We live in a society where a large percentage of us are addicted to our smartphones, so much so that often we can feel them vibrating with a new notification even when there isn’t one there and many of us feel lost when our smartphone isn’t in our hand for a large percentage of the day. If we aren’t checking emails we are on Facebook, if we aren’t on Facebook we are playing Candy Crush; the fact of the matter is, mobile phones are a huge distraction to us. However, would you give up your mobile for the NoPhone?

What is the NoPhone?

Luckily, help is at hand for the mobile phone addicts among us. The NoPhone has been designed to help mobile phone addicts break their addiction without struggling with having ‘no phone’. The idea behind the NoPhone is simple, it is a plastic rectangular object shaped exactly like an iPhone but with a catch; it’s simply a plastic object. Nothing more, nothing less. 

The brains behind the NoPhone highlight it’s many benefits such as being battery free - never again will you worry when a battery reaches the dreaded 10% and runs out shortly afterwards - waterproof, shatterproof and will never require an upgrade or a cracked screen replacement. The key reason for the NoPhone is for users to feel safe knowing they have a ‘phone’ in their hand, whilst being able to cut themselves off from the technological environment, if only for a short time. 

Is the NoPhone for you?

The NoPhone is currently in a prototype stage with the designers behind it hoping to manufacture it in the future. Many will see the NoPhone as a novelty item, a possible gift for technology addicted friends, but is there some sense behind it?

With a large number of people spending an increasing amount time on their smartphone or tablet it is becoming increasingly more difficult to take time away from mobile phones, and it is just this reason why the NoPhone may work. There is a possibility that the NoPhone will trick individuals into thinking they have their phone on them at all times, in their pocket or in their hand, but without being disturbed by messages, emails and social media updates. However, with the power of the smartphone ever increasing it is likely that the NoPhone will be switched back to the iPhone in no time. 

There aren’t many people who would answer yes to the question “would you give up your mobile for the NoPhone?’ but at only $12 each, it may be worth a try. 

If the swapping your smartphone for the NoPhone is a little daunting, you may want to consider ensuring your mobile phone is fully insured in case of breaks, damages and theft. Get a online quote today and insure your mobile phone at a price you can afford!

*The information in this blog is designed to provide helpful information on the subjects discussed. Please seek a professional for expert advice as we can not be held responsible for any damages or negative consequences upon following this information.

Okay, so one of the most annoying things in the world is finding an awesome app and then discovering your best mate, girlfriend/boyfriend or work colleague can’t use it because they’re Android and you’re iOS or vice versa. We can’t promise to fix the underlying lack of compatibility in your meaningful relationships, but here’s our round-up of the top ten apps that are available on both iOS and Android. 

Entertainment

Going out

YPlan. This, unlike so many entertainment apps, is curated. Why does that matter? Because somebody else weeds through those events nobody wants to attend to bring you the best of the best. And it gets better the more you use it, via a smart function that focuses on what you like. Final hit feature, you can integrate with your Facebook page to invite your mates via the app and iPhone users can store tickets bought in app in their iOS 6 Passbook.

Staying in

GoWatchIt. For movie mavens and geeks in particular, this app hunts down specific movies (“Clerks”, anyone?) through every TV channel, cinemas, Google, Xbox, Amazon Prime … basically you name it, GoWatchIt will find you places to watch your cult cinematic joy. Alerts tell you when a particular film is available on a particular platform. Only downside…?  The occasional discovery that your fave rave can now only be seen in Azerbaijan or Korea!

Fitness

Best tech

Some of us are dedicated exercisers. For CrossFitters, serious athletes and those who need to really monitor their health, you cannot beat Polar Beat. Disclaimer - while the app is free, you do need a Bluetooth connected chest strap to monitor your heart rate data. But we have never found anything that matches the visual feedback that Polar Beat provides on your peak heart-rate zone. Reliable, visual, simple, usable - if you care about your heart health, this is the app of choice for you.

Best fun

For those who are exercise haters rather than exercise lovers, Zombies, Run! is the app of choice. More than 1,000,000 runners have already entered the zombie zone and become zombie defeating heroes. As you jog around the real world, you can be saving lives and destroying evil in the game world. There are in app purchases of course, but you can save yourself (and others) from Zombies, entirely for free of charge, on both Android and iOS.

Dating

The app that learns your likes

Zoosk is a top dating app for a reason - it learns your likes (and who likes you back) and starts to filter results so that you get a very personalised set of local singles … this means that the special someone is more likely to make it to the top of your listings. For those who want to harness technology to improve their chances of a great relationship, Zoosk is a great contribution to online dating success.

The app that cuts out creeps

Fliqpic is a great app for those who really hate the lying ways of online daters. Is she really sporty or did she photoshop herself onto that surfboard? Does he really drive a Maserati or did he just find one to lean against for that profile photo? Fliqpic allows live video chatting prior to meeting up so you can spot liars, exaggerators and slimy catfishers. Connections are more meaningful, relationships are more tangible and people who post ten year out-of-date profile pics are instantly weeded out!

Money

The money sharing app

PayFriendz - the easy way to stay friends around money. We love apps that let us pay our way securely - we also love apps that let us get money from our mates for stuff we paid for, because nobody, but nobody, likes a freeloader. But getting good integration with banks etc can be tricky. Enter PayFriendz - compliant with all UK e-money regs, fund holding with HSBC and working with global players like MasterCard to deliver an app that means we can all feel good about paying our share after a mates’ night out.

The money saving app

The app Your Wealth is free, although if you want to integrate your bank accounts there’s an annual fee. We love it because you get to put in all your payments (rent, mortgage, gas and electric etc) and then set spending limits for other things, as well as goals to reach. What makes it really special though, is the pensions calculator which de-mystifies when to start saving and how much to ensure a decent later life - awesome!

Travel

When cool is more important than cheap

Hipmunk finds the right flight for you, not just the cheapest one. So if you hate stopovers, or love redeye, adore morning flights or detest getting up before noon, Hipmunk filters for your preferences, not just for cost. You can pre-select airlines or stopover points, cut out morning flights or make them a priority - also it has a cute Hipmunk logo which we think is a plus point as it makes the misery of filtering flights a whole lot more fun!

*The information in this blog is designed to provide helpful information on the subjects discussed. Please seek a professional for expert advice as we can not be held responsible for any damages or negative consequences upon following this information.