Articles and competitions.

So, you’re an Android user. Good choice. Not only is it an operating system that you can customise but it’s also very user-friendly. However, this doesn’t mean annoying niggles can’t crop up from time to time. If your Android’s playing up or is on its last legs, here are a few quick fixes to common problems that could save the day. 1. Apps playing up If your apps aren’t working the way they should, there are a few things you can check. Firstly, see if there’s an update available for the problematic app. If there is, update it. But if that doesn’t do the trick, force the app to close by pressing the square button on your home screen to bring up your multi-tasking menu. Then, locate the app and swipe it away. This way when you re-open the app any corrupted data will hopefully have been wiped away. Still hasn’t worked? It’s time to uninstall the app completely, and reinstall it. If that doesn’t work, try getting in touch with its developer for advice. You can usually find an email address at the bottom of the app’s page in the Google Play store. 2. Slow performance One of the main reasons a phone might slow down is because its internal storage is full. A lot of apps sneakily run in the background even when you’re no longer using them, and when storage is low, this can be a problem. So if your phone’s speed has reduced, it might be best to start clearing storage space. To start with, uninstall any apps you don’t need or use anymore. Once you’ve done that, look at your essential apps and potentially move them to a microSD memory card, or a cloud-based storage system. Google Photos is perfect for your photos and videos, as it gives you free and unlimited storage. Also, try downloading CCleaner, which helps you free up space. 3. Connectivity issues If you’re struggling to connect to your Wi-Fi or mobile network, turn on airplane mode for 30 seconds, then turn it off and try connecting again. Sometimes this can jolt your phone into connecting, rectifying any problems it might have been experiencing. 4. Battery life problems Is your battery feeling the drain? Again, uninstalling apps could be the solution. Just head over to the ‘Battery’ section in your settings, and you’ll be able to see which apps are using up your power. If you don’t need any of them, uninstall. Another trick would be to reduce your display brightness. Don’t use the auto-brightness mode as this can use up a lot of power. Instead, adjust the brightness to a suitable level (somewhere under half way is ideal). Lastly, check whether your Android has a power saving mode. If it does, stick it on. 5. Frozen phone Faced with a frozen device? Try holding down the power button at the same time as the volume button. This is called a hard reboot, and is sometimes enough to kick-start your device back into working. 6. Your device won’t turn on If your device won’t even turn on – don’t panic. There are a couple of things you can try. For starters, you can try removing the battery for a few seconds and then putting it back in. If that doesn’t solve the problem (or if your battery can’t be removed), hold down the power button for fifteen seconds. Still no luck? Stick your phone on charge and hold the power button down for 15 seconds. And if that doesn’t work you should probably turn to a professional. In extreme cases, you can always perform a factory reset. This wipes everything off your phone and returns it to its original state – solving almost any problem on your trusty Android. As long as you backup all of your important data before you do it, you’ll be okay. The factory reset option can be found under ‘Backup & reset’ in your settings. Do you have any Android problems you'd love to have fixed? Any troubleshooting pearls of wisdom of your own? Share them in the comments below.

We love endless running games. They’re easy to pick up and play, and can be horribly addictive. Because every time you die during a run, you think you’ll be able to go further with just one more go, right? So here you go. If you don’t mind wasting endless hours long into the night, we’ve come up with five amazing endless runners for you to take a swipe at. They're all free from Google Play or the App Store. Minion Rush Even if you’re not a fan of those lovable minions, the spectacular Minion Rush is worth giving a go. We can’t think of an endless running game that’s more fun - or diverse. Yes, you’ll be doing the usual jumping, ducking and dodging, but you’ll also be riding on rockets, sliding through water and attacking bad guys (we’re looking at you, El Macho). And we haven’t even mentioned the mini-games yet. One minute, you could be collecting bananas on the moon, and the next, riding a fluffy unicorn high up into the sky. If you can resist shelling out your hard earned cash to buy extra characters (and stick to using your hard-earned virtual bananas instead) you’ll find that Minion Rush is one of the best free mobile games around. Run Sackboy! Run! Run SackBoy! Run! is a 2D left-to-right endless running game featuring Sackboy, hero of the LittleBigPlanet series of PlayStation games. Run SackBoy! Run! has characters and worlds straight out of LittleBigPlanet, and it’s a great looking place to spend some time. In typical endless running fashion you’ve got all sorts of obstacles to negotiate, from spikes to sticky goo that slows you down. And the last thing you want to do is get slowed down, because you’re getting chased by the Negativitron, the final boss from LittleBigPlanet 2. The Negativitron is an evil robot serpent vacuum, so it’s best if you try and stay at least one step ahead of it. Into the Dead 2 Into the Dead is a much-improved sequel. The graphics are more colourful and the weapons are more powerful - but the basic premise remains the same. Make your way through a zombie apocalypse to save your family. Arm yourself with an awesome arsenal, and don’t become a zombie’s dinner. Simple stuff, yet incredibly addictive. Zombie Tsunami “Frantic flesh eating fun for all the family” is what Zombie Tsunami’s creator Mobigame has to say about their game, and we’re not going to argue with that. Zombie Tsunami is a 2D left-to-right endless runner, and this time you’re on the side of the zombies. You start off as a single zombie roaming the streets, and each human you chomp becomes one of your undead gang. So if you’re on a roll, pretty soon you’ll have a long horde of zombies racing across the screen, looking for yummy people to munch. You’ll have to avoid the tanks and bombs that are out to destroy you, but as long as you’ve got at least one zombie left, you’ll keep on going, on an endless insatiable quest for brains. Enjoy! Lara Croft: Relic Run If ever there was a character made for an endless running game, it’s Lara Croft. She’s fit, agile, knows no fear, and she’s been doing this kind of thing for years. Lara Croft: Relic Run is full-on and fast-paced from its very first level. Lara doesn’t just run and jump; she uses super-cool parkour moves to vault over obstacles (often in glorious slow-motion) and more often than not, escape from certain death. If you progress far enough, you’ll come face-to-face with some epic bosses to battle against, including the infamous T-Rex that Lara first fought against in the original Tomb Raider game. Is your favourite endless running game missing from this list? Then reply below, and let us know!

The last few months have seen some awesome new phones release. And they all have one thing in common – a hulking big screen. Just recently you had the Samsung Galaxy A7 – and then you’ve got other phones such as the Huawei P20 Pro that are great for previewing your photos. This got us thinking about how much we love big-screen phones, and why you should love them too. Super-sized multitasking Big screens let you see so much more – which means they’re superb for multitasking. Multitasking lets you run more than one app at the same time, and in split-screen. So, you could be watching a film while having a group chat with your friends, and you won’t miss a second of the movie. With the screen split in two parts, you can do so much more at once. Better battery life Bigger screens mean better battery life. And it makes perfect sense – that’s because manufacturers can fit a larger battery into a bigger phone. So you can enjoy movies on the train, and browse your social media feeds for longer throughout the day. Big screen phones such as the Huawei P20 Pro even use artificial intelligence to extend battery life by learning how you use your phone. So you’re not left with 5% by the time you need to call a cab home, or check the last train times at the end of the day. Movies just look better You won’t need us to tell you that movies look better on a bigger screen. With more screen space you can enjoy movies just as the director wanted you to see them. Phones like the Samsung Galaxy S9 have an Infinity Display that wraps around the edges – and it’s fantastic for watching your latest Netflix obsession on. And don’t forget gaming – all the latest games are brought further to life on a big screen. Big screens also make life easier – you can read emails and browse your favourite websites without having to squint for a closer look. Turbo-charged typing Did you know that typing is much faster on a big screen? That’s because larger screens make it easier to see what you’re typing, and the expanded keyboard makes for more accurate typing. You’ll spend less time trying to correct dodgy typos. You’re less likely to misplace it The bigger something is, the more difficult it is to misplace. Say you need to leave the house in a hurry, and you can’t find your phone. Well, a larger phone is easier to spot. If you’re in the market for a big phone, then check out the ones above here on iD. Which one tickles your fancy?

It’s a decade since we saw the very first Android phone - it all started with the HTC Dream ten years ago. We’ve taken a look back at Android through the years, and how it’s got to where it is now. Join us in an all-out nostalgia-fest. Where it all started – the HTC Dream It seems like Android phones have been around forever, but it is in fact just ten years. But while these days we’re dazzled by phones like the Samsung Galaxy S9 or Sony Xperia XZ3, it wasn’t always this way. Take the first Android phone, the HTC Dream. It wasn’t exactly a looker – it was actually rather boring-looking, with a flat physical keyboard. But it was certainly a trailblazer – and helped pave the way for all the great things Android gives us today. It sounds like a small thing, but this phone let you copy and paste – the iPhone 3G didn’t let you do that back then. So, what made us love Android back then? Make your phone your own One of the great things we could do was make our home screens our own. We could move things around to suit us. Think how excited you were the first time you got to place your widgets exactly where you wanted them – it felt so revolutionary to put the weather or the time or your music app just where you wanted it. Throw in customisable wallpaper, and that’s a unique phone right there. Today, things have moved on, but the original idea – to be able to make your phone truly yours – remains. Getting app-happy With the launch of the HTC Dream came the Android Market – you’ll know it today as Google Play. The Android Market gave you access to a range of apps, and though there wasn’t the choice you’d get now, there was plenty to keep you going. Great deal of designs After that first Android phone, a lot of new phones and exciting designs came to the market. Names like Samsung, HTC and LG came to the party, giving us a lot of choice when it came to finding our perfect phone. But the phone that really made people sit up and take notice was the Google Nexus One (remember that?). This was the first premium-style Android phone, and certainly helped take all the focus off Apple, the main phone-maker at the time. The Nexus One had a great camera for the time, a Super LCD display, and it was pretty fast to boot. So what about now? Well, a year’s a long time in the world of mobile, so ten years is practically an era! Today we’re truly spoilt for choice, with a recent batch of Android phones which includes the Samsung Galaxy S9, Huawei P20 Pro and Sony Xperia XZ3. The features and specs on these will take your breath away – they’re super-fast, have stunning displays, awesome cameras and immersive games. But that’s not to write off what the original Androids gave us. Because everything we have now is possible because of phones like the humble HTC Dream. What’s your all-time favourite Android phone? Tell us below the line.

Doctor Who has returned for an eleventh series - with the thirteenth Doctor along for the ride. The first episode has had rave reviews, with lots of praise for Jodie Whittaker’s performance as the TARDIS–travelling Time Lord from far-off Gallifrey. To celebrate, we’ve rounded up the best Doctor Who downloads for your smartphone, tablet, sonic screwdriver or any other mobile device. The Woman Who Fell To Earth (video) What better place to start than with the new episode itself? If you missed ‘The Woman Who Fell To Earth” when it first aired on the Beeb, then all is not lost – you can download it onto your phone for keeps, at a small price. If you’ve got an Android phone, you can buy it from Google Play for £1.99. If you’ve got an iPhone, you can buy it from The Apple Store for £2.49. Doctor Who: Legacy (game) Doctor Who: Legacy is one of the coolest gem-matching puzzle games around. But don’t let that ‘gem-matching’ part fool you. It’s much more than a mere Candy Crush clone, as you get to build your very own team of allies from Doctor Who’s past, and then do battle with the good Doctor’s greatest enemies. Daleks, Cybermen and yes – even The Master can all be fought and taken down in a frenzy of gem-matching mayhem. Doctor Who: Legacy is free to download from The Apple Store and Google Play. Doctor Who: Sonic Screwdriver (official app) The Doctor’s sonic screwdriver has to be the most famous gadget on the show. So if you’re an iPhone owner, this is the app for you. It’s the official app (accept no imitations) and it gives you detailed models of eight of The Doctor’s Sonic Screwdrivers as well as The Master’s laser firing screwdriver. Once you load up your chosen device, there are loads of cool sound effects that change as you tilt your phone. The app can even control your flashlight. Download your official Sonic Screwdriver from the Apple Play store. Lights Out (50th Anniversary eBook) There are loads of Doctor Who eBooks available, so why not head into your app store and have a browse? One of our favourites is this bargain eShort published by Penguin to mark the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who in 2014. Lights Out starts with the twelfth Doctor (the Peter Capaldi version) heading to a space station that serves the third best cup of coffee in the universe. When the Doctor gets there, however, everything isn’t quite as rosy as he expected. In fact, things are pretty grim, as every time the lights are turned off – someone turns up dead. What happens next you’ll have to find out for yourself, but we can assure you that it has a great twist and will keep you hooked to the last word. Fancy a bit of Doctor Who trivia? This story actually slotted in between two episodes of Capaldi’s debut series. He left for coffee at the end of episode 8 and returned three weeks later at the start of episode 9… with two cups of coffee in tow. Check Lights Out out yourself by downloading it from The Apple Store or Google Play for just £1.99. Have you got any Doctor Who downloads you'd like to recommend yourself? Or have you got a question? If so, ask it below.

It’s been a busy year for Nokia so far, and our favourite Finnish phone maker isn’t letting up just yet. At an exclusive London event on Thursday 4 October, the Nokia 7.1 was unveiled in all its glory. So without further ado, let’s lift the lid on the new Nokia’s best bits. Strong looks, strong glass The 7.1 has a metal (series 600 Series Aluminium, since you ask) and glass build - and with attractive diamond-cut edges, it really does look like a premium piece of kit. Super-tough Corning Gorilla Glass 3 surrounds it, making the 7.1 impressively damage and scratch resistant. An edge-to-edge, top notch display The new Nokia will be rocking a 5.84-inch Full HD display, compatible with HDR content. Juho Sarvikas, Chief Product Officer at HMD Global, made a point of highlighting this feature at the launch event: “The Nokia 7.1 even offers real-time SDR to HDR conversion, meaning you can experience HDR quality entertainment, event when your content is not.” The screen goes all the way to the edges of the handset, and yes, the 7.1 is one of many new smartphones sporting a notch on top. It’s where you’ll find the front-facing camera and speaker. Lenses, cameras, action The 7.1 has a dual lens main camera, consisting of a primary 12MP lens and secondary 5MP lens to give you that bokeh effect we know you all love. Once again, Nokia has teamed up with ZEISS Optics for their lenses, so expect great looking photographs in both light and dark conditions. The 8MP selfie camera looks interesting. It’ll be using AI-powered facial recognition for all sorts of fun 3D effects like animated personas, filters and masks. A peek under the hood The 7.1 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor backed up with 3GB of RAM. That sounds like a set up capable of delivery a smooth and speedy all-round performance. The 3,060mAh battery should give you a full day of use, and fast charging tech is also on board. According to Nokia, this is capable of charging the 7.1 up to 50% in a mere 30 minutes. And just like Nokia’s other new smartphones, the 7.1 will be running Android One. This gives you a pure Android experience, fully endorsed by Google. That means you won’t have to wade through needless app, and you’ll get the warm and fuzzy feeling that comes from monthly security updates. Do you like the sound of the new Nokia 7.1? It’ll be available to order very soon from iD Mobile, so keep your eyes peeled!

Mobile games are great for helping you escape from life’s little stresses, but sometimes you want something with an extra dose of adrenalin to get your blood pumping on the train home. We’re talking about the latest mobile racing games. So, rev up your engine and prepare to floor it with these five awesome racers. CSR Racing 2 If you thought mobile games offered a tame experience to console games, think again. CSR Racing 2 sets a new standard for brilliant-looking mobile titles. Just like a gleaming red Ferrari, it looks great from every angle and is an amazing drag racing game to boot with realistic graphics and the chance to team up with friends and form a racing crew. You also get to build your dream garage of real world cars, upgrade and fine-tune them to suit your style. It’s a nitrous-fuelled blast to play. iOS / Android (Free) Real Racing 3 Real Racing 3 is another of the better racing games out there. It’s beautiful to look at, and gives you a proper in-depth driving experience with over 45 of the world’s best cars to choose from. Get behind the wheels of a Porsche, a Lamborghini and many more. You’ll also find plenty of game modes including a Time Shift Multiplayer option which lets you play against real people without everyone having to log in and race at the same time. iOS / Android (Free) Red Bull Air Race 2 It’s not all about cars. Swap the tarmac for the high-flying hijinks of Red Bull Air Race 2. The sequel to the popular air racing game lets you take to the skies for a series of high and low altitude racecourses sure to get your adrenaline flowing. Play using touch or tilt controls, and challenge real players in multiplayer and challenge modes as you pilot your way through real-world locations with stunning graphics. iOS / Android (Free) Asphalt 9: Legends Torch some rubber and take on the most fearless street racer pros to become the next Asphalt Legend. There’s lot to enjoy if you’re a fan of turbo-charged racers. Collect over 50 of the world's most powerful cars in this brilliant arcade game that you can play anywhere. You can also create your own online community with the Club feature, and show your skills to real people all over the world for serious bragging rights. iOS / Android (Free) Riptide GP 2 Like getting wet? Good, because you’ll enjoy a rocket-powered soaking in Riptide GP2. The water-based racer has you tearing through futuristic race tracks and performing death-defying stunts. Play through the career mode, or against people online over multiplayer. iOS / Android (Free)

Every day, more than 70 million people use Snapchat lenses and face filters on their smartphones, and now, Snapchat is letting anyone become a lens creator with its Snapchat Lens Studio tool. So, whether you fancy some bunny ears or want to generally beautify yourself, you can now make a lens which can be enjoyed by millions of people. Lens Studio - taking Snapchat to the next level On social media these days, there’s no escaping the face filter selfies taken and uploaded online by Snapchat fans the world over. Ever come across a picture of a friend with dog ears or angel wings? Chances are it’s been created using a Snapchat filter. You’ll see pictures like this wherever you go – from Facebook to Twitter, Insta to dating apps. The new Lens Studio app can be downloaded by anyone – and could be particularly exciting for artists, developers and animators. It should mean we get to see new and interesting AR effects, and not just face filters. The sky’s the limit, and the only thing stopping you is your imagination. For example, last year saw the ‘Dancing Hotdog’ – so what will you think of? Or take it easy and make the most of other people’s creations. How do I create a face filter? You could do a lot worse than to follow the information in tutorial from Lens Studio. Here, you’ll be shown how to make a face filter using the Face Paint tool. With the face paint tool in Lens Studio, you can change the colours and where the paint should go, and tailor the way your filter will react to a person’s face. Happy with your creation? Preview it on your phone using the Snapchat app. Scan the passcode on screen, and your design will show up in just a few seconds. Then submit it for your friends – and the world – to use. Where can I download it? Go to the Snapchat Lens Studio Page and hit ‘download’ at the top of the page. Simple. So, it’s time to get your creative juices flowing. Are you going to give Snapchat Lens Studio a go? What would your creation be? Go on, go crazy – think outside the box. And then tell us all about it in the comments below. We can’t wait to try out your new filter!

Ever wished you could take better photos? Well, thanks to AI-powered photography, you now can. It’s the next big thing in mobile, and it could revolutionise the way we take photos for good. But what is AI photography, and how does it work? Let us explain. First of all, what is AI? AI stands for artificial intelligence. It has its roots in machine learning from the 1950s. Boffins in the U.S. taught a computer to play draughts, by programming it to anticipate and predict the moves of a human opponent. With practice, the computer learnt how to become a better player. By mimicking natural human behaviour, the computer’s playing eventually became indistinguishable from a real person. AI has come on leaps and bounds since those primitive draught-playing days. It’s now inside our phones and other smart devices in the form of Google Assistant, Siri, or Amazon’s Alexa. These AI-powered virtual assistants are clever enough to understand us, answer our questions and respond to our voice commands – and they’re constantly improving as they learn about the world around them. It’s that skill which is transforming the way we take photos. How is AI being used in smartphone photography? AI has actually been around in photography for some time – you’ll find it in features like image stabilisation or red-eye removal. However, the latest AI-powered smartphone photography feels much more revolutionary and exciting. When Huawei revealed its P20 Pro Smartphone earlier this year (you can buy it from iD Mobile here), it was heralded as a ‘renaissance in smartphone photography’, with AI technology capable of letting anyone take “professional photos”, according to Huawei CEO, Richard Yu. It can recognise up to 19 different scenes and objects, and then adjusts the settings for the perfect photo. Just like that draught-playing computer from the 1950s, it acts like a human being that understands the world around you. Huawei spoke to a number of professional photographers to understand how to take the best pictures depending on what you’re shooting, so each time you take a photo using an AI-powered camera, your phone is using real-world human knowledge. It’s like having a professional photographer by your side doing everything for you but hitting that shutter button. It’s perfect if you’re too lazy to fiddle around with manual camera settings. Just snap and go. So, is AI the future of mobile photography? It could well be. If you’re a novice photographer wanting to take professional-quality pictures without fuss, then AI photography is your friend. You’ll have no trouble whatever you shoot, even in low light. You can always play around with the manual mode on your phone camera if you take your photography seriously. But thanks to AI, even if you’re a complete novice you’ll soon be able to take smartphone photos as good as any DLSR camera. We think that’s something worth getting excited about.

Are you having a nightmare with your mobile connection? Sometimes phones can develop strange random faults – like only being able to get online when connected to Wi-Fi. Frustrating, we know. Don’t worry though, we’ve put together a list of tips to help you get those connection problems sorted. Make sure it isn’t just a slow connection At times a connection can be so slow that it seems like you have no connection at all. Take a look at the signal bars at the top of your screen, and check there are no symbols that show a mobile internet connection. Prime examples would be: E, 3G, 4G, H, H+ or 46/LTE. Any of these symbols show that your phone is in fact connected to the internet – which means your issue is internet speed. Get in touch with iD to check if there are any connectivity issues in your area. Turn it off and on again Yes, that’s right, the old cliché. But believe it or not, the low-tech fixes are often the most effective. And even if it doesn’t resolve the problem, it’s worth a try. Once it’s off, we recommend giving it a good 30 seconds before turning it back on again. This way, if an app’s malfunctioned or your phone isn’t reading the SIM card properly, it’ll have a chance to reset. Remove your SIM If a restart hasn’t rectified the problem, it’s time to give the SIM card a once over. Switch the phone off again and remove the SIM card. Check the SIM card slot and the card itself to make sure there is no unwanted dust or debris – and then pop it back in and turn the phone on. Doing this also makes sure the SIM hasn’t been knocked out of place at any point. Check your APN settings If you’ve done all of this and your phone still won’t connect to mobile internet, you might need to try something a little more technical. The APN settings are what the SIM card uses to sign in to your network’s mobile data signal. It’s time to take a look and make sure everything’s okay. Here are some full instructions on how to do this with your iD SIM. Still can’t connect? Looks like you might need to leave it to the professionals. Contact iD and a customer rep will be happy to look into this further for you. Got any questions? Ask away in the comments below and we’ll be happy to help.

Looking for a new smartphone? Sony’s Xperia range could be right up your street. They’re amongst the best Android handsets around, and they’re all packed with features. We’re talking amazing screens, fantastic photography and great design. But which model should you go for? Here’s a quick guide to help you out. Sony Xperia XA2 A feature-filled phone that won’t break the bank, the Sony Xperia XA2 is a mid-range successor to the Xperia XA1. This newer model is a slimmer device with more power. Key features It’s got a 5.2-inch Full HD display, and a superb 23MP camera that also shoots 4K footage for video that’s so clear, you’ll want to share it on your living room TV. Who is it for? The Xperia XA2 is a great phone for anyone who’s looking for something slim, powerful and affordable. Get the Sony Xperia XA2 now at ID mobile Sony Xperia XZ1 Want something that’s more of a step up? Then go for the Sony Xperia XZ1. Key features Its metal body gives the feel of a premium phone, so naturally the build quality is superb. The battery life isn’t to be sniffed at either thanks to a Smart Stamina feature that senses when the power is getting low to extend battery life. Who is it for? The HDR screen is incredibly sharp and full of colour, and the slow-mo video footage is butter-smooth. Plus, the 19MP camera shoots amazing video at a stutter-free 960 frames per second. All this makes the Xperia XZ1 perfect for anyone who loves posting pics and vids on their social media pages. Get the Sony Xperia XZ1 now at ID mobile Sony Xperia XZ Premium The world’s first smartphone to feature a 4K HDR display, the Xperia XZ Premium lives up to its name. Key features As impressive as that is, this phone isn’t just about the screen - it also has Sony’s awesome Motion Eye camera, and has dust and water protection (IP67-rated), so you can film in the rain. And then you’ve got those jaw-dropping slow-mo video skills. Who is it for? A phone full of features, and a stylish mirror-like design to make onlookers jealous. It’s ideal for anyone who wants a phone that does more, and looks the part. Get the Sony XZ Premium now at ID mobile Sony Xperia XZ2 Now we’re talking. Sony’s Xperia XZ2 ups the game in terms of design and features with a real head-turner of a handset. Key features The 5.7-inch HDR display is a beauty to behold, as HDR screens can display more colours on screen than non-HDR displays. The result is a brilliant picture whatever you’re watching, and you’ll feel everything thanks to a dynamic vibration system. You can also record in brilliant, crystal clear 4K HDR, and take photos worth sharing with a 19MP camera. The Xperia XZ2 is also the loudest Xperia phone ever thanks to Sony’s S-Force Front Surround sound – which makes it 20% louder than other Xperia phones. Who is it for? It’s for anyone who wants something that oozes quality, will impress their mates, and offers the latest features. Get the Sony Xperia XZ2 at ID mobile Which Sony Xperia phone have you got your eyes on? Let us know in the comments below.

Have you heard about the new Honor Play phone? It’s a new smartphone built for gaming, and has something called GPU Turbo, which boosts gaming performance. It makes your favourite games look better, and feel better to play. But what is GPU Turbo, and how does it work? Here’s everything we know so far. As great as the latest mobile games are, they still have some way to go to match console games. However, they’re getting close. And that’s where GPU Turbo, which is backed by Huawei and its sub-brand Honor – comes in. What is this GPU Turbo? It’s a new feature found on the new Honor Play phone. Huawei and Honor claim it will dramatically improve your gaming experience on mobile. What does GPU Turbo do? It speeds up graphics and processing performance to boost games that use up a lot of power, such as PUBG Mobile, or CSR Racing 2. According to Honor, you’ll get a graphics boost of up to 60%. That’s a massive difference when it comes to making your favourite games look better and feel smoother to play. Lag – something mobile games can suffer from – will also be a thing of the past. GPU Turbo can also reduce your phones energy use by up to 30%. In theory this means your favourite games will be less likely to drain your battery. You’ll be able to play for longer without having to ration your game time. Which games will work best with it? Nearly all games will benefit from GPU Turbo, but it’s the biggest and most graphically demanding games that will reap the rewards most. These are usually the games that take up the most space on your phone, or they might be a mobile version of a big console game you’ve previously played on your Xbox or PS4. Here’s a few of the type of games most likely to benefit most from GPU Turbo in future: • CSR Racing 2 • PUBG Mobile • Tekken • NBA 2K18 • Asphalt 9: Legends What other phones is GPU Turbo heading to? GPU Turbo is heading to (or has already arrived on) the following phones this year thanks to a free update: • Huawei P20 (August 2018) • Huawei P20 Pro (August 2018) • Honor 10 (August 2018) • Huawei Mate 10 Pro (August 2018 • Huawei P Smart (September 2018) • Honor 9 Lite (September 2018) • Huawei P10 Plus (November 2018) To get the update you’ll need a compatible handset. If you’ve got one, just keep an eye out for future updates. Has your phone already got GPU Turbo? If so, then do let us know if you’ve noticed any difference in the comments below.

Torn between the Samsung Galaxy S9 and the Samsung Galaxy S9+? We’re not surprised, both are great Android phones, with amazing photography skills. We love taking photos with either phone, here’s a few reasons why you will, too. Take photos like a pro at any time of day Taking photos at night isn’t easy. Only the best cameras can take a great shot in low light. What you need is a good aperture, and the Galaxy S9 has that. It can automatically switch between two aperture sizes (f/2.4 and f/1.5), for spectacular photos during the day, or late evening in dim light. For dark scenes, the camera lens switches to an f/1.5 aperture to let in more light. You’ll find this perfect for shooting on a night out, or in dimly lit venues like restaurants. During the day, the lens goes back to f./2.4 for clear daytime photos that are sharp and full of colour. Slicker slow-motion shooting Slow-motion video recording isn’t an entirely new feature, but it’s something the Galaxy S9 phones do incredibly well. Recording is at 960 frames per second, which means video quality is smooth, and you won’t miss a single detail while recording a dramatic movie montage. You can also add slow motion bursts to a video clip to highlight a special moment, such as the blowing of candles on a birthday cake, or a special sports day moment. Slow motion makes anything look more exciting. Record in 4K For something a little more conventional, you can give video recording a go on the Galaxy S9. But this isn’t just any kind of video recording, nope. This is 4K Ultra HD video recording, with four times more detail than standard Full HD pictures. Say goodbye to grainy footage, and a warm hello to crystal clear video, captured at 30 frames per second, or a smoother 60 frames per second. That’s as good as anything you’ll watch on your TV at home. Sprinkle some magic on your photos You can make your photos and videos more fun by transforming them into GIFs. Galaxy S9 can transform your snaps into looping GIFs straight from your phone to share with friends. Because everybody loves a GIF. Goodbye, blur For a blur-free picture, the Galaxy S9 has True Motion Detection, and Optical Image Stabilization to detect movement, and compensate for it. The camera records at 960 frames per second to capture every moment. The result is a sharper photo that looks as if it were shot on a tripod, even if you’re hopeless at keeping your hands still. Superb selfies, and studio-quality portraits If there’s an art to capturing the perfect selfies, it looks like the Galaxy S9 has mastered it. Its Live Focus mode even lets you blur the background to your liking, for a professional look. If you like a selfie, you’ll love the Galaxy S9. Simple as. Unlimited storage gives you all the space you need One of the best things about the Galaxy S9 is unlimited photo storage from Google Photos. That way you’ve got space for all the photos and videos you’ll be taking. And that you won’t have to delete anything to make room. Just snap and record away. Every shot and video clip is sorted into chronological order, too. Now that’s handy. And that ends our roundup of things we love about the Samsung Galaxy S9 camera. We’ve enjoyed taking photos on it, and we think you will, too. Perhaps you already have, if so, let us know what you think in the comments below.

You may not realise it, but your phone can help you in more ways than you know. It can get you out of a tight spot, and be a real lifesaver when you least expect. So, with that in mind, here’s a look at five ways your phone can get you out of trouble. Find an emergency route to work You’ve forgotten to set your alarm - nightmare, and now you’re late for that all-important job interview. Stressing will get you nowhere. Instead, whip out your phone, and use one of the many map apps available for Android or iOS phones. Apps such as Citymapper and Google Maps are great at finding you an alternative route, and will tell you how long it takes to get to where you want to go. They will also notify you of any possible delays. Now that’s a real lifesaver. Find a place that does last-minute flower deliveries There’s nothing that gets you in a cold sweat quite like forgetting an important anniversary. It’s a good thing there are plenty of last-minute flower delivery apps you can download to your phone to save the day, such as Bloom & Wild for iOS and Android. You’ll find flowers for all occasions. Or why not use the Ocado app, and purchase some urgent chocolate treats to be delivered if you’re really pressed for time, or use OpenTable to book last-minute seats at a fancy restaurant. Use your torch to locate lost items Besides the camera, the torch on your phone is one of your handset’s most unexpectedly useful tools. It’s essential for locating small items you’ve dropped in a crowded or dimly lit bar. We’d be lost [along with our possessions] without it. Order a cab when you miss the last train home Missing the last train home is a pain. You could get the night bus, but who enjoys that? Nobody. Assuming you’ve had a late night, and your phone still has enough battery, you can download one of the many cab apps available to help you get home. Just don’t forget to check reviews of any service you go with, and make sure the cab company is fully licensed. Download your flight details and boarding pass for safe-keeping Going on holiday can be stressful. It’s not just the last-minute packing, it’s the countless passport checks, too, that are enough to put anyone on edge. Thankfully most airlines have their own app, where you can download your flight details, along with your boarding pass when it’s time to do so. That way you won’t have to worry about losing a bit of paper. How else has your phone got you out of trouble? Do let us know in the comments below.

The Samsung Galaxy A8 has arrived, and there are plenty of reasons to get excited. Why? Because it’s an affordable smartphone, yet one that’s packed with features you’d expect to find on a premium phone. We’ve recently got our hands on an A8, and we’re mightily impressed by what it can do. Here’s what we think of it so far. A screen worthy of your viewing time The A8 has taken its share of inspiration from the more premium flagship Galaxy S8. In fact, the A8 isn’t too far off the same look and feel. The glass front, and rear metal frame is as much of a joy to look at as the S8. The upper and lower bezels around the phone have also been slimmed down, so most of the front is just screen, and distracting black borders around the edge are a thing of the past. As specs go, you’re looking at a 5.6-inch Super AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution. Naturally the viewing experience is great. The colours are bright and punchy, and images are full of close-up detail. The A8 is also Samsung’s first mid-tier phone to have an 18:9 aspect screen ratio, so you get an amazing widescreen display to watch movies on. And you get to see more of the picture, just as the movie director intended. A camera built for selfie fans Taking a perfect selfie can be tricky. The A8 makes it easier, thanks to a dual camera setup on the front of the phone. The front cameras (8MP + 16MP) work their magic to capture superb studio-quality selfies, complete with background blur. Samsung’s Live Focus feature even lets you adjust the blurred effect long after the photo has been taken. It’s another feature that’s been borrowed from the S8. The rear 16MP camera is no slouch either. It has an f/1.7 aperture, which can take high quality photos in dark conditions, or if you’re indoors, where there’s less natural light. Plenty of power, and a big battery to boot There’s nothing worse than phone lag, when you’ve got too many apps open at the same time, and you must close each one to fix it. You’ll be doing less of that on the A8. It has Samsung’s own Exynos 7885 octa-core processor, and 4GB RAM to boost performance and multitask without crashing. In practice, we could run multiple apps smoothly, including Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds - a large, graphic-intensive game - without fuss. Even better, the A8 has the same 3,000mAh battery you’ll find on the S8. That’s around a day and a half of battery life with average use. Thumbs up As you can tell, we’re more than impressed with the Samsung Galaxy A8. It’s a mid-tier phone, packed with high-end features. The A8 delivers a flagship phone experience, on a device that costs less. Tempted? Then do let us know in the comments below.

Choosing a phone case is tougher than you think. You could get one that offers protection from anything you can throw at it, or one that’s super-stylish, but perhaps not as strong. Still stuck for ideas? Then let us inspire you with these helpful tips. Choose your colour The colour of your new phone case might be the first thing you consider. Go for something bright if you want to transform your phone into a fashion accessory, or something transparent if you want to show off your phone - and keep it protected - without covering it up. Go for something that’s tough Along with looks, protection should be at the top of your thinking. Phone cases come with varying degrees of toughness. How tough you decide to go depends on your lifestyle, and how clumsy you are, because let’s face it, we’ve all dropped our phone at least once. The most rugged cases completely wrap up your phone, to protect it from sudden drops and scratches, and are even certified for guaranteed protection. They’re usually built from impact-absorbing materials to safeguard your phone, whatever happens. Go for one of these if you’re accident prone. Flip out If you want something stylish, that protects your phone, then go for a flip case. They completely cover your handset to protect its screen from scratches. Some even have a small window, so you can still see the display, and any notifications that come through. Flip cases come in all sorts of materials, including leather, if you’re feeling fancy. Think about accessibility One of the worst things you can do is buy a phone case that renders your handset useless. Avoid such a scenario by making sure your new phone case is specifically made for your device. Always read the small print, and make sure it’s compatible with your phone, and doesn’t hide away all its buttons. Extra storage Phone cases aren’t just for phones, some have extra compartments for credit cards, or for keeping your train ticket in a safe place. If you’ve got a contactless travelcard, you won’t even need to take it out of your phone case, just tap your phone at the ticket barrier, and go. And that’s a wrap on our phone case buying tips. Did that help? Then do let us know what you’re going for in the comments below, or any phone case recommendations you want to share.

When searching for a great camera phone, one of the things we tend to look at first is how many megapixels it has. A phone with a bigger megapixel count may sound tempting, but there’s more to a great camera phone than that magic number. Here are a few more things worth considering. All about the lens A good lens is an important – if not the most important – factor when it comes to phone photography. It controls how much light comes into the camera. Many manufacturers have their own trusty external lens supplier. Nokia for example loves using Carl Zeiss lenses in its higher-end cameras, as the company is renowned for high quality lenses capable of capturing crisp, sharp image. The Huawei P20 Pro relies on a Leica lens, in its excellent triple-lens camera phone. Look out for aperture Aperture is another thing to consider. Aperture is measured in f stops, followed by a number. Ideally you should look for anything below f/1.9 - these will be the best at capturing brilliant photography, even when the lighting conditions aren’t so great. A good camera phone should also let you adjust the aperture to suit whatever it is you’re taking a photo of. Dual lenses The best camera phones these days have a dual lens (some have three). And there’s a good reason for it, as both lenses work together to reproduce great-looking photos, complete with that professional-looking background blur you see in magazines. In some cases, one of the lenses is a monochrome camera that takes care of the darker tones in a photo, while the other camera captures the colour, resulting in a picture with sharp, evenly balanced tones. What about the pixels? Pixels refers to the tiny dots on the camera sensor that register light. The more pixels there are, the sharper your photos will be. But, on a phone there isn’t as much space, so the pixels might be smaller, and therefore let in less light. On the opposite side of the scale, larger pixels let in more light. Bigger pixels mean better and brighter colours, and more detail, but you still need enough pixels for it to make a difference. And that’s why the number of megapixels on your phone isn’t the most important factor when choosing a camera phone. The size of them is important, too. Image processors Image processors are like miniature computers inside your phone – they take all the information from the camera sensor, and turn it into a digital image, which is the final picture you end up with. A good image processor makes a massive difference in low light. This is because there’s less information for the camera to collect, so you need a powerful image processor to do its magic. AI: the future of mobile photography AI-fuelled technology is the next thing in camera phones. It understands what you’re pointing your camera at, and automatically adjusts the settings for the perfect photo. It’s a bit like having a professional photographer by your side. In theory it means you’ll never take a bad photo again. And that’s a wrap. We hope you’ll agree that there’s much more to a good camera phone than megapixels. Got your eyes on a new phone for taking photos? Then do let us know in the comments below.

Please note: This article has been archived. For more information, click below.

Google's newest version of Android has an official name at last. The P is for ‘Pie’. It’s rolling out right now, and it’s packed with some extremely handy new features. Let’s check them out. A clever operating system Google Pie will get to know your habits, and use this info in a really smart way. For example, if there are one or two apps you use the most, the battery will make sure there’s some battery left for them – directing power to those apps at the time you need them. On top of the adaptive battery, there’s also a thing called adaptive brightness, which works out for itself how you use your brightness settings. Get more from your apps App Actions is a feature that predicts the next thing you’ll do, and serves you your content faster to save you time. For example, you may start the day at 6.30am with a news update and a check on the trains – your phone will suggest the right app at the right time, and they’ll be right there waiting for you in your app drawer. There’s also a thing called Slices, which displays information from your apps directly within Google Search.The example given by Google is Lyft, the lift-hailing app. Just by Googling ‘Lyft’, you’ll see a ‘slice’ containing the price of your trip and your journey time – and the option to go straight ahead and book your ride. Easier to use Getting around your Android device is about to change – we think, for the better. Gone are the three buttons for home, back and overview (your recently used apps), and in comes a single home button. A simple swipe up will show your most recently used apps, swipe twice (or pull further up) for your app drawer or hold down for Google Assistant. Swipe right for instant access to your most recent app, or swipe and hold for the last few. The back button will reappear when it’s needed. How are you feeling today? There’s a big push for digital wellbeing right now – keeping people in the loop about how much time they’re spending online, that sort of thing. Android Pie is certainly embracing that, with a new dashboard telling you exactly how long you’re spending on your Android device. There’s also a Do Not Disturb setting that silences your notifications, and with Wind Down, the Do Not Disturb features are enabled ahead of bedtime, and the screen faded out. Finally on your digital wellbeing, there’s an App Timer, which does what you’d expect – limits the time you can spend on a particular app, then greys them out on your home screen when your time is up. Rotation selection There’s nothing more annoying when you’re reading something, and a slight movement makes your screen rotate. It’s not the biggest problem in the world, but Google have come up with a simple fix for this simple problem. When you rotate your phone, a button will appear in the status bar. You can press to confirm you want to rotate the screen – otherwise rotation lock will remain on. Fiddly text selection is a thing of the past You may be aware of Apple’s magnifying glass for text selection. Well, Android has caught up, making it easier to zoom in on text and select what you want. Tap the text, then drag one of the text selection handles to see text in glorious large print. Looking after number one Privacy is a big concern – and rightly so. And here’s a great development. Where you’ve given permission for an app to use your location, microphone and camera, it won’t be able to access this while the app is running in the background. When can I get Android Pie? If you’ve got a Google Pixel phone, you’ll get Android Pie as an automatic update. If this hasn’t happened yet, head to Settings, System, Advanced, System update, and tap ‘Check for update’. Other Android phone owners will have to play the waiting game until their manufacturer sends out the update, we’re afraid. All in all, we reckon the new Google Pie will bring great improvements to Android devices. Which features are you most looking forward to? Let us know below.

It’s not long now until Apple unveils its next flagship phone, and the excitement has ramped up another notch with invites being sent out for a 12 September event at Apple's Cupertino campus. The invite doesn't even mention iPhone, or much of anything else, but that hasn't stopped the rumours from flying around. Here's our roundup of what the tech press is expecting from the next iPhone. Or iPhones, rather... A trio of iPhones are expected “Apple Inc. is preparing to release a trio of new smartphones later this year: the largest iPhone ever, an upgraded handset the same size as the current iPhone X and a less expensive model with some of the flagship phone’s key features.” Bloomberg “Here's what's likely to launch this September: 5.8in OLED: This could be called the iPhone 11 or XI 6.5in OLED: The larger iPhone, this could be called the 11 Plus or X Plus 6.1in LCD: A cheaper version, but still with the notch design.” Techadvisor Design and display “With a screen close to 6.5 inches, Apple’s big new handset will be one of the largest mainstream smartphones on the market. While the body of the phone will be about the same size as the iPhone 8 Plus, the screen will be about an inch larger thanks to the edge-to-edge design used in the iPhone X.” Bloomberg “We also expect the new models to feature a notch at the top of the display, incorporating the FaceTime camera and facial recognition sensors.” Macworld Pre-order date “Judging by Apple’s previous launches, the new iPhone is likely going to be available for pre-order on 14 September, before the device officially goes on sale on 21 September.” Expert Reviews Colour “Apple is considering a gold colour option for the update to the iPhone X and the larger model. The company tried to develop gold for the current X handset, but abandoned it because of production problems. All new iPhones since the 5s came in gold, including the iPhone 8.” Bloomberg Camera “According to [reports]…the larger version of the new iPhone will include a triple rear camera. This has been implemented on rival phones, such as on the Huawei P20 Pro.” “The triple-lens camera could improve the iPhone's augmented reality features and give it 3x optical zoom.” Telegraph Other features “Enhanced Face ID is expected, which may include support for multi-position recognition. That would be a godsend since you currently have to hold the iPhone X pretty much directly in front of your face to get an immediate, accurate Face ID authentication.” Forbes Under the hood “Apple's 2018 iPhones are expected to include a new 6-core A12 processor, and the A12, like all of Apple's processor iterations, is expected to bring speed and efficiency improvements.” MacRumours “A new year brings a new chip, always. That means we are likely to see either an A11X processor in the 2018 iPhone models, or an A12 chip, depending on what Apple chooses to call it. Either way, it will no doubt offer performance improvements and possibly battery improvements if you're lucky.” Pocket-lint Are you looking forward to the next iPhone? Post a comment and share your thoughts. Check out our best iPhone deals here.

Smartphone cameras are improving all the time, and these day, we’re all snap happy. But as well as having a great camera, if you really want great photographs, the right app can make all the difference. It’s not just filters – there’s so much that photography apps can do. Here’s our top five. Enlight Feeling creative? Enlight is packed with features. Aside from the standard crop and effect options, you can also alter your shots’ exposure, remove defects, superimpose images and turn your photos into beautiful works of art. It’s the number one photo and video app in 128 countries, and we’re not surprised. Download it here from the App Store Snapseed We reckon Snapseed is a great alternative to Instagram – and as everyone knows all about Instagram, we’re keeping this blog an Insta-free zone. Snapseed has loads of filters, and goes all out to make your photos altogether more arty. It has nearly 30 filters, and tools aplenty to help you edit your photos – things like white balance for colour adjustment, and a healing tool to get rid of those unwanted blemishes. A lens blur tool is great for giving your photos that lovely bokeh effect – very professional. Download it here from Google Play Download it here from the App Store Adobe Photoshop Lightroom It’s like your own portable lighting studio. This is the mobile version of the professional photo-editing app, which makes it dead easy to edit photos in no time. If you’ve got some time on your hands, though, you can make some more advanced edits; for example, you can do things like adjusting lighting curves and exposure. If you subscribe to Adobe Creative Cloud, your photos can be automatically backed up onto other devices. One for the pros, we think. Download it here from Google Play Download it here from the App Store AirBrush AirBrush does as the name suggests. Touch up your selfies or passport photos in moments. Remove blemishes and pimples, whiten your teeth, even apply make-up. But then again, why would you do any of that? You’re perfect as you are. Download it here from Google Play Download it here from the App Store Pixlr Pixlr has the exposure and effects settings you’d come to expect from an app of this kind, and you can up your photos’ personality with overlays and stickers. One of our favourite features is the collage tool – arrange as many as 25 photos in a single layout. It’s perfect as a reminder of a special holiday or memorable night out. And you can add words to your pics, too. Download it here from Google Play Download it here from the App Store Any photo-editing apps we’ve missed? Tell us about your favourite in the comments section.

On average we spend up to two hours per day on social media. That’s a lot of time spent idly scrawling through Facebook and Instagram feeds. Come on guys, your smartphone was built for so much more! So, take a break from social media shenanigans, and take a look at some alternative activities you can do with your smartphone instead. Learn a language with Duolingo (Free on Android and iOS) One way to be more productive away from social media is to learn another language, so why not give Duolingo a go? It’s one of the most popular language apps around, and for good reason. It teaches you by getting you to connect words with pictures, and this visual style of learning is a proven winner. According to Duolingo, 34 hours spent on the app is the equivalent to a full term of university-level education. Get fit with Nike Training Club (Free on Android and iOS) The gym can be an intimidating place for fitness newbies. Feelings of self-consciousness are never far away in the face of muscle-bound, gym-toned bicep-flexers. But guess what? You don’t need to go to the gym to get fitter. You can use Nike’s Training Club app instead. It’s chock-full of routines that you can use to improve your health and fitness, and includes loads of step-by-step video tutorials to show you how exactly things should be done. It’s like having a personal trainer in your pocket. Clear your mind with Headspace (Free on Android and iOS) We all need a break when life gets stressful. Meditation can help, but don’t worry if you don’t have a yoga mat and incense sticks handy. All you need is the Headspace app, and a little bit of personal space. This popular and well-liked app teaches you classic mediation techniques to help you relax, and manage your stress and anxiety levels, and it’s even been proven to improve focus. Right, now where were we? Enjoy a good read with Amazon Kindle (Free on Android and iOS) One alternative to spending hours reading tweets is to read a book. Don’t have space for paper books at home? Can’t afford an actual Amazon Kindle? Then get the Amazon Kindle app instead. It gives you a choice of millions of digital books to download. And if you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can read over 1,000 books for free. This app isn’t just for books either - you can also get magazines and newspapers on it. Win some serious cash with HQ Trivia (Free on Android and iOS) We all love playing games on our smartphones, but HQ Trivia is a little different. It’s a live, interactive game show where you can win actual cash prizes. Yes, it really is live, with an actual host and everything – Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson was even a guest host on it a little while ago, so this is an app with some serious street cred. When you’ve downloaded the app, you’ll get notifications to let you know when a live quiz is about to start. Then all you need to do is answer a few general knowledge questions correctly to win up to $2500 (it’s an American app) that you can cashout through your PayPal account. Good luck! Got any more social media alternative apps? If so, feel free to share them in the comments below.

These days anyone with a smartphone can be a filmmaker. But filming a shaky eight-second clip of the family butchering ‘Happy Birthday’ isn’t going to win you any Academy Awards anytime soon. Here are a few smart tricks that could take you from ‘quality’s hazy’ to ‘the next Scorsese’. Tweak your settings Setting the right tone for your video is essential, and the best way to do that is by finding the right setting for what you’re filming. Your smartphone isn’t limited to shooting just one type of video. In fact, most of them offer a few different frame rates and resolutions to choose from. Android users can adjust their settings in the main camera app by clicking on the settings gear wheel. Or, if you’re an Apple user, just go to Settings, scroll down to Photos & Camera, and then go down to the camera section. There are three most commonly used video settings, and here are the benefits of each one… 1080p at 24 frames per second is one of the two most standard settings for capturing video, creating an effective cinematic look. The speed, however, is just above the low end of what a viewer will see as ‘fluid video’ - with the odd chance of a few pixelated or laggy moments. 1080p at 30 frames per second is the other standard resolution. Because there are more frames per second, you get more accurate look of how you would have seen the scene in real life. 1080p at 60 frames per second takes filming a step further in terms of quality. The clip can even be turned into slow motion footage. Ideal if you want to add a bit of suspense, drama or comedy to your video. The joy of 4K If you own a smartphone with 4K recording then you can capture more detail. What’s more, if you didn’t frame a shot in the way you’d like, or want to hone in on something specifically, you can crop in on a 4K video without impacting on its quality. Also, it’s likely that in the next few years almost every screen will be 4K compatible, so shooting in 4K could help make sure your videos look their best in the future. It’s worth bearing in mind that 4K video takes up a lot of space on your device, so make sure you’ve got plenty of storage space available beforehand. Be prepared It almost goes without saying, but before you step behind the camera make sure the lens is nice and clean. The last thing you want is any obstruction - so give it a quick wipe with a soft cloth or cleansing wipe. The way that you hold your phone also plays a big part in the outcome. There are a few ways you can do this. You can tuck your elbows in as you hold the phone in front of you, use two hands or prop the phone up against something for support. And if you’re after the steadiest of shots, you can always invest in a tripod! Third-party apps Apart from the camera app already installed on your phone, third-party apps provide a huge range of shooting and editing tools – and in some cases even special effects. Perfect if you fancy adding a UFO sighting to your next summer BBQ. If you do use a third-party app, make sure you shoot more footage than you need so you can trim and cut later. Are you interested in shooting better videos on your phone? Got any questions or tips to share? Reply below to let us know!

While you’re basking in glorious sunshine, don’t forget about your phone. It doesn’t enjoy hot weather quite as much as we do, so keeping it cool is important. Any prolonged exposure to heat can cause your phone to slow down, and have a huge impact on its battery life. So the big question is, what can you do to protect it? Here are our top tips. Don’t let your phone get sunburnt It’s simple. You should never let your phone stay out in the sun for too long. On a sunbed? Put a towel over it. Chilling in a beer garden? Then find a shady spot, or better still, put your phone in your pocket when you’re not using it. Find any way you can to throw your phone some shade. Don’t leave it in the car either There’s a reason you shouldn’t leave pets in a car. With the windows closed, your car heats up in no time, and the results can be fatal. The same can be said for your smartphone. The extreme heat can damage your phone’s battery, and even the processor inside. Free your phone from its case When we get hot, we sweat, which cools us off. Sweating is something your phone can’t do, so it just gets hotter - especially if it’s inside a case. Removing your phone from its case will let it breathe, and cool down faster. Turn off any apps you’re not using The more apps you have open, the harder your processor has to work. And when you’re working hard, it’s difficult to keep cool. So just make sure you close any apps you’re not using. Turn on airplane mode Another good way to keep your phone cool is to put it in airplane mode. It switches off your data, Bluetooth, and connection settings when you’re not using them. You’ll save on battery life, and your phone will stay cooler. Try not to charge your phone You’ve probably noticed that your phone gets a little heated while being put to charge. We’d recommend delaying charging it, unless it’s absolutely essential. Turn down the backlight Even turning down the brightness of your phone can prevent overheating by reducing battery usage. The battery life of your phone may even last a little longer. Result! Be less gamey We expect you’ve felt your phone warming up while you’re playing big multiplayer games like Fortnite or PUBG (PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds). That’s because these games use up a lot of processing power, which makes your phone go into overdrive. Try to limit the length of time you play for if it’s warm outside. There’s no need to stop playing altogether - just get a feel for how warm your phone is getting, and stop if you feel your handset is getting too hot. Got any more tips for keeping your phone cool in hot weather? Then share them in the comments below. Or post a question if you’re after some advice.

It seems that almost everyone’s playing Fortnite these days. Not only has it been downloaded onto millions of consoles around the world, but you can also play it on your mobile. You can get it free on iPhone here, and it's going to be released on Android devices soon - if you really can’t wait, you can sign-up to play the pre-release beta version here. Fortnite is a lot of fun to play, but actually winning a game is incredibly tough. It’s not impossible though, especially if you follow our 9 top tips below. But first of all, let us quickly explain how to play the game… How to play Fortnite Fortnite begins with you parachuting down onto an island to battle 99 other players. The last person (or team) standing wins the game. Weapons and healing equipment are scattered around the island, and you can collect building materials by hacking various parts of the landscape with your pickaxe. You’ll also need to steer clear of the storm creeping in from the edges of the island. Stay in the storm too long and you’re a goner. The only safe place to be is in the storm’s eye, and this shrinks every couple of minutes – so if you make it right to the end of a game, you’ll usually find yourself battling the last few players on a tiny piece of land. Got all that? Good. Let’s crack on with our 9 top tips… 1. Choose a dream team There are a few different modes available. In ‘Solo’ you’re on your own, in ‘Duo’ you partner up with another player, and ‘Squad’ puts you in a team of four. You can play alongside your friends in Fortnite, so the best way of winning is to team up with your pro mates, and ditch the noobs. 2. Avoid Tilted Towers As you’re floating downwards at the start of each game, you should be thinking about where to land. If you’re in ‘Squad’ mode, you’ll quite often hear a cry of ‘Lets go Tilted!’ from your trigger-happy teammates. Ignore them. Here’s the thing about Tilted Towers. Yes, it’s the most exciting destination on Fortnite. Loads of people head straight for it, so it’s a great place for a fight. Unfortunately, this also makes it a great place to get killed really quickly. So if you want to last longer, don’t do Tilted. In fact, avoid all the locations in the busy middle part of the map, and head to the less populated corners instead. It’s less exciting to begin with, but exploring further out gives you extra time to prepare for battle. We recommend a trip to Haunted Hills. It’s our favourite place, and it’s usually pretty quiet. 3. Stock up on weapons fast As soon as you land, you need to look for a weapon. If you drop down in Tilted Towers and you don’t pick one up in a matter of seconds, it’s usually game over. Weapons and ammo are usually found inside buildings or on roofs, and there are different colour classifications. If you find a grey Common weapon, fine. But keep an eye out for Uncommon, Rare, Epic and Legendary weapons. They’re much more powerful. If you get a legendary SCAR, you’re packing some serious heat. 4. Sniff out treasure chests Look out for treasure chests. Listen out for them, too (they make a sound when you’re close to one, even if they’re behind a wall or in a different room). Opening a treasure chest always gives you lots of goodies. Not just weapons – they might also contain health potions, bandages, medical kits, ammo and building materials. 5. Look out for enemy footsteps One disadvantage with playing Fortnite on mobile is that you won’t always be playing with the sound turned on, especially if you’re in public. This makes it more difficult to hear enemy footsteps. To get around this, use the handy visual indicator that shows you the direction of enemy steps. It warns you if another player is approaching. Be ready to ambush them, or keep your distance if you’re playing it safe. 6. Be jumpy If you’re playing on mobile against PS4 or Xbox opponents, you’re at a slight disadvantage, as they’ll usually be watching the action unfold on a large TV. This means they might find it easier to spot you from a distance. So always be on your guard. Never leave your back turned for too long. And when you’re moving across open space, jump every few steps. This’ll make it harder for an enemy to snipe you from afar. 7. Get to know your weapons It’s important to know your weapon range. Shotguns work at close quarters, so get nice and close to your foe before you fire one. Other weapons work better from a distance, especially sniper rifles and scoped assault rifles. Always make sure you have the correct weapon armed and ready. When you really get to know your Fortnite weapons, you probably won’t even bother picking some up. After all, you’ve got a limited amount of space in your backpack. Our least favourite weapons are boogie bombs and stink bombs. And one person in the iD Community office swears that burst assault rifles are a waste of space. 8. Build for victory Fortnite lets you build barricades and makeshift structures with the raw materials you’ve collected with your trusty pickaxe. This gives you lots of options, and winners tend to be master builders. If you can quickly build a basic structure, then you’ve got a huge advantage over most other players. Build when you’re under attack. As soon as you hear the sound of a weapon being fired, you should be constructing walls all around yourself. You can then add ramps to climb up and give yourself some height advantage. If you’re above your opponent, it’s usually easier to eliminate them. 9. Don’t be a bush camper There are a lot of bushes dotted around the Fortnite landscape, and they can be a tempting hiding place for novices. Please don’t do this. If you’re going to improve your Fortnite gaming skills, you need to be building and battling, rather than hiding. Good Fortnite players are constantly on the move. Have you got any Fortnite tips of your own? How many games have you won? Got a gameplay question? Then add a comment below.