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EmiliD Mobile Employee
Our Latest Android Smartphones - 2021.Blog
If you’re in the market for a new Android phone that can do it all, you’re in great hands with iD Mobile. Smartphones are getting better and better all the time, so choosing the right one for you can be tricky. Here’s our pick of the Android phones we love, to make that all-important decision a little easier. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G The Galaxy S21 5G has three rear cameras (with a big 64MP Telephoto Camera leading the way) and a huge 30x Space Zoom – which makes for some amazing close ups. It can even record in incredibly high res 8K at 24 fps, and you can pick out high resolution stills as crystal-clear, in-the-moment photos. It’s a content creator’s dream. Everything you do on the S21, from general browsing to multiplayer online gaming, feels super-smooth. That fantastic 6.2-inch AMOLED display supports a 120 Hz refresh rate, so every tap, swipe and press feels really responsive. And it adapts to your activity, so you can rely on the battery to keep going. Packed with an octa-core processor, 8GB RAM and fast 5G connectivity, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G can handle speedy downloads, big apps and intensive multitasking. Check out the Samsung Galaxy S21 here Google Pixel 6 Want a phone that delivers the best of the Android experience to your fingertips? You’re looking at it. The Pixel 6 is Google’s first ‘flagship’ smartphone, and combined with 5G and Android 12, it’s a total game-changer. The first things you’ll notice about the Google Pixel 6 are the two-tone design and the all-new bar style rear camera layout. It looks completely different to any other smartphone we’ve seen, and it houses one of the best dual-camera setups yet. A 50MP wide and 12MP ultra-wide lens, teamed with a bigger sensor that lets in 150% more light than the Google Pixel 5. Put simply, Night Sight never looked this good. It’s also the first ever smartphone to feature Google’s own Tensor chip, designed to make the most of everything Android has to offer. If you thought smartphones had already peaked, this one is almost twice as fast as the Pixel 5 and offers the most layers of hardware security. So, your data is fully in your control. At 6.4-inches, the Pixel 6 sits comfortably between bigger-screen smartphones and more compact designs, so you get the perfect balance of comfort and immersive entertainment everywhere you go. And with a 90Hz refresh rate, the touchscreen feels as smooth as the phone looks. Treat yourself to the Google Pixel 6 with iD Mobile Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G Make no mistake: The Samsung Galaxy A52s is packed with amazing features you just wouldn’t expect on a mid-ranger. We’re talking 5G, a stunning 6.5-inch 120Hz Super AMOLED screen, battery that just keeps going and stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos tech. It’s like a full entertainment centre that fits in your pocket. That Infinity-O display isn’t just there to look good. It means the selfie camera is able to capture 32MP of bright, sharp detail, while barely taking up any screen space. On the back, there’s a quad camera fronted by a massive 64MP lens that gets the shot right first time. And when you switch to the 123° Ultra-Wide lens, you can capture sweeping landscapes and family photos like a pro. There’s bundles of space for your files, too. The A52s has 128 GB of built-in storage to take care of your apps, games, movies and music. But if you ever need more, you can add up to 1TB extra storage by inserting a microSD card. That’s roomier than most laptops! Find yourself a winning Samsung A52s 5G deal with iD Mobile Samsung Galaxy A12 If you’re after the smartphone essentials without breaking the bank, The Samsung Galaxy A12 ticks that box emphatically. It offers everything you need in a smartphone without the unnecessary frills: a lovely big screen, a bigger battery than many flagships and a design that keeps the phone comfy in hand when texting and calling. What’s not to love? Unlike Samsung’s Infinity-O selfie cam solution, Infinity-V houses the front lens in a dewdrop-style notch at the top. Plus, it’s able to record footage in 720p quality, making it a solid option for Teams meetings and family catch-ups over Zoom. After a new profile picture? The A12 can take photos that really capture personality and style. The quad rear camera is led by an impressive 48MP lens, but also includes a nifty depth camera. With this, it can fine-tune the background blur in your shots and put you front and centre for frame-worthy snaps. Elsewhere, we love it when a phone gives you the option to add more storage, and the Galaxy A12 is no different. 64GB is enough to help you get started, but, like the A52s 5G, you can always add more with a microSD card, whenever you need it. Pick your perfect Samsung Galaxy A12 deal with iD Mobile
EmiliD Mobile Employee
Then and Now: What's Changed in the Past Few Years? (Android Edition) - 2021Blog
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 A52s 5G One of the biggest developments to reshape the smartphone world recently is the introduction of speedy 5G. While it was an exclusive feature for the most premium phones only two years ago, we’re starting to see it introduced in mid-range handsets like the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G. And it’s a hugely welcome addition. That’s not the only thing that’s new, though. If you’re moving on from the A52s 5G’s predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy A51, you’ll notice plenty more technological leaps. Like the display, for instance. They both have a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED screen, but this time around, Samsung have doubled the refresh rate to a flagship-standard 120 Hz. That means scrolling, gaming, and watching shows feels twice as smooth. And when you’re taking that perfect selfie, the new LED front camera flash will come in really handy in low-light settings. Elsewhere, the A52s 5G adds more power in every possible way. It’s got a much bigger battery to keep you going for longer without a charge, and the RAM gets a 50% boost from 4GB to 6GB. So, you can flick between your favourite apps in any order and the phone will keep up the pace like a natural. Left your wallet at home? Not a problem. Samsung have added NFC (Near Field Communication) to the Galaxy A52s 5G, which means you can add all your credit and debit cards to Samsung Pay. You can even tap your phone to a pair of NFC headphones or speakers to connect instantly, without any trial and error. Smart! Find your perfect Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G plan with iD Mobile Samsung Galaxy A12 As we mentioned before, one of the new trends in today’s smartphone world is flagship features packed into more affordable phones. And in no other phone is this more apparent than the Samsung Galaxy A12. Many people instinctively go for flagship phones because they offer the best experience. But if you only plan to use your phone for the essentials like calling, chatting on WhatsApp or getting stuck into a movie on a long journey, the A12 may just be the phone for you. It has a huge battery (25% bigger than its predecessor, the A11) an incredibly comfy back with good grip, and a beautifully big screen to get lost in the action anywhere. While it doesn’t have 5G or bundles of RAM, it doesn’t hold back on much else. The quad camera setup is fronted by a big 48MP lens that’s versatile enough to capture a range of scenes in style. There’s also a macro lens that’s ideal for blurring the background in portraits, another neat feature that’s been added since the Galaxy A11. Plus, you can top up the storage to a huge 1TB whenever you like by adding a microSD card. You’ll never need to delete old files to make space. Pick your perfect Samsung A12 deal with iD Mobile Google Pixel 6 While smartphones have really stepped in recent years, it could be said that Google are leading the charge. While every Google Pixel up to the Pixel 5 was deemed a solid mid-range phone, the Google Pixel 6 is the brand’s first fully-fledged flagship. Add the new Android 12 operating system into the mix, and you’ve got a phone that matches revolutionary hardware with We love the unique camera design on the back, which breaks the trend of offset camera setups and subtle understatement to make them a real feature. Plus, the cameras are as good as they look. A 50MP wide lens and a 12MP ultra-wide, with the ability to capture jaw dropping night-time shots and even remove passers-by from the background in the post-edit. No more outtakes and practice photos - something that seemed impossible only two years ago. Elsewhere, Google have made the highly anticipated move from Snapdragon processors to their very own Google Tensor chip. This may not sound like a big deal, but the Tensor chip’s boost in power means the Pixel 6 is roughly 80% faster than the Google Pixel 5. Nearly twice as speedy opening apps, loading web pages and navigating through menus and sub-menus. It’s these little things that put the Google Pixel 6 up there with the most responsive, intuitive smartphones around. It’s a real winner. Discover your new Google Pixel 6 with iD Mobile 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. That’s something even the 2019 flagship S10 series didn’t have, and you’ll be amazed at how much it speeds up everyday functions. Both the Galaxy S21 and S21+ feature a triple rear lens setup led by a 64MP telephoto camera with an impressive 3x optical zoom. Or, if you’re taking snaps at a distance, you can really get up close to your subject with 30x Space Zoom. Both phones capture future-ready footage in 8K at 24 fps, and you can 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 compared to the Galaxy S10s 60 Hz, which we really adds to the snappy feel you get from both devices. Combined with 5G, mobile gaming never felt so smooth. 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.
EmiliD Mobile Employee
Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have arrived!Blog
‘Tis the season for new smartphone launches, where the biggest brands in the smartphone world unveil their latest innovations. September saw Apple unveil their game-changing iPhone 13 range, and now the titans of Android, Google, have launched their two best smartphones yet. We’re talking about the Pixel 6 and the Pixel 6 Pro. There’s been a lot of hype about these phones over the past few months in the run-up to their release. That’s partially because they’re the first smartphones to feature Google’s own custom-made processor, but there are plenty of other reasons to love these smartphones. Let’s take a closer look: How do they look? See for yourself! The latest phones in the Google Pixel family sport a radically different look to their predecessors. We love the unique ‘bar’ style camera module at the top, and the two-tone design above and below it is a real point of difference. Elsewhere, the selfie camera moves on both phones to the top centre, and both the front and back are protected by super-tough Gorilla Glass Victus. That’s just as well, as they may be too nice to cover up. Google have always opted for colour palettes that buck the trend, and this time around is no different. There are three different colour options for the Google Pixel 6, and another three for the Pixel 6 Pro: Choose from Sorta Seafoam, Kinda Coral and Stormy Black with the Pixel 6, and Cloudy White, Sorta Sunny and Stormy Black for the Pro. Whichever colour you go for, these phones are impressively stylish. And with the new Material You UI that matches your user interface with the colours of your wallpaper background, we think Google is really onto something exciting in the world of smartphone design. What are the screens like? The design isn’t the only area where Google have decided to do things differently. The screens on both of these phones are quite something. The Google Pixel 6 may be the smaller of the two devices, but it’s by no means small. At 6.4-inches, it’s a good size for watching movies and getting the most out of games, while staying comfy to hold when taking calls and sending messages. Plus, it feels as smooth as it looks thanks to a Full HD+ resolution and 90 Hz refresh rate. Google Pixel 6 Pro steps things up a gear, in every way. Much like its Pixel XL predecessors, it’s bigger at 6.7-inches. And speaking of pixels, the display gets the most from every single dot that makes up the screen. It’s a Quad HD+ OLED, meaning every little pixel is self-lit. Put simply, colours appear true-to-life when you browse through photos and watch gritty dramas. But that’s not all. The Google Pixel 6 Pro also boasts a 120 Hz refresh rate that drops down for less active apps. That means you still get that buttery-smooth scrolling, but it doesn’t waste any battery unnecessarily. Clever. Whichever one you go for, Google Pixel switches things up in 2021 with a fingerprint scanner built that sits underneath the screen. It feels like a logical place to have it, and means that secure access is only ever a quick thumb-tap away. The power of Google: When it comes to the processor that powers the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, Google have gone back to the drawing board and crafted their very own smartphone chip. Not only does this break with their tradition of using Snapdragon processors, but the new Google Tensor chip in both phones is around 80% faster than the Pixel 5’s chip. Almost twice as fast. That’s a huge deal in 2021. It’s not just about speed, though. This chip is a real smart cookie. It makes both phones better at picking up speech and varying dialects, and it’s considerably more accurate translating on the go. More importantly, it adds the most layers of hardware security on a smartphone yet, and that means your data is in safe hands – yours. Both phones come packed with the Google Tensor chip and 5G connectivity, which is paired with 8 GB RAM for the Pixel 6 and a massive 12GB RAM for the Pro model. Pixel perfect pictures: When it comes to previous Google Pixel phone cameras, it’s been the software that’s stolen the show. This time around, the cameras are bigger and better across the board. Put simply, the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have the most advanced cameras Google have put into a phone. Both have a new 1/1.3 inch primary sensor on the back that lets in 150% more light than the Pixel 5. That means much, much better photos in light and dark settings. The dual camera system on the Pixel 6 features a new 50MP wide and 12MP ultrawide lens, while the Pixel 6 Pro adds an amazing 48MP telephoto lens to make it a triple. The standout features here are the reduction of blur when you take a snap, and the editing options after you’ve taken it. Laser detect autofocus keeps your subject in razor sharp focus, and if there happen to be any passers by in the background of that group snap, you can remove them in the edit with Magic Eraser in Google Photos. No more photobombs! When are the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro available? Both the Google Pixel 6 and the Google Pixel 6 Pro are available for pre-order from iD Mobile right now, and we’ve got a brilliant offer for you! The Google Pixel 6 starts from £29.99 for 20 GB data with a £49.99 upfront cost, while the Google Pixel 6 Pro starts from £39.99 for 20 GB data, plus £49.99 upfront. And even if you’re still more than happy with your current phone, check out our top features of the new Android 12 operating system! Unwrapping and activating your new Google Pixel 6 or 6 Pro device: Please note that your new Google Pixel 6 or 6 Pro device may not be automatically running the latest Android operating system (Android 12). Please access the settings panel on your new device and check whether your new device is running the new Android 12 version. If your device is not running Android 12, then your device may not be able to connect to the iD 5G network, until it is updated. Your new Pixel 6 device should say: Software: SD1A.210817.036 O/S Version: Android 12
EmiliD Mobile Employee
Our latest iPhones - 2021 Edition.Blog
Looking to upgrade to a shiny new iPhone? iD Mobile has got you covered. We’ve got the latest and greatest iPhones, with everything that makes the Apple experience so good – all new iOS 15 software, effortless style, and cameras that set the standard. And you’re bound to find a top deal that works for you, right here. Let’s take a closer look at the line-up: iPhone SE: The SE delivers the best of the iPhone experience to suit any budget. It has the same processor that’s used in the iPhone 11, and a more-than-capable 12MP camera that’ll shoot instantly shareable 4K footage. That’s impressive. With a 4.7-inch screen, it’s the smallest iPhone available right now. But with a Retina HD display, the iPhone SE still delivers bundles of clarity and colour, and the handset feels super comfy and natural to use single-handed. Elsewhere, the SE can run intensive AR apps and offers 13 hours of video playback time. Plus, with up to 256 GB storage, you can download as much as you like. Discover the iPhone SE with iD Mobile iPhone 11: This 2019 flagship is still a seriously good phone. It’s 6.1-inches, so slightly smaller than the iPhone XS Max of the previous year, but still great for big screen action sequences and gaming on the go. You can forget taking your charger everywhere with you, too. The iPhone 11 can continuously play videos for up to 17 hours on a full charge, making it a solid long-haul flight companion. On the back, the cameras double up with a Wide and Ultra-Wide lens. It’s a versatile setup and able to capture frame-worthy images both close up and at a distance, with 2x optical and 5x digital zoom. Combined with Apple’s smart AI, you don’t have to be a professional photographer to get it picture perfect. Check out iD Mobile’s iPhone 11 plans . iPhone 12: There’s loads to love about the iPhone 12, starting with its Super Retina XDR OLED display. Because every pixel is self-lit, the iPhone 12 has plenty of sharpness and colour precision to make your movies and games pop. And at 6.1 it doesn’t trade in-hand comfort for the big screen experience. Backed by the A14 Bionic processor and its 5G compatibility, the iPhone 12 is an epic multitasker. It can download big files while you flick from app to app at the same time, without feeling any slower. Crank up the settings on your games, or move straight onto the next episode of your show without any waiting around. That snappy responsiveness is great news for both the front and rear cameras, too. You can get that perfect action shot the moment it happens with minimal shutter lag, or go Ultra HD at a beautifully smooth 60 fps when you record. Find your perfect iPhone 12 deal with iD Mobile . iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini: With the newest iPhones, Apple have taken everything users love about the iPhone 12 and added more oomph to the hardware. It’s that good, the new A15 Bionic processor is currently the best performing smartphone chip around, a record that its predecessor, the A14 Bionic comfortably held until now. Elsewhere, the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini keep the same screen size as the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini. At 6.1 and 5.4 inches respectively, you can go large for immersive gaming and entertainment or compact for ergonomic comfort on the go. Whichever you choose, the Super Retina XDR display makes the content on screen really stand out. Flip the phones over and the dual camera system has improved, too. They can shoot in new Cinematic Mode, which shifts the focus between people in the frame, and the cameras can even capture 47% more light than the iPhone 12, making night-time photos more detailed. All that photography is going to use battery, but don’t worry. These iPhones have enough power to offer an extra 90 minutes of screen time compared to the iPhone 12. And with the base storage option doubled to 128GB, you won’t need to delete apps or photos to free up space. Treat yourself to a great iPhone 13 or iPhone 13 Mini deal at iD Mobile. iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max: The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are up there with the most powerful flagship smartphones around. That, along with its amazing triple camera system and ground-breaking battery make both phones a real winner. Both phones keep similar dimensions to the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max, as well as the same screen sizes (6.1 and 6.7-inches), only this time Apple have doubled the maximum refresh rate to 120hz and increased the brightness. That means these phones offer the smoothest visual experience on an iPhone yet. Like taking photos up close to your subject? You’re in luck. When you move in with the iPhone 13 Pro’s ultra-side lens, it instantly triggers Macro mode. With this, you can get as close a 2cm away from what you’re photographing, and still get a detail-rich picture. Not only that, but the all new Cinematic Mode makes an appearance here too, so you can get really creative with your videos. As for the battery, the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max set new standards for smartphones. The iPhone 13 Pro can play streamed video for 20 hours, while the iPhone Pro Max clocks in for a huge 25. That’s over two seasons’ worth of TV entertainment on a single charge! Like the battery life, storage capacity takes a massive leap too. With options up to an epic 1TB of onboard space, the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are as roomy as it gets. Power up with the iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro Max with iD Mobile.
EmiliD Mobile Employee
Say hello to iOS 15!Blog
Meet the newest and most refined iPhone operating system yet… Even if you’ve got an iPhone and you’re not in the market for a new device, there’s still a big reason to love Apple phone launches, and that reason is a new OS. Whenever Apple launch a new flagship, you can be sure that a cutting-edge software release will come with it, and this year was no different. Along with the launch of the iPhone 13 family, iOS 15 went live to the world on September 20th, and it really builds on the best bits of the iPhone experience. At first glance, you’ll see a few subtle stylistic upgrades and refinements, but scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find nifty new features that are bound to make your phone feel smoother. Here are six new iOS features we’re loving right now: Don’t like your tab bar at the bottom of Safari? Change it! Tab bars at the bottom of your browser have always been a bit of a crowd divider. For many iPhone users, the update to iOS 15 has moved the address bar on Safari from the top to the bottom of the window. If you’re cool with that, no problem! If you miss it being at top, though, here’s how to switch it back: Go to Settings > Safari, then scroll down to Tabs, then switch to Single Tab. Okay, it’s not the most advanced feature, but what it shows is that Apple are making the iPhone experience ever more customisable. Your phone, the way you want it. We appreciate that. Get productive with Focus: If you haven’t started using Focus on your iPhone yet, what are you waiting for? This new feature is probably the best version of ‘do not disturb’ we’ve ever seen on a phone. Essentially, Focus is a super-customisable do not disturb function. When you switch to Focus, you can filter the apps you receive notifications from, the people who can ring you and apps and widgets on your home screen. And it’s not just one mode. You can set a mode for all kinds of activity, like work, mindfulness, cooking, sleep and workouts. When you’re in Focus Mode, your status will change in your messaging apps, so your contacts know you’re in the zone. Invite your non-iPhone friends to a FaceTime call: Here’s a biggie. FaceTime calls are no longer just for people with an iPhone, iPad or Mac. Now, iPhone users can create a link to a FaceTime call which can then be sent onto anyone, whatever device they use. Once they click the link, you can accept them into the call, and that’s it! They’re in. Dive into content with mates at the same time: While we’re talking Facetime, we have to mention the new Shareplay features available on iPhone. Ever get into a show that all your mates are watching, but you can’t talk about it because you’re not on the same episode? Say goodbye to spoiler alerts with Shareplay over Facetime. With shareable activities, you can now gather your mates to watch that latest episode or action-packed movie, or stream your favourite artist’s new album release, or chill with a podcast – all at the same time, even when you’re not together in person. It’s just the popcorn you can’t share. Live Text - Apple’s answer to Google Lens: Live Text is one of the more exciting features to roll out with iOS 15, and that’s because there are no limits to its use. Using your camera, you can hover over objects and signs to identify text, make phone calls, head straight to websites and loads more. Plus, it’ll even pick up on text in photos you’ve already taken. On top of all of that, Live Text can translate from other languages in a matter of moments, so we can’t wait to put it through its paces on our travels. Want to send a photo? Drag and drop it! This one isn’t futuristic, but it’s something that iPhone users have wanted for a long time. Drag and drop cuts out all the usual steps of sending a photo, video, file or link to contacts, whether it’s a single person or the group chat. For a photo, simply open the Photos app, hold down on the photo you want to send, swipe up to get back to the home screen at the same time, and tap to open the messaging app you want. Then, just drop it right into the chat and it’ll send. Easy. Which phones can update to iOS 15? iOS 15 is compatible with every iPhone from the iPhone 6S onwards. So even if your iPhone’s 6 years old, you’re still covered. Those are just a handful of the brilliant new things that iOS 15 can do. Already updated your iPhone and trying out new features? What’s caught your eye on you’re the new OS, and what would you like to see added next time around? Let us know below!
EmiliD Mobile Employee
Introducing Android 12.Blog
Google’s operating system just got a big refresh. Here are the new features we’re loving right now… It’s always exciting when you get that alert on your phone to say there’s a big new software update available, and Google’s latest OS release is no different. Android 12 brings some fantastic new features to Android phones, including better privacy and security, a fresh-looking interface and the most in-depth drop-down Quick Settings we’ve seen yet. Whether you’ve got an Android phone that’s around two years old, or you’ve just bought a new Android phone that ships with Android 11, you can expect to get that update ping real soon. In the meantime, let’s take a closer look at the finer points of Android 12: It’s a widget wizard! We all love widgets. They make your home screen personal with info that’s tailored and relevant to you. And with Android 12, they’re clearer to navigate. Widgets are now divided into the apps they belong to, and it should tell you how many widgets are available. It’ll even show you what the widget will look like on your phone before you pick it. Plus, we think the new stock Android clock and weather widget designs really make your home screen pop. To get there, just long press anywhere on your home screen until the options pop up, then tap Widgets. Keep it to yourself: Privacy is a big topic when it comes to phones, and we always recommend checking the permissions you give the apps you use. Take location, for instance. Some apps need to know your exact location, like taxi and food delivery apps. Others don’t need it at all, while some, like weather apps, only need an approximate location – they don’t need to know where you are turn by turn. That’s why Android 12 splits location permissions into two categories, Precise and Approximate, to put you in more control of your data. Now you can decide for yourself if the apps you download need to know exactly where you are. Speaking of privacy… Android have made some real progress with privacy features in this version, so we couldn’t just give it one spot on our list. The new Privacy Dashboard is a real step up from manually delving into each app’s permissions. On the dashboard, you can see all the permissions at a glance, like microphone, camera, location, and contacts. Under these categories, you’ll see which apps have permission to use them. You can even dive deeper and see an exact timeline of when each app used these permissions. Smart! Screenshot the entire thing: Here’s a feature we think everyone will use! Ever want to capture a snippet of an article or Twitter exchange in your WhatsApp group but can’t fit it all into one screenshot? Android 12 solves that bugbear once and for all with scroll capture. It’s easy to use – just take a screenshot like normal, tap on ‘Scroll’ and then scroll down to extend the image. Now you can share it all in a single snap instead of turning it into a thread. Power up with Game mode: Sometimes, it’s the slightest advantage that makes all the difference in grabbing the win. Like frame rate, for example. A high frame rate means smoother motion and more reactive controls, and now, your Android 12 phone will show you exactly what the frame rate is in real time. Head to Do Not Disturb mode, tap Schedules and you’ll find a few different profiles. Tap Game mode, and you’ll be taken to a menu where you can toggle FPS on or off. Plus, there’s a quick link to livestream your gameplay straight to YouTube. Colour co-ordinated style! If you’ve already updated to Android 12 and you’ve since changed your wallpaper, you might have noticed something new. The new ‘Material You’ feature creates a custom colour palette to match the colours of your wallpaper background. Those colours are then applied to your notification panel, system background and lock screen to make your phone look super-tidy and uniform. Why not try it out and give your phone a makeover? There you have it, just a few of the brilliant new things Android phones can do with the power of Android 12. There are plenty more features you can expect with the new OS, so why not explore them out for yourself? Let us know what new features you’re loving in the comments below!
EmiliD Mobile Employee
Is your smartphone waterproof?Blog
Find out if your smartphone is beach-ready in this jargon-busting guide… Planning to relax to podcasts by the poolside on holiday, link up with friends at a festival or watch a movie whilst relaxing in the bath? Then you’ll be needing your phone by your side. But before you bring your trusty smartphone with you on your adventures or near water, you should know if it’s as ready as you are to take on the elements. And if not, how can you protect it? We’ve put together this handy guide to explain everything about waterproof phones, from IP ratings to a list of the most water-tight phones around right now. First thing’s first, let’s see just how waterproof your phone really is… How can I find out if my phone is waterproof? To find out how resistant your phone is to water, you need to know your phone’s IP rating. What’s that? An IP rating is essentially a two-digit number that tells you how good your phone is at keeping out dust particles and water. The first number refers to solid particles like dust and grit, while the second number refers to water. When a phone has an IPX8 rating, that means it has maximum protection against water, but hasn’t been tested for dust resistance. If your phone has an IP67 or IP68 rating, that means it’s fully water and dust-resistant. IP68 is the highest rating awarded to a smartphone. It means the phone’s been tested in lab conditions, is fully dustproof and can withstand being submerged in 1.5m of fresh water for up to 30 minutes. To find out what IP rating your phone has, you can find this info in the user manual. If you can’t find your manual or have already thrown it out (don’t worry, we’ve all done it before), you can search for your phone on GSM Arena. If it has a rating, you’ll see the number in the ‘Body’ section. What can you do (and not do) with a water-resistant smartphone? So, now you know how resistant your phone is, but there are a couple more things worth knowing before you jet off. An IP68 rating guarantees your phone is protected from fresh water only. So, it’s able to handle a splash of water, being used in the rain or even an unfortunate drop in the sink or bath. Even if your phone is water-resistant, you should dry it with a soft, clean cloth as soon as possible when it gets wet. Remember, a phone gets its IP rating by being tested with fresh water. That means it’s not tested against other liquids. Sea water is full of salt and swimming pools contain chemicals to keep the water clean. Neither get on well with smartphones, so remember to take it out of your pocket before you go for a swim! If you spill a drink like tea, coffee, lemonade, beer or wine or on an IP68 phone and quickly clean it, it should be fine. But don’t leave it too long, or you could be in trouble. What smartphones are the most water-resistant? iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro: We’ve mentioned that IP68 is the highest rating for dust and water-resistance, but Apple are pushing for the toughest phones ever with the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro. They may have an IP68 rating, but they’ve been tested at a depth of 6 metres for 30 minutes, four times deeper than the industry standard. We expect every iPhone in the future to carry the same level of protection too, so you’re in safe hands. Samsung S21 Range: Got a Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+ or S21 Ultra? You’re in luck. All three flagship Samsung phones have IP68 protection against dust and water, so splashes shouldn’t be a problem. Samsung S20 Fan Edition: Water-resistant smartphones aren’t a new development at Samsung. In fact, every flagship Samsung phone since the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge has had an IP68 rating, and the S20 Fan Edition is no different. We love the matte finish too, as it makes the phone feel even more durable. OPPO Find X3 Pro: If you’re after a tough, sturdy Android phone that can do it all, but isn’t a Samsung, the OPPO Find X3 Pro is a solid choice. It’s also got that all-important IP68 certification, and a design that’s inspired by spacecraft! Check it out. Are there accessories to make your phone more water-resistant? There sure are! If you’ve got a popular smartphone, the chances are that there’s a case or carry bag out there designed to boost its resistance to the elements. If you’re after maximum protection or want to capture underwater shots on your trip, a floating phone case is the way to go. These seal fully to prevent water from seeping in, and they keep your phone from sinking to the bottom of the pool or seabed. And the best bit? You can still fully use the touchscreen when your phone’s inside. It’s just the fingerprint scanner that won’t work, so make sure you’ve got a pattern or passcode set up. Those are the essentials of waterproof smartphones. If you discover your phone either isn’t rated for water-resistance, or hasn’t got the best rating, don’t worry. Like we said, there are plenty of accessories out there that can toughen it up. These cases have IP ratings just like phones, so make sure to look out for that number ‘8’. That way, you’ll know it’s the real deal! If you have any questions to do with a mobile phone’s water-proofing, let us know below!
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iPhone: What's new? - 2021 Edition.Blog
Every year brings a new iPhone line-up and with them, new innovations that make the experience that much better. Whether it’s ground-breaking smartphone camera tech like Cinematic Mode, ever-smarter AI or an all-new, intuitive iOS operating system, the latest iPhones can do things that simply weren’t possible even just a few years ago. So, how does iD Mobile’s current iPhone line-up compare to previous generations? iPhone SE: The 2020 iPhone SE is a more entry level offering from Apple among the current range, but nonetheless a great way to get the best of the iPhone experience. The difference between the SE and the iPhone 6, for instance, is night and day. It’ll offer 5 hours longer battery life and has a higher 12MP camera that captures 4K 60 fps footage. But the biggest development is power. The A13 Bionic chip that powers the iPhone SE performs tasks 4 times faster than the iPhone 6’s A8. That’s a big plus for things like web browsing and opening apps. Amongst all the hardware advancements, the iPhone SE is compatible with Apple’s latest version of its operating system, iOS 15. Get set for new-look notifications, watching new shows in real-time with friends over Facetime, and incredible privacy protection. Take a look at iPhone SE plans with iD Mobile. iPhone 11: The iPhone 11 may be two years old, but it’s ideal for getting stuck into games and box sets on the go even now. At 6.1-inches, it was pretty much the first iPhone to offer what we consider a ‘big’ screen in today’s smartphone landscape. Inside is a great battery that delivers a whopping 17 hours of video playback on a full charge – long enough for an entire season on Netflix. Compared to the iPhone 8, released 2 years before, the camera system represents a big step up. Between the two lenses and Apple’s clever AI, the iPhone 11 boasts 2x optical zoom and 5x digital, rich colours with Smart HDR and a bunch of pro-looking portrait effects. The iPhone 11 also comes packed with up to 256 GB of onboard storage - that’s double the iPhone 8! What will you do with all that extra space? Find an iPhone 11 in a colour you love with iD Mobile. iPhone 12: In 2020, Apple introduced two new ‘firsts’ to the iPhone – a brilliant Super Retina XDR display, and 5G compatibility. With the power of 5G behind it, iPhone 12 can download movies and apps in moments and open them almost instantly. Stream shows without any buffering, video call your mates on FaceTime lag free – these are things that sets the iPhone 12 apart from its predecessor. But it’s not just about 5G. The iPhone 12’s A14 Bionic chip is still one of the best performing smartphone chips around, even a year on. It can do trillions of operations at once, so multitasking simply isn’t an issue. That’s great news for shutter speed when you shoot photos on the dual 12MP camera. Capture that moment, exactly when it happens. Find the perfect iPhone 12 plan for you at iD Mobile. iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini: This year, Apple have taken everything that was great about the iPhone 12 and refined it further in the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini. There are similarities like 5G compatibility, design, and screen size (6.1 and 5.4-inche s respectively), but it’s the tech inside that makes a real difference. We’re talking Apple’s most advanced smartphone processor, exceptional dual camera system and a battery life to match. We’re not kidding – this battery offers an extra feature-length movie’s worth of playback time. Compared to the iPhone 11, released two years before, the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini offer several big tech leaps. The A15 Bionic chip outperforms every processor that came before on things like general performance, graphics, and conserving battery, making the iPhone 13 even more reliable. The iPhone 13 may have the same screen size as the iPhone 11, but it’s more compact, has narrower borders and a smaller notch. Like the best TVs, it also has an OLED display for those deeper blacks and realistic colours. Need space? We all use more phone storage than we did just two years ago. That’s why Apple have doubled the minimum storage capacity to 128GB – more than enough for movies, apps, music, podcasts and photos. Discover your new iPhone 13 or iPhone 13 Mini at iD Mobile. Want to find out more about the iPhone 13? Then check out our more in-depth review of the iPhone 13 range here iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max: Make no mistake, the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max are the most powerful Apple phones yet. A combination of the A15 Bionic processor, triple camera system with incredible tricks up its sleeve, and benchmark-breaking battery put these phones up there with the best we’ve seen. At 6.1 and 6.7-inches respectively, the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max closely follow the shape and design of the iPhone 12 Pro, only this time with a smaller notch and a refresh rate that goes all the way to 120hz. That means super-smooth scrolling and realistic motion in movies and games to you and I. The real standout with these phones is the cameras. Put simply, they’re dramatically more powerful. The ultra-wide lens has been totally redesigned and can now capture stunning macro photography from just 2 cm away. The same goes for video too, making it a go-to for shooting nature up close. And if nightlife and city skylines are more your thing, you can now go for Night Mode on all three lenses including the telephoto. Getting that shot right first time in low light is no longer a fluke! Oh, and before we forget, the iPhone 13 Pro also has the biggest storage options ever seen on an iPhone. Starting at a roomy 128GB, you’ve got space for all the files you need. And if you want to download without ever needing to delete anything, ever, the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max have a desktop pc-like 1TB option. That’s roughly 250 hours of HD movies. Treat yourself to a next-gen iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro Max with iD Mobile. Want to find out more about the iPhone 13? Then check out our more in-depth review of the iPhone 13 range here Looking to upgrade? Ready to upgrade to a brand-new iPhone? If you’re coming to the end of your contract, you could be eligible for a great value deal on a range of the latest handsets? Find out more about upgrades and get a great value deal with iD Mobile.
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Competition: Want to win the incredible OPPO Find X3 Neo?Blog
Is your phone no longer new, looking a bit meh, running slowly or running out of space? Then fret no more! We’re giving you a chance to win the incredible OPPO Find X3 Neo thanks to our friends at OPPO. To bag yourself this incredible prize, click ‘ here’ and scroll down until you reach the ‘Competition Time’ section. Read the entry requirements and enter! It’s that simple! Who will it be this time? Good luck ;) Alternatively, you can also click the article below and scroll to the ‘Competition’ section :)
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Purchase Guide: Choosing a phone for an older person.Blog
Here’s everything you need to know when buying a phone for a senior… Over the past decade, the number of people using smartphones has grown a serious amount. From 2012 to 2020, the percentage of over 65s using a smartphone grew from just 3% to a big 65%, and it’s set to grow further. It’s easy to see why. Smartphones let seniors connect with their friends and loved ones, not just by calls and messages but by video calls and emails, too. It’s all there in one place. There’s also health monitoring apps, the web, their favourite radio station, and much more. Smartphones give everyone the confidence to live independently. Although, not every smartphone is meant for all ages. Some of the more premium phones are made from smooth glass which can be slippery. Others can prove trickier than expected upon setup, and some are more user friendly than others. So, what should you look out for? Easy to use software: Smartphones feel more intuitive than ever before, but that doesn’t mean they’re all equally easy to use. For example, some Android phones come with quite a few pre-installed apps that they probably won’t need. A few of these apps can be uninstalled with a few quick taps, but some unfortunately can’t. We love Google Pixel’s ‘original’ feeling take on Android, which strips out all the stuff you won’t really use and doubles down on the essentials. Plus, the Pixel 4a is refreshingly smaller than the big flagship phones. Likewise, iPhones are well-known for their simple-but-flawless software that looks super clean, feels natural and is simple to use. Both, we think, are winners for seniors. Larger text and icons: Both iPhones and Android phones have brilliant accessibility options within their main settings to make things a little clearer. With an iPhone, they can use zoom mode to focus in on anything that’s on the screen, whether they’re searching for an app or reading an email. Android phones have similar customisation options, so the user can change both app icon size and font size. Handy. Help for the hearing impaired: After a phone for someone that’s hard of hearing? Look out for phones with added amplification levels for loud and clear sound. You might also want to go for a phone with hearing-aid compatibility (HAC) like the Samsung Galaxy range, which allows it to be wirelessly paired with a hearing-aid in microphone mode. Buttons? Okay, so we know that the trend has shifted away from physical buttons on phones over the past few years, but there are still some that have them in one form or another. The iPhone SE still has a home button under the display that has haptic feedback (vibration), and you can change the intensity so it feels more like a real button push. What if they want actual buttons, the ability to go on Facebook and chat through WhatsApp, but they don’t want all that other smartphone ‘stuff’? The Doro 7080 ticks all those boxes. This flip phone with a twist has an outer screen that displays the caller’s name and number, and they only have to flip it open to answer. Doro specialise in tech to help seniors, and the 7080 is great for keeping them connected. It’s got loud, clear sound, a decent camera to make video calls, access to Facebook and the web – and traditional buttons. So, it can do all the essentials without any potential touchscreen trial and error! That’s our list of things that make a great phone for senior citizens! Are there any points we’ve missed? What do you think makes a great phone across all age groups? Let us know below!
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Celebrating our top Community members.Blog
We love when iD members really get a feel for the Community and use their charm, knowledge and skills to strike up conversations and help others. Loads of you are getting involved, and as a result, the iD Community is only getting better, stronger and more knowledgeable. That’s down to you guys. We’ve been blown away by your commitment to the Community cause recently, and there are three iD Community superheroes that have got stuck into a ton of great chats, helped members find their way, and seriously showcased their knowhow by resolving other members questions. Of course, we’re talking about @Gregor , @terrywebbs and @WelshPaul! You guys have been super busy. Over 20 badges earned between you for your expertise, and over 1,500 replies to topics between all three of you since you all joined the iD Community. That’s incredible by itself; but, there’s only one person who can be at the top of the leaderboard. So, who is it? Drum roll please… Congratulations @Gregor ! You’re currently top of the all-time iD Community leaderboard with 1285 points. At 1285 points, you’re reaching new heights that no iD Community member has yet reached. Not too far behind and currently claiming the silver spot at 1124 points is iD Legend @terrywebbs . Thank you both for being so active and helpful. But hang on… You’re not quite home and clear on those all-time rankings! That’s because, we have a new superhero to the Community who has brought with him a wealth of knowledge and is truly a force to be reckoned with. @WelshPaul you may be new, but wow, you’re already setting records. 331 points earned in a single week! Those are some big numbers and we’re seriously impressed. You’ve got straight into the spirit of things in no time at all – nearly 200 replies in just one month, along with two badges earned and almost 20 resolved queries. All of this effort has landed you in 3rd place on the ‘all time’ leaderboard. Keep it up and not only will you be well on your way to achieve the highest Community rank and become a Legend; but you’ll most definitely move up that leader board too! Can you bring it home and be crowned our new ‘all time superhero’? Want to follow in the footsteps of our superheroes? Find out how below: Think you can make it onto the all-time iD Community leaderboard? Prove it! You’ve seen how fellow members have collaborated with each other, dedicated just a bit of their time to finding perfect answers, and shared their wisdom to give others a helping hand. Why not challenge yourself? If you think you know a good answer to a question someone’s posted on the Community, don’t be afraid to hit that reply button. Even if it’s a trial and error scenario, your suggestion could help the chat work towards the ‘most helpful answer’. You’ll get to work your way up the rankings just like our super three, earn badges for your skills, and you may even see your name up on the leaderboard. Plus, if we all try together, the iD Community gets stronger and stronger. It’s a win-win all round. Points were correct at time of writing (23/06/21) Competition Time… From one competition to another competition about a competition (see what we did there?). That’s right! Better late than never, Euro 2020 is finally here in 2021 and we are excited. It’s fantastic to see crowds back in stadiums enjoying the beautiful game and soaking up the atmosphere. And this month, the iD Community competition is all about the tournament. Here’s how to enter: We want you to predict the winner of the Euros. Maybe you’ll go for one of the favourites like France, Belgium or Spain, maybe you’ll go for an underdog, or maybe, just maybe, you’re convinced it’s coming home this year! Among those who correctly predict the champions of Euro 2020 in the comments below, we’ll select one lucky winner who’ll get their hands on a £100 JD Sports voucher! Standard competition terms and conditions apply. Best of luck! A massive congratulations to@Stuart Neale you guessed correctly and have won the £100 JD Sports Gift Card! Congratulations, we shall be in touch shortly!
EmiliD Mobile Employee
How to send photos and videos in the best quality.Blog
Picture the scene: it’s a beautiful day and you decide to head into the city to capture some fantastic photography and footage of the sights, architecture and passers-by. They all look great – bundles of detail, lighting just right. So, you decide to share a few of the best clips and shots with mates over on the group chat. And that’s when it starts to go a little wrong. How? Simple. Messaging apps like WhatsApp compress the files you send to make quicker to send, quicker to download, and smaller to store. When you send files to friends on WhatsApp, they need to download them to view them. Once you accumulate a few of these files, they start to take up quite a bit of space. Higher res photos and footage take up even more. So, in terms of sending files, chat apps like WhatsApp are better for instant sharing than they are for quality. But if you’re anything like us, you’ll want to show off your creativity in the exact quality you shot it in. After all, you’ve got a phone with a camera that can do loads of cool stuff. Plus, when you record a scene in 4K and send it in 720p resolution, it just won’t be the same. So, what are the alternatives? Wireless Transferring: Well, if you’ve got your mates with you and you have iPhones or Samsung smartphones, the solution is easy – either Apple AirDrop or Samsung Direct Share. These services allow you to transfer files from one Apple or Samsung device to another without using any data or Wi-Fi. Instead they use Bluetooth low energy, so you’ll need to be within range of your mate’s phone. Here’s how to send a file via AirDrop: First, make sure that your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are switched on, and your friend’s too. Then, check that you both have AirDrop set to either Contacts Only, or Everyone. If your friend is set to Contacts Only, they’ll need to have you saved as a contact with either your Apple ID email or phone number. Once that’s done, go to the photo or video you want to send, tap the share icon, tap AirDrop, then select the recipient you want to send it to. Done! For Direct Share, it’s a similar deal. You’ll both need to go to Settings, tap Advanced features and then tap Direct Share to toggle it on. Then, find the file you want to send, tap the Share button and choose the recipient. Nice and simple. The Cloud: Wireless transfer is the no.1 choice if you’re with the person you’re sharing the file with. But what if you’re out and about on your own? The answer is cloud services. These are perfect for sharing large files without having to store them directly on yours or your mate’s phone. If you’re not familiar with cloud storage services and need a helping hand picking one, our guide to managing your cloud is the ideal one-stop shop. Your cloud storage service stores your files in the exact quality you upload them in. There’s no compression or downscaling of quality here. All you have to do is upload that picture-perfect shot or cinematic footage to DropBox, Google Drive or iCloud and not only will it keep it secure, but it’ll free up your phone’s onboard storage. From there, you can go into each photo and video you’ve got and decide who you want to share it with by picking from your contacts. Give it a go! It’s one of the quicker ways to showcase your creativity to friends and family, and they’ll probably thank you for not needing to download an enormous 4K video clip. File Transfer Sites: If you like your photos and videos stored right there on your phone, you’re probably not that fussed about setting up a cloud account right away. Not to worry. There’s one more simple way to send big videos and photo files from one person to another, and that’s by using a file transfer site like WeTransfer. These services allow you to send files that are usually too big to send via email, SMS or WhatsApp, and they’re a seriously useful workaround. WeTransfer allows you to send files up to 2GB in size totally free. You’re extremely unlikely to create a photo that’s 2GB, but if you’re planning to regularly share Ultra HD videos with others, 2GB may be a little light. Fortunately, WeTransfer Pro costs £12 a month and lets you send 20GB files. That’s about the size of two feature length Full HD movies, so by no means a small limit. Why not give it a try? Those are a few ways to transfer your stunning footage and photos to your family and mates without reducing the quality! Give it a go and let us know how it works for you. Are there any alternative methods we’ve missed out? Drop a comment below.
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Download the NHS Track & Trace app.Blog
Download the NHS Track & Trace app – Competition Heading out? Finally, the light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer! Lockdown restrictions are gradually easing, and many of us are venturing further from our homes than we have over the past year – but let’s not blow it now! We’re not fully back to ‘normal’ just yet, but we’re able to go out for food and drinks with 6 mates, work out at the gym, get stuck into a blockbuster at the cinema, even attend football matches. Loads of things we’ve sorely missed. NHS Track & Trace App: However, Covid-19 may be around in one form or another a little longer, and things are still a bit different. Head out of your front door and wherever you go, a facemask and anti-bac are as necessary as your phone, cash and house key. But there’s another essential that’ll give you piece of mind, and help protect you and others from Coronavirus at this late stage. We’re talking about the NHS Track & Trace app. We’ve spoken about the Track & Trace app before. It’s got loads of useful features to always keep you safe, and always one step ahead. You can check any symptoms you’re feeling against the official list of Covid-19 symptoms, log results of a Covid-19 test and even check the risk of exposure in your local area. But the feature we think stands out above all is that you can use it to check into a venue. If you’re planning to head somewhere, be it a shop, bistro, bar, or bowling alley, you’ll probably see a sign at the entrance asking you to check in. When you have the Track & Trace app, all you have to do is open it on your phone and scan the QR code to check yourself in. Not sure what that is? Take a look at our guide to QR codes to find out! Checking yourself in this way each time you go somewhere is the best way to find out if you’ve been near others that have tested positive for Covid-19. It means you find out sooner rather than later, so you can make smart decisions about protecting yourself and others. You may have seen some venues requesting that you write down your name and contact details as an alternative, but this just isn’t as effective. When you write your details, the venue need to contact you manually when a customer has tested positive for Covid-19. By that time, you could be anywhere! With the app, you find out right away. So, while we’re all getting back out there and making big reunion plans with our friends and families, it’s more important than ever to download the Track & Trace app. It’ll help you check into that favourite restaurant, pub, gallery or museum much quicker, and keep your loved ones safe too. Win, win! Competition Time! We mentioned just a few of the things we’ve missed while the nation’s been in lockdown – now it’s your turn! We’ll pick two lucky winners and treat them to a £50 Restaurant Choice gift card. With a great selection of restaurants, it’s on you to choose what you fancy. Our treat! We want to know what are you most looking forward to doing now that restrictions are gradually being lifted? It can be anything from revisiting that eatery where you’re on first name terms with the chefs, getting back to the theatre, or even giving your mates a hug! Standard competition terms & conditions apply. Best of luck! Congratulations to @VelvetGlove and@daveyboy you are our winners! You will both receive a £50 ‘Restaurant Choice voucher’ - Well done!
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QR Codes: What are they?Blog
QR Codes: What are they? QR codes are everywhere, to the point where you probably see one daily and not think twice about it. They’ve gone from being a novelty feature to an essential part of our digital world. They can help you bag bargains, get onto websites, and even get onto flights. So what exactly are QR codes? QR codes are very similar to the bar codes you see on the back of the products you buy in shops, the parcels you receive in the post and the books you read. Only QR codes can do much more. Where one-dimensional bar codes can store up to 30 numbers, two-dimensional QR codes can store over 7000, and can be scanned either vertically or horizontally. You’ll see them used in lots of places. If you buy a train or flight ticket online to download and use on your phone, the part that gets scanned is actually a QR code. It’s unique to your specific ticket, and prevents it from being duplicated. You may see them in restaurants, too. That’s not all, though. You can use a QR code to link people to music, photos, and apps too. You can even turn a QR code into a link to any webpage. That makes it a clever little feature to add to advertisements, business cards, even your CV. Why not have a go creating your own QR code? Why it matters While QR codes make accessing websites and getting through train barriers faster, they haven’t really been that big a deal until recently. That’s because the NHS Track & Trace app relies on QR codes to record vital data about Covid-19 and its transmission. When you enter a restaurant, café, pub or bar, and you’re asked to check in using the NHS app, you scan a QR code to record your arrival. Many venues require at least one person in your party to have the app and be able to scan the code. With this contact tracing info, the app tells you if you’ve been in close contact with someone that’s tested positive for COVID-19. Find out more about the NHS Track & Trace app. Once you scan it, you might find that the restaurant has removed paper menus altogether and replaced them with a QR code that takes you to the menu on their website. We’ve seen this in many bars and restaurants both in the UK and abroad, and we think it’s an ingenious way to cut down on paper usage! In some places, they’re even a central part of the ordering system. How to use them: It’s easy to scan a QR code. Depending on the type of QR code you are scanning, you may not need any additional apps or services to scan the QR code. Before downloading any apps or services, open your phone’s camera, point it at the QR code and wait for a couple of seconds. If the QR code is compatible with your device, then a pop-up should appear asking if you would like to open a webpage related to the QR code. Simple! If the above doesn’t work, then alternatively you can also try the below: If you have an Android phone, you may find that you’ve got a code scanning tool in your Control Centre (dropdown menu). If not, there are a good few to choose from on the Google Play Store, like Red Laser, Barcode Scanner and QR Scanner. Once you’ve downloaded one of these, all you need to do is point your camera at a QR code to activate it. Certain apps will let you create your own QR codes as well as scan others. It’s a great way to get people engaging with the things you create. If you have an iPhone, you’ve got everything you need from the get-go. The iPhone’s Wallet app has a built-in QR code scanner feature, so you don’t need to download anything. Just open up the Wallet when you see a code you want to scan. Those are the main things that are worth knowing about QR codes. It’s a brilliant thing when technology is versatile, and there really is no limit to what a QR can do. What’s the smartest way you’ve seen them used? Let us know!
EmiliD Mobile Employee
Our Latest Android Phones.Blog
If you’re looking to upgrade to a new Android phone, you’re in great hands with iD Mobile. New smartphones are launched regularly, and they get better and better, so choosing the right one for you can be tricky. Here’s our pick of the best to make that all-important decision a little easier. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G The Galaxy S21 5G has three rear cameras (with a big 64MP Telephoto Camera leading the way) and a huge 30x Space Zoom – which makes for some amazing close ups. It can even record in incredibly high res 8K at 24 fps, and you can pick out high resolution stills as crystal-clear, in-the-moment photos. It’s a content creator’s dream. Everything you do on the S21, from general browsing to multiplayer online gaming, feels super-smooth. That fantastic 6.2-inch AMOLED display supports a 120 Hz refresh rate, so every tap, swipe and press, feels more responsive. And it adapts to your activity, so you can rely on the battery to keep going. Packed with an octa-core processor, 8GB RAM and fast 5G connectivity, the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G can handle speedy downloads, big apps and intensive multitasking. Check out the Samsung Galaxy S21 here Samsung Galaxy S20 FE The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE has everything you need for a cracking smartphone experience - a triple lens camera to make light work of wide-angle and zoom photography, a huge battery to keep you powered up on the move, 5G speed and an immersive Infinity-O display. Like the Galaxy S21 5G, the Samsung S20 FE also has adaptive refresh rate with the option to set it anywhere between 48 and 120 Hz. Crank it up for competitive games and get the upper hand on your opponents with smooth precision. At 6.5-inches, the Samsung S20 FE isn’t a small phone by any means, but thanks to its in-screen fingerprint scanner, you can instantly access all your apps and files without any hassle. There are plenty of colours to choose from too, making it the perfect phone to express your style. Explore the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE here Huawei P30 Lite New Edition This phone is seriously impressive, and it’s not even the flagship P30. Make no mistake - there’s nothing lightweight about the P30 Lite. If a quality camera is your go-to thing when choosing a new phone, the P30 Lite convincingly ticks that box. A 48MP lens captures glorious scenery in Ultra HD resolution and even has 2x optical zoom for detail at a distance. It’s backed up by an Ultra Wide Angle lens with 120° field of view, so you can get everyone into group photos easily. The AI this phone uses is that clever, it detects what you’re taking a photo of and switches the settings to match it. Elsewhere, the P30 Lite has a better-than-Full HD 6.1-inch display, with only a tiny dewdrop at the top housing a brilliant 32MP selfie lens. So, it’s great for diving into both box sets and catch-up video chats. Whatever you use your phone for, this thing won’t slow you down. It has an octa-core processor and 6 GB RAM to keep you multitasking with that responsive, ‘second nature’ feel. And with 256 GB of storage space, you’ve got room for an entire movie library right from the off. Take a closer look at the Huawei P30 Lite New Edition here Google Pixel 5 Want a phone that delivers the best of the Android experience to your fingertips? You’re looking at it. The Google Pixel 5 is a powerhouse, running on Google’s stripped-back iteration of Android 11. With 8GB RAM and a Snapdragon 765G processor designed for 5G compatibility, this phone can handle high-octane gaming and extended browsing with total ease. And the battery is clever, too. It learns which apps you rely on the most and reduces power for the ones you use less. With that kind of AI help, it can go for up to 48 hours on a single charge. And it can reverse charge as well, which is handy for keeping your wireless earbuds powered up. The screen is pretty clever, too. It’s a 6-inch OLED with pinpoint colour precision and detail, while adaptive refresh rate makes everything from scrolling to gaming feel super-smooth. Flip it around and you’ll find a dual-lens camera consisting of a 12MP main lens and 16MP Ultra-Wide. But really, it’s the software that makes the Pixel’s camera a winner. Night Sight is available in Portrait Mode, so you’ll easily get that profile picture first time, even in low light. Check out the Google Pixel 5 in iD Mobile Samsung Galaxy A51 After a brilliant midrange Android phone that can take on big apps and big cinematic scenes? With a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED screen and Exynos 9611 processor, the Galaxy A51 is a real contender. The Infinity-O display makes sure that although the front camera is able to capture 32MP of bright, sharp detail, it keeps a low profile and uses barely any screen space. On the back, there’s a quad camera fronted by a brilliant 48MP lens that captures the scene in ultra high res. And when you switch to the 123° Ultra-Wide lens, you can shoot sweeping landscapes and family photos like a pro. There’s bundles of space for your files, too. The A51 has a massive 128 GB of built-in storage to get you started. But if you do need more, the dual SIM slot will let you add another 512 GB by microSD. Put simply, you will never run out of room. And you shouldn’t run out of power all that often, either. The A51’s 4000 mAh battery offers over 8 hours of continuous video playback, ideal if you’re a fan of autoplay on YouTube and Netflix. When you do need to recharge, it’ll support 15 W fast charging, so you’ll be browsing and chatting again in no time. Check out Samsung Galaxy A51 deals with iD Mobile
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Mobile Phone Refresh Rates.Blog
Mobile Phone Refresh Rate What you need to know: If you’ve had your trusty phone for a year or more, you’d be forgiven for thinking little has changed in the smartphone world. However, you couldn’t be more wrong! While it can be said that smartphones are doubling down on tried and tested design, they’re also doubling up on something else at the same time: screen refresh rate. But what does this mean? Imagine a pitch-dark room with strobe lighting – every time the light flickers (or ‘refreshes’), you see a ‘frame’. The faster the light flashes, the smoother motion appears to the eye. Phone screens work in a similar way. Every display must refresh a certain number of times to make it look like what you’re seeing is moving. Refresh rate means how quickly the content on your screen can update, or refresh, moving onto the next frame. Where most phones predating mid 2020 had a refresh rate of 60 Hz (or 60 refreshes per second), the best handsets of 2021 can go all the way to a silky smooth 120 Hz and beyond. So, how does it improve your phone experience? Take gaming to the next level: Love gaming on the go? Refresh rate is your best friend. While phone screen tech has moved on leaps and bounds, mobile game developers have been pushing boundaries on game graphics. There are a good few games out that have been designed to take full advantage of that smooth display. For competitive online multiplayer games, the difference refresh rate makes is stark. Not only does motion feel twice as realistic, but the ability to show extra frames every second means that it’s a sharpshooter’s dream. Super-precise, easy on the eyes, and likely to give you the crucial upper hand against your opponent – everything you need to grab the win. Watch content in style: Let’s be clear, most movies and TV shows are not recorded at 120 frames per second (yet). 24 fps is the minimum number required for the human eye to perceive lifelike motion, and most movies range between 30 and 60 fps. But we’re not far away from 120 fps, and the screens that already support it will be the first to showcase it. While at this moment in time, the majority of content you watch will be from 30-60 fps, phone displays that refresh faster can handle 60 fps without breaking a sweat. That means you can get stuck into that bingeable drama the way it was meant to be viewed, without any juddering motion at all. Effortless scrolling Ever scroll through your contacts to make a call, or your music library to play a tune and find your vision blurring as you try to read the text? We all have! That’s because when you scroll quickly on a phone with a 60hz refresh rate, the moving page is too fast for the refresh rate to keep up, so the text morphs into an imperceptible blur. With higher refresh rate phones, that doesn’t happen. For every frame you see on your current phone as you scroll, a 120 Hz phone will show you an extra frame. That’s what keeps your scrolling smooth, and the text looking like…well, words. Which phones have a high refresh rate? Plenty of the best phones out there pair an OLED screen (the gold standard of displays) with a high refresh rate for good measure. Of course, those premium display benchmarks can make a bit of a dent in the phones battery life, if it weren’t for a neat solution. Samsung’s full Galaxy S21 range and the S20 FE can go all the way to 120 Hz, but they have a clever trick to manage the battery life impact. It’s called Adaptive Refresh Rate, and it works out what you’re doing on your phone to decide if you need the refresh rate maxed out. If you don’t need it cranked up, it’ll drop the refresh rate to save battery. Whenever you touch the screen to navigate, it’ll go up to 120 Hz – if you leave it for a few seconds, it’ll drop down to 60 Hz. Smart. The OPPO Find X3 Pro has a similar feature called Dynamic Refresh Rate. It can actually drop the refresh rate to 5 Hz, drawing out battery life to keep you powered up throughout the day. Or, if you’re after a 120 Hz refresh rate that never drops, the Sony Xperia 5 ii takes Sony’s cinematic style display and combines it with a little OLED magic and super-smooth motion. You won’t believe your eyes. That’s all you need to know about smartphone refresh rates for now! While we’re seeing 120 Hz screens on more premium phones, we think it’s only a matter of time before we see mid-rangers adopt this tech as the new standard. Watch this space! What’s the latest smartphone development that’s left you with ‘the wow factor’? Let us know below.
EmiliD Mobile Employee
Fraudulent Delivery Service SMS.Blog
Advice for our Customers: Customers affected – Android Users What we have identified – We’ve been made aware that a number of our customers may have been targeted with SMS messages that have been made to look like they were sent from delivery services such as DHL, Amazon and Argos (although there may be others). These messages instruct the recipient to download a file to enable tracking of a fictitious package. If this link is clicked on an Android device, an attempt to download malicious software (Malware) will occur. If this malware is permitted to download and install, it could gain permissions on your phone to intercept and send SMS messages, while also attempting to capture any online banking details stored on your device. Users of iOS devices (iPhone & iPad) are unaffected by any attempt to download the above-mentioned file from the SMS message. Advice for ALL customers: If you have received the message but have taken no further action, i.e., you have not clicked on the link in the message: You should simply delete the message (if you wish to report this or any other fraudulent message you can also forward it free of charge to 7726). If you have received the message and have clicked on the link but not downloaded the file: Your phone will not be infected with the malware. You should simply delete the message. If you wish to report this or any other fraudulent message you can also forward it free of charge to 7726. If you have received the message, clicked on the link and downloaded the file on an Android device: You should be advised that your contacts, SMS messages and online banking details (if stored on your phone) may have been accessed and that these may now be under the control of the individuals committing this fraud ulent activity . Should this be the case, in line with industry advice from all networks, we strongly advise that you perform a factory reset immediately. Failure to do this could leave you at continued risk of exposure to fraudulent individuals accessing personal data on your device. When setting up the device following the reset, it may ask you if you want to restore from a backup. You should avoid restoring from any backups created after you downloaded the app, as they may also be infected. Please note that if you don’t have backups enabled, you will lose data such as photos, downloads and contacts etc. Further advice for those who may be affected: If you use your device for online banking, you should contact your bank immediately, advise them what has happened and ask for further guidance. You should change any password that is stored on the device, for example in an SMS, in notes or contacts. You should change any password for any app or online services if they were opened or logged into while the fraudulent app was installed. To protect yourself from future scams like this, you should: Back up your device to ensure you don’t lose important information like photos and documents. Only install new apps on your device from the app store that your manufacturer recommends. For Android devices, make sure that Google’s Play Protect service is enabled if your device supports it. Some Huawei devices provide a similar tool to scan devices for viruses. This will help identify if there is any malware on your phone.
EmiliD Mobile Employee
Train Your Brain with These Brilliant Apps.Blog
It’s time to train your brain! Whether you work 9-5 or study, or both, it can be tricky to get your mind into razor-sharp focus without the stimuli of your regular working space. Giving your brain regular exercises is as great way to regain that focus and prepare yourself to handle anything that comes your way, whether it’s a problem that needs solving or several tasks that demand attention at the same time. When you train your mind, you’re actually giving yourself the tools to complete tasks that you might have struggled with before, or even considered impossible. That’s why setting a little time aside each day for mental exercises can help you work, study, focus, and retain information more effectively. Here are a few apps to help you on your brain training journey: Lumosity Free (Android, iOS) Lumosity is one of the most well-known brain training apps around, and it’s no surprise. This app has something for everyone. Whether you want to improve your mental maths skills, add more words to your vocab, or improve your memory, Lumosity can help. Every game is fun and engaging, and some are more stressful than others (Train of Thought, we’re looking at you). But the results are there to be seen. You’ll get insight into your brain speed, memory, attention and more, and you can even compare your stats to other Lumosity users. And with Lumosity Premium (£59.99/year), you can unlock a whole lot more including a personalised training program that works for you, in-depth insights and useful tips on how to improve. Handy. NeuroNation Free (Android, iOS) We love this app. The premise is simple – exercising the mind is as important as exercising the body. There are over 30 great exercises for memory and concentration, and just 15 minutes a day is all that’s required to help improve your memory, thinking speed, focus, and even reduce stress. Don’t just take our word for it though. A study was undertaken at the Department of General Psychology at Freie Universität Berlin, proving the app’s effectiveness. And it’s been awarded with the Google ‘Best Apps’ prize, too. A premium subscription (£83.99/year) offers a comprehensive training program with full personalisation, but we recommend giving the free version a go first. It’s still ace. Elevate Free (Android, iOS) Elevate is all about personalisation from the get-go. It offers personalised daily training sessions to suit you. Awarded ‘App of the Year’ for iPhones by Apple in 2014, this app puts your goals in mind before you even start. You can train to retain more of what you read, articulate your thoughts more clearly, process information faster, the list goes on. You’ll need to take a quick test so the app can see your current level for each skill. Once that’s completed, the app will adjust the difficulty of each training game. It’s not just for your phone, either. You can track your performance progress on your Apple Watch, just like your physical fitness stats. A premium subscription costs £37.99 a year, with a 7-day trial to begin. Competition Time: We’re giving a £100 Currys PC World voucher to one lucky member from our brilliant Community - treat yourself to some top tech, on us! For your chance to win, answer the question below: ‘What do you do to keep your mind in focus?’ Do you play games to improve cognitive ability and memory, use apps, or even go back to your classic Nintendo DS for some Brain Training nostalgia? Let us know. Best of luck! May’s Competition T&C’s
EmiliD Mobile Employee
Get Set for our Mega Deals Event.Blog
Get set for our Mega Deals event After that new phone feeling? You’re in the right place. Easter is just around the corner, and we’ve already seen several ground-breaking new devices released this year. There’s the Samsung S21 range and OPPO Find X3 series to name just a couple, but there are loads more smartphones pushing the boundaries – and you’ll find them right here. To make this Easter even better, we’re running a cracking mega deals event with a fantastic line-up of top brand phones. You can get half price line rental for 3 months on a range of devices, and you could even get a free gift when you treat yourself to one of our brilliant deals. Here are just a few of the deals you’ll find with iD Mobile: Looking for a new Samsung or OPPO? Why not treat yourself to the Samsung S20 FE or any of the other devices in the S21 range? Maybe you’ve got your eye on one of the latest OPPO smartphones. Good choice. When you purchase the OPPO Find X3 Neo or Lite with iD Mobile in our Mega Deals event, you’ll also get half price line rental for the first 3 months, AND a gift. You could get a brand-new smartwatch, OPPO Enco X true wireless earbuds, phone case or fast charger. That’ll help you get off to a flying start! OPPO devices are on pre-order from 31/03 and launch 14/04. Not after a flagship phone? No problem. We’ve got plenty of ace mid-range smartphones that offer plenty of the same great functions, like the Samsung Galaxy A52 and A42. And when you purchase either one, you can claim a free pair of Galaxy Buds+. Everything you need for crystal clear music streaming, immersive movies, and competitive gaming on the go. You’ll find loads more fantastic smartphones at great prices over at iD Mobile. Our Mega Deals event ends on 13th April, so be quick! Mega Deals Event T&Cs Half-price monthly line rental ("MRC") for the first 3 months available on selected 24 months handset plans. Offer valid on qualifying purchases between 24/03/21 - 13/04/21. Full plan price payable from month 4 and for the remainder of the contract. Excludes SIM only plans. Offer not applicable to out of bundle usage: standard out of bundle rates apply throughout the contract. Subject to a credit check, eligibility and 24-month minimum term. Monthly cost may increase in line with Retail Price Index (RPI). 5G connectivity is currently not available on iD Mobile and you will get 4G/3G connection on 5G compatible handsets. Standard Network Terms and Conditions apply. Standard T&Cs apply on all plans. See website for full details and full event terms and conditions. Competition Time: Fancy getting your hands on the OPPO Find X3 Neo? To help make your April a belter, we’re running a fantastic prize draw, where one lucky entrant will win a brand-new OPPO Find X3 Neo, worth £699. For your chance to win, all you have to do is simply tell us why you use or visit the iD Community platform. Is it for help & support? To help out other members? Maybe it’s to read interesting articles on tech and lifestyle, or even just to have a chat. Whatever it is, we want to know. The competition closes on Wednesday 14th April, and we’ll announce the winner on Friday 19th. Standard competition T&Cs apply. Best of luck and have a brilliant Easter break from everyone at iD Mobile. This competition has now closed, thank you all for entering. A huge congratulations to….@Dani83 , you are April’s winner.
EmiliD Mobile Employee
Last Chance to Win an OPPO Find X3 Neo.Blog
Calling all Community members…. This is your last chance to enter our April newsletter competition, where you could win the amazing OPPO Find X3 NEO. This competition must end at 12pm midnight tonight. For all the details on how to enter, click the article below. (Competition instructions can be found at the bottom of the article). Best of luck!
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