Articles and competitions.

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 entertainme

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.

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.

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, an

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-tec

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 clea

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

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 e

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

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 hav

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

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 qua

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

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 desi

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.

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. Fe

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

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 dam

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 For

If you’re anything like us, you’re probably draining your phone’s battery in double quick time. So the fast-charging technology you’ll find on many modern phones is very welcome indeed. Many phones have Qualcomm Quick Charge built-in, which can charge your battery up to 50% with just a 30-minute charge. Some phones can charge faster still, with their own boosted charging onboard. In this article, we’ll share a few of our favourite quick-charging phones. Huawei P20 Pro The Huawei P20 is a great phone, with its awesome triple-lens camera. But if you are somewhat snap happy, the chances are you’ll be draining your phone’s battery pretty quickly. Well, The P20 Pro uses Huawei’s Supercharge technology, which gives you a 58% charge in half an hour. The experts at Tech Radar go even further, saying that

It sometimes feels like flights will last forever. Just how do you go about passing the time? Well, for an answer to that question, you’ve come to the right place. Here are our tips for a fun-packed flight with your phone. Create an offline playlist If you subscribe to music services like Spotify or Apple Music, you can download your favourite albums to play offline. Or create your very own playlist which lasts the length of the flight – you could even fill it with songs to get you in the mood (party songs if you’re off to Ibiza, love songs if you’re on a romantic break away – that sort of thing). Pocket some articles You won’t be able to find articles to read while skimming through Twitter while you in the sky, but you can pocket some articles before you leave to read on the plane.

The Samsung Galaxy Note9 is only a few days away now, so get ready to be impressed. From the looks of it, it’s set to be to be one of the best Android smartphones ever. Its iconic S-Pen will have more features crammed into its pencil-thin body, including Bluetooth technology, allowing it to be used as a camera shutter button (ideal for selfies), and as a remote control for media presentations. Why do you need a smartphone stylus? If you’ve never thought about opting for a phone with a stylus, now might be the time to reconsider. Here are five reasons why… 1. More accuracy for fewer errors Sure, your fingers do the job – but let’s be honest, they’re not the perfect shape and size for delicate tasks. A smartphone stylus, on the other hand, is. That’s what it’s been designed for. The smaller tips on a stylus gives you greater precision, from choosing documents and files to typing on your onscreen

Huawei is a phone maker that’s really going from strength to strength. A couple of years ago you might not even have heard of them, but they’re now shipping more phones than Apple. The great thing about Huawei phones is that they offer the latest specs and technology at affordable prices. So if you decide to buy one, you can be confident that you’re going to get a quality smartphone experience without paying over the odds. Let’s take a look at a couple of Huawei handsets that we’ve got some cracking deals on at the moment – the P20 Lite and P20 Smart. We think you’ll be impressed. Huawei P Smart Display The Huawe

We all love our smartphones. We rely on them for so much. But there may be some things your phone can do that you didn’t know about. Here are five of our favourites. 1. Snap while you shoot If you can’t decide whether to film some footage or take a photo, why not do both? On iPhone, head to the Camera app and switch to video mode - then start recording as usual. You can then take a photo as you go by tapping the white button to the left of the start/stop button. When looking through your camera roll, you’ll see both your videos and photos. On Android, tap the video icon to record as normal, then press the “camera” or “shutter” icon while you’re filming. Then find your photo in your gallery. 2. Get tethering Need the internet to use your laptop or tablet, but there’s no hotspot around, or no Wi-Fi in the bar or pub you’re in? No worries. You could use your phone’s 3G or 4G to power up in