We all love a good get together especially during the festive season, here is my guide to planning the perfect event. Plan your party to perfection   Planning is the fun part and that means gathering ideas and inspiration. So, we’ve found two friendly apps to help you make sure you’ve got all your Christmas party bases covered. Simplenote and Evernote are great user-friendly apps that are available on iOS and Android Simplenote – easy to use and syncs with all your devices: A simple, fast and multi-platform app You can use it everywhere (your notes stay updated across all your devices) Allows you to drag and drop images from other sites Evernote – next-level note-taking Evernote Basic is free but you can upgrade to the premium option for £4.99 a month Allows you to not only type notes, but also make audio, photo, video and even handwritten notes Staying organised wherever you are, even when you’re offline It supports bullet points, numbers, and to-do lists – you can use them all in a

From exclusive podcasts to limitless downloads, there’s an audio streaming app out there for everyone. With fewer phones featuring a built-in music player app, more people than ever are turning to streaming apps for convenient listening, hassle-free downloads and the huge range of choice they provide. But which one should you go for? To help you choose, here’s a run-down of the top 5 music streaming apps for Android and iOS this year, and what makes them so great. (Android, iOS) There are over 217 million Spotify users around the world right now, and over 100 million of them pay for Spotify Premium. So, what are the benefits? When you subscribe to Spotify Premium, you can download an unlimited number of albums and songs to listen to offline in higher quality. Once you start building your library, Spotify learns what kind of music you like and makes great recommendations with Daily Mixes just for you. Unwind to the albums you love without any annoying ad breaks, and there’s a mind-blowi

Buying a Christmas present for friends, family or a Secret Santa? Sticking to a budget can be tricky, so let us help. Just for you, we’ve come up with some great techy gifts for all budgets. We’ve got gift suggestions at three popular price brackets – under £50, £100 and £200. So take a look, and prepare to be inspired! Just one thing to note – please use the prices shown as a guide only. They were correct when we wrote this, but obviously these things can change.   Gifts for £50 or less PlayStation alarm clock (£24.99) Buying a gift for a gamer? Then look no further. This alarm clock features the iconic PlayStation button symbols and analogue sticks, and plays video-game inspired sounds when the alarm goes off.  Buy it here   Google Nest mini (£49) Google Nest Mini is a compact and discreet smart speaker with the always-helpful Google Assistant built-in. It’s just like the original Mini, but now has better voice recognition and bass that’s twice as powerful. Use your voice to play mus

We’re constantly talking and listening to our customers, identifying ways to improve the service we offer, making mobile better. So we’re delighted to announce we’re on YouGov’s 2019 Top 10 list of improvers for Brand Advocacy! YouGov BrandIndex screened 1,500 brands asking respondents "Would you recommend the brand to a friend or colleague?" and “Would you tell a friend or colleague to avoid the brand?”. And vs. our 2018 score we’ve improved to a 45.8 net score! This is great news and shows the progress we’re making, but we won’t stop there with plenty more improvements planned for 2020 and beyond. You can see the full results here: https://www.brandindex.com/ranking/uk/2019-advocacy

It’s National Text Your Ex Day! Yes, you did read that right. Even if message a former lover may not be your cuppa tea, why not enter our competition and find a reason to celebrate!No, you don’t need to message your ex to win. Instead, we’re offering one winner a chance to get their hands on some extra data this month. All you need to do is share 5 things you’d rather use your data on than texting your ex! Here’s a few things we’d rather spend our data on: 1.Find a dateBetter to move forward than dwell on the past, right? There’s a stack of different dating apps out there, and each of them offer something slightly different. Tinder is probably the most famous one, with the classic ‘swipe right, swipe left’ system. Then there’s Bumble, where only women can strike up a conversation once you’ve matched. Happn is a little different, too. It works with your location data to show you people you’ve passed while you’ve been out and about. Give it a go! You never know, you could end up meeting

As you may already know, iD Mobile Black Friday event has already begun. Unlike other retailers, our Black Friday event started on the 4th November, but don’t despair if you weren’t aware (that rhymes), because we’ve just added a heap of new handset and SIM only deals, and you’ve got till the 2nd December to get your hands on them.Introducing the iD SIM Only Big Data plans!As part of our Black Friday event, we have introduced a set of new SIM only deals, with unlimited Minutes, and enough Data for you to talk, stream and browse the web to your heart’s desire, without having to worry about running out of allowances.Our Black Friday deals just got even sweeter. How about unlimited everything for only £23 a month? Check out our Black Friday SIM Only deals:Already an iD customer and want to get your hands on one of these great deals? Don’t worry, why not check if you can change your plan to one of the plans above - check out this article on how to change your plan. Whether you’re on a Hand

It’s the biggest Community Competition ever! Yes, you have three chances to win three amazing prizes…   Win a SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab A Perfect for watching your fave films and Netflix binges on a gorgeous 10.1-inch Full HD display. Win a SAMSUNG Galaxy A70 Three superb cameras (including a 32MP main camera, depth and ultra-wide) capture all the action. Win an HP 15.6" 1 TB Laptop Loaded up with Windows 10 and a powerful processer, this compact laptop takes on everyday task with ease.   How to enter All you need to do is comment below this post and tell us “What is your favourite event to celebrate?”. Just make sure you logged in first. It couldn’t be easier! Good luck! T&C’s apply

Trick or treat? We’re running a Spooktacular competition to celebrate! Whether you’re dressing up as ghosts, carving pumpkins  into glowering jack-o’-lanterns or watching a horror movie to celebrate October 31st, we’ve got a great competition that’ll make your Halloween even better. You’re probably familiar with the short horror story attributed to Ernest Hemingway: “For Sale: Baby shoes, never worn.” The reason it’s so scary is because it raises more questions than it answers. In other words, what’s left unsaid is far more terrifying than what’s written because it’s left to your imagination.In the spirit of Hemingway and all things ghoulish, ghastly and chilling, we want you to come up with a short story that you think will give us the shivers. We aren’t expecting a story as short as six words, so let your imagination run wild! We’re offering two winners the chance to get their hands on the Motorola G7 Power.  But, as this is Halloween, there will also be another 2 winner that will be

Ever seen an advert with a strange-looking bar code telling you to scan? Or have you got your eye on a pair of wireless headphones that claim to link instantly to your phone with a quick tap? What you’re looking at are QR (Quick Response’) codes and NFC (Near-Field Communication). Here, we’ll explain what they are and just how they can help you get more out of your phone. What is a QR code?QR codes are pretty similar to the one-dimensional bar codes you see on the back of product packaging or books. However, where 1D bar codes are only able to store up to 30 numbers, two-dimensional QR codes can store over 7000 and be scanned both horizontally and vertically. That means not only are they more practical, but they can also store more information. You’ve probably seen QR codes and haven’t noticed. When you book a flight and download your boarding pass to your smartphone, the QR code on your ticket is the bit that you scan to get you into the departure lounge and through your gate. If you’

What's the difference between Google Maps and Sat Nav?Going on a road trip and planning to use your phone to navigate? We’ll show you the pros and cons of Google Maps compared to sat navs…Most smartphones come with a 'sat nav' (satellite navigation) built in. For Android there's 'Google Maps', while iPhone has Apple Maps. We're going to look at how these navigation systems compare to a sat nav, to see if there's any reason you might want to use one instead of the other.A few years ago, Google added 'full offline navigation' to Maps, meaning you can download routes and maps that you use quite often, so you don't have to use your data when you’re on the move. They expire after 15 days, which means you'll always have the latest version. Needing directions quicklyMost of the time, you won’t leave home without your phone. Your sat nav, however, could easily be forgotten and left behind. That means if you’re out on the road and need to find a quicker route to skip the traffic, you could be a

One of the biggest shopping days of the year! Our Black Friday event has started, it is a deal hunters dream, but you have to get in quick to grab the best deals. Are you ready?  What is iD doing for Black Friday?Phones are actually one of the highest selling products this time of year. During Black Friday 2018, phones and smartphone accessories were big sellers online. And here at iD, we’ll be offering some great deals you won’t want to miss out on. Unlike other retailers though, we’re not waiting around till the end of November to bring our best offers to you!Looking to treat yourself, know a friend or family member looking for a new phone? Or due an upgrade? In our Black Friday Event you can save up to £339 on selected Apple and Samsung devices.Check out all our Black Friday deals on www.iDmobile.co.uk.  Feel confident shopping online. We appreciate that shopping online can be daunting at times, that’s why we’ve created a guide on how to protect your identity and information when sh

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 c

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 wo

Win a Samsung 50" Smart 4K Ultra HD HDR LED TVWe’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 mobileMario 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 D

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 l

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 S10With 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 ProAnother 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

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 selfie

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.

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, bo

Learn a new language with these appsToday 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 will

Stay healthy with help from technologyNow 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 dreamsGetting 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 fitnessStrap 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 an

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 ga

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. DisplayThese 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. CameraKids love taking photos and selfies, and the MP (megapixel count) of