Articles and competitions.

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!

It’s that time again where everyone starts to ask themselves big questions for the year ahead. How are you going to make this year a success? What new skills are you going to learn? How will you set time aside to focus on the things that really matter? These are all questions we all ask ourselves, and the answers are as varied as we are. Of course, almost everyone has a set of resolutions they intend to stick to each year. It could be a bucket list trip that you’ve always dreamed of going on, getting that dream job, or even getting back in touch with old friends and making regular plans. But the one thing you’ll need to achieve all your resolutions is motivation. So this January, we thought we’d do something a little different. Instead of counting down the most popular resolutions, here’s some great resolution inspo that can be a springboard to even bigger and better things! Make 2022 your year with these goals… Focus on your health You know the saying: health is wealth. We’re not just talking about those January gym visits to burn off all the deliciously indulgent festive feasting; we mean feeling good in your body AND your mind. Whatever your specific goals are for 2022, the drive and motivation to take the plunge and achieve them starts when you’re in a good place. Set some time aside each day to do something that clears your mind and helps relieve stress - whether that’s yoga, meditation, jogging in the park, or yes, lifting the stress away in the gym. The trick is to make your routine enjoyable. Find healthy recipes you love to cook and eat. Find activities that excite you instead of going autopilot on the treadmill. The first step is always the toughest, but once you’re into a routine, self-care is extremely rewarding. And it means you’re better placed to overcome any challenges on the road to your goals. Sound good? Head on over to our guide to a healthier you in 2022[link] to find out more! Look after your finances This is one that should be on everyone’s list every year! Improving your financial security doesn’t have to be a hassle-filled chore. There are plenty of easy things you can do to make sure you’re always on top of expenses, building savings, and setting money aside to do the things you’ve always wanted. You can even get help from your phone in the form of a few nifty money management apps. Some banking apps can even round up every payment you make to the nearest pound, putting that extra cash in a special pot to fund whatever big plans you have in mind – a Hawaiian cruise, first home deposit, anything! Or, if you want it for something a little more functional, you can create a pot to pay off those monthly bills with every transaction. And of course, away from apps, setting out a budget in advance is great for getting a head start. You don’t need to completely overhaul your lifestyle to make your money go further. Check out our guide for more money-saving inspiration! Make plans to achieve your aspirations Think about what you really want to do. A dream you’ve always had in the back of your mind but never quite got around to. What’s holding you back from making it a reality, and why? 2022 could be the year it finally happens… You may have the kernel of an idea for a brilliant novel, the skills to fluently speak another language, learn a new instrument or become great at a new sport, who knows! Having a plan to make it happen just makes it that much more realistic. And you can break that big aspiration down into smaller goals and milestones along the road - those little ‘job well done’ moments are what make it sustainable. If it’s the data you need to help you get closer to that goal, there are apps out there that can help you plan for almost any goal you have. Check out Strides on the App Store. It’s one of the best apps for setting goals, and you can track them in four different ways to suit you. Plus, you can even plot in those milestones to keep you feeling fully motivated. Make time for family and friends Between work life and home life, it can often feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to keep in touch with those closest to us as much as we should. But it’s the people closest to us that enrich our lives the most, more than work and more than evening Netflix binges (we’re all guilty). Take the time to check in with your friends and family. Call, video call, text, WhatsApp, FaceTime, or even go old school and pop over to say hi - just set some time aside and do it! Make plans to do things together whether they’re in person or in the virtual world. Go out to eat, join a gym together, go see a show, or just watch that Netflix series together. Spend that time you’d otherwise spend on your own doing what you love with the people you love. Disconnect from your phone We know, this is not the kind of resolution you’d expect to hear from us! We are, after all, a phone network. However, there are times when you simply want to disconnect from the world and get the most from the activity you’re doing, be it sleeping, writing an assignment, or watching that big season finale distraction-free. And we don’t just mean putting you’re your phone down, but taking a break from social media if you feel like you could do with some time away. Both Android phones and iPhones have great digital wellbeing features to help you power down when you need to:If you have an iPhone, set up Downtime to give you a break whenever you want to put down your phone for a little while. Just head to Settings > Screen Time > Tap Downtime. You can set a schedule to take a break at the same time each day, or even customise what days you want to set your phone aside and for how long. With Android’s digital wellbeing settings, there are two options. You can block any distracting apps along with pings and notifications in Focus Mode. Or, if you want to improve the quality of your sleep, set Bedtime mode to silence your phone and change the screen to black and white at set times. Easy! Simply head to Settings > Digital Wellbeing to get started. Those are a few of the foundational resolutions we’re using this year to keep us on our ‘new year, new me’ kick. What are your resolutions for 2022? How do you plan to stick to them throughout the year? Competition Time: To celebrate the the start of 2022, we’re giving you the chance to win a £100 Currys Gift Card! To enter, just tell us what your new year's resolution is. Maybe you want to eat healthier? Perhaps you want to get that new job or promotion? Whatever it is we want to know! The competition ends at 23:59 on 21st January, and we'll announce the lucky iD Community winner shortly after. T&C’s apply. Good luck!

We’re all feeling the pinch right now. Energy bills have skyrocketed – and it only looks like they’re going to keep rising. According to research from the House of Commons Library, “household energy bills increased by 54% in April 2022”. And they’re going up by another 27% this October… But there’s a way to bring those bills down and make a difference: smart tech. What is smart tech and how does it work? Smart technology is tech with a brain, with more clever stuff going on under the hood. Take a simple bit of gear – then automate it, control it using an app and connect it with other devices in your house. And Bob’s your uncle. You’ve got yourself some smart tech. We’re talking about the kind that’s there to save you some serious money and energy. Combining smart plugs, lights and thermostats can make a big difference to your wallet at the end of the month. Smart lights Installing eco or LED bulbs in every room can really help keep the cost of your bills down long-term. Smart bulbs are designed to save power and last a lot longer than traditional ones, so you won’t have to replace them as often. You can even set their brightness if you want to. This adds to their energy efficiency; smart bulbs use less energy than normal bulbs as they don’t give off as much heat. We’re all guilty of leaving lights on. Tucked up in bed but know you’ve left one on in the kitchen? Grab your smartphone and switch it off in a second. Sorted. Smart plugs The modern home is a hive of electronics. The TV. Your fridge. The PlayStation in the lounge. All of it hoovers up energy. Certain tech can even be a drain on standby. Get yourself some smart plugs and slot them into as many outlets around the house as you can. You can then switch devices off and on via your smartphone. No more accidentally leaving your TV on standby when you head out for the evening! Companion apps will usually show you which bit of tech is the biggest energy sink. Knowing which gear is consuming what level of energy can be a real money saver. Smart plugs are cheap to buy and easy to set up and use, so do yourself a favour and get a set. Smart Thermostats With a smart thermostat, you can outline schedules, set timers, tweak temperatures and do a whole lot more when it comes to controlling your boiler, heating and water. Along with a dedicated app – displaying a dashboard with your energy usage – you can quickly view how and where your home is consuming energy. A lot of leading energy companies even offer a rebate once you buy and install your thermostat. That’s a win-win situation. Got any top energy saving tips you want to share? Comment down below and let us know.

We’ve all done it. A great new phone comes out that ticks every box, and boom! You’ve bought it and you’re upgrading. You back up all your files and apps, pop the SIM out of your old phone and into the new and that’s it. You’re all moved over and ready to crack on with your new, next-gen smartphone. But what are you going to do with your old phone? Whether you want to make a gift of it to a family member or mate, sell it, donate it to charity or keep putting it to good use, there’s always a better option than simply ‘out of sight, out of mind’. Here are just a few of them: Trade it in with iD Mobile iD Mobile will happily take your old phone and give you cash in return. The process is really easy, and it’s all done online. 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 within 3-5 working days. Result! Give it as a gift! We all know the latest smartphones are getting better and better, but phones from just a few years ago still work perfectly well in today’s 5G focused world. If your old phone is still as snappy as ever, why not give it to that mate that’s looking for a new phone? ‘Tis the season after all… Make sure you’ve done a couple of important things before you gift it. Remember to save all the data and important files stored on your old phone elsewhere. Back it up to a laptop, transfer it over to your new phone, or save it to the cloud. That way, you won’t be in danger of losing your notes or holiday photos once you’ve given it away. Next, be sure to do a factory reset on the phone before boxing it up. As you may guess, a factory reset wipes all of the data you’ve stored on your phone and takes it right the way back to how it was when you first bought it. Your mate can set it up exactly the way they like, and they’ll get that new phone feeling in the process. Win win! Sell your phone online Even if you’re not out to make loads of money, it’s surely more worthwhile to sell your old smartphone than leave it hidden away to be forgotten! As with giving your phone away, be sure to remove all your data and perform a factory reset first, so it’s like new when the lucky buyer powers it up. If your old phone is a flagship from a few years ago, you could try your luck on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or Gumtree, get a quote from a site like Fonebank, or take it to a gadget store and see what they’ll offer. Why not donate it to a worthy cause? Old phones, provided they’re in full working order, are a more than welcome sight in charity shops. They tend to make for a higher ticket item, the money all goes to a good cause, while the buyer gets to grab a great phone at a bargain price. Everyone’s a winner. We mentioned Fonebank before, which is a great site for getting a fast quote for that old mobile and selling it quickly. But they’ve also got a fantastic charity initiative with WaterAid. When you sell your phone, you can choose to donate a percentage, or the full value of your phone directly to WaterAid. Why not clear your home of unused tech and do a good deed at the same time? Put it to good use Even if your old phone’s showing its age with its battery, speed or camera capability, there are still ways to give it new life. One of the best ideas is turning it into a security camera. Plenty of apps let you view the live camera feed of one phone on another, and setup is incredibly easy. Just place your old phone in a good spot and download Alfred. With this handy app, all you need to do is sign into the same account on both phones to keep tabs on what’s happening around the house. It’s got motion detection, two-way talking and even low-light filtering, so it’s just as useful at night as it is in daylight. Or, if you have a little one at home, why not turn that old smartphone into a baby monitor? Just place it near their cot or bed (keeping it plugged in if battery is an issue) and you’re halfway there. You can either video call the old phone over Wi-Fi using Skype or similar services, or go for a specialist app. If it’s an Android phone, the BabyCam app is made for doing just this job. You just need two devices connected to the same Wi-Fi and you’re ready to go. Recycle it! Did you know that roughly 80% of the materials used in your phone are recyclable? Among the materials that make up your phone, some are precious metals. If you can’t find another use for your phone, and you don’t want the hassle of selling it, consider going for the green option and recycling it. 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? But, as with selling or gifting your phone, make sure you’ve cleared all your data and that you’ve got all the files you need, first. Those are just a few ideas on what to do to save that old phone from gathering dust! Have you got an old phone around your home? What are you planning to do with it? Let us know below…

Skipping the shops and buying your Christmas haul online? We don’t blame you. Shopping online is quick and convenient, and with most retailers offering next-day or even same-day delivery, it’s never been easier to get Christmas-ready from your sofa. But just as you might watch your purse or pockets when out in a busy shopping centre, it’s important to stay safe whilst shopping online. Unfortunately, Christmas is prime time for scammers. They’re always devising new ways to cheat deal-hunting customers out of their cash, and their methods are getting much more sophisticated. But don’t fear – there are a few things you can do to keep safe online whilst bagging those Christmas bargains. Don’t use public Wi-Fi Public Wi-Fi networks are handy in a pinch but come with major security compromises. Never buy stuff online when you’re using a public Wi-Fi network. Your connection is nowhere near as secure as it is when you’re using your own mobile data or home broadband, which means that determined fraudsters can access the data you provide and potentially wreak havoc. Stick with mobile data if you want to make a quick purchase on the go, or wait until you’re home with your feet up. Be dubious In a world of online bargains, remember this: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Plenty of fake online retailers set up shop around the festive season, claiming to sell big ticket tech at unbeatable prices. Look out for odd bogus emails in your inbox, purporting to be a legitimate retailer with an unmissable pre-order deal. Of course, we don’t want you to miss out on a great (legitimate) deal. Many genuine businesses send out festive emails with deals, price reductions and voucher codes. Just be sure to check the email address is trustworthy. Retailers will usually have an email address where the company name follows the ‘@’. So, if the email ends with a Gmail or Outlook, or is made up of a bunch of numbers and letters, it’s probably a scam. Quick tip: Don’t assume that just because the email address checks out and the site seems professional, that you’re guaranteed to get what you pay for. Check out the retailer’s Trustpilot score to see what other customers have to say about the service they’ve received. You’ll know what to expect when you buy from the company, or even to steer clear if there are lots of negative reviews. Pay securely Finding the right place to buy your Christmas pressies is the first step. Making sure your payment details stay private is the second. We can’t stress this enough: always check for HTTPS at the start of the URL, or the padlock icon on the HTML bar when buying online. It means that the website you’re buying from has secure SSL encryption, and no potential third-parties or cyber-criminals can read or change the data you send to the retailer when you complete your transaction. If you use Google Chrome, the browser flags any page that doesn’t have SSL encryption to make sure you’re aware. Without it, your payment data isn’t safe. Want to go a step further? Use a third-party payment system like PayPal. With PayPal, you won’t need to enter your card details on the sites you buy from. Instead, you’ll be taken directly to the PayPal site, where you can securely log into your account and pay without sharing personal info. For extra security, you can even set up 2-factor authentication when logging into PayPal. This will send you a 6-digit code via text message which you’ll need to access your account once you’ve entered your password. Don’t give out unnecessary personal info Even if you’re shopping with a well-known retailer, don’t give out personal data that’s not needed. Many websites have been hacked in recent years, compromising the security of customers’ data. Unnecessary personal info like date of birth gives scammers the contextual info they need to use your identity or finances. Make sure to only give the bare essentials required to complete the purchase and have it delivered to the right place. Keep an eye on your finances It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your financial statements, and especially so during busy shopping periods. If you’ve got online or mobile banking, it’s easy to monitor your incomings and outgoings. Look out for new credit cards, loans or transactions on your accounts that you don’t recognise. If you do find anything suspicious, report it to your bank as soon as possible. Protect your device with antivirus It’s worth buying reputable antivirus software to keep your PC, phone and tablet protected against any security threats and keep your financial info secure. Many antivirus programs like McAfee and AVG come with a website checker that let you know if a site is safe to browse and do business with before you even get to the homepage. Just be sure to keep the software updated to stay one step ahead of any potential harm online. Want to find out more about staying safe online? Read our guide to protecting your online identity. Got any online safety tips? How do you shop safe? Let the Community know below.

Is your smartphone struggling with basic tasks? Do you dread going out without a charger? Sounds like it’s time for an upgrade. Unlike cosmetic issues that can sometimes be fixed, processor slow-down and battery issues are inevitable as your phone ages. There are loads of warning signs to watch out for, so we’ve popped a few of them in this handy list. If any ring true, it’s time to consider how long you’ve had your phone and if it’s still up to the task. 1.Failing battery and random shutdowns A sure sign that your phone’s on its way out is when the battery life starts to fail. Smartphone batteries are made with lithium-ion and can go through 300-500 full charge cycles before they start to deteriorate. After that, they tend to only hold between 70-80 % of their original capacity, eventually losing the ability to recharge altogether. If your phone randomly starts shutting down, it’s time to think seriously about replacing it. The last thing you want is to be out and about with an unusable phone! 2.You can’t update your operating system If you’ve had your phone a long time, the manufacturer may eventually stop supporting your device. You won’t be able to upgrade to the latest operating system or install security patches, which may expose your sensitive data to hackers. With every OS update, your smartphone experience should become smoother and more intuitive. Using a phone that’s too old means you’ll miss out on tons of new features. Even worse, it might not be compatible with the faster 4G and 5G networks , so you’ll be stuck with slower data speeds. Upgrade before you’re left in the dust. 3.Your touchscreen is slow to respond There’s nothing worse than lag. If your touchscreen is slow to respond to your commands, it’s time to upgrade to a phone that does what you want, when you want. After all, if your touchscreen phone isn’t responding to touch, there isn’t very much it can do. 4.Your screen or chassis is heavily damaged Let’s face it – we’ve all dropped our phones at some point. There’s no feeling quite like tentatively retrieving your phone from the floor and hoping that the screen is intact. But there comes a point when your device has had one mishap too many. A cracked screen’s not a good look, and all those knocks might eventually loosen hardware parts and affect the smooth running of your device. Imagine the delight of a pristine screen with no cracks or scratches. Treat yourself! 5.Your phone takes poor quality photos and videos An old phone means outdated camera tech. Do your photos and videos appear grainy and blurry? Is there a lag between pressing the shutter button and the shot being taken? If yes, you could be due an upgrade. Modern smartphone cameras are incredible. Many feature main lenses with over 48 megapixels, backed by wide-angle and macro lenses. They can shoot seamless, shake-free 4K footage and take fantastic selfies with HD front-facing cameras. Being able to capture crisp memories is one of the most compelling reasons to upgrade. 6.You’ve run out of storage space and memory Had your phone for years? All those precious photos, videos and apps means that it’s probably getting full. Unfortunately, if your device doesn’t support expandable storage, there’s not much you can do without having to pay extra for Cloud based storage. Look for a device with upwards of 64GB of storage to store all your photos, videos and other data. If larger apps keep crashing on your device whilst they work fine for those around you, you probably need more RAM (Random Access Memory). The more RAM your device has, the quicker it performs tasks and the better it is at multitasking. Many new phones feature upwards of 6GB RAM for incredible responsiveness and the ability to run the latest apps. Make sure you purchase a device with enough RAM for your long-term needs. Decided that an upgrade is right for you? Check if you can upgrade now. Wait! Don’t just chuck your old phone away. There are plenty of ways to get use out of your old phone whilst doing your bit to reduce landfill. Consider trading in your old device If you purchased your phone within the last 5 years, you may be able trade it in and put the money towards an impressive new device. The value of your device will depend on its market value and physical condition. Our trade-in service is powered by Currys. See how much your device is worth. Giveaway Time: As we’re approaching one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year! We’ve decided to give one lucky Community member with with a £100 gift voucher to go towards purchasing that essential piece of tech! To enter, we want you to tell us what phone you are currently using and what you like about it the most. Is the camera amazing? Does the battery last ages? Let us know below! Also, feel free to add a pic, if you really want to standout! Those who share their thoughts will be in with the chance to win... a £100 Currys voucher! Entries close at 23:59 on 17th October 2022, and we'll announce the lucky iD community winner shortly after. Good luck! The Giveaway is now closed for entries!

Let’s face it, sometimes you get back from holiday and feel like you need another one. As soon as you’re back to the commute on a rainy old Monday morning, it can seem like you’ve never been away. So, we’ve put together a few hints and tips, together with helpful links and apps, to help you beat those post-holiday blues and arrive at work with a positive attitude. And, if you haven’t been away yet, read on, a little pre-holiday planning can make it much easier when you get back to reality. 1. Get organised After a long, lazy holiday, that alarm on your first morning back can be tough. So, make things easy on yourself with a little planning the night before. Choose what you’re going to wear, get your bag ready for work, find your security pass, etc. And make to-do lists of what needs to be prioritised on the first day or week. There are some great apps, like Evernote Wunderlist or Trello that can help you with this kind of prep and planning. If you haven’t been away yet, you can get organised right now with our holiday checklist. We’re really jealous of you! 2. Make time for yourself Don’t rush headlong into the pile of work waiting for you. Pace yourself and make sure you take regular breaks to give yourself a chance to take stock and remain calm. Be sure to take proper lunch breaks away from your desk and, if possible, leave the office for a breath of fresh air, just to keep things in perspective. You were on the beach this time last week, after all. If you need a little help to stay calm, take a look at de-stressing apps like Calm or Headspace and remember, you’re not in this alone. 3. Now hear this! Stay positive and inspired by listening to some motivational podcasts like Ted Talks or some Spotify motivational playlists on your way to work. Better still, put together your own playlist of your fave inspirational, upbeat tunes as the soundtrack to your commute. And why not treat yourself to some new headphones while you’re at it? After a holiday, your overall productivity increases, so keep yourself motivated and be prepared for pats on the back from your colleagues. 4. Read all about it… Load up your tablet or Kindle with some inspirational reads for your commute to work or for a quick motivator on your lunch break. Check out the best eBook readers here or download an eBook reader app to your smartphone or tablet. There are loads to choose from like Kindle, Kobo, Serial Box, Google Play Books and many more. And a whole world of eBooks out there just waiting to be discovered. 5. Stay active and eat well You’re bound to be tired coming back to work after a relaxing holiday, especially if you’ve had a long journey home through different time zones. The importance of eating well and staying hydrated to keep yourself focused and concentrated at work cannot be over-emphasised. Check out healthy eating apps and sites like Better Health Better Families and MyFitnessPal and, for a little exercise motivation, check out: Map My Walk, Runkeeper or Fitbit. 6. Keep your holiday going A great holiday is all about great experiences, and that can be a delicious dish you’ve eaten or a favourite activity. And just because you’ve got back home, doesn’t mean you have to leave those experiences behind. Had an amazing Italian meal in Rome? Check to see if there are any great Italian places in your area. Or maybe you can use a takeaway app to have it delivered to your door. Loved rock climbing in Thailand? Maybe an indoor climbing wall will scratch that itch. 7. It’s good to talk Take time to check in with your colleagues and get up to speed on what you missed while you were away. Catch-up with a friend over coffee and chat about your holiday. Simply talking to someone and having a laugh can help improve your first day back. Giveaway Time: To be in with a chance of winning, we want to know what your favourite book or podcast to wind down to is and why. Whether it's true crime podcasts, fantasy books or something else that helps you relax we want to know! Share your thoughts by commenting below for your chance to win... a Kindle Paperwhite! Entries close at 23:59 on 23rd September 2022, and we'll announce the lucky iD community winner shortly after. IMPORTANT INFO: The Winner 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!

All you need to know about Google’s new flagship phones, Pixel 7 & Pixel 7 Pro. Google has unveiled two new flagship stunners, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. We had a chance to get up close and personal with them recently, so read on to see what makes them so special. Dazzling design and display Google is sticking with its distinct Pixel design. No surprises here. So just like the Pixel 6 phones, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro have the unique camera bar running right across the back. The new metallic finish is definitely more stylish and subtle than the older Pixel 6 version though, and the bar now blends nicely into the frame. The rest of the back is glass, giving it a real quality feel. You’ve got a few colour options. For Pixel 7 you can go for Obsidian (black), Snow (white) or Lemongrass (a pale yellow). For the Pixel 7 Pro, you’ve got the choice of Obsidian, Snow or Hazel (grey). The Pixel 7 has a 6.3-inch display, so slightly smaller than the Pixel 6’s 6.4-inch display. The Pixel 7 Pro has the same 6.7-inch display as the Pixel 6 Pro, and the same super-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Google also claims that the new displays are now 25% brighter, so you’ll be able to browse the web and scroll through your socials on sunny days. A quality camera set-up The Google Pixel 7 has a dual-lens camera setup, consisting of a 50MP main lens and a 12MP ultra-wide lens with a 114-degree field of view. There’s also a 10.8MP selfie camera on the front. Oh, and you can shoot 4K quality video footage up to 60fps, front and back. The Google Pixel 7 Pro has a triple-lens camera, with a 48MP telephoto lens and to the same main and ultra-wide lenses as the Pixel 7 (they’re not exactly the same - the ultra-wide camera has a wider 125.8-degree field of view). It also has a new Macro Focus mode, letting you get right up close to your subject – as little as 3cm away. Super Res Zoom has had a serious upgrade, with 8x zoom on the Pixel 7 and up to a whopping 30x on the Google Pixel 7 Pro. Plus, there are loads of cool camera features to dive into, such as Cinematic Blur (which gives your videos a pro-quality shallow field-of-depth), and Photo Unblur (which makes blurry shots a lot sharper). There's also a Guided Frame feature that helps visually impaired people take selfies, with the help of audio guidance and haptic feedback. Under the hood Pixel 7 comes with 128GB of storage and 8GB of RAM. With the Pixel 7 Pro you get 128GB of storage and 12GB RAM. The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are both powered by the 2nd gen Tensor G2 chipset. According to Google, it can run machine learning up to 60% faster than the older generation – so expect better call quality, faster Night Mode, and noticeable improvements to a lot of Pixel’s most popular features. Both phones have all-day battery life and speedy charging that can give you 50% of power in half an hour. Google will also give you at least five years of security updates, for extra peace of mind. And finally, face unlock is here at last - you can now use the front-facing camera to unlock your camera in a flash. We found it a lot speedier than using the fingerprint sensor, so thumbs up to that! What do you think about the Pixel’s latest new features? Are you planning on upgrading? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

World Environment Day on 5th June is the ‘people's day’ for doing something to take care of the earth. Everyone is free to choose, so if you need some inspiration, why not think about recycling your old smartphone? If you throw out an old smartphone, it could end up being bad for the environment. If not disposed of properly it might end up in a landfill site, slowly corroding and leaking out hazardous substances like lead, nickel and mercury. The best way of stopping this from happening is to recycle it. With just a little imagination, you can use your old smartphone for another purpose. Need some inspiration? We’ve got a few ideas… 1. Home security camera If you want to keep an eye on the house while you’re on holiday or at work, your old phone is the perfect tool. Just download a decent webcam app (like IP Webcam on Android or Presence on iPhone), and you’ll be able to see what your old phone’s camera sees from your web browser. So place it somewhere that gives you a good view, and is suitably out of sight! 2. Music player Download your favourite music onto your old smartphone, and use Bluetooth to play it back through smart speakers at home or when you’re out in the park. Or do it in your car, and you’ll have easy access to your favourite songs every time you go for a drive. You won't have to worry about phone calls or notifications spoiling your listening pleasure either. 3. Digital photo frame All you need to turn your old phone into a digital photo frame is a stylish stand and a free slideshow app that automatically scrolls through your photos. Dayframe is a good one for Android handsets, while Picmatic does the same sort of thing for iPhones. Just remember to disable the screen dimming and lock features on your phone before you put it on display! 4. E-reader Are you a bit of a bookworm? Then why not use your old phone as a dedicated e-reader? Download all your favourite books onto it from Apple Books or Google Play Books, or use the official Kindle app and sync your reading across multiple devices. 5. Alarm clock There are loads of apps that will let you use your old phone as an always-on alarm clock. If you’ve got an old charging dock to sit it in and keep it powered up, all the better. That way, you’ve got no excuse for not getting up on time. 6. Give it to the kids Your old phone can be great for keeping the kids entertained, but you’ll need to make it child-friendly first. The Kid Mode app for Android is full of free games and videos that are fun and educational. You can also set up a lock to prevent your kids seeing anything they shouldn’t. If you’ve got an iPhone, the Guided Access mode (under ‘Settings' > ’General’ > ’Accessibility’) does exactly the same thing. 7. Radio Most radio station broadcast online now, and there are also heaps of online radio apps that you can make use of. Check them out, choose your favourites, and enjoy your favourite sounds. 8. Barometer There’s a very good chance that your old phone has an inbuilt barometer, as phone makers use them to improve their GPS results. So search for a barometer app, hang your phone in the hall, and use it find out if you need a brolly when you’re heading out. 9. Baby monitor on call Your old phone can make a great baby monitor. An app like Dormi (Android) or Cloud Baby Monitor (iPhone) will alert you if the little one starts making a noise, and you can then soothe them remotely by breaking into a rendition of their favourite lullaby. 10. Donate it Any old phone is worth money, and most charities are happy to take them as donations. If you’re interested in doing a bit of good, pay a visit to your local charity shop or check out the Oxfam recycling webpage. 11. Find your car You can use your phone as a tracker to locate your car if it’s lost or stolen, and it’s lot easier than you might think. Simply keep your old phone running on a low cost SIM only plan, and register it on 'Find my Device' (Android) or 'Find my iPhone'. Then hide it in your car somewhere, and don’t forget to keep it charged. That’s all there is to it - you now have your very own car tracker. 12. Use it as a camera Okay, it might be an old phone – but the camera on it’s as good as ever. So why not let your kids practice on it and gains some valuable photography skills? If you’ve got the Google Photos app (Android or iOS) on the phone, the photos will be saved to the cloud and you can view them on your current device. 13. VR headset VR headsets for your smartphone are a lot of fun. But if you use your current phone to get your VR fix, constantly moving it in and out of the VR headset can get a bit tiresome. Plus, it can eat up your precious battery life. That’s not so much of a problem if you use your old phone as a full time VR gadget. You’ll only ever need to take it out when it’s time to recharge it again. Not got a VR headset yet? Google Cardboard is a great low cost option. 14. Use it for emergencies Last but not least, you can keep your phone for emergencies. The main point worth remembering here is that you can call 999 even if you don’t have a SIM card in it. So just be sure to keep it charged, put it in a safe place like your purse or glove compartment of your care, and you’ve got an emergency phone you can use if your main one’s out of battery or unavailable. Will you be recycling your old phone? Will you be going with one of our tips above, or do you have one of your own you’d like to share? Post a reply below to comment!

It’s that time of the year again, Apple fans! Four new iPhones have landed - iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. These new phones are packed with exciting new tech and features including crash detection, stunning low-light photography and longer battery life. Let’s take a closer look… Design and display iPhone 14 shares the same design as iPhone 13, so it looks like Apple is sticking with what its phone users know and love. There’s one big difference though - unlike the iPhone 13 range, there’s no mini option. The Super Retina XDR OLED display sizes are 6.1-inches on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro, and 6.7-inches on iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro Max. These sharp, bright and colourful screens make everything look amazing and are great for entertainment – you’ll love playing games and watching movies on them. As for colours, iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro comes in midnight, blue, starlight, purple and ‘product red’. Go for iPhone 14 Plus or iPhone 14 Pro Max and you’ve got the choice of deep purple, gold, silver and space black. Advanced cameras Here’s the camera set up for each iPhone 14: iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus – 12MP dual camera, 12MP selfie camera iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max – 48MP triple camera, 12MP selfie camera With an enhanced main camera and improved image processing, each iPhone 14 lets you capture awesome shots in all kinds of lighting conditions. Then there’s Action mode, for smoother video footage. Whether you’re filming while walking the dogs or playing with the kids, your video will be clear and super-smooth. For the first time ever, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max Pro feature a new 48MP Main camera with a quad-pixel sensor. It’s capable of adapting to whatever you’re taking a photo of, giving you amazing looking shots even when it’s dark. Crash detection The iPhone 14 family comes with a potentially life-saving feature called crash detection. As the name suggests, it can detect if you’re unlucky enough to be involved in a severe car crash. An alarm on your iPhone will sound, and you’ll be given the option of contacting emergency services using an on-screen slider. If you don’t answer the alarm in 10 seconds, your iPhone will automatically contact the emergency services for you. Bionic power iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are powered by the same A15 Bionic chip as iPhone 13, while iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max use the pioneering new A16 Bionic chip. When it appeared on the iPhone 13, the A15 Bionic chip was the fastest on any smartphone ever - up to 50% faster than competitors. It’s still an incredibly fast and powerful processor. The A16 Bionic chip is “generations ahead of the competition” according to Apple. It’s perfect for advanced photograph and intensive gaming, and delivers more performance with a fraction of the power compared to the competition. Oh, and the battery is the best that’s ever been on an iPhone. The Bionic chip and software are so efficient that your new iPhone 14 will now easily last all day, no matter what you’re doing. All the storage you need iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus come with 128GB, 256GB or 512GB storage options. Whichever you go for, you’ve got plenty of room for all your apps, games and files. iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max also have a fourth storage option of 1TB (1000GB, in other words). That’s more than most laptops have, and gives enough space for around 250 HD movies. Where can I order an iPhone 14? iD is offering great deals on the iPhone 14 line-up. Choose iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max on a plan that gives you all the flexibility and control you need. You can enjoy ultra-fast 5G coverage, roll over your unused data, cap your out-of-plan charges and stay right on top of your expenses using the iD app.

Android: What’s new? Coming to the end of your phone contract and ready for something new? You’re in the right place. Since the last time you treated yourself to a new device, smartphones have got better…a lot better. These days, you can find a great smartphone to suit any budget. Here are a few of our favourites, and how they shape up against the smartphones of yesteryear. Samsung Galaxy A51 One of the biggest visual improvements to smartphones over the past few years has been the chiselling of notches and bezels to fit larger screens. The Samsung Galaxy A51 may only be a fraction taller than 2018’s J6, but at 6.5-inches, the screen is almost a full inch bigger. But the display’s features don’t stop there. The screen itself is a Super AMOLED with precise colour accuracy and fantastic brightness even when you’re using it in sunlight. Backed by a better-than-Full HD resolution, it really brings the best out of all your pocket-sized content. And that pinhole front camera not only means you get a virtually all-screen experience, but 32MP of brilliant detail. Samsung’s smartphone cameras have leapt ahead in the past two years, too. On the back of the A51, there’s a quad camera led by a seriously impressive 48MP lens. With this four-lens setup, you can capture everything from detailed portraits to postcard-worthy landscapes. It even removes shakiness from your footage with the Super Steady function. So, your videos are ready to share the second you hit ‘record’. Elsewhere, the numbers beat the Samsung J6 across the board. A 33% bigger battery, extra 1GB of memory and Samsung’s faster Exynos 9611 processor make this handset speedy and reliable. Take a look at Samsung Galaxy A51 deals with iD Mobile Huawei P30 Lite New Edition Don’t be fooled by the name – there’s nothing light about the Huawei P30 Lite. With an octa-core processor and 6GB RAM, the P30 Lite feels snappy and responsive - even when you’re running a bunch of other apps in the background! Add to that a Full HD+ 6.1-inch IPS screen and a massive 256GB of storage space, this device a force to be reckoned with. We love the dewdrop selfie camera which, like the Galaxy A51, is a 32-megapixel lens. That’s perfect for profile pictures and video calls, while being subtle enough not to get too in the way of the display. In fact, it has double the megapixels and takes up less than half the space of the Huawei P20 Lite’s front camera. The rear camera is a contender, too. The 48MP Ultra HD lens makes a noticeable difference to detail in photography and offers 2x optical zoom, while the 120° wide angle lens is a solid option for group photos and sweeping landscapes. And thanks to some pretty clever AI, the camera is smart enough to recognise what you’re taking a picture of and adjusts the settings for quality results. Find your perfect P30 Lite plan with iD Mobile Samsung Galaxy S20 FE Samsung have always produced leading smartphones, but they’re always improving. The Galaxy S10 was a winning flagship in 2019 and held its own against the competition. But fast forward two years later and the Galaxy S20 FE can do more. Loads more. With 5G connectivity, ample 6GB RAM and a super-fast Exynos 990 processor, the S20 FE is ready to take on adrenaline-fuelled multiplayer games and easily flick between apps. And there’s a much bigger battery to keep it going all day. But the camera here really is something else. While the S10’s 12MP main camera was a contender in its day, the S20 FE sets a new benchmark. Combining dual 12MP wide lenses and an 8MP telephoto, you can shoot your subject in a range of styles and capture every little detail. More of a video person? Not to worry. The camera records in Ultra HD at a steady 60 fps. That’s double the frame rate of most smartphones, and makes for footage twice as smooth. As for the screen…well, get set for incredible entertainment anywhere you go. Super AMOLED means colours are always vibrant and rich, while the 120 Hz refresh rate makes everything from gaming to simple scrolling through news feeds feel unbelievably smooth. Check out iD Mobile’s Samsung Galaxy S20 FE plans Samsung Galaxy S21 5G/ S21+ 5G Looking for something cutting-edge? Samsung’s latest flagship S21 5G range is a real head-turner. The first major smartphone release of 2021, the S21, S21+ and S21+ Ultra all come packed with 5G tech to power through downloads and intensive multitasking. Both the Galaxy S21 and S21+ feature a triple rear lens setup led by a 64MP telephoto camera. Get up close to your subject at a distance with 30x Space Zoom. Shoot future-ready footage in 8K at 24 fps. Pick out an in-action high res photo from your footage to use as a thumbnail when you share your clip. With the S21 range, you can create content like a natural. At 6.2-inches, the S21 5G is easy to hold and has a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display for bright, sharp images. The S21+ offers that same brilliant resolution with a notably bigger 6.7-inch screen. Both have a 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate like the S20 FE, and we think it really adds to the responsive feel you get from both devices. Combined with 5G connectivity, and you’ve got a real winner for mobile gaming. Take a look at iD Mobile’s Samsung Galaxy S21 5G deals and Galaxy S21+ 5G deals Ready to upgrade? Ready to upgrade to a brand new phone? If you’ve been with iD Mobile for a while, you could be eligible for a great value deal on a range of the latest handsets. Find out more about upgrades and find a deal you’ll love with iD Mobile.