It’s been a whole year since our first Community newsletter, and we’re celebrating! Since we started the Community newsletter a year ago, we’ve posted all kinds of articles for iD Mobile users to enjoy. From helpful guides on how to get the most out of your new phone, to the best camera phones, to the most addictive apps and games, we love engaging with you and making your smartphone experience even better. We hope you’ve enjoyed reading them, and that they’ve proved helpful along the way. Don’t worry though, this is only the beginning. We’ve got some great features, how-to guides and competitions lined up for the coming year. In the meantime, though, here are the top 10 most loved Community articles from the past year: 1.What is Wi-Fi Calling and why should you use it? Our guide to Wi-Fi calling has proved very popular. If you’re still not sure what it is, Wi-Fi calling is a handy way to call and text when you’re in an area with poor phone signal. Many handsets are compatible with Wi-Fi calling and setup is easy. For iPhone users, you can switch on Wi-Fi calling in Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling. For Android phone users, it tends to vary by manufacturer, but the process is largely the same. So, next time you’re in a remote service station or hotel in the countryside, you’ll be able to call just as easily as at home. 2.14 uses for your old phone To commemorate World Environment Day, we’ve shared 14 ways to keep your old phone in use to encourage you to think twice before putting it in the customary ‘tech graveyard’ drawer. You could use your old handset as a home security camera with a decent webcam app, music player, alarm clock or digital photo frame. And if none of those suggestions tempt you, why not donate it to your local charity shop? ​​​​​​​3.European Language Day Here at iD, we love apps that make learning a new skill easier, more digestible and fun. So to celebrate European Language Day, we’ve posted our top 5 language apps that we think are perfect for helping you on the road to multilingualism. 4.9 mobile security tips to remember when you’re out and about Is your smartphone secure when you’re out and about? Mobile security attacks are on the increase. So help you out, here are nine mobile security tips to keep your handset safe from harm. 5.RIP HQ Trivia. Long live Quiz Planet! Do you miss the mobile quizzing excitement of HQ Trivia? Are you looking for a new quiz game that pits your wits against your family and friends? Then make Quiz Planet your next destination. 6.7 top tips for staying in touch with friends With our lives becoming increasingly hectic, finding the time to make that call isn’t always easy. But, as always, technology is here to help. Here are some great tips for keeping in touch with your mates, no matter how far apart you live from each other. 7.7 tips to stay connected this summer Holidays, festivals, parties in the park… whatever you’re up to over the summer, you don’t want to miss a thing. So, make sure your mobile connection is the best it can be to help you keep in touch when you’re out and about. Check out our connection top tips for maximum fun in the sun. 8.How to beat your post-holiday blues Let’s face it, sometimes you get back from holiday and feel like you need another one. As soon as you’re back to the commute on a rainy old Monday morning, it can seem like you’ve never been away. So, we’ve put together a few hints and tips, together with helpful links and apps, to help you beat those post-holiday blues and arrive at work with a positive attitude. And, if you haven’t been away yet, read on, a little pre-holiday planning can make it much easier when you do get back. 9.5 ways your phone can save Christmas Christmas should be a time of fun and relaxation. But it can also be extremely stressful. From buying the wrong presents to undercooked turkey, it’s full of potential pitfalls. That’s where your smartphone can help. Because by downloading a few handy apps, you can avoid any of the usual festive missteps and mishaps. Sitting comfortably? Then let us show you five ways your phone can save Christmas… 10.Our latest smartphones If you’re looking to upgrade to a new phone, you’re in the right place. Amazing new handsets are being launched all the time - so to help you choose the right one, here’s our roundup of the very best. So, those are our top 10 Community articles this year. Have our guides helped solve a phone issue you’ve had? What’s your favourite Community article this year? Let us know below!

Got your new phone but found out it doesn’t come with a radio app? Here’s how to tune into your favourite station on the go. Like most things in today’s tech world, radio – and the way we listen to it – has changed dramatically. No longer do we gather around the ‘wireless’ to listen to The Archers! Radio has evolved, but so have the ways we can access our favourite artists, shows and music. Through the power of the internet and smart technology, we can tune in to the radio through our mobile devices, be it our phones or tablets. While FM radio was eventually a standard feature on most phones, it’s now fallen by the wayside on many current smartphones – particularly the more expensive ones. Now, if your phone does have a built-in radio app, then this is a pretty quick read. Just make sure you use a set of earphones, as they also double up as an antenna! However, if you’ve got a blank space staring at you where FM radio ought to be, or you simply want to broaden your horizons, then don’t worry - there are plenty of options for listening to radio stations. Although you can’t listen to radio transmissions in the conventional sense, you can stream many stations over the internet. In fact, many radio stations have dedicated apps to make it easy to listen online. And there are also dedicated online shows and services that you can take advantage of. On a Wi-Fi connection, you can, of course, stream away to your heart’s content. However, do bear in mind that streaming radio over your mobile network could use a good chunk of data! If you’re not sure of your limit, it’s easy to find your data allowance and how much data you’ve got left for the month on the iD app. 1.BBC Sounds iOS / Android – Free If you love listening to Radio 1’s Essential Mix on Friday nights, or catching up with the best panel shows on the weekend, look no further than the BBC Sounds app. Designed to replace the rather dated iPlayer Radio, BBC Sounds gives you every BBC radio station and over 40 regional stations on one handy platform. If you’ve just missed the start of your programme, you can easily play it from the beginning. Or, just like the iPlayer app, you can catch up with episodes whenever you like or download to listen offline for a limited time. There’s also a huge choice of podcasts available, covering every genre from news to comedy. Based on what you’re tuning in to, the app will give you recommendations for programmes you might like. And the best bit? Because of the way the BBC is funded, the app is completely free and there’s no ads! 2.TuneIn iOS / Android – Free Available across all smartphone platforms, TuneIn is a real gem. With over 100,000 radio stations and millions of podcasts from all over the globe to choose from, there's more music than even in your wildest dreams! You can create your own personalised selection of stations to follow, share your thoughts with other users and receive recommendations of new stations to listen to. You’ll need to create an account first, but this can be linked to your existing Facebook or Google+ pages to make things even easier. You can also sign up to TuneIn online here. 3.Earbits iOS / Android – free Looking for something a little different when you listen to the radio? Earbits has you covered: it's completely free and with no adverts, limitations or other disturbances to hamper your listening. Earbits is designed solely to showcase the music of independent bands and artists and doesn’t include any mainstream content. The chances are you’ve never heard of any of the songs available – so if you’re always on the hunt for new and upcoming music, then this is the app for you. Sign up to Earbits here check out what's available! 4.Beats 1 iOS – free If you’re using an iPhone or iPad then you’ve got access to Beats 1, Apple’s 24-hour streaming radio station. Headed up by former Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe, Beats 1 launched in 2014 as part of the Apple Music subscription service. However, while you need to pay for the main Apple Music subscription, Beats 1 is still currently free to listen to. By all accounts they play a lot of hip hop – but there’s an eclectic range of presenters, from Julia Adenuga to Matt Wilkinson, so you’re sure to find something you like. Listening to Beats 1 couldn't be simpler, you don't need to install anything - simply open the Music app on your device and you'll find it in there. And if you’ve got an Android phone but still fancy listening to Beats 1, simply download the Apple Music app from the Google Play Store. Easy. Tune in and explore! Once you've got your desired app downloaded and installed on your smartphone or tablet, it’s time to explore an endlessly exciting new world of sounds, which is music to our ears indeed!

Win a Samsung 50" Smart 4K Ultra HD HDR LED TV We’re offering one lucky winner the chance to win an amazing Samsung Smart 4K Ultra HDR TV! HDR technology gives you scene-by-scene image mastering, so you can see the finer details in the picture, even when the setting is dark. Witness the true beauty of a sun-filled landscape or discover what’s lurking in the shadows of a horror movie. Better be careful what you watch this Halloween. You could get more spooked than ever before! To be in with a chance to win, comment below and tell us, what’s your favourite horror movie? You’ve got until midnight on Sunday 8th October to enter and we’ll pick the winners at random. Ghoul Luck! (T&C’s apply)

It’s #TechiesDay! Whether you’re a gadget lover, work in technology or are the go-to troubleshooter in the family, today is a day to celebrate the impact that technology makes on our daily lives. To celebrate, we’re running a competition. All you have to do is tell us a feature you’d love to have on your phone (nothing boring like ‘a better camera’!) to be in with a chance of winning a £50 Currys voucher. So, get your techy brains on and take part! You’ve got until midnight on Thursday 10th October to come up with your winning feature, and we’ll pick two winners at random. Good luck! Ts & Cs apply

Great news for mobile gamers! Nintendo’s new Mario Kart game is now available on iOS and Android. It’s called Mario Kart Tour, and we’re glad to report that it looks amazing. 3-2-1-GO! Mario Kart has been a big deal in the gaming world for over 25 years now. As far as we’re concerned here in iD Community HQ, it’s the best racing game of all time. Sure, Need for Speed and Gran Turismo are great. But there’s only one game that lets you throw banana peels and turtle shells into the path of your competitors. And now, that game is available on your mobile phone, in the shape of Mario Kart Tour! What will Mario Kart Tour be like on mobile Mario Kart Tour is massive, with a whopping 64 courses spread across 16 different cups. Nintendo says that the courses are inspired by real-life locations (there’s one called New York Minute) along with a few classics from the Mario Kart series. There are 30 different drivers to choose from, with all your favourite racers making an appearance, from cute Baby Daisy to the dastardly Bowser. As for the gameplay, well, see for yourself below. It’s your typical Mario Kart behaviour of tearing round the track, collecting power ups and using them to get ahead of the competition. Bonus challenge courses will also come into play, where you might need to do something other than simply win the game. And there’s a new Frenzy mode, which gives you an unlimited supply of a certain item and makes you invincible for a short period of time. And if all that wasn’t enough, Nintendo has also promised us a few “special challenges that put a twist on the classic Mario Kart formula.” When is Mario Kart Tour coming out on mobile? It’s out now, folks! Nintendo officially released Mario Kart Tour on Wednesday 25th September 2019. Which phones can I play Mario Kart on? Mario Kart Tour is available on iOS & Android devices. How can I get Mario Kart Tour on mobile? You can download Mario Kart Tour for free right now. If you’ve got an iPhone, get it from the App Store here. If you’ve got an Android phone, get it from Google Play here. And that’s all there is to it! Mario Kart Tour is free to download and play, although there are a few in-game purchases to help you unlock courses and characters. Have you played Mario Kart Tour yet? If so, what do you think of it? Is it as good you were hoping? Even better? Share your thoughts with the rest of the Community by posting a reply below!

Just treated yourself to a stylish new VR headset? Here’s a list of the best apps and games you’ll want to download. These days, even budget smartphones are powerful enough to run virtual reality apps. More and more games and apps are being designed with the first-person experience in mind. With so many great VR headsets out there, there’s never been a better time to get started with mobile virtual reality. Here are some of the best VR apps available for download right now… 1.Chrome Experiments for Virtual Reality (Free) If you want to check out Google’s experiments in VR, look no further than the Chrome Experiments website. Browse the site from your smartphone – then place it in your VR headset to enjoy the weird and wonderful browser-based apps available. As this is web-based, you'll find frequent updates and less storage space taken up on your handset, so bookmark the page and dive into the virtual. 2.YouTube VR (Free) YouTube VR is simply an add-on for your existing YouTube app that’ll let you watch any video in virtual reality. Whether it’s a 360° music video or a trailer for a new PS VR game, YouTube VR drops you right into the middle of the on-screen action. Check out GoPro’s YouTube channel for some wingsuit action or a downhill mountain biking POV. It’s an adrenaline-junkie’s dream. Available on Android. 3.VR Thrills: Roller Coaster 360 (Free, with ads and in-app purchases) No fast-passes necessary for this roller-coaster experience. Roller Coaster 360 combines real-life coasters and 3D-modeled rides that’ll give you theme park thrills on your sofa. As the name suggests, videos are recorded in 360° so you can look around in any direction. It’s just like a real ride, minus the long queue for a front-row seat. Download on Android. 4.Ping Pong VR (Free (with ads) on Android, £0.99 on iOS) VR isn’t just about thrilling theme park rides. How about a gentle game of table tennis? In Ping Pong VR, you can build up your skill level in single player and take on your mates in virtual reality too. It’s designed to be played with a full body motion controller but still works great with only a VR headset. You can even customise your bat and add an avatar so your opponent knows exactly who they’re up against. Available on Android and iOS. 5.Within VR – Cinematic Virtual Reality (Free) You’ll never want to put the headset down once you’ve downloaded Within VR. It offers a huge range of virtual reality experiences on a single platform, with everything from music videos to short horror movies. It’s not interactive, but don’t let that put you off. There aren’t many apps where you can both swim with sharks and watch Mozart’s Coronation Mass performed in a stunning gothic cathedral. Download for Android or iOS. Have we missed your favourite VR app or game out? If you think there’s a VR mobile experience out there that deserves a mention, share it with us below!

With massive leaps forward in tech, there’s a huge choice of stunning camera phones available. We’ve picked out a few of the best on the market right now and put them through their paces to see what they can do. Which mobile phones have the best camera? With so many amazing camera phones out, there’s no right answer to this question. But here are a few standouts: Samsung Galaxy S10 With its TrueVision triple rear cameras with wide/ultrawide/telephoto lenses, the Samsung Galaxy S10 delivers amazing results. You can capture super-steady 4K UHD videos with the ultra-wide rear camera and intelligent software for smooth filming, even on bumpy terrain. And when you’re exploring the city at night, the S10 does a great job with low-light photos. Honor 20 Pro Another contender for best phone camera with 4 rear-facing lenses. The Honor 20 Pro’s main camera is a stunning 48 megapixels with a max sensitivity of ISO 204800 and aperture of f/1.4, which delivers incredible low-light performance. It also has an 8MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom, a 16MP ultra-wide lens and a 2MP macro camera with a minimum focusing distance of only 4 cm. Honor View 20 You’ll be amazed at the amount of detail captured by the 48MP camera of the Honor View 20, combined with the latest AI. It recognises over 1,500 different visual scenarios and adjusts its settings to give you the best possible shot. With an enlarged sensor sucking the light in, your night-time and low-lit shots will come out beautifully bright and full of colour. Google Pixel 3 The rear camera of the Google Pixel 3 features a 12.2MP sensor, with an f/1.8 aperture and there are two front-facing 8MP sensors which take fantastic selfies. It’s Google software that makes the camera so special, with features like Portrait Mode, Night Sight, Super Res Zoom and Top Shot AI which finds the perfect frame and recommends it. Plus, you can Google search for what you see with the game-changing Google Lens. The best dual camera phones When two is better than one. Take a look at our pick of some of the best dual camera phones. iPhone XS The powerful dual lens 12MP camera of the iPhone XS boasts both f/1.8 and f/2.4 apertures. Optical image stabilisation produces impressive results with natural colours, and the telephoto sensor is great for shooting detail at long distance. Samsung Galaxy Note 9 With a 12MP + 12MP dual camera, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 doesn’t just capture scenes, it sees them. Its built-in Intelligent Camera detects your surroundings and adjusts settings accordingly. So whether you’re shooting a dark sunset on the horizon or a bright portrait close up, you’ll always snap perfectly balanced and detailed shots worthy of a professional. Huawei Mate 20 Lite Take photos like a pro with the Huawei Mate 20 Lite, featuring dual 20MP and 2MP cameras on the back and dual 24MP and 2MP cameras on the front, all powered by Master AI technology. Scene recognition knows exactly what you’re pointing the camera at and works out the best way to take the photo. It adjusts your camera settings too, so you don’t have to. Best optical zoom for a smartphone? If you like to take a lot of long-distance photos, then be sure to look out for a phone with an optical zoom camera. OPPO Reno 10x Zoom As the name might suggest, the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom’s triple cameras offer 10x optical zoom, so you can get the full picture from hundreds of metres away. Perfect for landscape shots of your travels and taking stunning photos at a distance. Whatever you shoot, you’ll capture crystal clarity with bundles of colour. Huawei P30 Pro One of the best camera phones around at the moment, especially in low-light conditions thanks to light fusion sensor technology. The Huawei P30 Pro can achieve an amazing 5x optical zoom, giving you clarity even when your subject is far away. It comes with a Leica quad camera system – A 40MP main lens, an 8MP telephoto lens, a 20MP ultra-wide lens and a time-of-flight camera to sense depth for portraits. The 24MP front camera ensures perfect selfies every time. The iPhone XS, iPhone 11 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S10 all come with 2x optical zoom for great shots at a distance from all-round great phone cameras.

Review your current phone against the iPhone 11 and win £50! To celebrate the launch of the iPhone 11, we’re asking you to turn reviewer and dazzle us. The iPhone 11 is packed with some pretty amazing features, but how does your current phone measure up? Write a short review of your phone, comparing it to the new iPhone, and post it below. To give you a hand, we’ve got all the latest news on the iPhone 11, and it looks pretty impressive. If you fancy getting your hands on one, sign up for updates about the iPhone 11 now. We’ll let you know as soon as it’s ready to pre-order. iPhone 11 specs and features Camera The iPhone 11 boasts a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina Display. The dual-camera setup on the iPhone 11 comes with two 12MP lenses: one wide-angle lens and one Ultra Wide. For black and white photographers, there’s beautiful High Key Mono. When the sun goes down, Night mode will keep your pictures looking great. The front-facing selfie camera now features a Slofie mode for slo-mo selfies. It’ll take Instagram by storm! VideoLove to film? On the iPhone 11, you can shoot in 4K video in Ultra Wide mode at 60 frames per second. It’s lights, camera, action all in one. Performance and softwareThe iPhone 11’s gives a next-level gaming experience. The new A13 Bionic next-gen chip is the fastest CPU ever in a smartphone. But how does your phone match up? How to enter Comment below with a short review of your current phone. In the review, we want you to compare it to the new iPhone 11. When it comes to the latest phones, you guys know your stuff. Now we want you to share that knowledge with the rest of the iD Community. Are there any features that you think your phone can toe to toe against the iPhone 11, or does the iPhone 11 wipe the floor with your device? Keep your review short and to the point, picking a few features to focus on. For the kind of things you should be looking for, check out our iPhone comparison piece for inspiration. We’ll pick 2 of our favourite and send a £50 Currys PC World voucher to the winner. The competition closes on the 30th September - so get reviewing, get posting and (hopefully) get spending your prize money. (T&Capply)

Due to the current climate, we're more and more reliant on the internet to keep us connected to the outside world. It's allowed us to communicate using video calling within a few clicks, helped us locate and purchase those essential goods (as well as a few other bits we don't really need but want anyway!), binge watch series and movies and a vast array of other things. As we use it more, ensuring your personal information is secure and doesn't get into the wrong hands, has never been so important. Here's our list on how to protect your identity online: Always keep your data security software up to date Those software update notifications may be annoying, but they’re there to give you a heads up. If your phone or computer is infected with malicious software, other safeguards won’t be much help as you’ve already given the criminals the key to all your online actions (and transactions). So, it’s worth making sure that your security software and operating system are both fully up to date. You’ll find useful tools and software at download.cnet.com. Monitor your credit score and finance apps Always keep tabs on your finances to get a head start on fraudsters. Look out for new credit cards, loans or transactions on your accounts that you’re not aware of. If you do find anything suspicious, take immediate steps to have these transactions stopped and investigated. It’s also worth checking if there’s any false info on your credit reports, including your National Insurance number, address, name or employer’s name. Check your privacy settings on social media Have a look at the personal information on your social media accounts. If you’re setting up a profile for the first time, don’t include any info that you wouldn’t want shared beyond your friends. Take a look at your social media privacy settings too. With Facebook, the best way to make your profile more secure is to change all your post settings to ‘Friends only’. That way, you know who’s able to see your personal info on your profile. Facebook often make changes to these settings, so take a moment every now and then to make sure your profile’s as secure as you’d like it to be. Use strong passwords Weak passwords are an identity thief’s dream, especially if you use the same password for every account. Once the thief knows your password, they can log your financial accounts and wreak havoc. If you want to test the strength of your password, try Ask the Geek’s password meter, which hides characters as you type. Ideally, your passwords should be at least 10 characters long, including upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols, and be totally unrelated to your personal info. Password managers like LastPass, Dashlane and Keeper Security are great for storing all your passwords safely in a single handy program, while two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security each time you log in. Only buy from reputable websites If you don’t know the reputation of a company that you want to purchase from, it’s a good idea to do your homework. How are they reviewed by other users? What’s their Trustpilot score? Above all, look for ‘HTTPS’ at the front of the website’s URL if it’s asking for personal or financial info – it means you’re on a secure connection, away from potential prying eyes. Learn to spot scams Some phishing scams are easy to identify, but others often look legit. Be careful when clicking on links. For example, if an email says it’s from your bank, has all the right logos and knows you’re name, it could be from your bank – but it might not be. Simply find the site yourself via a search engine. That way, you’ll know for sure you’re on the right page and not a mocked-up fake. Be careful using public WiFi Free WiFi might be a nice perk when you’re in a shopping centre or café, but always think twice before joining an unsecure network. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are tools that help you shield yourself from snoopers and opportunists using public WiFi. If you have any other suggestions, please let us know below.

Are you holding out on that shiny new phone purchase because you’re waiting for Google’s latest flagship? The Pixel 4 and XL are both due to be launched on October 15th in New York – but in the meantime, we’ve rounded up all the confirmed features and a few of our own predictions. How good is the Google Pixel 4 camera? We love that mobile photography is constantly improving. When the Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL were released, they represented a new leap forward for phone cameras. The HDR+ feature meant that when you took one picture, the camera captured several more and offered greater clarity and colour. Night Sight was perfect for photos in low light, and Top Shot actually suggested which photo was best. We think the Google Pixel 4 will build on these great features. Images of the Pixel 4 XL shared online appear to show a dual-lens selfie camera and a triple-lens on the back. We’re not sure of the megapixels, but if the previous handset’s single lens capabilities are anything to go by, both front and rear cameras are set to deliver stunning shots and steady, detailed footage. What’s the Pixel 4’s battery life like? Since the previous generation combined a good battery size and some clever power-saving tricks, we’re expecting more of the same from the Pixel 4. Just like the Pixel 3 and XL, we think the bigger handset will have a bigger battery to keep that large screen going. As for the battery life itself, the Pixel 3 XL gave roughly a day’s worth of power, so hopefully the new releases are just as good (if not better). Charging the Pixel 4 and XL Like the previous generation, we’re expecting the new editions of the Google Pixel to have wireless charging capability. However, while wireless charging is definitely the future of phones, it’s still slower than plugging in a good old-fashioned cable. The Pixel 3 can get a 50% charge in only 20 minutes, so it’ll be pretty tough to beat if the Pixel 4 also supports fast charging. What are the screen sizes for the Pixel 4 and 4 XL? According to a hands-on video, the Pixel 4 XL has a 6.3-inch OLED screen, making it the same size as the 3 XL. Other sources say the Pixel 4 will have a 5.7-inch display, slightly larger than the Pixel 3’s 5.5-inches. These days, more of us are spending time watching box sets and YouTubers on our phones, so a bigger screen is great news. Will the Pixel 4 and XL have a headphone jack? Now might be the time to upgrade those headphones. Neither the Pixel 4 or the larger XL appear to have a 3.5 mm jack. It makes sense, as more people are moving over to wireless Bluetooth earphones and headphone jacks tends to break up the smooth feel of a handset. However, it’s not ideal if you’re not ready to ditch the wires. The more recent Pixel 3a did feature a headphone jack, but it’s unlikely we’ll see it again with this release. What processor is in the Pixel 4 and XL? With all those high-end features, the Pixel 4 and XL will need a powerful chipset to run smoothly. The Pixel 3 and 3 XL came with the Snapdragon 845 processor, so we should expect a newer, more powerful version. Do the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL have face unlocking? Google have confirmed that the Pixel 4 will have facial recognition. The difference with other face unlocking software is that Google are claiming a smoother user experience. When you pick up your phone, the facial recognition sensors automatically turn on and unlock the phone as soon as they recognise you. That means no swiping, or making silly faces in public. It’ll even recognise you when your phone’s upside down.

Learn a new language with these apps Today is European Language Day, a day to celebrate the huge linguistic diversity across Europe, and raise awareness of the benefits of learning a new language at any age. But what are the benefits, and what’s the best way to learn? Why learn another language? You’ll completely transform your travelling experiences. Whether you’re going on holiday or backpacking across the continent, even speaking a little bit of the local lingo is a good way to immerse yourself in another culture. Locals will be more inclined to help you find beautiful places away from the well-trodden tourist path, and you might even hear about a great restaurant to try out! Unlock new doors in your career. Plenty of companies out there are looking to trade globally or break into new markets, and multi-lingual employees are essential in helping them achieve their goals. The ability to speak another language sets you apart from other candidates when applying for a job, and shows a willingness to learn new skills. And if you’re ever looking to study or work overseas, having another language under your belt is great for discovering new opportunities. Meet new people and develop friendships. There are loads of like-minded people out there, not just in the UK but across the globe. Don’t let a minor thing like language difference be the barrier to making friends. You never know, a simple ‘bonjour’ or ‘buenos dias’ could be the first words that spark a great friendship. Increase your brain power. On top of all the obvious perks of learning a new language, it can actually strengthen your mind. Studies have shown that the ability to speak more than one language increases your attention span, improves your memory and reduces the rate of cognitive decline as you get older. So, how can your phone help you become multi-lingual? Traditionally, getting to grips with a new language has meant paying for classes, studying for a qualification, watching foreign TV shows with subtitles or reading a newspaper repeatedly until the stories make sense. Now though, there are loads of apps out there designed to make learning languages fun. What are the best language apps? Duolingo Since its launch in 2011, Duolingo has grown to be one of the most popular language learning apps in the world, with over 300 million users. The way it works is like a game – you start with basic verbs, sentences and phrases, learning new words each day until you become more fluent. Each lesson is bite-size, perfect for a quick round of brain training on your commute, and you can track your achievements and progress. With 34 language courses to choose from, you’ll be multi-lingual in no time. Download Duolingo on Android or iOS here. Memrise If you like a little structure in your learning, Memrise may be the app you’re looking for. When you choose a language course or category, the app lays out a chronological path for you. Test your knowledge with ‘Speed Reviews’ (timed tests) and set goals like how long you want to study each day. There’s a lot to get your teeth into if you’re trying out the free version, but there’s also a paid membership version that unlocks premium content. Check Memrise out on Android or iOS. Busuu Another language app with a huge community, Busuu is great for improving your accent as well as your vocabulary. Along with well-structured targets and a personalised study plan to keep you motivated, you can even get feedback from native speakers to make sure you’re on the right track. It’s not all about learning new words, either. The app also gives you excellent grammar tips on how to order your words, using the right verb tense and 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. Download Busuu on Android and iOS. Tinycards Flashcards are a great way to help new phrases stick in your memory, and that’s exactly what Tinycards is for. Made by Duolingo, there’s a ton of flashcard collections covering a broad range of topics, and you can even make your own. The app uses spaced repetition and smart learning techniques to help you get to grips with the language you’re learning. We wouldn’t say it’s the best app to comprehensively learn a language in full, but it’s perfect for adding more terms and phrases to your linguistic arsenal. Check out Tinycards on Android or iOS. Rosetta Stone No doubt you’ve heard of this one. For as little as £5 a month, Rosetta Stone offers a more practical language learning experience. 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 technology, and you’ll be speaking like a native in no time. Download Rosetta Stone on Android and iOS. And if you’re not quite fluent yet and need a phrase translated quickly, don’t forget Google Translate! Don’t miss out! If you haven’t already, don’t forget to opt-in to receive iD Mobile emails, newsletters and more great content. With lots of fab prizes to be won in competitions, helpful blogs and community conversations, you’re missing out on a whole iD Mobile community. Be kind to yourself and opt-in today.

Stay healthy with help from technology Now that summer’s over, the nights are drawing in and it’s getting colder, it’s important to stay healthy and keep active. Thankfully, there’s all kinds of ways that technology can help us to do just that. We’ve put together a few ideas and some links for apps and gadgets that can keep you on your toes and fighting fit through the autumn and winter months. Sweet dreams Getting a good night’s sleep is hugely important for our all-round health. If you have trouble sleeping, help is now at hand in the form of sleep tracking apps that can monitor your sleep patterns and help you get those precious all-important hours of shut-eye. Take a look at apps like Sleep Cycle, Tide, or SleepBot and be sure to get your full forty winks. Track your fitness Strap a fitness tracker or smart watch to your wrist and you can monitor your workouts, heart rate and sleep patterns, count your steps and log your food intake. It also serves as a daily reminder to keep exercise and healthy living uppermost in your thoughts. There’s many to choose from including Fitbit, Garmin, Samsung Galaxy and Apple Watch. Professional help available online 24/7 With hectic work and family lives and difficulty getting GP appointments, many people are now turning to virtual doctors to get online health advice, check symptoms and order prescriptions from wherever they are 24/7. Check out Babylon and Pushdoctor. You can also search online to find a vast array of therapists and counsellors, and book sessions on video platforms like Facetime or Skype, or arrange a session in person. You can find therapists and personal trainers listed on sites like Bark or specialised sites such as: https://welldoing.org, https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk and https://www.e-therapy.uk/. Motivate your workouts If you've decided to get healthier or stronger by working out, your smartphone can provide help and motivation. There’s hundreds of apps that can be used to monitor your workouts, and recording what you’ve done makes it easier to see your progress. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, prefer walking, running, cycling or more, there’s an app for you. Check out Strava , Runkeeper , MyFitnessPal and One You Couch to 5K Track your food Keeping track of the food you eat is now so easy thanks to food-tracking apps that download to your smartphone. Some apps use your phone’s camera to scan food label barcodes and make it simple to track the calories, nutrients and protein in your food. There’s a huge choice with something for everyone, including MyFitnessPal, See how you eat , MyPlate and Fitbit. Breathe clean air For many of us living in big cities, air pollution is something that can impact on our health. And, wherever you live, it’s important to create a healthy atmosphere at home where you spend the majority of time. There’s smart home gadgets that can detect air quality level, humidity and temperature in the home and help you to create a healthier environment. Check out Dyson and Philips. And why not invest in a home air purifier or dehumidifier to keep the air clean at home. Take a look at Blueair and Vax. Train your brain We spend so long staring at our phones every day, why not use some of that time doing something to exercise your grey matter and benefit your cognitive health. There’s a host of brain training apps that include games to test your mental skills and help keep your mind fighting fit. Try Lumosity, Peak, Elevate, Fit Brains Trainer and many more, available to download free from the App Store and Google Play Store. Win a Samsung 50" Smart 4K Ultra HD HDR LED TV We’re offering one lucky winner the chance to win an amazing Samsung Smart 4K Ultra HDR TV HDR technology gives you scene-by-scene image mastering, so you can see the finer details in the picture, even when the setting is dark. Witness the true beauty of a sun-filled landscape, or discover what’s lurking in the shadows of a horror movie. Better be careful what you watch this Halloween. You could get more spooked than ever before! To be in with a chance to win, hit ‘Enter now’ to visit the competition blog post and tell us, what’s your favourite horror movie? You’ve got until midnight on Sunday 8th October to enter and we’ll pick the winners at random. Ghoul Luck! Enter now Don’t miss out If you haven’t already, don’t forget to opt-in to receive iD Mobile emails, newsletters and more great content. With lots of fab prizes to be won in competitions, helpful blogs and community conversations, you’re missing out on a whole iD Mobile community. Be kind to yourself and opt-in today.

12th September is Video Gaming Day, which means you have even more reason to pick up your pad and bash some buttons. Grab your mates, fire up your favourite console and play the day away! It’s time to celebrate how great video games are and how far they’ve come. And to celebrate the big day, we’re giving away a PRIZE. When was the first video game? Although early video games were little more than lab experiments, the first created purely for entertainment happened in October 1958. Tennis for Two (a predecessor to Pong) was put on display at the Brookhaven National Laboratory for visitors to enjoy. But its inventor, Physicist William Higginbottom, had no idea what he was unleashing on the world. Back then, players used a small analogue computer and twiddled some knobs to make a light (representing the tennis ball) bounce from side to side on the screen of an oscilloscope – a piece of equipment used to measure electronic signals. The biggest video games out now Since then, computer games tech has evolved from oscilloscopes to VR headsets. Some of the biggest recent titles arrived earlier this month: · Catherine: Full Body (PlayStation 4, Xbox One) – September 3 · Warsaw (PlayStation 4, Switch, PC) – September 4 · River City Girls (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC) – September 5 · Creature in the Well (Xbox One, Switch, PC) – September 6 · Monster Hunter World: Iceborne (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC) – September 6 · NBA 2K20 (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, PC) – September 6 · eFootball PES 2020 (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC) – September 10 · Gears 5 (Xbox One, PC) – September 10 · Greedfall (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC) – September 10 Upcoming games in 2019 And we’ve got a lot more to look forward to this year: from online tactical shooters like Ghost Recon Breakpoint to graphic adventure sequel, Life is Strange 2. · Ghost Recon Breakpoint (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Stadia, PC) – October 4 · Concrete Genie (PlayStation VR, PlayStation 4) – October 8 · Indivisible (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC) – October 8 · Pokémon Shield (Switch) – November 15 · Pokémon Sword (Switch) – November 15 · Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC) – November 15 · Life Is Strange 2: Episode 5 (PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC) – December 3 While you wait for the big new titles, how about getting your hands on a new release video game? How to enter It’s easy! Dig out your old consoles, then comment below telling everybody in the iD Community about your favourite console and what’s great about it. We’ll pick the best 2 comments and announce the winners on the thread. If you’re the lucky gamer, we’ll send you a private message. We’ll be sending you a gaming bundle worth £160 including a console game and gaming accessory. You’ve got until 19th September to enter, and we’ll then pick a lucky winner at random. T&Cs apply. Good luck have fun, gamers!

Are you thinking about buying your child their first smartphone? There are loads of great handsets out there, but which ones are best suited for young owners? Here’s what to look out for… What’s the best mobile phone for kids? SIM free phones are the most popular option for parents. Buy the phone upfront without a SIM, then you can choose a SIM only deal that’s perfect for your child. If you don’t want to buy a phone outright before choosing a SIM, Pay Monthly combines the cost of the handset and airtime in monthly bills over a certain period, usually 24 months. You won’t need to break the bank, either. There are plenty of good value mid-range models that have flagship features that kids will love. 1. Display These days, even cheaper smartphones have pretty great screens. Budget phones usually have an HD 720p resolution display, which is still great if they want to play games or stream their favourite YouTuber. 2. Camera Kids love taking photos and selfies, and the MP (megapixel count) of each lens will give you a good idea of the phone’s camera quality. Anything over 5 MP is ideal for capturing colour and detail. 3. Design Flagship phones are usually made from glass and metal and look slim. Less expensive phones tend to be made from plastic and look slightly bulkier, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing if you’re buying it for a child. A tough plastic shell offers better protection against bumps, scratches and scrapes. That said, it’s always worth getting a case for peace of mind. 4. Battery life If your child will be using their phone to keep in touch with you when they’re out and about, they’ll need to stay powered up all day. The good news is that most budget smartphones have great battery life – quite often better than flagships. This is because budget phones tend to have lower resolution displays and less powerful processors, so the battery doesn’t need to work as hard. As a rough guide, a 2,000 mAh battery should be big enough to keep the phone powered throughout the day. Best parental control apps One big concern for parents is that their kids could be exposed to inappropriate content online, or that they’ll be in contact with someone they’re not supposed to. Fortunately, there are some great parental control apps out there for keeping an eye on their online habits, and even their whereabouts. Here are two of the best: Kidslox is the perfect way to manage your kids’ phone time. You can set daily screen time limis, block third-party apps individually or by category, create daily schedules and set period of lockdown. And don’t worry about your tech-savvy kid finding ways to change the restrictions – it’s all PIN protected. Get Kidslox for Android or iOS. Qustodio filters web content, monitors and block calls, and has a ‘child location’ feature with a 30-day history. It even includes a panic button, so your child can contact you in an emergency with just one click. Get Qustodio for Android or iOS.

It’s finally here. After months of speculation, Apple has released three cracking new handsets; iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone Pro Max. So, what’s all the fuss about? iPhone 11 The 6.1-inch Liquid Retina iPhone 11 might be the lowest-priced of the three new Apple phones, but don’t let that fool you – it’s packed with premium features that are bound to cause a buzz. A camera that’ll turn heads First, it’s got a dual 12MP lens camera setup featuring a wide-angle and 120-degree ultra-wide lens. Whether you’re hiking through the valleys or taking a family snap, you’ll get bundles of detail, and you won’t need to switch to panorama to get that perfect shot. You can even take ultra-wide photos in portrait mode, helping you get that professional looking headshot first time. Footage ready to share What about video? Ultra-wide is great for your footage too, letting you shoot videos in beautiful Ultra HD at 60 fps. That means your recordings will look incredible on your TV. And when a photo opportunity becomes a video opportunity, just hold the shutter button in photo mode to start recording. Capture the moment as it happens, without fumbling around. Another feature that’s bound to capture the imagination of social media lovers is the slo-mo selfie (or ‘slofie’) function. The front camera can record videos at 120 fps, so let’s just say profile pictures are about to get a whole lot more entertaining. Lightning-fast processor That superb camera setup might be the headline grabber, but the iPhone 11 is as much about processing power. The new A13 Bionic chip has both the fastest smartphone CPU and GPU to date, making the phone a powerhouse for gaming. You’ll be able to level up and compete online without any lag to throw you off your game. iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max The iPhone 11 Pro features a 5.8-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, while the Pro Max offers the same gorgeous screen resolution at 6.5-inches. Both phones have a stylish matte finish body that keeps the handset sturdy in your palm. Back to the cameras… So, what’s different about the Pro and Pro Max camera setups? Well, along with the same wide and Ultra-Wide lenses, you also get a third telephoto lens. It offers 4x optical zoom, giving you the ability to capture distant scenes with as much clarity as a selfie. And after the upcoming software update, it’ll get even better with the new Deep Fusion feature. When you take a photo, your phone will take 9 images before you press the shutter. It’ll then analyse every photo and knit them together for a stunning picture, first time. Powerful processing The Pro and Pro Max also come with Apple’s new A13 Bionic chip, tweaked to deliver high performance with low power consumption, making it their most efficient processor to date – and up to 20% faster. What about battery life? Don’t worry about carrying your Lightning cable everywhere with you. The A13 chip’s efficiency means you’ll get an extra 4 hours browsing time with the iPhone Pro, and an extra 5 hours with the Pro Max. When does it come out? Pre-orders will be available from the 13th September, with all three iPhones available to buy from the 20th September. Find out more about the iPhone 11 and the iPhone 11 Pro

Win a Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.5" Tablet! We’re offering 2 lucky winners the chance to win a Samsung Galaxy Tab A. With a distraction-free 10.5” Full HD display, Dolby Atmos quad speakers and impressive battery life, you can be immersed in your favourite TV show, reading a best-seller or downloading a fitness app or meal recipe on your way to work. To be in with a chance to win, comment below and tell us what is your dream holiday destination? You’ve got until midnight on Sunday 8th to enter and we’ll pick the winners at random. Good Luck! (T&C’s Apply)

Let's celebrate! 🎉 Wow. We’ve reached the 10,000 mark. 🙌 We are giving away an Oppo RX17 PRO 📱 Yes, you read that number correctly. The iD Community now has a massive 10,000 members. So thanks for all your hard work, gang. We couldn’t have done it without you. It's kind of a big deal, but don’t just take our word for it. Here are a couple of our favourite quotes from Community members just like you… “I'm old(er). There, it's said. BUT... the price is right and ID customer service is so good that I actually understand my phone now. And the service gets right through sandstone walls that my previous provider's service sometimes stopped outside! Great for roaming in Europe and the blogs mean I can secretly read up and appear very knowledgeable in front of my young friends and relatives.” Snoopy49 “I will say why I am happy with iD Mobile and I am pretty sure that everyone here would agree with me as well as the million customers. I love iD for amazing value for money, Sim Only plans are the contract killers on the market. For such a low price they are still able to offer plenty of data, Wi-Fi calling and Volte. Also process to upgrade or change plans is so simple and stressless that I cannot wait for my next upgrade :-) I cannot skip a shoutout to the Community as well, I like to hangout here and help others when I can. Community is one of the aspects to me that makes me wanna stay and even help them to grow further.” Hikari Sounds like @Snoopy49 and @Hikari have been suitably wowed by the iD Community. But what about you? Have you been wowed by us? How can we wow you? Did someone say ‘competition time’? To celebrate reaching 10,000 customers, we’re giving away an Oppo RX17 PRO to one lucky winner. To enter, simply post a comment below telling us how you’d like to be wowed as an iD Mobile customer. In other words, what could we do to really impress you on the Community? You’ve got until 6th September to enter, and we’ll then pick a lucky winner at random. T&Cs apply.

If you’re looking to upgrade to a new phone, you’re in the right place. Amazing new handsets are being launched all the time - so to help you choose the right one, here’s our roundup of the very best. Samsung Galaxy S10 Who’s it for? Fancy a flagship phone with an outstanding camera and amazing edge-to-edge display? Then go for a Galaxy S10. Quite simply, the S10 is everything a phone should be. The profile is super-slim, and the front is pretty much all-screen, with its edge-to-edge 6.1-inch Infinity-O display spilling over the curved sides. The on-screen detail is incredible, with rich colours and fantastically deep blacks. The S10’s True Vision triple camera captures every moment just as your eyes see it, even in low light. And in the daytime, shots are sharp and clear, even when you zoom in to the max. Hidden under the display there's a neat piece of tech - an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. So no more smudging your rear camera as you search for a rear fingerprint scanner. Then there’s Powershare - a new feature that can bring a friend’s phone back to life, or give power to your own accessories like Galaxy Buds. All you need to do is place the two devices back to back. As for storage, you’ve got the option of going for 128GB or 512GB. If you want more, you can add up to 1TB with a microSD card. That’s enough to store a sizeable movie library on your phone. Or pretty much every app you can think of. There are three phones in the S10 family, with options for everyone. If you decide to go large with the super-sized Galaxy S10+, you get a bigger 6.4-inch display. Or if you go for the entry level S10e, you get a 5.8-inch display and dual (rather than triple) rear camera. You can order the Galaxy S10 here You can go large and order the Galaxy S10+ here Or you can get the smaller Galaxy S10e here iPhone Xs Who’s it for? If you want to enjoy the best possible smartphone experience with the very latest tech from Apple, iPhone Xs is for you. This iPhone is truly awe-inspiring. The Super Retina HD display measures 5.8-inches, and looks incredible with high contrast and brightness levels, and unbeatably accurate colours. The 12MP dual lens camera is packed with features to give you great-quality photos. There’s a depth control slider, which lets you adjust the background focus behind a picture. It’s great for giving your photos that creative bokeh effect. And your selfies will be better than ever thanks to the 7MP front-facing TrueDepth camera. TrueDepth helps the camera set exactly the right lighting levels, so your selfies will always be perfectly lit and fantastic looking. Advanced Face ID is also on board, and it recognises your face and unlocks the phone faster than ever. It’s also the most secure facial authentication in any smartphone ever – so you can go ahead and make purchase on Apple Pay without any worries. Keeping the phone powered up is an A12 Bionic chip, which is 50% faster than previous iPhones. Quite simply, it’s the smartest and most powerful chip ever in a smartphone. You can order iPhone Xs here Oppo Find X Who’s it for? If you want a phone with a unique one-off design and an innovative camera brimming with features, you’ve just met your match. The Find X is OPPO’s all new flagship, and it’s a real thing of beauty. It’s curved and thin, with a shimmery two-tone blue and black gradient design on the back. The device shines differently, depending on the angle that light catches it. This is an eye-catching phone, to say the least. The Find X’s screen is the closest any manufacturer has ever come to designing an all-screen smartphone. There’s no notch on the phone’s high-quality metal and glass body, allowing more room for a gorgeous 6.4-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display. The Find X has a fantastic sliding ‘3D Stealth Camera’ that extends and retracts at the click of a button to reveal the front and back camera. Both the 16MP + 20MP dual lens rear camera and 25MP front-facing camera come with AI-enhanced shooting options that do all of the hard work for you. So, whether you’re taking pictures in a low-light setting or of an action-packed scenario, the Find X’s AI Scene Recognition technology will figure out the best way to capture the perfect shot. And finally, if you like your phones powerful with an ultra-fast response rate, the Find X’s Snapdragon 845 processor is sure to meet your expectations. Gaming is speedy and smooth, and switching between applications is an absolute breeze. There’s also a huge amount of storage space, up to 256GB. You can order the OPPO Find X here Huawei P30 Pro Who’s it for? With its quad camera and reverse wireless charging, the P30 Pro is a phone for those that want to enjoy the world’s newest phone tech. The P30 Pro is a stunning flagship phone packed with ground-breaking tech, including a quad camera and reverse wireless charging. The quad camera really is something special, with four lenses all working together to help you take amazing photographs. The 40MP lens is what’s known as ‘ultra-resolute’, meaning you can capture shots that are of huge scale – it’s great for photos that have lots going on in them, like busy street life. Meanwhile, the 8MP telephoto lens lets you zoom right in to far-off objects, and the 20MP ultra wide-angle lens makes landscape shots look absolutely spectacular. Finally, the ToF (time-of-flight) lens measures depth and can give you professional-looking blurred backgrounds. With the computing power of AI, the camera recognises exactly what you’re taking a picture of, and then adjusts its setting to give you the best possible shot. And if you go right close up to something, the triple lenses work together to capture detailed extreme close-ups from as little as 2.5cm away. Another great feature on the P30 Pro is its reverse wireless charging. It works on any wireless charging enabled device (even iPhones), and you simply put the two phones back to back to start the charging process. And let’s not forget the huge 6.4-inch Full HD+ OLED display. Full HD+ makes everything you see as detailed as can be, and OLED is the screen tech that gives you those deep blacks, rich contrasts and vivid colours. The phone also has heaps of power behind it, and a huge battery that’ll keep you going for two days before it needs to be recharged. You can order the P30 Pro here Google Pixel 3/3 XL Who’s it for? If you’re looking for a luxury phone that’s one of the smartest and most useful devices around, go for the Pixel 3 or 3 XL. The Pixel 3 and 3 XL share the same design, with a glass front and back that looks and feels luxurious. The bottom half of the all-glass back has a matte finish, which gives it a nice grip. The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL have amazing screens. Both are QUAD HD+ OLED displays, full of super-sharp detail, rich colours and gloriously deep blacks. The big difference between the two models is the size. You can take your pick from the Pixel 3’s 5.5-inch display or the jaw-dropping 6.3-inch Pixel XL. Sound is fantastic too, with the Pixel 3’s dual front-firing speakers blasting sound outwards and upwards. They’re much louder than on previous Pixel phones, so if you’re upgrading from a Pixel or Pixel 2, you'll really hear the difference. On the back of both phones you’ll find a single lens 12MP main camera. On the front there are two cameras (both 8MP) with one acting as a wide-angle camera. These cameras are absolutely jam-packed with AI features to help you get that perfect shot. One of the best is Top Shot, which uses Google AI to give you the best possible picture. When you press the camera shutter, Top Shot actually takes a whole series of photos, and then recommends the best one. The front cameras come with a Group Selfie Cam feature, which uses the dual lenses to help you take wonderfully wide-angled selfies. You’ll get more background and more of the gang into every shot. The phones are powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, paired with 4GB RAM. All this power means that apps launch quickly and everything you do is smooth, responsive and speedy. There’s also a Titan security chip under the hood, which Google says will protect any sensitive data and make the Pixel 3 more secure. You can order the Pixel 3 here You can order the Pixel 3 XL here Samsung Galaxy Note9 Who’s it for? The Note9 is perfect if you need a powerful phone that helps you get more done. The Note9 is crammed with amazing features, and there’s really only one place to start – that iconic S Pen. It’s been redesigned to make writing and drawing more accurate, and is now equipped with Bluetooth technology, which brings loads of new possibilities. For example, you can use it as a remote clicker to give your presentations a professional touch, and it also works as a camera shutter button up to 10 metres away. Then there’s all the usual cool S Pen stuff like jotting down notes without needing to unlock your phone, getting creative with doodles and drawings, and easily highlighting text to cut and paste. The Note9 also has an incredible Quad HD+ 6.4-inch Infinity Display. It stretches from edge-to-edge so you can really immerse yourself in what you’re doing. It sounds fantastic too, with stereo speakers tuned by AKG, a brand with over 70 years’ worth of audio experience. The speakers also use Dolby Atmos immersive audio – technology that gives you a high quality surround sound experience even without headphones. The dual lens 12MP+12MP camera is one of the very best around, and is capable of adjusting to light like a human eye. This gives you crystal clear shots even in dark conditions. And you won’t find many smartphone batteries bigger than the Note9’s 4,000mAh cell. It’ll get you through a full day with power to spare, and supports fast charging. You can order the Note 9 here Will you be upgrading to one of these stunning smartphones? Or have you got your eye on another? Post a reply below and share your thoughts with the Community!

With our lives becoming increasingly hectic, finding the time to make that call isn’t always easy. As always, technology is here to help, and with the 30th of July being International Friendship Day, what better time to take a look at all the great ways you can stay in touch with your pals? Competition time! CLOSED Don’t forget to enter our competition, you could win a Nokia 2.2 smartphone. All you have to do is comment below this article and answer the question: Which app do you use the most to stay in touch with your friends? We’ll pick 3 answers at random and a brand spanking new Nokia 2.2 will be winging its way to the winners. Good luck! T&C’s Apply Staying in touch with friends and family is easier, cheaper and more fun than ever. Whether you’re a tech newbie or a master of social media, here’s a handful of tips to help you stay connected. Try out some new messaging apps First off, let’s check out a few different ways you can send text, picture and video messages. WhatsApp Owned by Facebook, WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging services in the world - probably because it’s totally free and doesn’t include any ads. You can send texts, video and picture messages and even quick voice messages using the microphone button. You can also share your current location via Google Maps – ideal for meeting up with mates. Get WhatsApp for iOS or Android Viber Available on Android and iOS, Viber adds a real fun element to messaging, with built-in stickers and GIFs to add a bit more colour to your messages. You can also send short audio and video clips – perfect for when you just have to share something with your mates. And with complete end-to-end encryption on all your messages, you don’t have to worry about privacy. Get Viber for iOS or Android. iMessage If you’ve got an iPhone, chances are, you’re probably using it already because Apple pre-installs it on all new phones. But for those of you who tend to stick to regular text messaging, iMessages don’t come out of your text allowance. Instead, they use your data connection a lot like WhatsApp. iMessage also has a few fun elements, like camera effects, animations and Animojis to add extra personality to your messages. Get to grips with video calling We’ve been able to video call friends on our mobile phones for over a decade now, but until fairly recently, we’ve had to cope with poor quality video and unreliability. Now, video calling is loads better, you can get crystal clear HD quality with much better reliability. And plenty of options when it comes to apps. It’s worth noting though, that all of these options need a data connection to work, whether it’s Wi-Fi or mobile data. So if you’re planning on video calling while you’re out and about, it’s a good idea to check your coverage. So, let’s take a look at three of our favourite video calling apps… Google Duo It’s got one job and it does it brilliantly. Google Duo claims to offer the best quality video calling out there, and you know what, they might not be exaggerating – the video quality is excellent. Duo has to be one of the easiest video calling apps to use. It automatically syncs with your contacts and when you want to call someone, you just tap ‘Search Contacts’ and pick the person you want to call. Google Duo works across different devices too whether it’s Android or iOS – use your phone, tablet or computer and chat with anyone, anywhere. Download Google Duo for iOS or Android FaceTime FaceTime is video calling for everything Apple. If you’ve got an iPhone, Mac or iPad, you’ll be able to Facetime other Apple users. To use FaceTime, all you need to do is open the app and log in with your Apple ID (you’ll only need to log in the first time you use it). Then choose a contact to call and off you go. Remember, you can only FaceTime other Apple users. Skype Skype is a one-stop-shop when it comes to keeping in touch with friends. It’s probably known mostly for being a video calling service, but it also features text chat, voice calls, and it even syncs with your phone’s regular texts so you can see everything in one place. Video chats let you add up to 24 of your friends to the same conversation – great for keeping everyone in the loop. It works on phones, tablets, PCs and Macs, so whatever you use, you’ll be able to get involved. Get Skype for iOS or Android Get collaborative with your music Music streaming services like Apple Music, Spotify and Deezer all let you share your playlists with friends, and it’s a great way to stay connected with people. Creating a collaborative playlist lets everyone in the group add their own songs. Which is ideal if you’re planning a party, wedding, or just want to know what your friends are listening to. And remember, if you’re the playlist owner, you can always stop people from being able to add to it if someone starts throwing in James Blunt songs. Try new things on Social Media Ok, this is an obvious one these days because it’s absolutely everywhere. Even if we don’t realise it, social media is ingrained in practically every aspect of our lives; entertainment, politics, work, leisure, sport. And it’s also one of the most effective ways of staying in touch with friends. Share your timeline on Facebook Facebook timelines let you share all the things you’ve been up to with your friends. It also comes with Facebook Messenger, which works as a messaging service with all of your Facebook contacts, you can create group chats or send private messages. Stay up to date with what’s trending on Twitter Twitter is great for staying up to date with what’s going on in the world by checking out what topics are trending. Celeb feeds can get you closer to your favourite stars, and Twitter is a great way of contacting companies without having to wait on the phone for hours. Share photos and video clips with Instagram Instagram is a great way to share what you’re up to with photos and movie clips – like a simplified version of Facebook. It also has a feature called Instagram Stories, which lets you share what you’ve been up to over 24 hours. Pictures and videos you post to your Story will disappear after 24 hours – it’s a great way to give your followers a quick peek into your day. Use smart devices to connect with friends and family Smart assistants can be a great way to help you stay in touch with friends and family. Google’s Home Hub and Amazon’s Echo Show both come with a 7-inch screen, perfect for chatting while you’re relaxing at home. Even Facebook is getting in on the action with its new Portal device, which as a camera that follows you around the room - so no need to worry about whether you’re in the shot. Smart assistants are great for adding extra security to your home. Pair them with smart security cameras to see who’s at the door and even control your locks through your smart assistant. Check out some smart ways to secure your home. Use reminders so you never forget important days These days, with our hectic lives, it’s easy for things like birthdays and anniversaries to slip your mind. Well, there’s one sure-fire way to make sure you don’t forget those important dates – get organised with your reminders. Google Calendar is a great tool to use because you can sync it with all your other devices. You can even share your calendar with others, so if there’s a special date that you want to make sure your partner remembers, just share your calendar and they’ve got no excuses. Schedule a ‘meet in the middle’ day If you’ve got friends who live abroad, or maybe you’re the one who lives overseas, a ‘meet in the middle’ day can really give you something to look forward to and help you stay connected. The idea is simple, just pick a location somewhere in the middle and plan to meet up. Whether it’s just for the day, a weekend break, or even a holiday. It’s a great way for you to see new places and it’s always fun to plan a getaway.

Celebrate World Photography Day with iD Mobile Today is World Photography Day – that’s why social media is full of incredible images. Check out #worldphotographyday and see for yourself. To celebrate, we want you to share your favourite photo that you’ve taken on your phone. Show off your skills! Simply upload the photo in the comments below and tell us what phone you used to take it. If you want, tell us a bit about what’s going on in the photo and why you took it. And feel free to share your tips on how to take a really striking shot. Photos are a great way to express yourself and the perfect way to capture all your amazing experiences. That’s why Instagram is so popular. We all love to take photos. What else are phones for? If you love taking photos and are thinking about getting a new mobile, these are the five best camera phones available at the moment: Huawei P30 Pro Google Pixel 3 Honor 20 Pro Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus iPhone XS

Calling all Civilian, Rookies and Sidekicks. The time has come for you to rise up the iD Community rankings. Become a Hero … then reach for the sky and become a Superhero. Want to win yourself a £50 Curry's voucher? Then you better get more active on the iD Community. Replying to posts, liking posts, answering questions, being voted best answer, all this and more can see you rise steadily through the rankings. Rise up 5 levels and you could win a £50 Currys voucher, comment 'Superhero' below to enter. To go up in ranking, we recommend you post at least 50 replies and 20 answers to rise through the levels. So, what are you waiting for? We’re on the hunt for Superheroes and we know you’ve got what it takes. Log in now and show us what you’re made of. You have until 26th August 📅

Keeping in touch with friends on the other side of the world can be tricky. But social media and other online tech make it so much easier. To celebrate National Friendship Day today, we’re sharing our top tips for staying connected with long distance pals: · Use SameSurf and browse the web together with your friends in real-time, wherever they are. · Create collaborative playlists on Spotify that you can both enjoy together. · Set the time on your phone to your friend’s time zone, so you always know when to get in touch. · Make video calls so you can see each other when you speak. · When the time comes to get together, choose a location in the middle and meet up there. · Use social media to keep in touch and share stuff as often as you like. · Play online games and share them with your mates. In celebration of National Friendship Day, we’re running a best mates competition. Share a story of how you both met, to be in with the chance of winning £100 Red Letter Vouchers for your friend. Now, that’s what you call friendship! T&C’s Apply

If you’re coming to the end of your two-year smartphone cycle, you’ll be due an upgrade very soon. And you’ve got lots to look forward to, as tech in the smartphone world moves on very quickly. Let’s take a look at what we were doing in 2017, compared to now… Samsung Galaxy S8 v Samsung Galaxy A70 The S8 gave us our first glimpse of Samsung’s Infinity Display. The ultra-thin bezel design was described as futuristic at the time, and customers loved immersing themselves in the sharp and colourful 5.8-inch screen. But what may have seemed like a vision of the future in 2017 didn’t prepare us for the sheer beauty of 2019’s Galaxy phones. And we’re not even talking about the top-of-the-range S-series. Samsung’s mid-range A-series is packed with amazing screen tech too. The A70 is a stunning phone, especially when you consider the price. The 6.7-inch Infinity Display is much bigger than the S8’s, and it uses the same Super AMOLED screen tech famous for its deep blacks and rich colours. In short, everything you do on the A70 looks fantastic. The A70’s camera has come on leaps and bounds too. It’s now a triple lens setup that gives you the power to shoot everything from ultra-wide landscapes to arty portrait shots. And when it comes to security, the A70’s fingerprint scanner is in a much more convenient place – under the screen, rather than hidden round the back. Check out the Galaxy A70 deals on iD Mobile Huawei P10 vs Huawei P30 In 2017, the Huawei P10 wowed us with not one lens, but two on its camera! This made arty blurred backgrounds possible – the ‘bokeh’ effect, in other words. And for its time, the 5.1-inch Full HD display was very decent indeed. Fast forward to 2019, and the Huawei P30 is a very different beast, upgraded in almost every way. It now has a triple lens camera with up to 30x digital zoom that lets you get right up close to far-off objects and capture pro quality shots. You can even photograph the moon in incredible detail. The P30’s design and display has had a complete overhaul too. There’s not a bezel in sight on the 6.1-inch all-screen dewdrop display, and the Full HD+ resolution gives you a much better viewing experience. Check out the Huawei P30 deals on iD Mobile Nokia 6 (2017) vs Nokia 8 (2019) The Finnish phone giant Nokia made a welcome comeback in 2017, with a range of smartphones that included the flagship Nokia 6. It boasted a 5.5-inch Full HD display, a 16MP main camera, and an 8MP selfie camera. In the world of smartphones, yesterday’s flagship is today’s mid-range marvel. The tech that you’d only find on the most expensive phones a couple of years ago can now be found on much cheaper phones. This is great news for customers on a budget. The new Nokia 8 (2019) is a great example of this. Even though it’s priced solidly at mid-range level, almost of all its features are better than the Nokia 6. The 6.18-inch Full HD+ display is bigger and better. The camera is dual lens, not single. And you get double the amount of inbuilt storage – 64GB compared with 32GB. How can you resist? Check out the Nokia 8 (2019) deals on iD Mobile Prepare to upgrade… A lot has changed in the world of smartphones, and will continue to do so - that's what makes it so fun! Keep in touch with the iD Community for the latest news, or head to our pay monthly phones page and check out the latest deals for yourself. If you’ve got time to do a little research now, you’ll know exactly what you want when that big upgrade day comes around! If you’ve any questions in the meantime, drop a comment below.

It’s true – loyalty to another network will cost ya serious dosh! Why? Because you save an average of £212 with us vs. going to a major network* Tell you what, let’s turn this into a competition. First prize is, oh, let’s say £212 of credit added to your iD Mobile account! Here’s how to enter. Just imagine you’ve saved £212 by switching to iD Mobile. How exactly would you spend all those spondoolies? Shoes? Music? Accessories for your phone? 424 pints of milk? Post a comment below telling us how you’d splash the cash. You’ve got until Friday 26 July to enter, and we’ll then pick a lucky winner at random. The winner will be announced on this page, and we’ll also send them a private message with all the deets of their prize. T&Cs apply, of course. Along with all you amazing people, see here why Georgia Steel chose to switch to iD Mobile. Good luck! *Average saving based on pricing of a new contract between 10th March and 8th June 2019. iD were cheaper for 95.7% of tariffs we were able to directly compare the total cost of ownership of on idmobile.co.uk vs. network's direct price (Vodafone, O2, EE and Three), on identical tariffs. Match criteria used the same handset, minutes, texts and data combination. Tariff comparison sample of 3,347 tariffs. Total cost of ownership calculated by: monthly cost x 24 + upfront cost - any cashback.

Summer is well and truly underway and selfie rates are about to go through the roof. Here’s how to make yours perfect… Selfies are one of those things that made it from fad to everyday life. They’re now firmly embedded in our society as a way for people to express themselves. Capturing the perfect shot also means big business for tech development, with new devices being fitted with better cameras on every release to help us get our “good side”. A film-makers dream – the Samsung Galaxy S10 One phone that sets a great example of transforming the humble selfie is the Samsung Galaxy S10. The singular front lens may seem fairly average at 10MP, but it’s the 4K UHD recording that makes up for it. It means your selfies are still packed with vibrant details, while those unmissable moments are recorded with stunning clarity. The one on the rear is an impressive triple-lens camera with 12MP, 12MP and 16MP to make sure every angle is captured in all its glory. Interested? Get the Samsung Galaxy S10 today. Looking for something a little different? The long-awaited Google Pixel 3 XL This is another phone that’s been specifically created for those of us who might be a bit selfie-obsessed. It’s got a dual-lens 8MP camera on the front, which has a choice of F1.8 or F2.2 aperture, as well as facial recognition to capture all the best bits in detail. The edge-to-edge screen combined with the wide-angle feature means group selfies are much easier to get, without everyone having to squash in. And, with all those amazing pictures, you need somewhere to store them. Luckily, Google thought of this too, and so they off free, unlimited online storage in original quality for all your photos and videos. So, all you have to worry about is which angle gives you the best look! Take a look at the Google Pixel 3 XL.