Getting Started.

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.

The Pixel 6a is here - the small but mighty version of Google’s flagship Pixel 6. Just like previous a-series Pixels, it’s a scaled back version of the flagship Pixel at a lower price point. If you’re looking to upgrade to a feature-packed phone without paying top-end prices, it could be the one for you. Let’s check it out! Classic Google design All phones in the Pixel 6 family share the same familiar ‘Google’ design, with a horizontal camera bar breaking up the back. The main difference is that it protrudes less on the Pixel 6a. A good thing, in our opinion. Not quite as good is the plastic back, which seems prone to picking up scrapes and scratches. Treat your new Pixel 6a to a phone case as soon as you get it, and you should be fine. As for the display, the Pixel 6a features a 6.1-inch OLED panel with a standard 60Hz refresh rate. Not quite as large (or as smooth) as the 6.4-inch Pixel 6, but the vivid colours and deep blacks you get with OLED look fantastic. A quality camera set-up Google Pixels are famous for having great cameras, and even though the Pixel 6a is no flagship, it doesn’t disappoint. With two 12MP rear cameras and an 8MP selfie camera, it takes the kind of bright, sharp and colourful pictures you usually only see on much more expensive phones. Night Sight is a great feature, which does an amazing job of capturing bright shots in low light. Then there’s Magic Eraser, which lets you rub out unwanted objects from your shots. Bye bye, photobombers! You’ve also got a new Camouflage option to play with. Rather than trying to remove a distracting image, you can make it blend into the background instead. It’s a neat solution for those occasions when the object overlaps with others, and the Magic Eraser can’t remove it neatly. A chip off the old block The Pixel 6a comes with 128GB of storage, 6GB of RAM, and is powered by Google’s custom-built Tensor processor. It’s powerful enough to run some incredibly advanced AI and machine learning features, such as real-time translation. And because it’s so efficient, battery life doesn’t take too much of a hit. It lasted us for 24 hours of normal use, and we were able to get back up to speed quickly with fast-charging – hours of power in just a few minutes. The best of Google The Pixel 6a runs the stock version of Android 12, Google’s latest operating system. It keeps everything clean and clutter-free, with no needless bloatware in sight. You’ll only find Google's best apps pre-installed, like Maps, Pay, and the Play Store. Privacy and security is a big part of Android 12, so there are some useful new features to dive into. For example, you can choose whether an app needs your exact or precise location. It makes sense to share your exact address with food delivery and taxi services, but do you really want to give it to games and photo-editing apps? Probably not. And because it’s a Google phone, your Pixel 6a will always be at the front of the queue for new software updates – along with 5 years of security updates. The Google Pixel 6a is now available to order on iD Mobile. Purchase a Google Pixel 6a between 21/07/2022 - 01/08/2022 and you will be eligible to claim a pair of Pixel Buds A-Series worth £99 by redemption Terms and conditions Apply. Tempted? What do you think about the features we’ve mentioned above? Are you planning on upgrading? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

It’s the European Day of Languages on 26 September - a day to encourage learning a new language across Europe. But what are those benefits, exactly? And can mobile apps really help you learn? Let’s find out. Why learn another language? You’ll transform your travels. Whether you’re going on holiday or backpacking across the continent, even speaking a little bit of the local lingo is a good way to immerse yourself in another culture. Locals will be more inclined to help you find beautiful places away from the well-trodden tourist path, and you might even hear about a great restaurant to try out! Unlock new doors in your career. Plenty of companies are looking to trade globally or break into new markets, and multi-lingual employees can help them achieve their goals. The ability to speak another language sets you apart from other candidates when applying for a job, and shows a willingness to learn new skills. And if you’re ever looking to study or work overseas, having another language under your belt is great for discovering new opportunities. Meet new people and make friends. Don’t let a minor thing like language difference be the barrier to making friends. You never know, a simple ‘bonjour’ or ‘buenos dias’ could be the first words that spark a great friendship. Increase your brain power. On top of all the obvious perks of learning a new language, it can actually strengthen your mind. Studies have shown that the ability to speak more than one language increases your attention span, improves your memory and reduces the rate of cognitive decline as you get older. So, how can your phone help you become multi-lingual? Traditionally, getting to grips with a new language has meant paying for classes, watching foreign TV shows with subtitles or reading newspapers repeatedly until the stories make sense. Now though, there are loads of apps out there designed to make learning languages fun. What are the best language apps? Duolingo Since its launch in 2011, Duolingo has grown to be one of the most popular language learning apps in the world, with over 300 million users. The way it works is like a game – you start with basic verbs, sentences and phrases, learning new words each day until you become more fluent. Each lesson is bite-size, perfect for a quick round of brain training on your commute, and you can track your achievements and progress. With 34 language courses to choose from, you’ll be multi-lingual in no time. Download Duolingo on Android or iOS here. Memri If you like some structure in your learning, Memrise might be the app you’re looking for. When you choose a language course or category, the app lays out a chronological path for you. Test your knowledge with ‘Speed Reviews’ (timed tests) and set goals like how long you want to study each day. There’s plenty to get your teeth into if you’re trying out the free version, plus a paid membership version that unlocks premium content. Check Memrise out on Android or iOS . Busuu Another language app with a huge community, Busuu is great for improving your accent as well as your vocabulary. Along with well-structured targets and a personalised study plan to keep you motivated, you can get feedback from real people to make sure you’re on the right track. It’s not all about learning new words, either. The app also gives you excellent grammar tips on how to order your words, using the right verb tense and more. We reckon it’s well worth upgrading to Busuu’s subscription scheme, as it unlocks grammar exercises, quizzes, feedback from fellow subscribers and more. Download Busuu on Android and iOS . Rosetta Stone Rosetta Stone gives you a more practical language learning experience. The app teaches you to think in the language you’re learning by displaying a picture with the word, instead of a translation. A handy in-app phrase book helps you speak with confidence as you become multi-lingual. Refine your accent with the apps’ TruAccent technology, and you’ll be speaking like a local in no time. Download Rosetta Stone on Android and iOS . You’ll need to pay a small monthly fee to get started. And if you’re not quite fluent yet and need a phrase translated quickly, don’t forget Google Translate !

The iPhone SE3 is the perfect combination of some of Apple’s best iPhone features, in a surprisingly compact package. The screen’s only 4.7”, which is really comfortable to hold - perfect for teenagers or anyone who doesn’t feel the need for a huge screen. The SE3 clocks in far smaller than the 6.1 – 6.7” you’ll see on the iPhone 13 models, and that smaller screen comes with a smaller price tag. Let’s dig into what there is to know about this latest generation of the iPhone SE. Performance The iPhone SE3 is powered by Apple’s A15 Bionic chip – the same as the super-powerful iPhone 13 series. Sounds technical (because it is) but let’s break down what an A15 Bionic chip actually does for your phone:- No waiting around for apps to load- Works with the operating system (iOS) and battery to get you more battery life- Makes the iPhone SE3 all-around faster Snap away The SE3 has one camera on the back, and one on the front – keeping it simple but without compromising on quality. Apple’s cameras are designed for vivid colours that are true-to-life, with features like Portrait Mode that blur the background of your photos for a really pretty effect. You can also pick between warm and cool modes – we really love warm mode for adding a touch of colour when the weather’s a bit gloomy. Less lag. More fun. The iPhone SE3 supports 5G, so if you’re in a 5G hotspot, you’ll get the fastest internet possible. FaceTime calls will look smoother than ever, and you won’t have to wait for apps or games to connect online. 5G is being rolled out across the UK and is currently available in 50 different cities with more expansion planned – so having a 5G phone is great now, but seriously futureproofing you too. Designed for life The SE2 had a beautiful glass design, and the SE3 improves upon it – with durable ceramic shield glass that’s built to survive drops and knocks. It’s also designed with impressive water-resistance, so it can survive a tea spill (but probably don’t let the kids dunk it). So what’s the difference between the iPhone SE3 and SE2? If you’re thinking about upgrading, let’s look at the real differences between this newer model and the previous generation: Design – Both the 2nd and 3rd generation iPhone SEs have the same look and feel. But the newer 3rd gen is made using more durable ceramic shield glass, with an aluminium frame. So if you like the 2nd gen SE, you’ll love the 3rd gen. Specs – You’re going from an A13 chip, to the A15, which means more power, up to two hours more battery, and better graphics for your games and videos. This is where the SE 3 really pulls ahead – and let’s not forget that fast 5G connection either. What do you think about the iPhone SE3? Are you planning on upgrading? Let us know down below.

Want to up your Instagram game? Then check out our hottest camera phone tips below. These days, all half decent phones have cameras where you can just point and shoot. Press the shutter button, a nice photo appears on your screen, job done. But you can do a lot better with just a little extra planning. Follow our tips below, for quality photos that’ll light up your social feeds and rack up some serious likes. 1. Switch on your grid lines. Pro cameras have framing grids in the viewfinder window, to help you square things up and compose your shot. You’ve got this option in your phone camera app, so go ahead and switch it on. It shouldn’t be hard to find. If you’ve got an Android phone it’ll be under something like Settings > Apps > Camera > Grid Lines. You’ll now be able to keep everything parallel with any natural horizontal and vertical lines in your shot. 2. Use natural light. Natural light is a photographer’s friend. Making use of it is always a better choice than using your phone’s built-in flash. Pay attention to where the light is coming from. Ideally, your subject should always be well lit from the front, rather than having strong light coming from behind them. So next time you take that beach shot, have a quick think about where the sun is, and adjust things accordingly. 3. Hold steady A completely still phone is essential for blur-free shots, especially when the light is lacking. Most phone cameras come with pretty decent stabilisation, but there’s an even better solution out there – we’re talking tripods. Get a good tripod for your smartphone (they’re not too expensive) will make a huge difference to your landscape photography, and will help you master lots of different styles including time-lapse photography, light painting and even photos of the sky at night. 4. Boost the dynamic range Let’s talk about HDR (which stands for High Dynamic Range). It’s a feature on your phone camera that stops your photos being overexposed or underexposed. Basically, it combines three shots (overexposed, underexposed and balanced) into a single image that shows off both shadow and lighting in lots of detail. 5. Use the power of Portrait Mode. Portrait mode is on most phones, and it generally does a great job of giving your photos a professional look. With the help of multiple lenses, it keeps the subject sharp while blurring the background. Just like professional photographers do it. And it’s not just for portrait shots of people – if you’re into Instagramming about food, it really makes your dishes pop. Yum! Top tip: on some phones you can manually adjust the depth of field yourself, to create blurrier background that make your subject stand out even more. 6. Become a selfie master. There’s nothing selfish about loving selfies. If you’re front-facing camera comes with a wide-angle lens, you’ll be able to let all of your family and friends in on the action too. It also means you can get more of the background in too. If your lucky enough to be in a stunning looking place this summer, show it off! 7. Trust in AI. Remember at the start of this article when we said there’s more to taking great photos than just pointing and shooting? Okay, we lied a little. Because if your phone comes with AI technology built-in to the camera, that’s really all you need to do. The AI does all the thinking for you with sensors that can figure out what you’re looking at – then it automatically adjusts the camera settings to get the best shot. Whether you’re taking a photo of your pet in the park, a famous landmark or that best burger ever, you’ll get the most amazing pictures possible. We hope these tips help you take better photos, and give you shots worth sharing. Got any suggestions of your own? Share your comments below!

Love a deal? These websites and apps are perfect for hunting down the best offers around. Let’s face it – we all love to bag a bargain. Sometimes you stumble upon a great deal, and sometimes you have to search it out. But nowadays there are loads of services available to help you get the most out of your money or get a little back when you’ve done a big shop. So, we’ve rounded up our favourites and put them into two categories – cashback (spend money, get a bit back) and discounts (get a bit off before you spend). Let’s get into it… Best apps for cashback Cashback is pretty appealing – sometimes you get a few pence back on a shop, and sometimes you get a whole load off a big purchase. We’ve all seen cashback offers around, but with these dedicated apps it’s easier than ever to hunt down these great deals. TopCashback TopCashback offers cashback from thousands of UK brands. Membership is free (but you can upgrade to a paid option), and you can choose how you get your cashback – straight to your account, via PayPal, or with gift cards to your favourite shops. To get cashback, you have to click through from the app or site, so they can get the commission and pass it on to you. Quidco Quidco is very similar, offering thousands of UK brands and almost identical claims on how much their members get in cashback a year (around £300). All you have to do is download the app or visit the site, find a deal you like, then select ‘Get cashback’ and make your purchase. Once again, Quidco also has different ways of getting your money – bank transfer, PayPal or gift cards. Best apps for vouchers and discounts Prefer to get a discount up front? Let us introduce you to the best websites and apps for vouchers so you know you’re paying the best possible price when you go shopping. HotUKDeals HotUKDeals claims to be the UK’s number 1 deals community, and it’s easy to see why. They have a huge range of constantly evolving deals – some submitted by big brands, but mostly found by the community. HotUKDeals is known for being the place to find out about sudden drops in prices, as well as errors that let people get an unexpectedly good deal. Each deal has instructions on how to redeem – sometimes it’s specific to a store, sometimes it’s an easy link to buy. And because there’s clear information on how ‘hot’ the deal is, as well as minute by minute updates, you’re sure to find the latest and greatest offers. VoucherCodes VoucherCodes lets you save from big brands, as well as theatres and restaurants - perfect for treating yourself without going overboard on the budget. You’ll be able to check discounts and deals on your phone and get vouchers easily. To use a voucher, just find the right deal and you can use the code to claim money off at the till (or give to the restaurant). There are also special discounts for students and NHS staff. Have you got any more suggestions about where to find great offers online? Tell us in the comments.

Summer’s (finally) here! And what better way to celebrate than a staycation in the sun? UK staycations have really stepped up their game over the past few years – think Cornwall, the Peak District, or the Scottish Highlands. So, if you’re not going abroad this year, follow our family staycation tips for some summer fun with the kids! 1. Take a family trip to a museum The UK is home to some of the best museums in the world. The best part? A lot of them are free (yay!) and come paired with some fantastic children’s activities. If you’re not sure which museum to go to, check out Whichmuseum.co.uk or list.co.uk to discover the best museum suggestions for every interest. If you’re nearby London, you’ve got lots of choice. Junior dinosaur fans will love exploring prehistoric life in the Natural History Museum, and budding scientists will love to find out what ‘Our Future Planet’ might look like thanks to the Science Museum’s summer exhibition! 2. Go on a picnic You can’t beat a family picnic in a scenic location – when the weather’s nice, of course. So next time the sun’s out, grab a picnic basket, fill it with home-baked goodies and freshly made sarnies (or pop into a supermarket and buy what you need), pack the car with blankets, chairs and the obligatory frisbee, and hit that picnic spot. If you need some location inspiration, the National Trust has compiled a list of perfect picnic spots here. Oh, and don’t forget the sun cream. 3. Discover the joys of going local You don’t have to travel far for family fun these days. And there’s always some kind of special feeling when you support local business. Why not take the week off and treat the kids to local dinners at restaurants you’ve never been before? Or, find some nearby activity or attraction for the whole family to enjoy. Hoop and Days Out With The Kids are our favourite websites dedicated to family fun. 4. Download some helpful activity apps Alternatively, there are tonnes of free apps out there to help solve your summer boredom. On TripAdvisor and Google Maps, you can just enter your location and type the word ‘kids’ into the search bar – and voila! You can also use the AroundMe app to search for things like nearby theatres and events, or OpenTable for summer eats. If you’re travelling somewhere new, book your perfect stay with Airbnb, and pair it with Citymapper to find the best route in a new city. Going abroad this summer? Find out what travel apps are essential for fun in the sun. 5. Play games with the family It’s summer! But it’s Britain, so it’s going to rain at some point. Sorry, but it’s true. That’s why it’s good to be prepared with some fun family games you can play indoors. Get out those traditional board games you enjoyed when you were a child. Or, if you’re looking for something slightly more modern, take a look at some of the best board games of 2022. If you’re one of those families where board games end up in an argument, you might be better of sticking with tablets and smartphones. Nowadays, there are plenty of apps and games to entertain kids of all ages. 6. Bring the cinema home Forget about the TV – that’s been done before – why not project movies onto your wall for a big screen experience? You’ll find a great selection here, including the Philips NeoPix Mini Projector which is the perfect size for travelling. Or, if you’re looking for something a little fancier, why not try out the Optoma Full HD Home Cinema projector? It works in natural light and dark rooms, and gives you a huge screen size of up to 301-inches. Close the curtains, turn the lights off, pass the popcorn, and prepare to be blown away. 7. Get the tent out We’re going to end with another old-school suggestion that you might have enjoyed when you were a kid. Camping. You don’t have to lug the tent too far to enjoy a night under the stars. The back garden is a fine spot to pitch a tent if your youngsters are new to camping, and it gives you lots of advantages – like nearby toilets and the joys of a fully stocked fridge! If you want to venture further afield and go for a proper camping trip with the kids, you’ll find lots of good advice on camping with kids from ‘Camping in the Forest’. Not holidaying with children? Or maybe you’d rather go solo for your staycation? Never fear, we’ve got some great ideas for you, too . We hope you find these family staycation tips useful. If you’ve got any suggestions of your own, we’d love to hear them. Post a reply below and share it with the rest of the Community

Summer is just around the corner, which probably means your kids are going to have a lot of free time on their hands. And that might mean a lot more time spent on their phone. Read on to get clued-up on keeping your child safe on their smartphone and discover our top tips for monitoring their mobile usage. How to encourage your kids to make the most of summer Before trying anything else, simply set some expectations when it comes to mobile phone use at home: Let them know their limits. For example, discuss how many hours they can spend on social media, make sure their phones are turned off at night, and establish ‘no phone zones’ – like at the dinner table. Plan things to do. Sign them up for some fun summer activities, or plan some trips to the museum, park, or zoo. If all else fails, encourage them to hang out with their friends. Be a good role model. Since you’re asking your child to spend less time in front of a screen, try to do the same thing. Keeping your child safe on their phone Ok, we get it, asking your child to give up their phone completely is a little unrealistic. But here are some things you can do to help keep them out of harm’s way while online: Prevent your kid from looking at adult content Thanks to iD Mobile’s content restrictions, you can protect your child from viewing anything inappropriate online. Simply log in to the iD app or my account and select 'services', then toggle adult content filtering 'on’. Just so you know, our content restriction doesn’t apply if Wi-Fi is being used, as your Wi-Fi provider has their own content rules. Find out more about keeping your kids safe when connected to Wi-Fi. Stop your kids from spending thousands on in-app purchases These days, most apps and mobile games encourage you to purchase add-ons to enhance your experience. Unfortunately, one slip of your child’s finger could end up costing you hundreds on in-app purchases. Here’s how to prevent that from happening: For iPhones: 1. Go to Settings > General 2. Tap on ‘Restrictions’ 3. Click ‘Enable Restrictions’ where you’ll be asked to set a four-digit passcode 4. You’ll then see a list of features that you can either allow or disallow 5. Toggle ‘iTunes Store’, ‘Installing Apps’, ‘Deleting Apps’ and ‘In-App Purchases’ to off 6. This removes the iTunes and App Store icons from the homepage and prevents kids from making in-app purchases For Android phones: 1. Open the Play Store, then click on the three lines in the top left-hand corner 2. Scroll down and click ‘Settings’ 3. Tap ‘Require authentication for purchases’ 4. Make sure you select ‘For all purchases through Google Play on this device’ 5. Now if your child goes to make a purchase, your Google password or fingerprint is required Set up two-factor authentication This adds extra security as it requires your child to enter a unique one-off code before they can sign in or make purchases. You can use it to restrict their use of certain apps and services by entering your mobile phone number as the contact method. This way, they can’t sign into apps or make purchases without your say so. How to monitor your child’s screen-time Androids and iPhones come equipped with ways to monitor the activity on your child's phone. Here’s how to access them: How to monitor your kids’ phone usage on iPhones using Screen Time Screen Time allows you to see real-time reports on your (and your kid’s) mobile activity. To turn this feature on, simply: Go to Settings > Screen Time Tap ‘Turn On Screen Time’ Tap ‘Continue’ Select ‘This is My iPhone’, or ‘This is My Child's iPhone’ You can also set up a unique passcode to lock the settings – meaning your child can’t extend their screen time or make any changes. Plus, use Family Sharing to see reports and adjust settings from your own phone. How to monitor your kids’ usage on Android phones using Digital Wellbeing Android’s Digital Wellbeing feature can track your kid’s daily screen time and notifications. Here’s how to get it working: Go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing & parental controls Tap the three lines on the top-right and select ‘Manage your data’ Toggle on ‘Daily device usage’ Your child’s phone will now record app usage, notifications, and device unlocks You'll also need to link their phone to your email before you can manage their screen time and other settings: On your child’s phone, go to Settings > Digital wellbeing & parental controls Click on ‘Set up parental controls’ Tap ‘Get started’ and choose between ‘Child’ or ‘Teen’ From there, follow the on-screen prompts The best parental control apps for smartphones Take a look at our favourite third-party parental control apps for limiting your child’s phone usage and monitoring what sites and apps they use: 1. Norton Family Location-tracking, time-scheduling, web-filtering… you can do it all with Norton Family. The best part? It has extremely strong content filters and can monitor your child’s YouTube viewing and keep them focused when it’s time to do homework 2.Google Family Link If you’re looking for something that offers individual permissions for each app, Google Family Link is for you. It also lets you decide what apps – if any at all – your child can download from the Google Play store. And, it’s absolutely free! 3. Qustodio Qustodio is one of few apps that can record your child’s texts and calls, and can even let you block certain numbers. It also can limit your kid’s time spent on individual apps and devices. You’ll even get alerts every time something suspicious is happening. What’s your favourite tip for monitoring your kid’s phone usage? Let us know in the comments…

So, you’re here because you use Google Maps, and well, so do we! Google Maps is a great way to find your way around on foot, on a bike or in a car, no matter where you are. And based on Googles algorithm, you’ll get a reasonably accurate ETA based on the time of day you’re travelling. You’ve also got the option to select if you’d like to visit some amenities on the way! Google Maps is especially popular among Android users as the app comes pre-installed on the phone. Anyway, enough about Google maps, we’re here to talk about alternatives, and there are quite a few of them, but here’s our top two: Waze: While probably not the best app to use on foot, Waze is a community-driven map service that is fast to navigate and intuitive. It’s a highly interactive system that lets users warn other drivers of changes in traffic, roadworks, speed cameras and potential hazards. Because of this, you’ll get a more accurate depiction of how long your journey will take before and during it. You’ll also be able to see where other ‘Wazers’ are on the map during your journey. Once you’ve reached your destination, there’s an option to rate the route, and your feedback will go on to help other users who may be planning a similar journey. Waze was proven so popular that Google bought the company in 2013. Despite Google acquiring Waze, it’s a credit to the app that it remains a separate entity from Google Maps Free to download: iOS / Android Citymapper Finding your way around a different city or town can be overwhelming, especially when you’re on holiday. Citymapper covers over 80 cities worldwide and makes it easy to navigate your way around with a variety of routes to get you from A to B. Citymapper offers users a multi-mode journey planner which includes buses, trains, trams, cabs and even scooters! Plus, in many cities, it won’t just tell you how to make your journey but also how much it will cost. Goodbye expensive taxi fares! Free to download on iOS and Android Have you used any of the above apps? Do you have another alternative navigation app? Let us know below and keep the iD Community in the know.

Netflix First of all, you’ll need to ensure you’re subscribed to the ‘Standard’ or ‘Premium’ plan. The Basic plan will only allow you to stream up to 420p and not Full HD (1080p) or Ultra HD (4K) that comes with the Premium plan. Netflix will automatically stream what you’re watching in a video quality based on your network speed. Now, adjusting your video quality on Netflix isn’t as straightforward as on YouTube; you’ll need to log into your Netflix online account. Once you’ve logged in, here’s how to set your playback preference to HD: Step 1: Select a profile on the home screen (any profile will do) Step 2: Hover over the user icon in the top right corner – this will bring up a drop-down with a list of options. Step 3: Select ‘Account’ Step 4: Under ‘Profile & Parental Controls’ select the drop-down arrow on the profile you’d like to set to HD streaming Step 5: Select ‘Playback Settings’ Step 6: On the ‘Playback Settings’ page, select ‘High’ and click ‘Save’ You’re all set! Every time you watch something, it’ll default to High Definition playback. To seamlessly stream in HD, you’ll need to get a speed of at least 5Mb per second when connected to the network – which is more than achievable when connected to iD’s 4G or 5G network. If you’re unsure about your network speed, Netflix has an ‘internet speed test’ within the app. You can get there by selecting your profile picture in the top right corner of the app, then tap ‘App Settings’, scroll down to the bottom, and you’ll find the ‘Internet speed test’ option under ‘About’, select it, and a speed test will open in a browser. Amazon Prime Video If you’re a Prime Video user, setting your stream quality to HD in the app is simple. Follow these 5 steps: Step 1: Open the Prime Video app Step 2: Tap ‘My Stuff’ on the bottom right-hand corner of the screen Step 3: Select the settings icon on the top right of the screen Step 4: Select ‘Streaming & Downloading’ Step 5: Choose between ‘Better’ or ‘Best’ Anything you stream going forward will automatically be streamed in HD! YouTube Setting your stream quality preference in the YouTube app is relatively straightforward; here’s how you do it: Step 1: Open the YouTube app Step 2: Tap your profile picture on the top left corner Step 3: Tap ‘Settings’ Step 4: Tap’ Video quality preferences’ Step 6: Select ‘On mobile networks’ Step 7: Select ‘Higher picture quality