Latest news with #ios
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Amazon drops 'great quality' £130 smartwatch that's 'perfect' to £24
Amazon has reduced a "great" smartwatch that shoppers say "does everything an Apple Watch does" Amazon shoppers are praising a "great quality" smartwatch that's been significantly reduced online. The retailer has dropped the price of a popular watch by a huge 83%. The Cillso smart watch has been reduced from its original price of £129.99, down to £23.99. The smartwatch features a 1.95 inch HD touch screen, and can make/answer calls. Users can create custom wallpapers or choose from multiple dials, as well as track their heart rate and sleep. The watch comes with 110 sports modes, message notification functions, activity tracking, sedentary alerts, music control and more. The watch comes in black, blue, deep black, rose and rose gold. It is compatible with Android 5.0 or above, and ios 9.0 or above. Alternatively, the Sekonda Connect Smart Watch is available for £89.99, while Argos stocks the Radley Pink Strap Smart Watch and Wireless Earbud Set for £73.99. The Reflex Active Women's Series 23 RGP Pink Strap Smart Watch is on sale at H. Samuel for £35. The Amazon smartwatch has racked up rave reviews online, with a 4.9 star rating overall. Among the many reviews, one person said: Great smart watch and worth every penny. Attractive looking watch with a super soft wristband. Very easy to set up and connect to my phone. "After a very short time of charging I was able to receive messages and make and receive calls with clear sound. Also has feature to check weather, steps, heart beat etc. Great value for money. Looks great and sits really comfy on my wrist." A second wrote: "Great price for being able to read messages and take calls off your phone and track steps! Way cheaper than apple watch. Great quality and clear." Another added: "Love this smart watch it's really easy to set up and use. Great value for money does everything an Apple Watch does for a fraction of the price. Charges quick and the battery lasts a long time. It has good quality audio which is really clear and is convenient to get notifications from social media." However, some shoppers did notice have issues with the watch. One person said: "I've noticed the health tracking isn't always super accurate, and the app can be a little glitchy sometimes. The build feels light and a bit cheap, so I try to be careful with it. Still, for a budget smartwatch, it does most of what I need without spending a lot." Despite this, others continued to praise the popular watch. One person said: "Perfect smartwatch without breaking the bank. Great little smartwatch. No bloatware preloaded and lots of great features. "I've added a few pics of just some of the options. I like that it takes the standard easy to replace strap and it all feels and looks like a high quality item. Well worth the price, especially when compared to the big brand stuff."
The Irish Sun
12-07-2025
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
How to stop your iPhone BREAKING in the heat – protect your mobile NOW
IT'S not just us feeling the heat this weekend - but our phones are too. As the mercury Advertisement 2 Hot weather can force your iPhone to temporarily shut down while it cools off An amber heat health alert has been issued for six regions across England, that will remain in place until Monday. This includes The West Midlands, East Midlands, South East, South West, London, and East of England. The UK Health Security Agency-issued warning means there's an increase in risk to health for people aged over 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. But that's not the only warning to watch out for. Advertisement Read more about iPhone As well as themselves, Brits need to take special care of their expensive gadgets. Overheating can cause your smartphone to temporarily shut down – and can also damage your battery. Here are seven ways to protect your smartphone – be it an iPhone or Android handset – in hot weather. 1. Keep it out of direct sunlight Make sure to keep your iPhone cool by keeping it out of direct sunlight on hotter days. Advertisement Most read in Tech It may sound obvious, but using your device while it's soaking up extra heat from the sun can cause significant damage. Letting your iPhone get too toasty could trigger a worrying pop-up that shuts your phone down. Apple interview with Greg Joz Joswiak on new artificial intelligence, screening, hold assist, carplay, liquid glass and ios updates Even Apple has warned that letting your iPhone temperature rise too high could "permanently shorten battery life". "Low - or high-temperature conditions might cause the device to change its behaviour," Apple explains. Advertisement High temperatures can mess up your battery life for good. "Using an iOS or iPadOS device in very hot conditions can permanently shorten battery life," an Apple support post reads. 2. Remove the case Another way to help your iPhone cool down is to remove any case you move have slapped on. While they're a useful way to protect your device from scratches and drops, they also act as an insulating layer that can trap heat. Advertisement This is particularly true if you use a leather or rubber case, which are excellent insulators. It may be worth weighing up whether – on hotter days – your case is doing more damage than good. 3. Turn off your phone If your phone is getting too hot, switching it off is a good way to ensure it doesn't sustain any long-term damage. This is a good way to shut down the processor, battery and any other parts that can get especially toasty. Advertisement Of course, this leaves you unable to use your phone, so is not a permanent solution and should only be used in emergencies. Alternatively, you can just stop using your phone for five minutes to give it a chance to cool down. 4. Change your settings Changing your phone's settings is another way to help it to keep cool on scorching days. For instance, turning your screen's brightness down uses less of your phone's battery and so causes it to heat up less. Advertisement If your phone automatically turns brightness to max when you're outside, consider turning this off. Also by turning your data off, you're saving battery which is also closely linked to phone temperature. Turning your phone onto low-power mode can also help fix the issue. 5. Don't push your phone to the limit Avoid using power-hungry apps for long periods of time. Advertisement This is particularly important for gamers, because graphics-intensive game apps can cause a phone's processor to heat up very quickly. Certain features, such as GPS and gaming, can also cause problems when used in hot conditions or direct sunlight for an extended period of time. 6. Don't leave your phone in your pocket Don't put your iPhone in confined places, like under bed covers or in your pocket. Your trousers or shorts can act as an insulating layer that traps heat around your device. Advertisement This is particularly true if you're wearing something tight, such as skinny-fit jeans, that holds onto air more effectively. 7. Leave it somewhere cool If none of the above work, you can always try storing your phone somewhere cool. This might be under an electric fan or even in one of the cupboards in your kitchen. It is not recommended that you store your phone in the fridge or freezer, however, as this can damage it. Advertisement 2 Overheating can tank your iPhone's battery life Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Drivers warned to take three items out of car TODAY – & expert reveals best spot to leave them if you can't
DRIVERS need to be on red alert if they're leaving gadgets in their car today. Fire safety experts have told The Sun that there are three items you must take out of your car as the UK basks in an ongoing 5 Leaving your phone in the car – and especially in direct sunlight – is a bad idea Credit: Getty 5 Like phones, laptops also have lithium ion batteries inside Credit: Getty 5 Heading down to the beach is great fun – but consider taking your gadgets with you and not leaving them in the car Credit: Getty Thousands of Brits flocked to beaches over the weekend, and Monday is set to be a scorcher – with temperatures rising as high as 34C or 35C in parts of Britain. But as Brits park up to enjoy the sunny weather, it's important to remember not to leave gadgets in the car. Fire experts named three gadgets in particular to be careful with. "Most devices that we use every day, phones, power banks, laptops etc have batteries containing lithium-ion," a spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service told The Sun. Read more on phones "If exposed to high temperatures, they can go into thermal runaway, which is where they become volatile and can explode and start a fire. "Although this usually happens if they are over-charged, being exposed to prolonged heat can also cause this." HEAT HURT It's not just a fire risk either: heat can damage your devices. That includes permanently shorting the battery life of your smartphone. Most read in Phones & Gadgets If that happens, you'll have to charge your mobile more often – and there's no way to fix it other than by replacing the battery, or upgrading to a newer model. 'The interior of a car on a hot day is almost like a greenhouse, trapping heat and causing temperatures to climb high," the fire service told The Sun. Apple interview with Greg Joz Joswiak on new artificial intelligence, screening, hold assist, carplay, liquid glass and ios updates "Even if it doesn't lead to thermal runaway, prolonged heat exposure can also impact the performance of the battery and shorten its life." CAR 'LAST RESORT' The official advice is to take gadgets with you rather than leave them in a car. But if you're pulling up at the beach and want to go for a dip, it can be difficult to avoid. If there's no possible alternative, the fire service revealed one of the best places in your car to place a gadget as a last resort. 5 Placing gadgets under the seats is one of of avoiding letting them get too hot, experts say – but it's a last resort option and not as safe as bringing them with you Credit: Getty "We would always recommend taking any devices that you need with you and not leaving them in a vehicle," the fire service told us. "If you do need to, think about where you park and try and find shaded areas. "You can also think about where you leave the devices, for instance in the cooler parts of a car like under a seat." But you're better off bringing your precious gadgets with you, if that's an option. Why does heat damage batteries? Here's what you need to know... Hot temperatures can cause permanent damage to batteries That's because batteries contain fluids, and work through chemical reactions When heat is applied to a battery, the fluid inside starts to evaporate This damages the internal structure of the battery Components like the voltage indicator can be affected by heat This can allow batteries to charge at too high a rate, which can lead to a loss of electrolytes This can reduce battery life over time As batteries heat up, chemical reactions inside will also occur faster Excessive chemical reactions can reduce long-term battery life Britain is tipped to be hotter than Ibiza today, a "I t is a hot picture as we move across and Wales , particularly towards the southeast where temperatures could be around 34C or maybe even 35C ," said meterologist Greg Dewhurst. He added: "The heat of the day could spark one or two heavy showers across eastern England as we move through the afternoon into the evening." It means Wimbledon is set for its hottest 5 Alamy Live News. 3BN3TPN London, UK. 30 June 2025. Thousands of tennis fans queuing flocked to Wimbledon in the scorching weather on opening day Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
29-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Anti-kidnap trick, texting without signal, silent 999 calls & burglary sensor – must-know iPhone hacks to save your life
YOUR phone can save your life – you just need the right settings. There are plenty of hidden before you need them. 11 You'll be prompted to try it if you're attempting to text without cell signal or Wi-Fi Credit: Apple 11 You can easily connect to satellites overhead to send texts Credit: Apple 11 You can try out a demo of the satellite calling feature whenever you like Credit: Apple Text and call with no signal It turns out that you can make calls, send texts, and even share your location You just need an iPhone 14 or newer – and then you can communicate via satellite, even if you've got no network bars. For texting, make sure you have iMessage switched on (Settings > Apps > Messages), then try to send a text without signal. You should see an alert that you're out of phone and Wi-Fi coverage, with an option to Use Messages via Satellite. Just follow the instructions (and make sure you have a clear view of the sky). Read more on iPhone If you go to the Find My app, tap Me, then Send My Location, and you'll be able to use a satellite to share your exact location with no signal. And Brits can also make emergency calls over satellite too. You can test the feature out without actually making a 999 call by going to Settings > Emergency SOS > Satellite Connection Demo. Then if you have no phone signal or Wi-Fi, try to make a call. It won't work – but you'll be offered satellite calling instead. Just follow the demo and, again, remember to have a clear view of the sky . Most read in Phones & Gadgets Pay without battery Your iPhone can still make some payments – even when Importantly, your phone needs to have died for this to work. You can't just switch it off. Apple interview with Greg Joz Joswiak on new artificial intelligence, screening, hold assist, carplay, liquid glass and ios updates HOW TO DEMO THE SATELLITE FEATURE Here's what you need to know... You can try the Satellite Connection Demo to get to grips with this feature before you need to use it. Remember: you'll need to be outside with a clear view of the sky. Trees and hills can block your signal, so try to go somewhere that's very open. Go to Control Centre by swiping down from the top-right corner of your iPhone. Then tap on the Cellular button on the right of the Control Centre. Next tap Satellite, and then choose Try Demo. Choose what you want to test, and then follow the on-screen instructions. You can also access it in the Settings app. Go to either Settings > Apps > Messages and choose Satellite Connection Demo, or go to Settings > Emergency SOS to test out the Emergency SOS via Satellite feature. You'll need to have an Express Mode card set up. You'll be able to choose one by going into your Apple Pay settings. This is the default card that you can use contactlessly on public transport without unlocking your phone. Once you have a debit or credit card chosen as your Express Mode option, you can then use it on certain public transport options – like the London Underground. "With compatible iPhone models , you might be able to use power reserve with some cards, passes and keys that have Express Mode turned on for up to five hours when your iPhone needs to be charged," Apple explains. 11 Set up Express Mode for your Apple Wallet cards, passes, and keys Credit: Apple HOW TO SET UP EXPRESS MODE Here's the official Apple guide... Open the Wallet app and select a card, pass, or key. Tap the More button, then tap Card Details. Tap Express Transit Settings or Express Mode. Select your preferred transit card, payment card, or other compatible pass or key. Apple adds: "You can select a different transit or payment card for Express Transit Mode on your Apple Watch: "On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app. In the My Watch tab, tap Wallet & Apple Pay. "Then tap Express Transit Card, select a transit or payment card, and authenticate on your Apple Watch with your passcode." "To see the cards, passes and keys available for use with power reserve, press the side button or the Home button when your iPhone needs to be charged. "However, pressing the side button or Home button often may reduce the power reserve significantly. If you turn off your iPhone, this feature won't be available." This could get you home in an emergency situation when you're out of power and can't make contact with anyone. Just note that you can't use it for making other types of purchases, like buying products in shops. Silent 999 calls A couple of years ago, Apple Emergency SOS lets you press and hold the side button and volume button (or press the side button five times) to trigger an emergency call. This normally triggers a countdown and sounds an alarm as part of the process. But there might be situations where you want to make a subtle call. 11 There's a special feature in your iPhone settings called Call Quietly Credit: The Sun Go to Settings > Emergency SOS and toggle Call Quietly on. If you have Call Quietly active, it'll block the warning alarms, flashes, and any VoiceOver audio when you use the '5 Button Press' or 'Hold and Release' Emergency SOS techniques. But if you dial 999 directly, it'll just work as normal. Check In -Check In feature that alerts family members if you've been kidnapped 11 On iPhone, there's a feature called Check In Credit: The Sun 11 You can choose how much data is shared with friends Credit: The Sun If you're heading home after a night out, there's a helpful feature to let your friends and family make sure you're getting back safely. It's called Check In, and it can help if you're lost or very drunk – or even in To send a Check In, go to Messages, tap on a chat, then hit the + (plus) symbol, and go to More > Check In > Edit. If you choose the When I Arrive option, you enter a destination, your transport method (like driving, walking, or public transport), and add extra time. HOW TO CHANGE YOUR CHECK-IN SHARING DETAILS Here's what to do... Go into Settings > Apps > Messages on your iPhone. Then scroll down the page and tap on Check In Data. You'll be able to choose the details that you want to share if your Check In isn't completed. The first option is called Limited . This will only show your current location, as well as your phone signal and battery details. The second option is Full . This shares all of the info in Limited, as well as the route that you've travelled, your iPhone's last unlock time, and when you most recently removed your Apple Watch. Picture Credit: Apple Then Check In will monitor your journey and warn your friend or family member if your iPhone stops progressing for "an extended period of time". If you do make it to your destination then Check In will automatically complete. The other option is After A Timer, which lets you specify a certain amount of time. This is handy if you're meeting someone new, like if you're going on a date. 11 You can edit the details of your Check In at any time Credit: The Sun 11 Check In even used estimated travel times (which you can add to) to make it as accurate as possible Credit: The Sun If you don't end the Check In before the timer runs out then your friend will be automatically warned. You can also change the info you share, so you can give your friend or family member extra info like: Current location Network signal Battery details The route you've travelled The last time you unlocked your iPhone The last time you removed your Apple Watch It can keep your friends and family members in the loop, and potentially help them come to your rescue. Medical ID Medical ID is a clever feature that lets you add important info to your iPhone Lock Screen. Just go to the Health app, tap on your profile picture, then choose Medical ID. 11 Medical ID lets you choose emergency contacts, as well as listing medications and allergies Credit: Apple You'll be able to enter emergency contacts, and important info like allergies or medical conditions. If someone wants to view your medical ID – like a paramedic – then they could swipe up from the Lock Screen, tap Emergency on the passcode screen, and then tap Medical ID. They don't need your passcode to see it. Sound Recognition There's an extremely clever feature called Sound Recognition that can alert you to specific noises. So your iPhone can listen out for glass breaking, which could be linked to a burglary, or an animal or pet knocking something over. 11 Your iPhone can listen out for plenty of different sounds Credit: Apple If this happens while you're asleep, the notification might wake you up – and there'll be a record of it happening on your phone. That way, you can be sure that you didn't imagine it. Just go into Settings > Accessibility > Sound Recognition and set your iPhone up to listen out for you. This has even more uses if you have a hearing impairment. You can set your iPhone up to listen out for other noises like fire or smoke alarms. And then you can receive notifications for those sounds if you can't hear them yourself. If you have an Apple HomePod speaker at home, you can also set that up to listen out for smoke alarms – and ping your iPhone while you're out at work or on holiday. Just go into the Home app to set it up.
Scottish Sun
29-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Anti-kidnap trick, texting without signal, silent 999 calls & burglary sensor – must-know iPhone hacks to save your life
The final trick can even warn you about fire DEAD IMPORTANT Anti-kidnap trick, texting without signal, silent 999 calls & burglary sensor – must-know iPhone hacks to save your life Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) YOUR phone can save your life – you just need the right settings. There are plenty of hidden iPhone tricks that come in handy when you're in a sticky situation, and you'll want to know about them before you need them. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 11 You'll be prompted to try it if you're attempting to text without cell signal or Wi-Fi Credit: Apple 11 You can easily connect to satellites overhead to send texts Credit: Apple 11 You can try out a demo of the satellite calling feature whenever you like Credit: Apple Text and call with no signal It turns out that you can make calls, send texts, and even share your location without phone signal. You just need an iPhone 14 or newer – and then you can communicate via satellite, even if you've got no network bars. For texting, make sure you have iMessage switched on (Settings > Apps > Messages), then try to send a text without signal. You should see an alert that you're out of phone and Wi-Fi coverage, with an option to Use Messages via Satellite. Just follow the instructions (and make sure you have a clear view of the sky). Read more on iPhone GREAT CALL New iPhone trick saves you from bank-emptying calls by letting 'robot' answer If you go to the Find My app, tap Me, then Send My Location, and you'll be able to use a satellite to share your exact location with no signal. And Brits can also make emergency calls over satellite too. You can test the feature out without actually making a 999 call by going to Settings > Emergency SOS > Satellite Connection Demo. Then if you have no phone signal or Wi-Fi, try to make a call. It won't work – but you'll be offered satellite calling instead. Just follow the demo and, again, remember to have a clear view of the sky. Pay without battery Your iPhone can still make some payments – even when its battery is dead. Importantly, your phone needs to have died for this to work. You can't just switch it off. Apple interview with Greg Joz Joswiak on new artificial intelligence, screening, hold assist, carplay, liquid glass and ios updates HOW TO DEMO THE SATELLITE FEATURE Here's what you need to know... You can try the Satellite Connection Demo to get to grips with this feature before you need to use it. Remember: you'll need to be outside with a clear view of the sky. Trees and hills can block your signal, so try to go somewhere that's very open. Go to Control Centre by swiping down from the top-right corner of your iPhone. Then tap on the Cellular button on the right of the Control Centre. Next tap Satellite, and then choose Try Demo. Choose what you want to test, and then follow the on-screen instructions. You can also access it in the Settings app. Go to either Settings > Apps > Messages and choose Satellite Connection Demo, or go to Settings > Emergency SOS to test out the Emergency SOS via Satellite feature. You'll need to have an Express Mode card set up. You'll be able to choose one by going into your Apple Pay settings. This is the default card that you can use contactlessly on public transport without unlocking your phone. Once you have a debit or credit card chosen as your Express Mode option, you can then use it on certain public transport options – like the London Underground. "With compatible iPhone models, you might be able to use power reserve with some cards, passes and keys that have Express Mode turned on for up to five hours when your iPhone needs to be charged," Apple explains. 11 Set up Express Mode for your Apple Wallet cards, passes, and keys Credit: Apple HOW TO SET UP EXPRESS MODE Here's the official Apple guide... Open the Wallet app and select a card, pass, or key. Tap the More button, then tap Card Details. Tap Express Transit Settings or Express Mode. Select your preferred transit card, payment card, or other compatible pass or key. Apple adds: "You can select a different transit or payment card for Express Transit Mode on your Apple Watch: "On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch app. In the My Watch tab, tap Wallet & Apple Pay. "Then tap Express Transit Card, select a transit or payment card, and authenticate on your Apple Watch with your passcode." "To see the cards, passes and keys available for use with power reserve, press the side button or the Home button when your iPhone needs to be charged. "However, pressing the side button or Home button often may reduce the power reserve significantly. If you turn off your iPhone, this feature won't be available." This could get you home in an emergency situation when you're out of power and can't make contact with anyone. Just note that you can't use it for making other types of purchases, like buying products in shops. Silent 999 calls A couple of years ago, Apple added a 'Call Quietly' option to its Emergency SOS feature. Emergency SOS lets you press and hold the side button and volume button (or press the side button five times) to trigger an emergency call. This normally triggers a countdown and sounds an alarm as part of the process. But there might be situations where you want to make a subtle call. 11 There's a special feature in your iPhone settings called Call Quietly Credit: The Sun Go to Settings > Emergency SOS and toggle Call Quietly on. If you have Call Quietly active, it'll block the warning alarms, flashes, and any VoiceOver audio when you use the '5 Button Press' or 'Hold and Release' Emergency SOS techniques. But if you dial 999 directly, it'll just work as normal. Check In -Check In feature that alerts family members if you've been kidnapped 11 On iPhone, there's a feature called Check In Credit: The Sun 11 You can choose how much data is shared with friends Credit: The Sun If you're heading home after a night out, there's a helpful feature to let your friends and family make sure you're getting back safely. It's called Check In, and it can help if you're lost or very drunk – or even in a dangerous kidnapping situation. To send a Check In, go to Messages, tap on a chat, then hit the + (plus) symbol, and go to More > Check In > Edit. If you choose the When I Arrive option, you enter a destination, your transport method (like driving, walking, or public transport), and add extra time. HOW TO CHANGE YOUR CHECK-IN SHARING DETAILS Here's what to do... Go into Settings > Apps > Messages on your iPhone. Then scroll down the page and tap on Check In Data. You'll be able to choose the details that you want to share if your Check In isn't completed. The first option is called Limited. This will only show your current location, as well as your phone signal and battery details. The second option is Full. This shares all of the info in Limited, as well as the route that you've travelled, your iPhone's last unlock time, and when you most recently removed your Apple Watch. Picture Credit: Apple Then Check In will monitor your journey and warn your friend or family member if your iPhone stops progressing for "an extended period of time". If you do make it to your destination then Check In will automatically complete. The other option is After A Timer, which lets you specify a certain amount of time. This is handy if you're meeting someone new, like if you're going on a date. 11 You can edit the details of your Check In at any time Credit: The Sun 11 Check In even used estimated travel times (which you can add to) to make it as accurate as possible Credit: The Sun If you don't end the Check In before the timer runs out then your friend will be automatically warned. You can also change the info you share, so you can give your friend or family member extra info like: Current location Network signal Battery details The route you've travelled The last time you unlocked your iPhone The last time you removed your Apple Watch It can keep your friends and family members in the loop, and potentially help them come to your rescue. Medical ID Medical ID is a clever feature that lets you add important info to your iPhone Lock Screen. Just go to the Health app, tap on your profile picture, then choose Medical ID. 11 Medical ID lets you choose emergency contacts, as well as listing medications and allergies Credit: Apple You'll be able to enter emergency contacts, and important info like allergies or medical conditions. If someone wants to view your medical ID – like a paramedic – then they could swipe up from the Lock Screen, tap Emergency on the passcode screen, and then tap Medical ID. They don't need your passcode to see it. Sound Recognition There's an extremely clever feature called Sound Recognition that can alert you to specific noises. So your iPhone can listen out for glass breaking, which could be linked to a burglary, or an animal or pet knocking something over. 11 Your iPhone can listen out for plenty of different sounds Credit: Apple If this happens while you're asleep, the notification might wake you up – and there'll be a record of it happening on your phone. That way, you can be sure that you didn't imagine it. Just go into Settings > Accessibility > Sound Recognition and set your iPhone up to listen out for you. This has even more uses if you have a hearing impairment. You can set your iPhone up to listen out for other noises like fire or smoke alarms. And then you can receive notifications for those sounds if you can't hear them yourself. If you have an Apple HomePod speaker at home, you can also set that up to listen out for smoke alarms – and ping your iPhone while you're out at work or on holiday. Just go into the Home app to set it up.
