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Easter isn’t far off. But that doesn’t just mean it’s nearly time to stuff your face with chocolate. The iD Easter Event is here too! And we’ve got more phone deals than you can shake a basket of eggs at. A bunch of cutting-edge smartphones were released in 2022 – and you can pick one up for a great price right here. With our cracking line-up of offers, you can save up to £96 on selected handsets from the biggest names in the business. Or get up to 66% more data on selected SIM-only plans. Nice. So, here’s a small selection of some of the eggs-cellent deals you can get your hands on at iD Mobile this spring… Looking for the latest iPhone? Apple made a splash in 2022 with the iPhone 14. Our iPhone 14 deals might make waves too… Get the iPhone 14 (128 GB) with up to £96 off or take things to the next level with £48 off an iPhone 14 Pro (128 GB). And you’ll want to bag these deals quick. Then you can get hands-on with all the fun new features exclusive to iPhone 14. The Dynamic island makes its debut – letting you check everything from what track is playing, to how long’s left before dinner’s ready. All without having to open a specific app. While the first ever 48-megapixel camera sensor on iPhone captures Insta-ready pics with a 2X zoom. And twice the zoom means twice the detail. Plus, with the fastest internal chips so far, you can zip from apps to maps in no time. Or, if you’re not in any rush to upgrade to their latest just yet, there’s always the iPhone 13. You can save up to £96 on the 128 GB version. Giving you plenty of space for all your tunes, videos, and snaps. Want something a bit different? We’ve got you Android fans covered too. Save up to £96 on the Xiaomi 12T Pro and pay just £9 upfront (then £34.99 a month). For that, you’ll get serious power and a stunning screen. The mighty Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 makes light work of the most demanding apps, gaming, and streaming. While you’ll see it all in eye-popping detail on the AMOLED DotDisplay. Even more data Keep running out of data when you’re out and about? No worries. Get up to 66% extra data on selected SIM-only plans. If you want to go big, double your data with a massive 150 GB for just £14 a month. That’s more than enough to stream your favourite Netflix show or catch the big game on the go. Or, if you just need a bit more to see you through each month, go for 25 GB for only £7 a month. You’ll be getting 10 GB of extra data across 24 months. Mega. Then, for something in between, we’ve got deals for you lot too. Whether that’s 60 GB of data for £10, or 40 GB for £8. We reckon that’s all an absolute steal. Giveaway Time! As Easter is almost upon us we want to know what your favourite brand/type of chocolate. Perhaps you like the smoothness of Galaxy, or maybe you think you can't beat a classic Dairy Milk. Whatever it is we want to know! Those who share their thoughts below will be in with the chance to win... a £100 Hotel Chocolate voucher! Entries close at 23:59 on 19th April 2023, and we'll announce the lucky iD community winner shortly after. Good luck!

Here's everything you need to know about Samsung's best-selling series. The Samsung Galaxy A series are some of the best value mid-range smartphones around. These 5G phones come with the same type of specs that were previously only found on Samsung’s flagship S series, and they’re at a much more affordable price point. So, let’s take a look at the Galaxy A14 5G, Galaxy A34 5G and Galaxy A54 5G to see what they’ve got to offer. Samsung A14 5G The entry-level Galaxy A14 5G is packed with loads of great features you usually won’t find on a phone at this low price-point. The 6.6-inch Full HD+ display is big and bright, with a 90Hz refresh rate that means the screen responds and refreshes quicker. It makes using your phone much more responsive and smoother. Elsewhere, the triple lens camera setup includes a 50MP main camera and 13MP front camera for detailed selfies. Plus, the high capacity 5,000mAh battery will keep you powered up all day long. Most phone manufacturers have done away with the 3.5mm headphone socket, but it’s present and correct on the Galaxy A14 5G. So, if you’ve got a well-loved pair of wired headphones, you can get acquainted with them again. Note: we also sell a non-5G version of the Galaxy A14. It’s slightly cheaper, but obviously you won’t enjoy the blazing fast speeds you get with a 5G network like iD Mobile. Samsung A34 5G The Galaxy A34 5G is a great looking mid-range phone, with a design based on the flagship Galaxy S series. At the top of the 6.5-inch display you’ll see the Infinity-U notch that houses the front-facing camera, give you a larger and more immersive screen that’s perfect for games and movies. The triple camera setup is really impressive for a phone of this price. It consists of a 48MP main camera, 5MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2MP depth camera for taking detailed close ups, wide photos and everything in between - all in ‘ready-to-post-straight-to-Insta’ quality. The Galaxy A34 5G also has long-lasting battery to keep you going all day, and it’s tough enough for daily use with water and dust resistance. Other cool features include a fingerprint scanner, facial recognition, and a headphone jack. Samsung A54 5G The Galaxy A54 5G is actually a little smaller than the Galaxy A34 5G above – but it more than makes up for things with an advanced processor under its hood, a better camera system, and a more premium design. It’s definitely the pick of the bunch. The Samsung Galaxy A54 features an almost identical design to the flagship Galaxy S23, which is one of its biggest appeals. You're getting a real flagship look without paying a premium price. The 6.5-inch Full HD+ display makes everything you do look amazing, and the quad camera setup is pro quality. It includes a 48MP main camera, 5MP ultrawide camera, 2MP macro camera (for incredible close-ups), and a 2MP depth sensor. Other standout features include a long-lasting 5,000mAh battery, 15W fast charging, and a speedy Snapdragon 750G processor that’s powerful to handle anything you throw at it. How do I score myself an A? Want to make one of these awesome Androids your next phone? You can order the Galaxy A14 5G, Galaxy A34 5G, or Galaxy A54 5G from iD Mobile right now. An iD Mobile plan gives you all the flexibility and control you need. You can enjoy ultra-fast 5G coverage, roll over unused data, cap your out-of-plan charges and stay right on top of your expenses using the iD app. Over to you. What do you think? Will you be going for one of these A-mazing Galaxy phones? If you’ve got one already, how are you getting on with it? We’d love to hear your thoughts, so share your comments below.

Off on holiday with the kids? Then you already know what to expect. Arguments between siblings. Hundreds of questions. Many, many stops for the bathroom. It’s safe to say you’ll want to keep them busy during those long car journeys and flights. And that’s exactly what these handy tablet and mobile apps are for. Load some onto their device and the shouts from the backseat of “are we there yet!?” will be a thing of the past. So, here’s a good mix of free and paid for apps to make travelling with the little ones a bit easier… Minecraft – Pocket Edition If you haven’t heard of Minecraft, where have you been? It’s now one of the most popular games on the planet. Minecraft is all about building. Whether that’s a basic house, a fantasy castle, or a towering skyscraper. Its only limitation is your child’s imagination. And with mining, crafting, exploration, and battles thrown into the mix, there’s plenty here for them to get stuck into. Cost: £4.99 Platform: Android / iOS BBC iPlayer iPlayer is chock full of great shows for the kids. With CBBC and CBeebies, there’s a huge backlog of episodes you can download before your trip. You can then watch these in offline mode without an internet connection. You’ll just have to make sure you remember to do that though. Otherwise, you might be waiting a while until you find a decent internet connection… Cost: Free Platform: Android / iOS Move the Turtle Move the Turtle has one main objective. To move the turtle. It teaches children how to code, using fun games to improve their skills – and get that reptile moving (slowly). Coding is all the rage right now too. So, they’ll be learning something useful while having a great time. The friendly turtle runs through coding step by step in a really straightforward way, with lots of colourful graphics to keep them engaged. It’s definitely the most educational option on this list but is still heaps of fun. Cost: £3.99 Platform: iOS Storytime from CBeebies This is one for the readers. Storytime has tons of interactive story books to choose from written by the best children’s authors. All your child’s favourite characters are here too. From Biff and Chip to Supertato (the world’s first potato superhero, apparently). And with ‘read by myself’ and ‘read to me’ options they’ll still be able to enjoy every book – no matter their reading ability. Once you’ve downloaded some to your library, they can all be read offline – no Wi-Fi required. So, make sure you stock up before you head off on your journey. You can store up to 12 stories in total. Which should be more than enough to cover your whole holiday. Cost: Free Platform: Android / iOS The Robot Factory Let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to build their own robot? And that’s exactly what you do in The Robot Factory. Robot dogs. Robot ninjas. Robot scientists. Robot dragons. There are literally 1000s of possibilities. If you can think it, you can make it. Using the construction kit, you can choose from 100 different components to craft your dream mech. But once it’s been built, you’ll have to test it to see if it works. You can then add those important robotic finishing touches. Give it a slick paint job. Or record and add in your own unique robot sounds. And once your kid is happy with their robot, they can display it in the showroom. Cost: £3.99 Platform: iOS Got a great app for kids that we’ve missed? Let us know about it in the comments down below

Each year, recycling saves over 700 million tonnes in CO2 emissions. And, did you know that recycled materials supplies 40% of the world’s raw material needs? Well good news, today is Global Recycling Day! Luckily there's alot we can do to play our part to make our tech footprint a bit smaller. Trade-in your old phone We all know that getting a new phone is exciting, but it’s also the perfect time to make sure that your old stuff doesn’t end up in the bin. By trading in your old phone with iD Mobile, your phone will live on as a refurbished device. If it’s in good nick, it could go on to be someone else’s phone. But if not, the parts can be recycled to create new phones. Last year, we traded in almost 20,000 phones (19,676 to be exact) – that’s a load of waste saved. And on average, those customers got back £112! Simply head to the iD Mobile trade-in page and search for your phone model. Then fill it a quick online form and you’ll receive a quote. If you’re happy with the amount of cash you’ll get, put your mobile in the pre-paid Jiffy bag we’ll send you, then post it to us. You’ll then get paid once the Currys engineers confirm the device condition. Or why not recycle it? Did you know that roughly 80% of the materials used in your phone are recyclable? You can recycle old mobile phones at most local recycling centres, so check to see where your nearest one is. Or, why not put an ad on Freecycle or Freegle to see if you can find any takers locally?! Any other tech lying around at home? If you didn’t know already, we’re part of the Currys group. At Currys, we collect, re-use and recycle a massive 65,000 tonnes of old tech every year (even if you didn’t buy it from us). And on top of that, Currys only sell electricals and electronics that can be recycled, as indicated by the symbol of a crossed-out wheelie bin which appears on them. Even if your old electrical appliances or technologies don’t bear this symbol, the good news is we’ll accept them for recycling. Or why not donate to a charity... Old tech, provided they’re in full working order, are a more than welcome sight in charity shops. They tend to make for higher ticket items and the money all goes to a good cause. Fonebank for example is a great site for selling old tech but they also have a fantastic charity initiative with WaterAid. You can sell your phone then choose to donate a percentage, or the full value of your phone directly to WaterAid. So there is a few ways you can help the planet this Global Recycling Day. Do you have any other tips on how we can reduce the environmental impact from tech?

Looking for a new smartphone that can do everything you need and more? We have some great Samsung Galaxy phones packed with innovative features. Here are a few videos to help bring it all to life! Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra It boasts a 108MP Wide-angle Camera, and an extra telephoto lens that ups the digital zoom to a whopping 100x. The S22 Ultra also comes with a built-in S-Pen, giving you the power to work, create and multi-task more effectively. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Small but mighty when folded, this phone is compact enough to fit in your palm, but leaves a big impression. It has a versatile camera phone that lets you capture life at any angle, including the option of a selfie right from the Cover Screen! Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Lots of cool features packed into the folded 6.2 inch cover screen. Unfolded, the 7.6-inch Main Screen has pushed-back bezels for a breathtaking Infinity Flex Display. The front and rear panels are made of the strongest glass on a foldable device: Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus™+. Add in the Armour Aluminum frame, and this is Samsung's most durable foldable smartphone yet. ➡ View Samsung upgrade deals

Samsung and Apple are the biggest names in the smartphone world, and their latest flagships are things of beauty. The new iPhone 14 family features four phones - the iPhone 14 , iPhone 14 Plus , iPhone 14 Pro , and iPhone 14 Pro Max . Meanwhile, the new Galaxy S23 family is made up of three phones - Galaxy 23 , Galaxy S23 Plus , Galaxy S23 Ultra . Thinking of making one of these your next mobile? Not sure which to go for? Let’s compare them to help you decide… Design and display First, let’s have a quick weigh in, and it’s more or less a perfect match. In fact, each iPhone 14 model is roughly the same weight and size as its S23 counterpart with one exception – the S23 Ultra is bigger and heavier than the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Display size is 6.9-inches vs 6.7-inches. Both phone familes have the same OLED displays, but there’s a real difference in refresh rate. All the S23s boast a super-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, which is only found on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus have a 60Hz refresh rate. The iPhone 14s come out in top when it comes to resolution though. For example, iPhone 14 has 2532 x 1170 pixels compared with the S23’s 2340 x 1080 pixels. Is resolution or refresh rates more important to you? That question might help you decide on which phone to go for. It’s the same kind of story with ‘always-on’ display tech. All the S23s feature it, while only the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max have it on the Apple side. The S23 Ultra has one more design exclusive up its sleeve (or up its bottom, to be exact) – a built-in S Pen that you can use as an onscreen stylus to sketch, make notes, draw plans, edit photos and loads more. Cameras Both types of phones have incredible cameras. Arguably, the best of any smartphone ever. We can’t choose between the two. All we can say is that you’re going to be more than happy sharing your shots on social and upping your ‘gram game. Read our iPhone 14 and Galaxy S23 launch articles for more details on the specs of each different camera set up. The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max come with 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide and 12MP telephoto lenses. The S23 Ultra has a 200MP main, 12MP ultrawide and 10MP telephoto lens. Don’t just focus (no pun intended) on the MP numbers, because lots of megapixels don’t always mean better photos. In fact, with more megapixels the size of the pixel is decreased, and that can affect image quality especially in low light. The iPhone 14s get round that by doing something called ‘pixel binning’ (grouping pixels together, in other words). This improves light and produces better shots, without the need for a huge MP count. Under the hood The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are powered by Apple’s A15 Bionic chip. The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max use the A16 Bionic chip, which is faster and 20% more power-efficient than the A15 Bionic chip. All of the S23s are powered by the same chip, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. This custom processor makes doing everything from multi-tasking and gaming much faster than on the older S22. Samsung says the new S23 line-up is 41% faster in gaming, and 49% faster in machine learning tasks. We can’t pick a clear winner between these two types of chips. Both of them give you the smoothest and speediest experience you’ll ever have had on a smartphone. It’s a score draw. Operating systems The S23 phones feature the Android 13 operating system, while the iPhone 14s comes with iOS 16. These are the latest versions (as you’d expect) and both are packed with advanced features to make your mobile life easier. The main difference between the two? Well, iOS is famous for being intuitive and user-friendly, while the Android operating system focuses more on customisation and flexibility. How do I get one of these awesome phones? You can order the iPhone 14 , iPhone 14 Plus , iPhone 14 Pro , iPhone 14 Pro Max , Galaxy 23 , Galaxy S23 Plus or Galaxy S23 Ultra from iD Mobile right now. An iD Mobile plan gives you all the flexibility and control you need. You can enjoy ultra-fast 5G coverage, roll over unused data, cap your out-of-plan charges and stay right on top of your expenses using the iD app. Over to you. What do you think? Are you team Galaxy or iPhone? If you’ve got one of these awesome phones, how are you getting on with it? Best phone ever? Share your comments below, but remember - let’s keep it friendly!

Great news, Galaxy fans! Samsung has launched its new S23 series, with three models available: the Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+ and high-end Galaxy S23 Ultra. These flagship phones are Samsung’s finest, which makes them - arguably - the best new phones of 2023. To help you decide if you need one in your life, let’s check them out. Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23+ These two phones share a lot of the same features, so we’ll talk about them first (and leave the best to last). Design and display The new S23 family sticks to Samsung’s classic design, as you’d probably expect – if it’s not broken, why fix it? That means familiar smooth rounded edges with a frosted glass back, and a gorgeous FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display to look at. The S23 has a 6.1-inch screen, so it’s perfect for those that prefer compact phones. If you want something bigger, the S23+ has a 6.6-inch screen. Both phones have adaptive outdoor visibility – a fancy way of seeing you’ll be able to game, stream and scrolling when you’re out in bright sunlight. Cameras The S23 and S23+ have the same impressive triple lens set-up as last year’s S22 (50MP main lens, 12MP ultra-wide lens, 10MP telephoto lens). The telephoto lens is capable of 3x optical zoom and up to 30x digital zoom, so you’ll be able capture detailed shots even when you’re far away from your subject. Nightography mode has been improved a lot. With more processing power and advanced AI, all your low-light photos will be packed with detail and colour. The same goes for selfies - the front camera focuses faster and more accurately even in low light, and object-based AI fills your shots with realistic colour. Video selfies are even better too, as the front camera now has the skills to shoot pin-sharp footage in the dark. Under the hood Both phones feature Samsung’s latest processor, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Samsung says this will improve everything from heavy mobile gaming to video streaming or filming sessions. Plus, it’ll help the long-lasting and fast-charging battery to last through a day of heavy use. You’ve got a couple of storage options on each phone. The S23 gives you the choice of 128GB or 256GB sizes, while the S23+ offers 256GB and 512GB. Samsung S23 Ultra If you’re looking for the very best Android phone in 2023, then say hello S23 Ultra. The other S23 phones are fantastic, but the S23 Ultra’s specs are even more impressive, with a dazzling display, pro camera, huge battery and tons of storage. Design and display In terms of design, the S23 Ultra looks almost the same as its predecessor. Its curves are slightly less rounded than the S23 and S23+, while it has the same frosted glass back. As you’d expect from a Samsung flagship, it’s an eye-catching phone that feels as good as it looks. The stunning 6.8" Quad HD AMOLED display is a real treat for the eyes. It makes everything you like watching and doing on your phone feel absolutely epic, from multiplayer mobile games to blockbuster movies. Cameras Remember the 102MP main lens on the older S22 Ultra? That’s had a massive upgrade. The S23 Ultra now boasts a quad rear camera with a 200MP main lens - the largest that Samsung has ever put in one of its phones. Alongside that you’ll find a 12MP ultrawide lens and two 10MP telephoto lenses. More megapixels doesn’t always mean better photos, but Samsung has made loads more of improvements to make this camera a world-beater. Portrait mode can now capture more true-to-life skin colours and textures. Night shooting now looks better and ever, with the advanced camera sensor and processor working together to reduce noise and tone down annoying flare. You’ll literally light up the night! An Ultra S-Pen The S23 Ultra comes with a built-in S-Pen (just like S22 Ultra), giving you the power to work, create and multi-task more effectively. It’s Samsung’s most advanced and fastest S Pen yet - responsive, realistic and precise. Nice. Under the hood Just like the S23 and S23+, the S23 Ultra is powered by the Samsung’s latest and greatest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. So you can expect a super-smooth and speedy experience no matter what you’re doing – even if you’re running lots of beefy apps at once. Plus, the intelligent 5,000mAh battery is a real beast, so you should be able to game and stream well into the night. When it comes to storage space, you’ve got three storage options to choose from – 256GB, 512GB or 1TB (that’s a whopping 1000GB).

The 8th of March is known globally as International Woman’s Day, and to celebrate the occasion this year, we’re giving you an overview of just a few women that have had a significant impact to the world of tech, and as a result our daily lives. Did you know that the very first computer programmer was a woman? And without the work of some brilliant women, it’s unlikely that we’d have everything from Wi-Fi to men on the moon. So, to celebrate International Women’s Day and to give an overdue shout out to overlooked genius, here are 6 women who have totally changed tech. Telecommunications: Dr Shirley Jackson Not only was Jackson the first black woman to ever earn a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), but her research into theoretical physics has led to some of the key things our modern world couldn’t function without. Whether it’s touch tone telephone, solar cells or fibre optic cables, Dr Jackson’s impact on the world of tech is hard to overstate. WiFi: Hedy Lamarr Most film buffs know who Hedy Lamarr was - a world-famous movie star during the golden age of Hollywood. Fewer people know that she also had a brilliant mind and loved inventing things on breaks from movie making. During World War 2, she even created a new communication system to help guide Allied torpedoes to their targets using radio frequencies. Her work went on to inspire the creation of frequency hopping technologies like Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth. Space exploration: Katherine Johnson In 1962, the USA launched its first astronaut, John Glenn, into orbit. But his success was all based on the work of Katherine Johnson – who did the manual calculations at NASA. When she was awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom at the age of 97, Johnson remembers that Glenn said: “If she says they’re numbers are good, then I’m ready to go.” Moon landing: Margaret Elaine Hamilton When you think about landing on the Moon, the first names that come to mind might be Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. But how about Margaret Elaine Hamilton? Although Hamilton never wore a space suit, her work as a computer scientist was just as important. In fact, the code that Hamilton and her team wrote at MIT helped Apollo 11 land on the Moon in 1969. Hamilton went onto have a very successful career and even coined the term “software engineer” – helping to promote computer programming as a respected career. Computer programming: Ada Lovelace Speaking of coding, did you know that the very first computer programmer was both a woman and lived in the nineteenth century? As the daughter of the poet Lord Byron, Ada Lovelace mixed in some very famous circles. But it was her brilliance as a mathematician that she’s now chiefly remembered for. Becoming a friend of Charles Babbage (who invented the first computer – known as the Analytical Engine), Ada Lovelace is widely considered to have created the first ever algorithm. So put a note in your calendar - the second Tuesday in October is Ava Lovelace Day! Home security: Marie Van Brittan Brown Because Marie Van Brittan Brown was a nurse and her husband was an electrician, they both had irregular working hours. Often at home alone, Marie didn’t feel safe in her New York neighbourhood, so in the early 60s she had the idea for the first home security system. The prototype was a bulky set up - a peephole camera attached to some monitors with a microphone to scare away intruders. But later improvements included a remote-control door locking mechanism and a panic alarm. When the couple were awarded their patent in 1969, Marie’s name came first. So, if you have smart security at home, you have Marie Van Brittan Brown to thank. We’ve only really scratched the surface of the contribution that women have made to science and tech. But do you have a favourite that we’ve missed out? Let us know below.

Think of a smartwatch as a phone on your wrist. At a glance, you can get all the information you need – just as long as it’s connected with your actual phone, of course… The exact method for doing this differs by brands, so let us take you through all the big names one by one. We’ve got instructions on connecting the Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, Garmin Watch or Huawei Watch to your smartphone… Connecting an Apple Watch to your iPhone These steps will help you pair any Apple Watch from Series 4 with iPhone 6s or later (as long as it's running the latest iOS version). 1. Turn on your iPhone’s Bluetooth and make sure you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network. 2. Turn on your Apple Watch and wait for it to boot up. 3. When you see ‘Use your iPhone to set up this Apple Watch’, tap ‘Continue’. If you don’t see this message open the Apple Watch app and tap ‘Start Pairing’. 4. Use your iPhone camera to centre the watch face, then wait for a message saying your Apple Watch is paired. 5. Choose ‘Set up Apple Watch’ if it’s your first, or choose ‘backup’ if you’ve had an Apple Watch before. 6. Agree to the T&Cs and continue. 7. Type in your Apple ID password when asked. 8. You’ll be asked to turn on Activation Lock if you haven’t set up ‘Find My iPhone’. 9. You can now turn on other features like Siri. 10. Create a passcode, then you can set up Apple Pay. 11. Some of your iPhone apps will work with your Apple Watch, so select ‘Install All’ to get everything available. 12. Keep your devices close together while they sync. You’ll hear a chime and feel the watch vibrate when it’s all done. Tap the Digital Crown, and everything’s now paired up and good to go! Connecting a Samsung Galaxy Watch to an Android phone Samsung Galaxy Watches work best with Galaxy phones, but they go great with other Androids too. Here’s how to get them connected: 1. Turn on your watch and install the Galaxy Wearable app.2. Launch the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone.3. Tap ‘Start the journey’.4. Select your device on-screen.5. When you see the Bluetooth activation request, tap ‘Turn on.’6. Now follow the rest of the instructions to complete the connection. Connecting a Samsung Galaxy Watch to your iPhone Here’s how to pair a Samsung Galaxy Watch with an iPhone. 1. Turn on your watch and install the Galaxy Wearable app.2. Install the Samsung Galaxy Watch (Gear S) app on your iPhone, and open it.3. Tap ‘OK’ when it asks you to allow Bluetooth.4. Tap ‘Start the journey’.5. Select your device on-screen. Your two devices will now pair with each other in no more than a couple of minutes. Connecting a Garmin Watch to your phone Here’s how to pair a Garmin Watch with your phone. 1. Install the Garmin Connect app on your phone. Sign-in to it, or create a new account.2. Put your Garmin Watch into ‘pairing mode’.3. Wait for the app to find your Garmin Watch.4. Tap ‘Connect it’.5. Now follow the on-screen instructions to complete your connection. Connecting a Huawei Watch to your phone Here’s how to pair one of the latest Huawei watches with your phone. 1. Press the ‘Up’ button until the watch vibrate and turns on. It’s now in pairing mode.2. Use your phone to scan the QR code on the watch screen, and download the Huawei Health app.3. Open the app and follow the onscreen instructions.4. Tap ‘Pair’ and the app will search for nearby devices. When you see the name of your Huawei Watch, tap it.5. Go back to your watch. Tap and confirm the pairing request when it appears on-screen. Your two devices will now pair with each other. You’re good to go! Any questions on using your smartwatch and smartphone together? Or do you have any good tips or suggestions? Then comment below, and share your thoughts with the Community

CES has come and gone for another year. But what is CES? Well, CES (or the Consumer Electronics Show) describe it as ‘the most influential tech event in the world’. And they’re not wrong. It’s where all the biggest and best tech brands come together to showcase their latest and greatest. From new gadgets, to futuristic, cutting-edge technology planned for release further down the line. And with all that, there’s plenty of fresh mobile tech to get your eyes around too. So, here’s just some of the most exciting features and phones announced at the show… The Phones Samsung Galaxy A14 5G Want more bang for your buck? You’ll want to keep an eye on the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G then. It’s been pitched as an entry-level Galaxy, but with a spec that punches well above its potential price. Plus, there are loads of great features that you usually won’t find on a phone of this level. A 5000mAh battery will keep the phone going throughout the day, and everything looks great on the 6.6-inch screen. But probably best of all is the 90Hz refresh rate. A higher refresh rate means the screen responds and refreshes even quicker. And that makes using your device much more fluid. It’s even got a bit of an old-school edge. Most phone manufacturers have done away with the 3.5mm headphone socket, but Samsung have brought it right back here. So, if you’ve got a well-loved pair of wired headphones that you don’t get to use much anymore, now you can. Samsung Galaxy S23 While not announced at CES itself, this is arguably one of the most anticipated phones of the year. And because of that, we couldn’t not include it. With the launch event coming very soon, you’ll be able to get the full lowdown right here once we’ve got the full details. TCL 40 SE For even more of a budget (but no less brilliant) option, there’s the TCL 40 SE. For the photographers among you, there’s a 50MP camera on the back, with 2 extra 2MP cameras in support. The 8MP front camera can even take snaps in HDR too. Those selfies have never looked so good. Then like the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, you’ll view everything on a screen with a 90HZ refresh rate. This is almost unheard of on a phone of this price. So, it might be basic. But it’s still got plenty going on under the hood to make it worthwhile. Motorola ThinkPhone Motorola’s latest is aimed squarely at the business world. It’s meant for companies who want to equip their employees with a new phone – but they’re not planning to make it available to the public right now. Which is a bit of a shame too. There’s literally a dedicated red button on the side for quickly talking to your colleagues on Microsoft Teams. And with more and more people working from home now, features like that are perfect for working smarter. Look out for it in an office near you at some point early this year. The tech Samsung Flex Hybrid Samsung continue to flex their engineering muscles. Especially when it comes to all thing’s foldable screens. And Flex Hybrid is the name of their latest bit of smart screen tech. But it doesn’t just fold. It slides too. The left side of the screen is designed to unfold, while the right side slides out. When folded out fully, the display transforms into a 12.4-inch screen (up from 10.5-inches). That means an even better picture for streaming, gaming, or video calls. Nice. While nothings been confirmed yet, it’s possible we could see this technology forming the backbone of some of their upcoming phones. Qi2 wireless charging It’s probably safe to say that Qi2 will quickly become the go-to way of wirelessly charging your phone in 2023. This charging standard will be built-in to accessories and phones – we’re just not sure on the exact models yet. It’s meant to be way, way faster at charging your device, ideal for when you need some more juice in hurry. It’ll also make wireless charging pads even better. Power will be sent to your phone far more consistently. And your phone won’t get dislodged as easily either. If you’re as clumsy as we are, then that’s a big plus. Qualcomm Snapdragon Satellite We’ve all been there. You’re out and about and suddenly your connection drops completely. It’s an absolute pain – especially when you really need to send a message. But with the Qualcomm Snapdragon Satellite, your prayers might have been answered. This chip will let you send messages (both regular and emergency) completely normally, even without any connectivity. It takes advantage of satellite communications to get your text sent. So even if you’re in the middle of nowhere, you shouldn’t be caught short. We’re expecting most of the flagship phones from all the big names to use the chip going forward. Giveaway time! - CLOSED Smart phones have come a long way since the launch of the very first iPhone released in 2007! And there’s clearly plenty more to come based on the announcements at CES 2023 – BUT it always feels like there’s just that one thing missing. So, to be in a chance to win £100 Love2Shop voucher tell us what that one feature that you would just love to have on a smartphone that isn’t yet available is.. Whether it's holographic displays, 6G, solar charging, or something else entirely! It can be as weird or wacky as your like (just don’t be rude). Entries close at 23:59 on 20th February 2023, and we'll announce the lucky iD community winner shortly after. We’ll notify the winner by direct message here on the Community, so please keep an eye on your inbox. T&C’s apply Good Luck!

Whether you're celebrating Valentine's, Galentine's or Palentine's day, we want to share the love with you by giving you the chance to win a £200 Buyagift voucher to spend on an experience of your choice. To enter, simply head to the iD Mobile Facebook page and under the Valentine’s Day Competition tag who you'd take with you and why in the comments! Entries close on 20/02/23 at 23:59. T&C’s apply Good luck! 😊😍

Heading on your hols? Lucky you. Check out our tips to make the most of your phone. 1. Watch out for data roaming Though you’ll pay no data roaming charges in the EU, you most definitely will when travelling anywhere else in the world. And there are some real shock stories out there, like the woman who paid over £2,000 to download a Neil Diamond album while on holiday in South Africa. So, our advice… turn off your data roaming setting, and go hunting for Wi-Fi instead. 2. Wi-Fi to the rescue You may be surprised where you can pick up Wi-Fi these days. Even beachfront bars and the like tend to be connected. Do make sure the network you choose is protected by a password, just to be on the safe side. And if you’re using things like banking apps, it’s probably best that you’re familiar with the owner of the network. 3. Download your maps offline No-one wants to get lost when they’re on holiday, but using map apps on the go all adds to data drainage. So here’s a great idea – why not download your maps offline before you go on holiday, or when you’re connected to Wi-Fi when you’re there. Head to Google Maps, clear the search bar and type ‘OK Maps’ – you’ll then be given an option to save that area offline. 4. Backup before you leave The holiday’s over. You’ve taken hundreds of awesome photos – memories you’ll never want to lose. So, the worst thing would be losing them, right? So before you leave, why not back everything up to a cloud storage system (Dropbox or My Knowhow Cloud, for example) or an external hard drive. Better safe than sorry. 5. Waterproof wonders It always pays to be careful when using your phone by the pool, or at the beach – sand and water can play havoc with a phone’s insides. You might just get away with the odd splash, maybe even a quick dunking (depending on the phone), but anything more could spell curtains for your phone. Take a look at some of the best waterproof phones on the market, just for that little extra peace of mind. Those are our holiday smartphone tips. If you’ve got any of your own, be sure to tell us below the line.

Do you know someone who you think might be feeling lonely? If so, here’s something that can really help – the Better Health: Every Mind Matters Loneliness campaign. It’s a government initiative from the DMCS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport), so let’s dive in and see what it’s all about. What is the ‘Better Health: Every Mind Matters Loneliness’ campaign all about? Loneliness can have a huge impact on our wellbeing. That’s why the DCMS has created the Better Health: Every Mind Matters Loneliness campaign. Its main aim to get people to help others who feel lonely, by raising awareness and encouraging simple actions that can help ‘lift someone out of loneliness’. Because if we do this regularly, we can all help to lift each other up. What can you do to lift someone out of loneliness? If you’d like to help someone feeling lonely, here are some top tips from the campaign: Pay them a visit. Reaching out for a chat and cuppa with a family member or friend is the best way of making them feel less lonely. And don’t just make it a one-off – make sure to check-in regularly. Use tech to stay in touch. If you can’t see someone in person, there are loads of other ways to contact them… call them on the phone, make a video call, set up a Whatsapp group or message them on Facebook – almost any kind of contact can help remind them they’re not alone. Go for a walk. “Fancy a walk?” Sure, these are just three simple words - but sometimes the smallest actions can make the biggest difference. So next time you go for a walk, invite someone else along. Feeling lonely yourself? Okay, so we’ve given you some advice for helping others - now it’s time to think about yourself. If you’re feeling lonely, why not give some of these suggestions a try? Talk to friends and family. Sometimes a friendly chat can make a big difference, even if it’s a video chat with someone miles away. Join a group. Being part of a club is a great way to meet new people and make friends. Have a think about the kind of things you’d like to try out, and see what’s available in your local area. You can check out VisitEngland's list of cheap and free things to do for suggested events. Enjoy some fresh air. Spending time outdoors in green space, doing things like hiking, walking or cycling are just some of the ways to lift your mood and focus your mind. Volunteer to help others. Think about volunteering to help in your local community. It’s a great way to connect with people. Plus, seeing the benefits of your actions can really give your mental wellbeing a boost. More advice and support You can find more lots more support and advice for ways to get lifted out of loneliness on the Every Mind Matters – Loneliness NHS webpage. You can also find simple ways to lift your mood with Every Mind Matters. If you're currently feeling stressed or anxious, the NHS mental health hub is packed with great advice and handy tools to help. And if you take this NHS Mind Plan quiz, you’ll get a personalised mental health action plan that includes great tips for dealing with stress, anxiety and loneliness. It’s only five quick questions, so it won’t take up too much of your time. Your smartphone can help too! There are loads of great mindfulness apps out there, and lots are completely free. To help you get started, we’ve rounded up some top apps to help you find your calm. Do you have any tips for tackling loneliness? Any suggestions for useful mindfulness apps? We’d love to hear what you think, so share your thoughts with the iD Community below.

It's January. We're usually busy cracking on with our New Year’s resolutions and organising plans for the year ahead. But it can also be a bit of a sad time for many people. After the warm feelings of the festive period - spending time with those closest to us - January can feel like the celebrations are over. But there are little things you can do to add some positivity to your day. And we’ve got some brilliant suggestions to put a smile on your face. What is Blue Monday? ‘Blue Monday’ (the day, not the New Order hit) was actually launched as a marketing scheme in 2005 by a travel company. They claimed to have calculated the most depressing day of the year. To work this out, they used factors like average temperature, days until the next bank holiday, hours of daylight and days since last payday. However, the psychologist that developed the concept later campaigned against it. Instead, he said that everyone should try and focus on the positives. If you’re setting new goals this year, that’s an important thought to keep in mind. Nowadays, Blue Monday is still regarded as a time for self-care. After all, it’s important to do things that make you feel good. Here are a few of our best ideas… Get out and exercise Exercise is one of the best ways to get that hit of dopamine. It doesn’t need to be an average gym routine either. You could go for a cycle through the park, lace up your running shoes, or even set up a game of 5-a-side with your mates. Why not get fit, soak up some nature and socialise at the same time? And, best of all, it’ll help keep those blues at bay. Watch an uplifting film or TV show There’s a reason they’re called feel-good films. When you’re feeling low, turning to that film with a happy ending or a sitcom with familiar faces is a great way to lift your spirits. You might have seen it before, but that doesn’t matter at all. Movies like The Shawshank Redemption, Matilda, Forrest Gump, or anything starring the late, great Robin Williams are all great choices. Get your family, friends, or housemates together and watch something you’re all guaranteed to enjoy. Treat yourself to some retail therapy While December is all about sorting amazing Christmas gifts for your loved ones, January’s all about the gift of self-giving. And why not? You deserve it. January is a great time to make that big purchase you’ve had planned for a while. The January sales are typically one of the biggest of the year after all. You’re likely to bag a sweet deal on that classy laptop, heavenly holiday, or swish shoes you’ve had your eye on. Take the plunge and go for it – you'll be glad you did. Escape into a good book There’s nothing like a good book to keep your mind occupied. Whether you’re into fictional, immersive worlds, or someone that wants to take on a fresh perspective with self-help literature. There’s genuinely a book out there for everyone. It may be a cliché, but reading is one of the best things you can do to expand your mind and escape from things that might weigh you down. And there’s always time to get into a good read. Just set your phone to silent, turn off the TV and dive right in. Catch up with friends and family What made Christmas so good for us wasn’t the decorations, the music, or the food (okay, maybe it was a bit). It was mostly the chance to spend some time with our nearest and dearest. We’re talking about the people that are always rooting for you, no matter what. These are the people that make you feel better - even after a quick 5-minute chat. They may be there for Christmas, but they’re also there when you’re feeling blue. Pick up the phone and call them, text them or plan a visit to see them. With iD Mobile, you’ve got unlimited minutes and texts whatever plan you have, so there’s no excuse. Reach out Sometimes it’s not just a simple case of January blues. Those feelings could go on longer and feel deeper. Mental health is equally as important as physical health, and it’s brilliant that more of us are talking about it. But, while it’s never been more important to speak to our friends and relatives, sometimes it takes more than that to start feeling better in ourselves again. There’s always someone out there to speak to. Someone who understands exactly how you feel and knows what you’re going through. The hardest step to make is the first one, which is to get in touch. But once you do, you’ll be making that all-important commitment to feeling better. If you feel like you need mental health support, check out the likes of CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) and Samaritans. Whether it’s a phone call, email, or text chat, they’ll speak to you – whoever you are and whatever you’re going through. You’re not alone. Giveaway Time - Closed To help boost your mood this Blue Monday, we’re doing an exciting giveaway! This is where the Community comes together and in doing so, the reward just gets better! To enter simply tell us below what makes you happy in life. It could be anything, from family and friends to trips away at the weekend. Once you’ve entered your response, click send! And you’ll be entered into the draw. You have until 3rd February to enter at which point we will tally up all the unique entries to work out which prize you could be winning. So if you want a chance to win a phone let's get over 300 entries! T&C’s apply. The lucky winner (and the final prize!) will be announced on the Community shortly after entries are closed, so make sure you come back to check if it's you! Here’s what you could win: Good Luck!

Whether it’s UberEats, Just Eat or Deliveroo, most of us have takeaway apps on our phones. But what about finding a really great restaurant or getting a table at that tapas bar that everyone’s talking about? The good news is that there are apps for that too. So, whether you’re wanting to wow your date on Valentine’s Day or you’re looking for a pub to take the family for an epic Sunday roast, dine out with some of the best apps around. The Fork Great for: money off your bill The Fork is one of the most popular restaurant apps around. Start by selecting a location, a date and time and you’ll be shown all the restaurants that have a free table. You can then filter by ratings, type of food and whether you can make savings through the app – and these can be as much as 50% on your bill! The app gives you reviews from other users, a full menu, opening hours and pretty much everything else you need to know. Use the app regularly enough and you’ll soon rack up Yums – which can be used at restaurants, so you pay less when the bill comes. And you’ll even find recommendations for large groups and even romantic spots for Valentine’s Days. They just need a violinist filter. iOS / Android Happy Cow Great for: vegetarian and vegan diners Once upon a time, finding good veggie options in pubs or restaurants was tough. And while menus are a lot more inclusive these days, eating out can still be an effort – especially outside cities. So, whether you’re vegetarian, vegan or you’re just after some healthy eating options, Happy Cow specialises in finding non-meat eateries as well as highlighting vegan and vegetarian options on pub and restaurant menus. You’ll find reviews, recommendations and loads of different filters – including wheelchair accessibility and outside seating. One nice feature is the ability to filter for only vegan options on map mode. And because it’s in 185 countries worldwide, it’s a great tool for holidays. iOS / Android Luxury Restaurant Guide Great for: fine dining Special occasion coming up? Ready to pop the question on Valentine’s Day? If you’re looking for a restaurant with wow-factor, the Luxury Restaurant Guide will find just the spot. Like the other apps on this list, LRG lets you search by area, style of food and chef. The emphasis is very much on award-winning restaurants and Michelin stars rather than your nearest Nando’s – not that there’s anything wrong with some cheeky chicken. If you’re a real foodie, you can sign up for premium membership, which gets you access to big discounts, private events with celeb chefs and more. Fancy! iOS / Android TripAdvisor Great for: hidden gems Wait. Hidden gems? From the world’s largest travel app? Hear us out. Because TripAdvisor is everywhere (and we mean everywhere) there’s barely a café, coffee shop or restaurant on the planet that hasn’t escaped it. Go to any international destination and you’ll find even the tiniest backstreet restaurant proudly displaying its TripAdvisor stars. The downside is that you’re going to have to do more legwork in filtering out thousands of restaurants and millions of user reviews to find the perfect spot – but help is at hand. Head to the forums and you’ll pick up some great tips for almost wherever you are in the world. The app will always let you know which places are the top-rated in town. And because you can book straight through the app, it cuts out the admin. Pro tip: Just because TripAdvisor says that a popular place is full, don’t take it as gospel. If you’re really keen to eat there, give the place a call or pop along and you can often get a table. iOS / Android Have we missed one out? Is there an app you’ve used that’s too good to pass up? Comment below and let the Community know.

Thinking about a holiday? Course you are. It’s nice having something fun to look forward to. Plus, this is the best time to get one sorted. Lots of travel companies offer cut price deals and discounts on loads of destinations. There’s genuinely something (or somewhere) for everyone. From solo ventures to romantic getaways with your better half. But you want a holiday with a difference, right? A trip that swaps chilling by the pool for something a bit more thrilling. We’ve travelled far and wide to find the best apps and websites. One’s tailor made for planning a more unique kind of trip. Grab your suitcase. Pick up your passport. Put on your shades. We’re off exploring… Lucky Trip We’ve all heard about a lucky dip. But how about a Lucky Trip? If you can never decide where to go – or just love being spontaneous – then this is for you. You can plan a whole trip in just one tap. All you’ve got to do is set your budget and press a button. Your randomised holiday is now in the hands of the travelling gods. Your recommended trip is sorted into three parts: the country, a place to stay and an activity. So, you don’t even have to do much planning yourself. If you like the look of what’s been suggested, you can then book everything quickly and easily. Who knows, you might even find your new favourite place to visit. And if you don’t like what’s been put in front of you, that’s ok. Just press the button again and see what else comes up. Download on iOS and Android . Website: https://luckytrip.co.uk/ Contiki Contiki takes curated destinations, sustainable tourism, and like-minded travellers – mashing them together for some globe-trotting goodness. The first thing you need to do is pick somewhere to go. And the list of options is almost endless. They organise trips to every continent – from Africa to South America, Europe to Asia. And these trips aren’t ordinary either. You’ll be joined by a Trip Manager for a start. They’re experts in wherever you’re visiting and are responsible for all your day-to-day activities. Want to know about the local history? They’ve got the facts. Have a problem with your accommodation? They’ll sort it out. And most importantly, they’ll introduce you to the people you’ll be travelling with. Contiki is all about social travel after all. Almost 60% of the people who use Contiki are riding solo, so most of the people on your trip are in the same boat. It’s a genuinely brilliant way to make new friends and memories for life. No matter whether you’re more reserved, or the life and soul of the party. Download on iOS and Android . Website: https://www.contiki.com/ Topdeck Topdeck do holidays in style. And by style, we mean 4 different ones. Pick from Get Social, Play & Pause, Delve Deep or Sail & Swim to find an adventure that suits you. Delve Deep is the most immersive of the 4 options. If you consider yourself a bit of a wannabee Indiana Jones, this is for you. You’ll explore the local food scene – scouring street markets for tasty treats. You’ll stay in desert camps and rustic cabins. And you’ll experience customs and activities that you won’t find anywhere else. Then you’ve got Get Social and Play & Pause, which are at the opposite ends of the travel spectrum. The first puts you in a big group of up to 48 people. And you’ll be doing everything together. Ticking off those bucket list moments. Staying in hostels. Partying into the night. Fast-paced fun is guaranteed. Play & Pause is more laid back - with a balance of relaxation and exploration. You’ll be in a much smaller group and will stay in private rooms. You’ll be seeing all the big sites, joined by a Trip Leader, but you’ll also have plenty of time to go off and do your own thing as well. Sail & Swim takes things to the high seas. Think beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a boat to sleep and travel on. Oh. And a bit of sailing and swimming thrown in too. So, whether you want to chill, take in the local culture, or hit the town, Topdeck has a holiday waiting for you. Download on iOS and Android . Website: https://www.topdeck.travel/ Got a great app or website we’ve missed? Been somewhere amazing recently? Let us know in the comments down below.

While January is the time we start to crack on with our New Year’s resolutions and plans for the year ahead, It’s also notoriously a time of melancholy. After the warm feeling of the festive period, catching up with the people closest to us, January can feel like the celebrations are over. But there are little things you can do to sprinkle positivity into your day, and we’ve got some awesome suggestions to put a smile on your face. ‘Blue Monday’ (the day, not the New Order hit) was actually launched as a marketing scheme in 2005 by a travel company, who claimed to have calculated the most depressing day in the calendar. They used factors like average temperature, days until the next bank holiday, hours of daylight and days since last payday. Nevertheless, the psychologist that developed the concept later campaigned against it, imploring everyone to focus on the positives. If you’re embarking on new goals this year, that’s an invigorating feeling that shouldn’t be overlooked. Nowadays, Blue Monday is still regarded as a time for self-care. After all, it’s important to do things that make you feel good about you. Here are a few of our ideas! Get out there and exercise! Exercise is one of the best ways to get that feeling of dopamine. It doesn’t need to be an average gym routine – you could go for a cycle through the park, lace up your running shoes and head out to your local nature reserve, or even set up a game of 5-a-side with your mates. Why not get fit, soak up some nature and socialise at the same time? And, best of all, it’ll keep those blues at bay. If you feel yourself getting into exercise on a regular basis, try an app like Nike Training Club to keep your workouts consistently exciting and full of motivation. That workout routine could well end up being the highlight of your day! Watch an uplifting movie or show There’s a reason they’re called ‘feelgood’ movies! When you’re feeling low, turning to that film with a happy ending or sitcom with familiar faces is a great way to lift your spirits. You might have even seen it before, but it doesn’t matter! Movies like The Shawshank Redemption, Matilda, Forrest Gump, or anything starring the late, great Robin Williams (apart from One Hour Photo) are all about making you, the viewer, all the happier for having watched them. Get your family, friends or housemates together and watch something you’re all guaranteed to enjoy. Treat yourself to some retail therapy While December is all about sorting amazing Christmas gifts for your loved ones and finding them things you know they’ll go mad for, but January’s all about the gift of self-giving. And why not? You deserve it! January is actually a great time to make that big purchase you’ve had planned for a while. The January sales are typically one of the biggest in the year, and it means you’re very likely to bag a sweet deal on that classy laptop, heavenly holiday, or swish shoes you’ve had your eye on. Take the plunge and go for it – later you will be grateful! Escape into a good book There’s nothing like a captivating book to keep your mind occupied. Whether you’re a fiction aficionado that loves to escape into boundless, immersive worlds, a history buff that’s passionate about exploring further into our rich, collective past, someone that wants to take on a fresh perspective with self-help literature, or even someone that doesn’t know what kind of reading matter they’re into, there’s a book out there for you. It may be a cliché, but reading is genuinely one of the best things you can do to expand your mind and escape from the things that occasionally weigh you down. And there’s always time to get into a good read – just set your phone to silent, turn off the TV and dive right in. Catch up with friends and family We’ve spoken a lot about keeping in touch with friends and family here on the iD Community, especially around Christmas. What made Christmas so good for us wasn’t the decorations, the music, or the food (okay, maybe a bit), it was mostly the chance to spend time with our nearest and dearest. We’re talking about the people that are always rooting for you, no matter what you do or where you are, in your mind and in reality. These are the people that make you feel better just for having chatted. They may be there for Christmas and other festive moments, but they’re also there when you’re feeling blue. Pick up the phone and call them, text them or set some time for a video call. With iD Mobile, you’ve got unlimited minutes and texts whatever plan you have, so there’s no excuse! Reach Out Sometimes it’s not just a simple case of January blues. Those feelings could go on longer, feel deeper and more profound. Mental health is equally vital to physical health for lasting happiness, and it’s right that more and more of us are talking about it. But, while it’s never been more important to speak to our friends and relatives, let them know how we’re really feeling and check in with them, sometimes, it takes more than that to start feeling better in ourselves again. There’s always someone out there to speak to, who understands how you feel and the things you’re going through. The hardest step to make is the first one, which is to get in touch. But once you do, you’ll be making that all-important commitment to feeling the way you deserve to feel. If you feel like you need mental health support, Heads Together is a fantastic campaign co-ordinated by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. You can get support from their brilliant charity partners like CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), The Mix, and YoungMinds. Whoever you are and whatever you’re going through, you’re not alone. Those are a few suggestions to help overcome the January blues. Honourable mentions go to cooking your favourite meal, listening to hilarious podcasts (Off Menu, anyone?) and aromatherapy (don’t knock it till you’ve tried it). What do you do make yourself feel better on those days when you’re in low spirits? Let us know below. Competition Time: If you are still feeling a little down, we've got a competition to cheer you up! For your chance to win a £100 Love2shop gift card; just let us know what you do to make yourself feel better on those days when you are feeling down. T&C’s apply. You've got until 23:59 on 28th January 2022 to enter. Good luck! CONGRATULATIONS! The winner of this competition is…. @dugganac! Congratulations, we’ll be in touch with your Love 2 Shop gift card soon. Thanks to everyone who entered!

For loads of us, the festive season was really expensive and (with cost of living going up) 2023 doesn’t look like it’s going to be any lighter on the pocket. It’s no wonder that ‘staying on top of finances’ ranks so highly as a New Year’s resolution! However, tightening the purse strings doesn’t necessarily mean you need to drastically change your lifestyle. Nor does it mean you have to immediately stop going to the places or doing the things you enjoy. All it takes is a little planning and organisation, and you’ll be amazed at how much money you’ll save. And a few apps will help you on your way. Here are a few things you can do to save this year… Always set a budget Whether you’re doing a weekly shop, an evening out or even off on holiday, always know how much you want to spend and stick to it. Those spontaneous purchases soon add up. Setting a realistic budget you know you can stick to will get you one step closer to your savings goals. The good news is that you can leave your calculator at home. Apps like Moneybox put all your savings accounts and ISAs into one place that’s easy to track, while both Monzo and Revolut have some incredibly innovative saving features that do all the hard work. Any time you spend money, the transaction is placed into categories like Entertainment, Groceries, Eating Out and Transport, so you get a detailed breakdown of how much you’re spending on certain things. Not only do you know where your money’s going, but you can use that info to adjust your spending in other areas, instead of cutting back on everything across the board. Monzo’s standout saving feature is Monzo Pots. You can create a Pot to start saving for a specific thing like a holiday, house deposit or even monthly bills. Then you can lock your Pot so you’re not tempted to dip in and then unlock the pot when the time comes. You can even set it up so that any spare change left over from transactions goes straight into it. The change from those morning lattes could end up funding your next holiday! Save with plug-ins Just because you’re on a money saving mission, doesn’t mean you need to stop buying the things you need online. Keeping an eye out for discount and promo codes online means that you can get a bargain on those must-have shoes or that stylish coat. Sites like Vouchercodes and Hot UK Deals have always got brilliant offers, so check back every now and then or sign up for mail alerts. Better yet, a great plug-in or browser extension does all the hard work for you. It knows when you’re on a particular retailer’s website and gives you a list of promo codes that may apply to your order. Download Pouch on your Google Chrome browser, and you’ll get stacks of codes ready to use whenever you fancy a takeaway or buy anything online. Or, if you don’t fancy combing through all the discount codes one by one, go for Honey . It automatically applies each code to your basket for you to see if any apply. If they do, you’ll instantly see your order total drop. Get deals that are even better than the offers you see advertised! Get money back on every shop Earning money for shopping online sounds too good to be true, but it’s actually possible! Sites like Top Cashback and Quidco let you can earn money from the purchases you make when you’re shopping online. All you have to do is sign up on the website and then start shopping. When you order something, the cashback site receives a commission from the sale and they then share a portion of that with you! There’s a whole host of shops you’ll be familiar with that are signed up, so you’re able to get money back on loads of purchases you make. Credit cards aren’t for everybody, but some (like American Express) offer all kinds of rewards – from cash back on every spend to discounts. And banks like Chase also let you earn cash back on every transaction. Answer surveys Love to tweet or give your take on the news, different products and brands? Why not get paid to do it! Did you know you can get paid to fill in online surveys and give your opinion on a variety of things? Some free survey websites will reward you with things like Google Play Store credit or Love2Shop vouchers, while others, like Crowdology , give you a choice between cash via PayPal or Amazon gift cards. And they’ll pay you up to £10 for every survey you complete! Getting started takes a matter of moments. Just register on a survey site (there are loads) and wait for new surveys to get sent to your email inbox. Once they arrive, fill them in and start reaping the rewards. Don’t worry, you won’t be answering the same questions again and again. They can be about anything, from movies to video games, news to sport. Get involved! Those are just a few of our suggestions on how to save and spend savvier in 2023. There are plenty of things you can do to make sure you’re on top of finances, but the best thing you can do to get started is to check your balance at regular intervals. That way, you’ll know exactly how much is going in and out of your accounts. Have you got any tips or fave apps of your own for saving money in 2023? Don’t keep them to yourself, share them with the Community in the comments below.

2022 was another brilliant year for smartphones. We got fresh releases from all the big names. Apple, Samsung, and Google all dropped their latest and greatest models. Plus, Motorola and Oppo popped up with some top phones of their own. And with new phones comes a bunch of exciting new features. Here are just a few of our favourites… iPhone 14 Pro - Your private island Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro is a big improvement on the iPhone 13. And that’s partly down to the brand spanking new ‘Dynamic Island’. This pill-shaped block sits at the top of your screen and replaces the physical notch from older iPhones. The island is your go-to information hub. Quickly view your important alerts and interactions when waking your phone. See what track is playing. Check the weather. Keep an eye on a timer while you cook. You can do it all without having to open a specific app. It makes everything quicker and so much easier. Your Insta-game gets a boost too. Snaps will sizzle thanks to the first ever 48-megapixel camera sensor on an iPhone. This gives you a 2X zoom. And double the zoom means even more detail. And even bolder colours. View our iPhone 14 Pro deals Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra - The S Pen is mightier than the sword If being productive is your thing, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra hits the mark. That’s partly down to its S Pen stylus. You can use it to make some quick notes. It’ll even work as a portable controller for office PowerPoint presentations. When the workday is done, use the S Pen for the fun stuff. Feeling creative? Sketch away with it. Want to take a group picture and fit everybody in? Use it as a remote control. And when you’re finished, it slots straight into the body of the phone. Nice and tidy. Everything looks eye-catching on the impressive Quad HD+ AMOLED screen too. So, when you’re streaming the latest Netflix craze, the picture will be smooth and sharp. Google Pixel 7 Pro - The need for speed Nobody likes a slow phone. And the Google Pixel 7 Pro is anything but slow. A specially designed Tensor G2 processor makes things extra fast. Whether you’re swapping between apps, playing a quick game on the train, or taking photos. It won’t feel the strain at all. Speaking of photos. There are loads of Pixel-only features to improve your snaps. Fix any out of focus faces with Face Unblur. Then use Magic Eraser to get rid of any distracting parts of your picture. Like your mate making a silly face in the background. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 - See you on the Flip side Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No. It’s the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 – one of the best foldable smartphones you can currently buy. It’s true that phones seem to be getting bigger and bigger. Sometimes they won’t even fit in the pocket of your favourite jeans. But that’s no issue with Samsung’s smart design. The Flip 4 folds completely in half. So, you won’t need to worry about where you’re going to put it. And you don’t need to worry about it getting wet either. Accidentally knocked it in the sink? No problem. Its IPX8 rating lets it take any dunks and splashes in its stride. Oppo Find X5 Pro - Say cheeeeese When you’re into your photography, everything needs to look professional. And the Oppo Find X5 Pro’s camera does that. Made with Hasselblad – a legendary Swedish camera maker – it takes photos and videos that absolutely pop. Colours are lifelike. Pictures are super crisp. And it doesn’t matter what time of day you’re snapping away. Use night mode to record 4K video, even after the sun’s gone down. You can then view your handiwork on the stunning Quad HD screen. A billion colours and a 120 Hz refresh rate make everything ultra-vibrant and detailed. Whether that’s a multiplayer game or a quick selfie. Motorola Edge 30 Ultra – You’re in charge We’ve all forgotten our charger when we’re out and about. But when you’ve got the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra with you, that doesn’t even matter. The battery life is mega. And that’s not over egging things. It’ll give you about two days of power before you need to plug it in. You can stream, text, game, film and call as much as you want. And when you do need to charge it, you won’t have to wait around long. The TurboPower fast charging will give you 12 hours of juice in just 7 minutes. If that’s not quick, we don’t know what is. Got a favourite feature on your new phone that we haven’t mentioned? Comment below and let us know.

With iD Mobile, you’re onto a winner. But don’t just take our word for it. We won big at the Trusted Reviews Awards 2022. So, sit back and relax, as we announce the gongs we took home on the night. Who are Trusted Reviews? They’re one of the most respected tech review sites out there. And for good reason. They’ve been going since 2004, and review over 1000 products and services every year. That makes them one of the largest tech reviewers in the UK. With millions of users, its many people’s go-to website before they take the plunge on a new gadget. Their team is made up of experienced writers and tech specialists. They’ve got years of joint knowledge on smartphones, computing and everything in between. Plus, they’re fully independent. That means their advice is unbiased. And you can trust it completely. What are the Trusted Reviews Awards? Every year, Trusted Reviews take a moment to recognise the best gear and brands from the past 12 months. And as part of the awards, there’s usually a bunch of mobile-based gongs to be handed out. But how do you win an award? Well, firstly, your product or company must have been reviewed by someone at Trusted Reviews. And it needs to have scored a ‘recommended’ 4/5. You’re then put on a shortlist that’s given to a panel of internal experts. They’ll take an in-depth look at all the candidates and decide on an overall winner. It was a little bit different for the awards we ended up winning though. We were put forward in the brand new ‘Best Mobile Network Awards’ category. Here, the winners are decided by readers of the site that actually use our network. As far as we’re concerned, that makes things even more legit. Over 4500 people voted to decide who came out on top. What awards did iD Mobile win? I thought you’d never ask. We bagged 2 important trophies on the night: Best Network for Roaming – Heading overseas - and still getting quality connectivity – is key now we’re all travelling more again. And 68% of people on our network reckon our roaming packages were either ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’. We’ve got everything you need to jet, set, go. Best Value Network – This was a big one. Especially with the increased cost of living nowadays. 92% of readers who voted rated us as ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’. They all felt they’re getting great value for money while they’re with us. We beat out the likes of O2, EE, Three, Tesco Mobile and Vodafone to take home the top prizes. Not bad, eh? Got an award-winning phone of your own that you think deserves a shoutout? Let us know your favourite things about it down below.

Summer has finally arrived! Although we might not be able to start jetting off overseas just yet what is certain though is the need for a well-earned, well deserved break. That’s why we think a ‘staycation’ might be just what you need to kick the post lockdown blues! We’ve gathered a few top ‘Staycation 2020’ ideas to help staying in the UK more fun than ever. Drive in Cinema Social distancing doesn’t mean you can’t have the big screen experience. Drive-in cinemas have been popping up all over lately and are a fun way to watch classic films with those you’re closest to. In lieu of the usual summer blockbuster, these outdoor drive thru cinemas will be showing a mix of recent hits (1917, Knives Out), timeless classics (Back to the Future, Grease) and family favourites (The Lion King, Aladdin) all from the comfort and security of your own car! Host a cooking night Video calls don’t just have to be for the weekly family quiz, how about mixing it up and attempt to show off your culinary skills with a themed cook off! Pick a totally new culture or cuisine and host a virtual cooking night with friends and family! If they’re part of your ‘bubble’, why not invite them over to take part in person? Get Camping! Dust off that tent, get the snacks, torches and scary stories ready its time to go camping! Whether it’s in your own back garden or a local campsite, camping is a great way to get outdoors and do something different and fun. With so many areas of natural beauty around us what better time to see somewhere in-tents! (Who doesn’t love a good pun!) Volunteer With so much happening in the world right now you might be wondering how you can make a difference and do your part to help out. There are so many great causes in need of a helping hand, you can sign up to volunteer at your local homeless shelter or community program. It’s a great way to give back, help others and meet people. Find out from your local charities what help they need and offer your services – whether it’s serving food, collecting donations or even just sitting and talking with people, we are all in this life together. Go local Now more than ever, supporting local business is crucial. Get online and find local activities, tourist attractions, markets, farms and small businesses that have re-opened. You might be surprised at what you find nearby. Day Trip Not all of us are in close proximity to a beach, area of natural interest or tourist spot, but most are within a few hour’s drive of one. Why not have a (safe) day trip? Leaving your local town and going somewhere new can give you those same holiday vibes, lasting memories (and maybe even a t-shirt tan) that a trip abroad would for much less! Virtual Escape Rooms Can you discover the mysteries of Hogwarts or think you can find the mile-high killer? Escape Rooms and similar activities might be closed still but they are bringing all the fun, tension and smarts of a physical experience to your home! Gather your friends and family on a video call and get sleuthing! Take an art class 2B or not 2B, that is the pencil! Art classes (that are adhering to hygiene and social distancing rules) are a great way to get out of the house and jump into a new activity with other people. Even if you’ve never picked up a brush before, they’ll patiently guide you to becoming a master artist in no time! Alternatively, check out the many art classes available online! Have a spa day It’s only a matter of time until spas re-open. Until that day arrives why not have a DIY home spa day, gather a few things together like some hot towels, aromatherapy oils, cut some cucumber and make your own at home? Tell us your favourite staycation activities, is there something fun you think others should do that we’ve missed out? Leave a comment below and let us know!

Last month, the world said goodbye to the iPod, which was officially discontinued by Apple after more than 20 years (we know, it makes us feel old too). And it made us think about how much all tech – not just portable music – has changed over the years. From dial-up modem and the Sega Genesis to wireless earbuds and even smarter smartphones, come with us on this journey through tech history… The evolution of mobile phones At their conception, mobile phones were simple, brick-like devices with one – and only one – purpose. To make phone calls. But things have changed quite drastically since then. These days, smartphones are no longer just phones, they completely rule our lives. In fact, the average person touches their phone a whopping 2,617 times every day ! But how did we get here? The world’s first mobile phone: 1983 It’s been almost 40 years since the world was introduced to the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X, the world’s first consumer mobile phone. And by the late 80s, more and more features were being added to the phone – including SMS (yes, you couldn’t always text on a phone) and mobile gaming. Lights, cameras and colour: the 90s and early 00s In the 90s, big brands like Nokia and Siemens introduced colourful displays and swappable covers. And vibration and email were added, too. And it didn’t slow down in the 00s. Sony Ericsson released a mobile with a clip-on camera (the T68i) and soon camera phones started to pop-up everywhere. But that wasn’t the only new feature. Predictive text, GPS, personalised ringtones, and the invention of picture messaging meant mobile phones were really teching it up a notch. Smarter phones: 2007 – 2011 Swiping and scrolling quickly replaced the traditional button navigation. The LG Prada may have been the first touchscreen phone, but it was soon overshadowed by Apple’s first iPhone in May 2007. It boasted superior displays, bespoke mobile apps, and extremely user-friendly navigation. Man’s new best friend: 2012 – present The UK’s first 4G service launched in 2012 and voice recognition become commonplace. Smartphones soon become the centre of modern life. And today, they’re even more advanced. The best smartphones include built-in heart rate monitors, emojis, fingerprint scanning, face recognition, video calling, superfast 5G, mobile payments … our phones can do it all. The music revolution Sony introduced the first Walkman (the ultimate portable music player) in 1979, and it completely changed the music game. This easy-to-carry cassette player allowed you to listen to your favourite tunes wherever you went – a novel idea at the time. But we’ve come a long way since cassette players. The Compact Disc: 1984 – 1998 Because of the popularity of the Walkman and other portable cassette players, it was a no-brainer for the CD to follow suit. Discs quickly replaced tapes, so it was only right for Sony (they weren’t the only brand, but let’s be real, they were the best) to introduce the Sony Discman in 1984. Rise of the MP3: 1998 – 2001 Looking back, we can totally see how clunky portable cassette and CD players were. At the time, we simply didn’t care about the size. But as tech improved, players got smaller and music libraries got bigger. Say hello to MP3 players! The i-Age: 2001 – 2007 Steve Jobs introduced us to the iPod in 2001, claiming “you can fit your whole music library in your pocket”. He wasn’t wrong. But people cared much more about the sleek design and ease-of-use. And when the iTunes Music Store launched online, they became even more popular. The smartphone shift: 2007 – 2014 Music streaming apps eradicated the need for purchasing or downloading songs before transferring them to your phone. Instead, now you only needed to search for a song and you could listen to it straight away. In fact, streaming is so revolutionary that not many MP3 players (including Apple’s iPod) don’t exist anymore. The world went wireless: 2015 – present Wireless headphones and earbuds have made it easier to listen to music than ever before – from the smart features of Apple AirPods, Samsung Galaxy Buds or JBL Live+ to the true noise-cancelling tech of over-ear headphones . Video gaming through the years Pac-man, Pong, Space Invaders… gaming has changed a lot since the early days. 3D graphics, online gaming, and interactivity are commonplace. And it sometimes makes it easy to forget how far gaming has come. The first consoles The first real gaming consoles were created in the late 60s and 70s. But these consoles – like Atari and Magnavox – were only designed to play one or two games. It wasn’t until the early 80s when video gaming as we know it today finally arrived. We saw a shift from built-in games to cartridge-based consoles. And the 80s also saw the rise of the Sega Mega Drive and Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The PlayStation generation: 1990 – 2000 Some consider the 1990s to be the Golden Age of video games . Gaming shifted again, this time from cartridges to CDs, and from 2D graphics to 3D graphics. Sony finally entered the game (get it?) in 1994 with the ground-breaking PlayStation. Sega tried to maintain their stronghold with the release of Genesis and Dreamcast (which was truly a pioneer in terms of internet capability). But the rise of Sony, and Nintendo’s continued success with the Nintendo 64, saw Sega trailing behind. The big players: The 00s Nowadays, the video games market is completely dominated by three major players – Xbox, Nintendo, and Sony. And it was the same in the early 00s. Sony released the equally impressive PlayStation 2, and Nintendo finally modernised with the DVD-based GameCube. Microsoft made its first entry into the industry with the critically acclaimed Xbox. But this was only the beginning. These three brands only got stronger in the late 2000s with the release of the Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 – which all took the gaming world by storm. High performance gaming: 2010s – present In more recent years, digital downloads, 4K and 8K resolution, as well as spatial audio, high-performance SSD and variable refresh rates have all revolutionised the market. With their latest consoles, the Xbox Series X , PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch , all three of the big players have now gone digital. Each one offers up their own online gaming services, Xbox Live, PlayStation Plus and Nintendo Switch Online. A brief history of the internet The birth of the internet: 1965 – 1991 In 1965, Lawrence Roberts made two computers in different places ‘talk’ to each other for the first time. But it wasn’t until 1991 – almost 30 years later – when the World Wide Web was invented as a way of sharing research between scientists. Dial-up of interest: 1992 – 2000 The first version of the internet available for commercial use was known as dial-up. Never heard of it? To put it simply, dial-up internet operated through your phone line. Which meant no phone calls could be made while the internet was in use. Leading to shouts of “Mum, get off the phone” throughout households in the UK. Broadband and Wi-Fi: 2000 – 2008 In the early 00s, broadband slowly started to replace dial-up, thanks to faster speeds and stronger connections. Plus, unlike dial-up, you didn’t have to ‘switch it on’ every time you wanted to use it. At the same time, wireless routers started to become commonplace (replacing ethernet cables that had to physically be plugged in), and Wi-Fi hotspots started popping up in cafés, restaurants, and businesses. Fibre optics: 2008 – present Superfast fibre optic broadband was the next step in the evolution of the internet. It utilised fibre optic cables as opposed to copper ones to improve data speeds and give everyone a much smoother internet experience. The future of tech What’s in store for the next generation of technology ? Facebook’s move into the metaverse signals the rise of virtual reality. And 3D printing, delivery drones, and artificial intelligence are more present than ever. That’s not to mention the slightly weirder sweat-powered smart watches and energy storing bricks (yes, really, that’s a thing!). And although we might not know exactly what the future holds, if the past is anything to go by, things will keep changing – and quickly, too. Giveaway Time: To enter this month's giveaway we want you to tell (and show!) us what your oldest/favourite bit of retro tech that you still own is. Nokia 3210 still as good as the day you bought it? Or maybe that old hairdryer still works better than today's high tech versions. Whatever it is, send us a pic! Those who share their thoughts (feel free to add pics!) will be in with the chance to win... one of two £50 Currys gift cards! The competition ends at 23:59 on 22nd July 2022, and we'll announce the lucky iD community winner shortly after. Good luck!" IMPORTANT INFO: Winners will be notified by Private message on the Community. The message will come from the official iD Mobile account or from on of our Community mods (Our mods can be identified by a small ‘iD’ badge on by their profile picture. You can check your private messages by clicking on your icon on the top left of the screen, and selecting ‘Private messages’. When you receive a private message on the Community, you’ll also receive an email informing you that you’ve received a message on the Community - this email will be sent to the email address you registered on the community with, if you signed up with Facebook, the email will be sent to the address registered on your Facebook account. So, keep an eye out!

Looking for a great tech pressie without breaking the bank? Then look no further… For music fans Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Got a music maestro on your gifting list? Surprise them with these wireless Samsung Galaxy Buds 2. All they’ll have to do is connect them to a Bluetooth-enabled device, load up their favourite playlist and get listening with crisp sound and punchy bass. Even better, they can easily tune out unwanted chatter with noise-cancelling technology and three ambient sound modes. Sony WH-CH710N Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones For immersive audio, these Sony WH-CH710N Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones will have your gift-receiver grooving into the new year and beyond. Whether they’re on a plane, train, or in the office, Sony's AI Noise-Cancelling adapts to their surroundings, so they’ll only hear what they want to. The Sony WH-CH710N produce incredible hi-res sound too – they’ll feel like they’re standing in the studio with their favourite band. For bookworms Amazon Kindle 2022 6” eReader – 16 GB If you’re buying for someone who loves reading, you can’t go wrong with the Kindle 2022 . It’s got a built-in front light to make late-night reading easier and comes with Bluetooth connectivity, so they can doze off to their favourite audiobook. The Kindle 2022’s screen is better than ever, too. Text is high-res and crisp, and the anti-glare e-ink display works a treat in bright sunlight, so they can read wherever they are. For coffee lovers Nespresso by Magimix Vertuo Pop 11735 Smart Coffee Machine Coffee lovers take their coffee seriously – so what better gift to give one than the Nespresso by Magimix Vertuo Pop ? Just pop the pod in and this smart coffee machine will adjust the settings for them, making it great for busy lifestyles. The Pop doesn’t compromise on taste, either – the centrifusion technology produces the perfect layer of foam for their freshly-brewed beverage. For gamers Buying for a serious gamer can be tough – they’ve often got it all! But even the most seasoned gamer won’t be able to resist this HyperX Cloud Alpha Gaming Headset . It’s got custom dual drivers for bass, mids and highs, so they’ll hear everything that’s going on in-game. The ear cups are comfy and durable with soft faux leather and memory foam, and the noise-cancelling boom mic is perfect for team strategizing. And with the in-line audio controls they can quickly mute the mic or adjust the volume of their game. Razer BlackWidow V3 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard If your resident gamer needs a new keyboard, then look no further than the Razer BlackWidow V3 . It’s got customisable RGB lighting that dynamically reacts to what’s going on in-game, so it’s ideal for super-cool gaming dens. On the technical side, the Razer BlackWidow V3 features optimised actuation and reset points for better precision and performance. Plus, your gift-getter can save up to five different profiles – so they can easily switch settings between games. For fitness lovers Huawei Watch Fit 2 Active New Year is a popular time for thinking fit – so why not gift a budding athlete the Huawei Watch Fit 2 Active this Christmas? They’ll be able to see their workouts, incoming calls, daily steps and more at the flick of their wrist on the bright 1.74” AMOLED display. They can get some exercise while they wait for the kettle to boil with animated quick workouts . And if they’ve been sitting in meetings all morning, it'll send them helpful reminders throughout the day to get up and move around.

In the UK, traditional Christmas is delicious, but also predictable: turkey, roast potatoes, all the trimmings and gravy. But almost every country and culture in the world has their own Christmas dinner tradition – and turkey isn’t always included. From KFC to curried goat, every culture does things a little differently. And a lot deliciously. And if you fancy giving Brussel sprouts a miss this year, we’ll even recommend a few apps that you can use to help you whip up an alternative Xmas lunch. Unless you’re planning to have a Japanese Christmas lunch. Then we could just suggest a delivery app. Japan - KFC Christmas dinner was never really a big deal in Japan… until recently. In the 1970s, a canny KFC branch owner started a tradition of Christmas Fried Chicken and it’s taken off. An estimated 3.6 million families in Japan are expected to be queuing up this year for their festive bucket this year. South Africa - Mopane worms I’m A Celebrity may turn eating creepy crawlies into a trial, but in many parts of the world they’re considered a delicacy. In many parts of southern Africa, Mopane worms are harvested beginning in late November (just in time for Christmas). Fresh ones are fried with onions, tomatoes and chili on and around Christmas. They’re rich in protein but low in fat – so are probably a bit healthier than your gravy-covered Christmas turkey. Italy - Feast of the Seven Fishes ​​​​​​ Roman Catholics traditionally abstained from meat and animal fats around Christmas, so seafood became a handy substitute. That’s why The Feast of the Seven Fishes has become an institution in Italian communities around the world. The seven fish can be served whole as courses or just mixed into a huge seafood pasta, often including clams, mussels, halibut, shrimp, anchovy, calamari and scallops. Jamaica – Curried goat While many Jamaican families will opt for a very traditional Christmas ham, still others spice up Christmas with lots of classic Caribbean dishes – think ackee and saltfish (the national dish) and the always-reliable curried goat – which is slow cooked and delicious. If you fancy switching turkey for goat, you can often find goat meat at farmers’ markets or online – or pop into your local Caribbean food store. If you’re lucky enough to live near one. Australia – Pavlova Christmas is in summer in Australia, so our friends Down Under are more likely to bypass the oven and pop outside for a barbecue. But pudding is all about pavlova. While there’s strong debate about who first created the fruit and cream covered meringue dessert, what’s for certain is that it’s the perfect crisp and airy pud for a hot summer’s day. Or at the end of a heavy Christmas dinner. What’s the best app to help you get cooking? BBC Good Food bbcgoodfood.com has thousands of recipes and can help you make every recipe on this list – apart from the mopane worms. If you don’t like reading recipes, there are plenty of video how tos to cook along to. You can also get inspiration for Christmas drinks, courses and even foodie gifts for friends. The only downside is that their app now comes at a charge - £4.49 a month. Android/ iOS Tasty The Tasty app (from Buzzfeed) is free and comes with some neat features. It asks you questions about what you like to eat so it can tailor recipe ideas to your tastes. Recipes come in both cool little videos and recipe cards than you swipe through as you complete each step – though that does sound like the recipe for a sticky phone screen! If you want a showstopping Christmas dessert, the Pavlova Christmas Tree will wow your guests. Android/ iOS Yummly Yummly has loads of recipes from all over the world, and you can keep a virtual pantry so it’ll always know what ingredients you have. All you need to do is take a photo of what’s in your fridge! Best of all (for our Christmas dinner recipes) they have a whole section of fakeaways – so you can make your KFC at home. The only downside is that recipes are often just links to other blogs – so it’s not the most user friendly. Android/ iOS Whisk Whisk is another huge app. Although it uses recipes from other food blogs, these are worked into the app so it’s a seamless experience. And if you’re being conscious of what you’re eating, every recipe has extremely detailed nutritional info. It also includes a shareable shopping list, weekly meal planner and an active community where you can swap recipes and tips. Android/ iOS What are you eating for Christmas dinner this year? Let us know below or share some of your fave cooking apps available.

Deals. It’s hard to say no to a good deal. And we reckon they’re at their most tempting on Black Friday. If you’re seriously thinking about upgrading your phone, this is the perfect place to do it. Go on, you know you want to. Android or Apple? Whether you’re an Apple addict or an Android diehard, we’ve got your back. You don’t have to wait until Christmas for a real cracker here either. Ready to go Pro? Grab the iPhone 14 Pro (128 GB) with unlimited data and save £72. Stream your fave tunes, set a new high score and watch that funny cat video over and over to your heart’s content. It’s Pro for a reason. You’re not going to run out. If you’re not ready to take the plunge just yet, go for the iPhone 13 (128 GB) instead – with the same unlimited data, but at just £29 a month. A serious steal! Or if you’re more of a Samsung stan, save a stack and save £144 on the A52s 5G. 50 GB of data and only £19.99 a month to boot. Watch your latest streaming obsession in dazzling detail on the widescreen Infinity-O display. Or snap an Insta-ready selfie on the ultra-crisp quad camera. Don’t overlook OPPO though. Get the flagship Find X5 Pro – with its ultra-speedy processor, 5G connectivity and triple camera system – and save a whopping £312. That’s a whole lotta bang for your buck. And did we mention the unlimited data too? SIM your heart out If you’re in the market for a corker of a SIM Only deal instead, we’ve got all bases covered. Get unlimited minutes and texts on all plans, with special offers to choose from over 1, 12 and 24 months to suit your needs. For a short-term shout, get 70 GB of data for a month for just a tenner. But if you’re going to need more to work with, pick up a hefty 250 GB for only £14 for the entire year. And what’s more, you can save up to £4 and get up to 2.5x data on these SIM only smash hits too. You can even take advantage of the power of 5G on all SIMs. You can’t say we’re not spoiling you. Anything else? We aren’t stopping there though. Why confine the best offers to just one day? We do things differently here. Keep your eyes peeled over the rest of the month, as we’ll be adding more killer deals from more of the biggest brands across the whole of November. If there’s nothing here that catches your eye (and we’ll be very surprised if there isn’t), you can see our complete range of amazing Black Friday deals over at the iD Mobile website. Giveaway Time! - Closed for new entries. This month we’re giving away a TADO Wireless Smart Thermostat Starter Kit V3+! To be in with a chance to win, we want to know what product would you like to purchase this Black Friday? A new phone? A new TV? Or perhaps you are looking to make a start on your Xmas shopping? Whatever it is we want to know! Let us know by commenting below! Entries close at 23:59 on 25th November 2022, and we'll announce a randomly picked winner shortly after! Good luck!