and it’s getting even faster. In 2021, Chinese smartphone brand Xiaomi launched a ground-breaking phone that was capable of charging at 120 W (Nearly 10 times faster than what was previously considered fast charging. At only 17 minutes to reach 100%, it set a new standard. While it may be a while before we see 120 W charging on the majority of phones out there, we’re still expecting most phones to cut their charging times with bigger, more economical batteries, and more powerful chargers. Watch this space… Those are the big tech updates we’re excited about from the past 3 months. What are you guys excited to see launch in 2022? Did anything from CES catch your eye this year? Let us know in the comments below.

NFC has been available on smartphones for quite a while. You might have noticed it in your settings, and there’s a good chance your phone is using it right this moment! But do you know exactly what NFC is, and what you can use it for? Read on to discover more… What exactly is NFC? NFC stands for Near Field Communication. It’s a type of wireless connection that sends data between devices that are within short distance of one another. It’s designed to work best at roughly 10 centimetres distance, and this is seen as a major security benefit. After all, you’d be sure to notice a potential hacker acting suspiciously just a few centimetres from your phone. Sony and BlackBerry (RIP) were the first to introduce this tech to their phones way back in 2011, and it’s grown to become a big, important feature ever since. What can NFC be used for? NFC lets you share data between NFC-equipped devices, but it also means you can connect two devices together too. For example, many headphones and speakers feature NFC, letting you pair your phone with a quick tap. This saves time scrambling around for an aux cable or scrolling through that list of Bluetooth devices to find the speaker you’re looking for NFC also makes it simple to share videos, photos and other details. Just touch two compatible phones together, select the 'tap to share with other nearby devices' feature, and your chosen content will be transferred instantly. Another really handy thing you can use NFC for is storing tickets on your smartphone. When you buy train, plane, gig or festival tickets, make sure you download them onto your phone. That way, you don’t need to keep hold onto a physical ticket for months in advance. When the time comes to use that ticket, load it up and you’re ready to get it scanned. It’s also great for getting around London if you don’t have an Oyster card. Whether you’re at the station barriers or getting on the bus, reach for your phone and tap it to the reader – it’s really as easy as that. But the thing that NFC is most famous for? Making secure and easy payments with your smartphone or smartwatch. Here’s how… Using NFC to pay with your iPhone If you’re an iPhone owner, you can use Apple Pay in places that accept contactless card payment. It uses an NFC conenction between your iPhone and the card reader. To set up Apple Pay on your iPhone, you need to use the Apple Wallet app to store your credit card or debit card info securely. Go to Settings > Wallet, and tap ‘+’ in the top right corner, and follow the on-screen prompts to add a new card. When your card is verified, tap Next, and you can start using Apple Pay straight away. Using NFC to pay with your Android smartphone If you’ve got an Android smartphone, you can use Google Pay to spend your cash without coins and notes rattling in your pocket. Simply open the app (or install it if it’s not already on your phone) and add a payment method. Then, turn on NFC in your phone’s settings and you’re good to go. When you want to pay for something, just wake up your phone and hold its back to the payment reader for a few seconds (you don’t even need to open the Google Pay app). A blue check mark will then appear on your screen, showing you the payment has been successful. If it doesn’t, just try holding your phone in a different way - your NFC antenna could be placed somewhere different. Should I use NFC? Why not? It’s quick, secure and extremely versatile. Plus, it hardly uses any processing power – so it won’t slow down your phone or leave you without a way to pay when you’re out and about. Now that all major phones have an NFC chip, there are more apps than ever designed to use NFC. That tech is playing an important part in making our lives a little easier! And, while you’re here, don’t forget about QR codes. If you’re not sure what they are, don’t panic – the chances are that you’ve used them many times already (the NHS Covid-19 Vaccination Pass is a QR code). Unlike bar codes, these strange Lego-like squares can store a lot more information and there’s no limit to what they can be used for! Check out our guide to QR codes to learn more. Those are the basics of Near Field Communication and how it’s come to be such an important feature. Contactless phone payments, storing usable boarding passes, pairing with headphones with a simple tap – none of these things would be possible without NFC. What’s the most innovative way you’ve seen it used? Let us know below!

Celebrating International Mother Tongue Day February 21st marks a very special day in the calendar: International Mother Tongue Day. So, what’s it all about? Officially proclaimed by UNESCO in November 1999, this day is dedicated to protecting and preserving every single language that’s used by people around the globe. It’s about recognising the beauty in our diverse cultures, making an effort to understand and familiarise ourselves with cultures that aren’t ours through multilingualism. In other words (excuse the pun), when we dedicate ourselves to learning a new language, we automatically take a step closer to unifying with others from all walks of life. The idea of a special day to recognise the relationship between language, heritage and culture actually originated from what is now Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan). When the Pakistani government declared Urdu to be the sole national language of Pakistan in 1948, many people fought for Bangla, the mother tongue of the majority, to be recognised too. This struggle continued for many years, and it’s a rare instance in human history of people sacrificing their lives for their language. It’s this strength of feeling and original language movement that the modern International Mother Tongue Day commemorates. There are many things you can do to celebrate the day in your own individual way, be it research into other cultures you find inspiring, or even reach out to friendly faces and neighbours in your area and take a genuine interest in their heritage and mother tongue. However, if that seems a little daunting, we reckon the best way to get the most out of the day is by taking the plunge and learning a new language. And there are plenty of apps that can help you. Whether you’ve got a passion for Portuguese, a fondness for French or even want to learn how to use sign language, there are plenty of fantastic apps that can help you on your journey! Here are a few of our favourites: Sign BSL Available on Android and iOS. This app is a bit different to your average language learning platform. Sign BSL is essentially a 20,000 word plus dictionary for British Sign Language, and it’s incredibly simple to use. Simply scroll through the words in the database, or search for specific words you’d like to learn, and you’ll be taught how to sign it in video form. No awkward diagrams or step-by-steps, just learn by example! Not only is learning to sign an extremely useful skill, but it’ll help you connect with those around you who may be deaf or hard of hearing. Be part of positive change for a more inclusive society and give it a go! Duolingo Available on Android and iOS. Duolingo has been a mainstay of the App Store and Google Play Store for over 10 years, and it’s one of the most popular language learning apps in the world. It works by turning language learning exercises into super fun games. You’ll start off with basic verbs, sentences and phrases, and as you progress, you’ll learn new words every day until you feel that natural fluency taking effect. Every lesson is easy to digest and short enough to train your brain on the journey to work. With Duolingo, you can choose from over 30 languages to learn for free, and you can track your achievements and progression along the way. You’ll be duo-lingual in no time! Busuu Available on Android and iOS. This one comes with a big community to help you on your way to multi-lingual mastery. Busuu not only helps build your vocabulary but even helps improve your accent. When you learn with Busuu, you get achievable targets and a personalised study plan to keep you on track. Plus, you can even get feedback from native speakers to make sure you’ve found your voice. It’s not all about learning new words, either. Depending on what language you learn, words are ordered differently in a sentence. Busuu gives essential grammar tips on word order, using the right verb tense and loads more. It’s worth upgrading to Busuu’s subscription scheme as it unlocks grammar exercises, quizzes, feedback from fellow subscribers and downloads to keep you productive when you’re offline. Memrise Available on Android or iOS. If you need some structure to retain those new words and phrases, Memrise is the perfect language learning app for you. Choose the language you want to learn and the app will lay out a structured path for you. Recap your knowledge at the end of each lesson with timed tests, and set goals like how long you want to study to get the most out of every session. There’s plenty of lessons to dabble in if you’re trying out the free version, but there’s also a paid membership version that unlocks all the premium app content. If you really want to learn that language to a fluent level, we’d recommend going premium. Rosetta Stone Download Rosetta Stone on Android and iOS. Everybody’s heard of Rosetta Stone. Rosetta Stone offers a practical and comprehensive language learning experience, whatever and however many languages you’d like to learn. The app teaches you to think in the language you’re learning by displaying a picture with the word, instead of a translation. A handy in-app phrase book helps you speak with confidence as you become multi-lingual. Refine your accent with the apps’ TruAccent speech engine, and with a little dedication, you’ll be speaking like a native. This one isn’t cheap, but it is undoubtably brilliant and has flexible pricing options to suit you. The 12-month subscription option offers unlimited language courses for £15.75 a month, while a lifetime subscription requires a one-off payment of £349. However, when you consider all the new opportunities and experiences that you can gain from learning that lingo, it’s more than worth it in our books. Those are the language learning apps we find ourselves using the most frequently at iD Mobile HQ. Give them a go and connect with other cultures, or even use them to build a greater connection with your family’s heritage! How are you planning to make the most of this International Mother Tongue Day? Let us know below!

The iD Mobile guide to saving money in 2022 For many people out there, December is undoubtedly the most expensive month of the year. All the Christmas prep: the presents, the food, the travelling, the reunions with friends and family at gloriously indulgent restaurants… sometimes you have to brace yourself when that monthly bill arrives. It’s no wonder that ‘staying on top of finances’ ranks so highly as a New Year’s resolution! However, tightening the purse strings after the festive season doesn’t necessarily mean you need to drastically change your lifestyle. Nor does it mean you have to immediately stop going to the places or doing the things you enjoy! All it takes is a little planning and organisation, and you’ll be amazed at how much money you’ll save, and how much more in control you’ll feel. Here are a few things you can do to save this year… Whatever you’re planning, set yourself a budget This one sounds simple, but when you’re making big and exciting plans, budgeting is the way forward. You won’t be unpleasantly surprised when you see how much you’ve spent, and if you do go over budget, you can accurately rejig finances around instead of leaving it to sort itself out. Setting a good budget puts you one step closer to your savings goals. Banking and saving from your phone is a real head start - it puts you in charge of the stats that really matter. Apps like Moneybox put all your savings accounts and ISAs into one place that’s easy to track, while both Monzo and Revolut have some incredibly innovative saving features that do all the hard work. Any time you spend money, the transaction is placed into categories like Entertainment, Groceries, Eating Out and Transport, so you get a detailed breakdown of how much you’re spending on certain things. Not only do you know where your money’s going, but you can use that info to adjust your spending in one area to improve your finances, instead of cutting back on everything across the board. However, the one standout saving feature is Pots. You can create a Pot, to save money for a specific thing like a holiday, house deposit or even your monthly bills. Move money into your Pots whenever you need, lock them so that you don’t spend money that’s reserved for important payments and goals, and unlock the pot when the time comes. You can even set it up so that any spare change left over from transactions go straight into it. You never know, the change from those morning lattes could end up being your ticket to somewhere exotic! Saving-savvy plug-ins Just because you’re on a money saving mission, doesn’t mean you need to stop buying the things you need online. Nor does it mean you have to miss out on great deals! Keeping an eye out for discount and promo codes online means that you can get those must-have shoes, that stylish coat or even satisfy that pizza craving even cheaper at the checkout! Sites like Vouchercodes and Hot UK Deals have always got brilliant offers, so check back every now and then. Better yet, a great plug-in or browser extension does all the hard work for you. It knows when you’re on a particular retailer’s website and gives you a list of promo codes that may apply to your order. Download Pouch on your Google Chrome browser, and you’ll get stacks of codes ready to use whenever you fancy a takeaway or buy anything online. Or, if you don’t fancy combing through all the discount codes one by one, go for Honey. It automatically applies each code to your basket for you to see if any apply. If they do, you’ll instantly see your order total drop. Get deals that are even better than the offers you see advertised! Get paid to shop If you’re like us, whatever you’re buying, you do most of your shopping online. So, why shouldn’t you get all the benefits? With sites like Top Cashback and Quidco, you can earn money from the purchases you make when you’re browsing the web. It’s easy to get started. Simply sign up on the website and use it to follow onto the retailer you want to buy from. When you order something, the cashback site receives a commission from the sale and they then share a portion of that with you! There’s a whole host of shops you’ll be familiar with that are signed up, so you’re able to get money back on loads of purchases you make. Get into the habit of accessing the shops you love to browse from the cashback site you join. You never know, you could end up saving hundreds over the course of 2022. Since you’re shopping online, you’re likely to use a credit or debit card to make payments. Some credit cards, like American Express, offer brilliant rewards just for using your card. So, be sure to take a look and see which credit cards are offering the best reward schemes! If you’re a new cardholder, the AMEX Platinum Cashback Everyday card is an ace option. You’ll get 5% cashback for the first 3 months (£100 max), then 0.5% up to £10,000 spent and 1% on £10,000+. Not bad at all… Answer surveys Love to tweet or give your take on the news, different products and brands? Why not get paid to do it! Did you know you can get paid to fill in online surveys and give your opinion on a variety of things? Some free survey websites will reward you with things like Google Play Store credit or Love2Shop vouchers, while others, like Crowdology, give you a choice between cash via PayPal or Amazon gift cards. And they’ll pay you up to £10 for every survey you complete! Getting started takes a matter of moments. Just register on a survey site (there are loads) and wait for new surveys to get sent to your email inbox. Once they arrive, fill them in and start reaping the rewards. Don’t worry, you won’t be answering the same questions again and again. They can be about anything, from movies to video games, news to sport. Get involved! Those are just a few of our suggestions on how to save and spend savvier in the new year. There are plenty of things you can do to make sure you’re on top of finances, but the best thing you can do to get started is to check your balance at regular intervals. That way, you’ll know exactly how much is going in and out of your accounts. Have you got any tips of your own on saving after the Christmas and New Year period? Don’t keep them to yourself, share them with the Community in the comments below!

Taking a solo staycation the perfect time to unplug and relax, or try out that new thing you keep talking about – here’s our rundown of the best ways to get the most out of your staycation. Staycations often take place somewhere locally like a hotel, campsite, or holiday apartment - it’s the perfect way to take a break without all the travel and expense of a regular holiday. So why should you take a solo staycation? There are plenty of reasons: • Unplug and take a well-earned break. • Save cash by keeping travel costs down. • It’s a great opportunity to learn more about where you live. So with all that in mind, let’s run through or tips for getting the most out of your solo staycation: 1. Treat yourself to a pamper day Have you been wanting to check out that new spa that opened up down the road, or soothe your aches with a relaxing massage? Now’s your chance. What about a beauty treatment? There are plenty of apps to help out, like Urban, PRIV, or Zeel which lets you book professional treatments, straight to your home, office or hotel. Hey, it’s your staycation, why should you have to do all the legwork? 2. Get your chef on and cook up a storm Taking some time out gives you a great opportunity to brush up on those kitchen skills. And there’s no shortage of free recipe apps to help you get inspired. A few worth checking out are BBC Good Food, Tasty, Big Oven and Food Network. You’ll find apps for all of these, whether you’re on Android or iOS. You can also save time buying the ingredients for your next culinary masterpiece by using an online grocery service like Ocado, Amazon Pantry, Amazon Fresh, and mySupermarket. Most of the main supermarkets have free apps too, so if you’ve got a favourite, they’re likely to offer a delivery (Aldi and Lidl might be the only exceptions). So now you’ve got no excuse, get that chef’s hat on and learn how to bake that cake (and eat it, of course). 3. Try out some local events Whatever you’re into, you’ll usually find local events to suit you, or why to try something totally new? Events come in all shapes and sizes from, music and comedy gigs, car shows, art exhibitions, or open-air theatre shows – and you’ll often find plenty which are completely free. A great way to find out about local events is by using location services (geotagging) in your social media apps like Facebook and Instagram. Geotags let your social media, and even Google, build a profile of where you go and what you like to do, they can then send you alerts about local events that might interest you. It’s a great way to get recommendations for events you might not normally find out about. If you’re not too keen on sharing your location information, there are plenty of apps to help you find out what’s going on in your area. Some of our faves are Eventbrite, Skiddle, Stubhub, DICE and TodayTix. 4. Be your own movie date Ok, let’s get this out of the way from the get-go, there’s nothing wrong with going to the cinema on your own and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! Plenty of people enjoy solo cinema nights - it costs half as much and there won’t be any arguments about which movie you want to watch. But, if you’re not keen on heading to the cinema alone, why not recreate the experience at home? Get yourself some popcorn, open a bottle of wine and close the curtains. Services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video mean you’ll have no shortage of movies to get stuck into. 5. Take a class and learn something new Fancy learning a new language, trying your hand at a life drawing class or buying yourself some cowboy boots and having a go at line dancing? Ok, maybe not the latter, but you’ll often find loads of local classes in all sorts of things, all you have to do is look. Obby.co.uk is a great place to start if you’re looking for something fun like pottery, dance or jewellery making. If it’s something more practical you’re after, there are plenty of sites that’ll match you up with courses like Skillshare, Coursera and Udemy. 6. Get active A staycation is a perfect opportunity to get your endorphins flowing with some exercise, so dust off that bike, get your trainers on and get out there. Websites like https://about:blank feature cycling routes in your area uploaded by other users to help you get started. Get motivated by building your own training plan with apps like Nike Training Club, JEFIT and Freeletics. Or if you fancy something a little more tranquil, find a local Pilates or yoga class using MINDBODY. 7. Unplug completely with some guided meditation There’s no doubt that meditation can be hugely beneficial. It can help you think more clearly, feel more energised, control anxiety, reduce depression and lots more. But don’t take our word for it, check out what the NHS says about mindfulness and meditation. Your staycation is the perfect opportunity to give meditation a go and don’t worry if you haven’t got a clue where to start – as always, there are plenty of apps to help out. Some of our favourites are Headspace, which is perfect for beginners, or The Mindfulness App which is great for helping you stay motivated with progress updates and challenges. So, whether you’re planning a weekend of relaxation all to yourself, or an activity-packed two-week staycation, we’ve hopefully given you plenty to get inspired about. Got any helpful tips on solo holiday-ing? Share your comment below. If you’re looking to get the family involved in your next staycation, take a look at our guide to making it a special local retreat.

It’s no secret that joining a gym is such a popular resolution every new year. Though the festive feasting and relaxation are always a yearly highlight, the time comes when you’ve got to regain that motivation and strive for a healthy body and mind. It doesn’t have to mean running straight to your local gym on January 2nd and signing up for super-duper deluxe membership. There are plenty of things you can do to look after your health! Here are a few ideas that we’ve found incredibly useful for health and fitness goals… Keep an eye on your food intake Looking at your diet is the best place to start when planning for your health. And no, we don’t mean cutting out everything you love and sticking exclusively to salads indefinitely. What we mean is, everything in moderation! When you track what you eat and plan your meals in advance, you can plan a more effective workout routine – but more on that later. Here are a couple of apps we think are perfect for recording what you eat: See How You Eat: Free with in-app purchases on Android and iOS . Let’s be clear: nobody enjoys calorie counting. It’s time consuming and can often feel like writing a diary entry after every meal. But it doesn’t need to be that way. With See How You Eat, you take pictures of your meals instead of typing every element of the meal and working out the calories. This is a surprisingly effective way to adjust your eating habits. People that keep a food journal tend to make healthier choices and become more conscious of portion size, two big ways to improve your diet! And if you’ve got a personal trainer or fitness guru in your corner, you can just send them a screenshot of your 9-day food intake rather than and endless list. Easy peasy! MyFitnessPal: Free with in-app purchases on Android and iOS . You’ve probably heard of this app before from avid gym-goers and fitness fanatics, but did you know it’s great for tracking food intake? Whatever you eat, whether it’s a meal or just a snack, you can quickly add it to your food diary by scanning the barcode or typing it into the app’s database of over 14 million foods. Once it’s logged, you can look in depth at your nutrition intake and accurately see what’s working for you and what’s holding you back. Need meal inspo? You’ll find loads of inventive and healthy recipe ideas right there as well. Make those calories count! Keep active Picture the word ‘exercise’ and you’re probably thinking about a row of treadmills in a typical gym that plays loud music on a loop. But it doesn’t need to be that way! In the height of the lockdown period in 2020, we adapted to restrictions and become more creative in our fitness routines. Why not be creative again? Whether it’s a step-by-step yoga guide on YouTube, circuit training in your local park or a Couch to 5K, finding the regime or type of gym that works for you is important for nailing those long-term goals. Check out our suggestions: Barry’s Bootcamp: It may be a gym, but this is not your average place to work out. Barry’s Bootcamp is all about high intensity interval training (HIIT). Split into two rooms, Tread and Floor, you can stick with either strength training or cardiovascular exercise, or mix it up and do both. Barry’s routine offers up to a 1000 calorie burn-off over the course of a session, with brilliant instructors that help you work efficiently towards your goals, whatever they may be. Promising an elevated heart rate throughout the entire workout, this is a gym that makes every second of training count. Give it a try but be warned… it’s not for the faint hearted! F45 Training: Need a bit of team spirit to keep yourself motivated during exercise? That’s what F45 is all about! The F stands for ‘functional training’, and sessions are a mix of circuit and HIIT style workouts that are designed for everyday movement. As you may have guessed, every session is just 45 minutes, making it easy to squeeze an effective workout into even the busiest schedule. You’ll meet loads of fantastic people with similar goals, so you can motivate and inspire each other to peak fitness. Three days a week are dedicated to cardio, three are for resistance-based workouts, and one is a hybrid. Pick the sessions you want to attend and go for it! It’s a great system, and it means sessions never have the chance to get boring, so you’re less likely to slip back into unhealthy habits. Treat yourself to a fitness tracker The best gyms have high-tech equipment that’ll give you stats like calories burned, heart rate and time spent on a particular machine. But what if your routine isn’t gym-based? What if you want more comprehensive stats about your full workout, not just one exercise at a time? If that sounds like you, consider a good fitness tracker as your new gym buddy. FitBit Fitness trackers like the Fitbit Charge 5 can really prove invaluable in making each workout count. Yes, it can count steps, calories and heart rate, but it can do so much more. It measures your resting heart rate to build a better picture of your fitness, and awards you with Active Zone Minutes for the time you spend at cardio, fat burn or peak heart-rate zones. When you’re back home after an evening gym session, the Charge 5 can even help you manage stress and track your sleep, so you gain as much from rest as you do from exercise. Clever! And if you have an Apple Watch, there’s no shortage of amazing health and fitness tricks you’re keeping up your sleeve. The latest Apple Watches can take an ECG from your wrist, measure blood oxygen levels and track all kinds of workouts – not to mention store your favourite workout tunes. Nike Training Club Free on Android and iOS Want a ‘personalised’ personal trainer on your phone? Nike Training Club is one of the most useful fitness apps around! It’s packed with more than 185 workouts, and they’re all completely free to use. It has everything from strength and endurance sessions to mobility and yoga, and every session is led by a world-class Nike master trainer armed with plenty of expert advice. Create personalised training plans to fit in with your schedule and fitness requirements, and you’ll be given special daily exercises (‘Picks For You’) based on your routine. The more you train with Nike Training Club, the more personal your recommendations become. Simple. Take the time to work on your mind, too Physical health is only half of the story - mental health is equally important. Having the motivation to actually exercise starts with your mind of course! So, it’s just as vital to set time aside to work on meditation, alleviating stress, and working through any negative thoughts that may hinder your progress. Luckily, there are some brilliant apps out there for getting your mind into shape. Here are two we’ve found particularly useful: Headspace Available on Android and iOS Headspace is one of the best mindfulness apps around. It’s designed to give everyone the tools to process thoughts and emotions without becoming overwhelmed by them. You’re asked to imagine your thoughts as passing cars on a busy road, while Headspace helps you build the resilience to sit and watch them go by. Just let the cars pass – don’t focus on a single one! Headspace familiarises you with the basics of meditation with a free 10-minute essentials course. Every session is either three, five or 10 minutes long, so you can pick a session that fits perfectly into your schedule. Every session is easy to follow, and there are even sessions designed to introduce kids to the skill of meditation early on. Once you’ve done the free trial you’ll need to pay for more sessions, but £9.99 a month for a clear, stress-free mind is well worth it! Breethe Available on Android and iOS Breethe is an ace all-in-one app for the mind. It’s a great help in combating stress, anxiety and sleepless nights with masterclasses on meditation, mindfulness and much more. You’ll find relaxation music and sleep sounds to help you catch some zzzz’s peacefully, bedtime stories and visualisations to keep you feeling positive, as well as breathing exercises and inspirational talks, Whatever you want to get out of meditation, you’ll develop inner peace and personal growth along your journey. Breethe has quite a few free meditations to help you get started. And if you’re really getting into it, you can go premium for just £12.99 a month. Relax, unwind and develop the mental tools you need to take on each day and achieve your goals. There you have it, just a few of our favourite ways to help keep your mind and body healthy. What kind of workouts do you find most effective in your fitness routine? What goals do you plan to achieve for your mental and physical health in 2022? Let us know below!