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Our favourite free video calling apps for staying in touch with friends and family.Blog
Whether you’re at home or on the go, it’s now easier than ever to stay in touch with mates, mum and dad or your work colleagues. It’s not just regular calls or texts now either. Video calling’s given every single natter a far more personal touch. It sort of feels like they’re sat right there with you. What are the best apps for video calls though? Well, we’ve put together some of our favourites that are worth a download on your phone, tablet or laptop. Let’s dive in… WhatsApp. You’ve almost definitely heard of WhatsApp. But if not, here’s a quick intro. It’s one of the most popular messaging apps in the whole world. And with over 2 billion users, there’s a very good chance your family and friends are already using it. One of its biggest plus points is its end-to-end encrypted texts and calls. What does that mean though? Well, it keeps all of your chats private and secure. So, no prying eyes can see or hear what you’re talking about. And because of its simple, easy to navigate interface, almost anyone can use it. Yep, even your nan! The app also supports group video calls, making it perfect for a chinwag with multiple mates or family members. Just grab a brew, settle in on the sofa and catch up on all the latest goss. Download WhatsApp here Discord. If you’re a big gamer, you might have come across this one already. You can talk in real time with other gamers and create a party chat with your mates. It’s ideal for when you want to link up for a spot of quick questing in that epic RPG. Discord supports screen sharing too. And that’s super handy, especially when you’re struggling on a section of a game and need a bit of help from one of your squad. They’ll be able to give you a few pointers. And you’ll finally be able to get past that tricky boss battle. Download Discord here Facebook Messenger. While Facebook might not be as popular with the young’uns as it once was, Messenger is still going steady. It’s built right into Facebook, so if you’ve already got an account, you’ll be good to go from the start. No admin required here. Oh, and because all of your mates and family are already on your friends list, it’s quick and easy to connect. Like most of the others on our list, it caters to one-on-one and group video calls. But it also comes with some pretty fun features like filters and effects. So, if you’re after a good laugh, why not give yourself a funny hat, or make yourself look absolutely ancient. It’s almost guaranteed to lighten the mood. Download Messenger here Zoom. Zoom saw a massive surge in popularity during the Covid pandemic. And with Skype soon shutting down for good, it’s now the top dog when it comes to video calls – especially in a work setting. It offers high-quality video and audio, and it can easily handle huge group calls. So, it’s just as good for big business meetings or a family reunion. When you’re working from home, or have family spread out all over the globe, it’s a great shout. The app also comes with screen sharing (which is good for remote collabs), virtual backgrounds (for a bit of extra fun) and the ability to record calls. And that’s seriously useful for saving memories or remembering some vital job info. Plus, you won’t have to take loads of notes either. Result! Download Zoom here Google Meet. Now one for the Android users. Google Meet was designed to be as simple as possible. And if you’re a big user of Google’s other apps, it’s integrated with most of them too, making everything you do nice and easy. Good video and audio quality is pretty much a given with most of our apps here. And Meet is no different. Where it is different though, is in its nifty Knock Knock feature. When someone rings you, you’ll be able to see a video preview of them, letting you spot quickly who’s calling. Don’t fancy chatting right now? You don’t have to answer. But you might just see their sad face! FaceTime. FaceTime is Apple’s own video calling app. And sorry Android fans, this one’s exclusive to Apple devices. You won’t have to spend ages scrabbling around in the App Store trying to find it though. When you get an iPhone, iPad or a MacBook etc, it’ll be downloaded for you already. Just look for the white camera logo on a green background to fire it up. It’s really that straightforward. Got a favourite video calling app we haven’t mentioned? Tell us all about it in the comments down below!
The festival phone guide you didn’t know you needed.Blog
It’s nearly festival season. And while they’re loads of fun, they can also be super chaotic, especially if you’re not prepared. So, we’ve put together some top phone tips and tools to help you get the best from the fest. Must-have phone accessories for festivals. Portable power bank. Festivals aren’t short. You’ll probably be there from Thursday to Sunday at least. And your phone’s battery will really be put to the test. So, packing a high-capacity portable power bank (one that’s at least 10,000mAh) is key. Then, you’ll be able to keep your phone charged all weekend, letting you capture every moment and stay in touch with your mates. After all, it’s easy to lose them in a big crowd! Look for one that’s lightweight and durable. Then you can carry it around without adding too much bulk to your festival bag. Waterproof phone pouch. Muddy fields, spilled drinks and rain are all part of the festival experience. Remember, we do live in the UK. So, you’re almost definitely going to encounter all three. A waterproof phone pouch is a great way to protect your phone from the elements. These nifty little pouches are designed to keep your phone dry (and most importantly, working), even when it’s absolutely chucking it down. They’re transparent too, making it easy to send a text without taking it out and risking a soaking. Make sure to get one that fits your phone snugly and has a secure seal to stop any water from seeping in. Phone lanyard or crossbody holder. Grab a crossbody holder or a phone lanyard to keep your phone safe. Sling it across your chest or around your neck, and it’ll make it way harder for any would-be thieves to try and nick it. And if you fancy a boogie – and plan to dance the night away – there’s less chance it’ll end up in a muddy puddle. Battery life hacks. Enable Low Power Mode or Battery Saver. Turn on Low Power Mode (iPhone) or Battery Saver (Android) as soon as possible. Both will help your phone to use less power, extending the battery life. It makes a big difference when you’re staying onsite for multiple days. Turn off background app refresh, Bluetooth and push notifications. The above are all convenient features, but they’ll drain your battery quickly. Switch them off to save some juice. You can always turn them back on later when you’re leaving the festival. Download maps, tickets and setlists offline. Do this one ahead of time. It’ll save data and battery power. Plus, having your maps and tickets available offline means you can access them without needing a constant internet connection - which is spotty at best at festivals. Keep screen brightness low and use Airplane Mode. Your screen brightness is another serious battery drainer. When you’re not using your phone, slide that brightness all the way down and use Airplane Mode, especially if you don’t need to check any messages. Then you’re guaranteed to have some power left to take a few videos of your favourite artist. Bring a spare cable. Even with a portable power bank, you’ll need a cable to charge your phone. And bring a spare one too, as they’re small and easy to lose. It’ll come in handy if one of your friends ends up in a similar situation as well. Emergency contact prep. Set up emergency contacts. There’s a good chance you might lose your phone. So, set up some emergency contacts on your lock screen, with a short message to go along with them. Anyone who finds your phone can then easily text or call your contact(s) and return your phone to you. Panic over. Save group numbers as favourites. It’s worth saving your group’s numbers as favourites for quick calling or texting. Use them when you get split up, and you’ll be reunited in no time. Agree on a central meeting point. Ahead of the big headline set, agree on a specific meeting point for your group and write it down somewhere – just in case you and your pals get separated. This might be a specific stage, a burger van, or a landmark that’s easy to spot from most parts of the festival. Then, if you do lose each other in the mosh pit, it’ll be easy to link up after. What3Words (W3W). Festival sites can be pretty huge, especially if you’re at one like Glastonbury or Reading. So, before you head off, make sure you download the What3Words app. It divides the entire world into 3x3m squares, each with a unique three-word code. This makes it simple to share your precise location with mates when you’re lost among a sprawling sea of tents. And speaking of tents… Once you’ve pitched your tent, take a quick screenshot of its W3W address. That way, you can always find your way back, even if your phone’s battery dies. Share the screenshot in the group chat too - it’ll make organising meetups an absolute breeze. Got any festival tips or tricks we haven’t mentioned? Tell us about them in the comments down below.
Introducing iD Perks - Epic discounts just for being with us!Blog
We’ve got something exciting to shout about… Say hello to iD Perks – our brand-new loyalty platform designed to thank you for being part of the iD Mobile family! To celebrate 10 amazing years of great value and loyal customers , we’ve launched iD Perks to bring you exclusive discounts, offers and savings from some of the biggest high street and online brands. And the best part? It’s absolutely free for all iD Mobile customers! So, how does iD Perks work? It’s easy! Simply head to the iD Mobile app and browse the live offers. Pick the perks that suit you, check the terms and tap ‘Get offer now’ to redeem. You can even save deals to use later by emailing them to yourself – handy, right? You can redeem as many offers as you like, and while some perks may be one-time only, others can be used again and again. Keep checking back, too – new brands and deals are added regularly, so there’s always something new to discover. From money off food, fashion, tech and more, iD Perks is our way of giving back – because you deserve it. Why join iD Mobile? We’re not just about great perks. With over 2 million happy customers, iD Mobile has been crowned winner of Uswitch’s Best Contract Value for Money 2024 and Which? Great Value Award for Mobile Network Providers (April 2024). We’ve also earned 4 stars or more on Google, Trustpilot and Feefo – and it’s all thanks to you. Got questions about how iD Perks works? Check out the FAQs in the app , and if you’re having trouble redeeming an offer, the brand providing it is the best place to get help. So go on – perk up with iD Perks today. It’s easy, free, and packed with value – just like iD Mobile. ← Return to idmobile.co.uk