Tag: safety
The UK government are to firm up the law on mobile phones in cars. Next year the loopholes which allowed drivers take photos or film will be changed and it’ll be illegal for anyone to pick up and use their mobile phone while driving. You’ll still be able …
With 5G masts being thrown up at a rapid rate and concerns over signal or safety, there’s always been a keen interest in where local mobile masts actually are. Back in 2011 we started looking into this, and back then the mobile networks were reporting where all their …
A quarter of people in the UK use dating apps to find someone to connect with. They may be looking for love, for companionship, for a serious relationship, or just a bit of fun. No matter what your reasons for using dating apps, it is important that you use them with …
Last night I got about 50MMbps via my Vodafone 4G data and I thought, to be honest, that’s really not bad. Considering that the fastest normal ADSL (fixed line) speeds round here are around 30Mbps. 5G though, that’s the next big thing, and Nokia have pushed the all-new …
Those who have been with us for a while may remember the Seek Thermal Camera. I looked at it a few years ago and you can buy it right here and it just plugs into your phone so that you can see heat and cold. For those who …
Here in the UK we’ll be seeing 5G on “sub-6GHz frequencies”, with the main networks using between 3.4GHz and 3.6GHz. The higher the frequency, the greater the capacity and speed. Today the International Commission on Non‐Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) found absolutely no evidence suggesting that these frequencies of …
Our smartphones can do lots of very cool things. Lately though, the police have found that we’re watching movies, TV shows and making video calls whilst driving. This, because you’re not looking at the road properly, is very dangerous. In recent years, there’s been a marked increase in …
This is a new phone from the mobile phone company that is dedicated to helping seniors live a better life. Most modern phones are confusing and fiddly, so Doro is determined to deliver the same tech to the elderly but in a more approachable and simpler package. With …
OK, so you’re at home and you’ve got Virgin Media for your internet. You can browse safe in the knowledge that your devices are protected and your internet connection is safe and filtered. However, what happens when you go out? When your son or daughter uses their phone …
The NSPCC has today revealed that sex offenders are grooming more children on Instagram more than any other online platform. In 32% of the recorded police incidents, Instagram was used to send sexual communication. It was closely followed by Facebook, which was used in 23% of the tim. …
Yes, it’s me again. Recently I wrote about the dangers of kids using smartphones. The truth is, if you let them have a smartphone, you’re opening them up to a host of dangers. There’s absolutely nothing you can do to protect them unless you sit next to them …
A lot has been said in recent days about children and mobile phone use. A number of recommendations have come out, ranging from banning mobile phone use in schools, limiting screen time and banning phones at the table. In all honesty, it can be tricky. Parents secretly like …
As you’ll know, I tend to walk around without a case on my phone. Handsets like the new Mi 8 Pro, from Xiaomi, have some really cool design elements that would be a shame to hide. I still, then, tend to walk around with the phone lacking any …
As I get older I’ve come to the shuddering realisation that 90% of people in this world lack any sort of common sense. It’s the reason we have signs telling us that hot water might come out of a hot tap, or that slippery floors might cause you …
Was it really a whole year since we covered the Monqi smartphone? Yes, yes it was. Back then it was exclusively available on Carphone Warehouse, but from November 14th you’ll be able to register interest in the newer version on www.tescomobile.com/monqi. This is actually the IMO S2 with …
Cycling at any time can be a bit risky. I do tend to bore my family about the charity bike rides I do, but the more you cycle, the more you realise that you have to share the road and everybody should take a bit of time. As …
This isn’t a mobile plan or tariff, instead Tesco Mobile have developed a contract or agreement that you can download here for your family. It sets out an agreement on mobile usage rules within the house. Families can print it out, then talk about it and fill it …
I know what it’s like. Right now (if you’re in the UK) you’re running around trying to buy uniforms and shoes. It’s all hectic and you’ve not even been paid yet. Nightmare. However, if you want the little guys and girls to be safe, head to the V …
We’ve covered the various dangers of social media. Sure, it can be fun, but it can also be addictive and sometimes a little dangerous. No amount of web filtering or content matching is going to stop people approaching you online or chucking abuse your way. Instagram is one …
Did you read my Livall Cycle Helmet Review? Well did you? If not, you probably didn’t get to the bottom, where we’re GIVING AWAY a super-cool and super-gadget-filled bike helmet. It’s got indicators, speakers, Bluetooth and safety features. You can use it in groups to keep in touch, …
If you have an elderly friend or relative, you’re naturally going to worry about them. However, that friend or relative may not necessarily worry. They might be too proud to have alarms or monitoring systems installed in their home and it could be tricky to even approach the …
Some years ago China tried to control smartphone zombies. They were everywhere, heads down and drifting into each other. It got so bad that a separate smartphone lane was installed so that very low-speed accidents no longer happened. Now, in Sweden they’re trying something very similar. Their solution …
I mentioned recently how smartphones can pose a danger to kids. This is because of the ease and the instant nature to which live video feeds can be pushed out onto the internet. Gone are the days when smutty websites were the only ones offering webcam content. Now …
If you’ve been around the website for a while you’ll probably be aware that I tend to talk about how we should protect kids from potential dangers online. As I’ve said before, there’s no magical group of people looking after your kids. YouTube, Facebook, Musical.ly, Instagram, Snapchat, Periscope, …
Because I’m a tight-wad, I paid a mere £8.46 for a dash cam. The resulting product, unsurprisingly, is a piece of crap. The low-light performance is appalling, the build quality is flaky, the rear LCD panel doesn’t always illuminate and despite the “HD” promise, the 640×480 video reproduction …
A few years ago I worked for an internet provider. My advice, if any parents ever asked, would be to keep the PC in a “family room”. Now, well now you just can’t do that. Kids demand phones, and those phones aren’t “dumb phones” either. No. The latest …
We’ve covered this already here at Coolsmartphone but now we’re lucky enough to borrow one to review. For $79.99, this is a pet activity monitor with in-built GPS, WiFi and a SIM card so that you can see where your pet is, live. Oh, and get this, it …
You’re driving. The phone beeps. You know you’ve received a notification. It could be something important. It could be about those jeans you ordered, or it could be a Facebook update from someone about a burger they’ve just eaten. You’ll never know, because you’re driving…. ..but you just …
Whether you’re a new driver or a more experienced one, it’s really worth paying attention to this. From today, if you’re caught using your mobile phone at the wheel in the UK, you’ll get 6 points on your licence and a £200 fine. New drivers who have passed …
Cycling can be a lonely pastime, especially if your mates can’t join you or your heading to work and back to keep fit. Many cyclists will wear headphones to make their journey a bit more entertaining but, of course, the major problem with wearing them is the fact …
Yes, bike lights. Welcome to the never-ending list of stuff that we’re reviewing here on Coolsmartphone. I’m hoping that we’ll have some sports cars in next. These are LED lights. Back when I was a kid I’d have a huge battery in each of my bike lights and …
These guys at a great little startup from here in the UK. Their product came after a trip to a farm and a little boy became lost. Staff at the farm were searching for the parents, and the parents were searching for their son. Colleen, the founder of …
Now, I could try and build this up to be something quite clever and inventive. To a degree it is, there’s a strong and quick-retracting cord and a clip which goes onto your pocket. However, I don’t think we can dress up the fact that it’s a bit …
OK I’ll fess up. Sometimes I do get distracted by my phone when I’m in the car. It’s all too easy to take a quick glance at the traffic lights and some of us think we can compose complicated messages while we’re driving. You can’t. You just can’t. …
I’m a firm believer that drivers should have limited, if no access to mobile phones whilst driving. Having just returned from a family holiday in Florida, I saw many drivers using their phone and even texting whilst driving. It just shows how distracted drivers can be whilst fiddling …
It could be you that causes an accident. It could be someone else who crashes into you. Just a quick check of the email. It can’t hurt. Perhaps I should just reply to that text message or check Facebook. Yes, it’s that video from the news, and this …
If you’re wanting to keep an eye on your child and want a no-frills way of finding out where they are, here’s a way I recently stumbled across. What you’ll need, in this particular setup, is a cheap Android phone for your son or daughter. These are everywhere …
There’s a definite increase in popularity for mobile trackers. Many attach negative connotations with the software, perhaps thinking that their only purpose is to track and secretly spy on partners. However, with the traditional PC now leaving our homes, more and more kids are using the internet in …
Head to your local supermarket and you’ll find many weird and wonderful tablets which are all pretty well priced. They may look like a decent option for your kids, but how do you know if they’re any good? How do you know if they’re supported? Amazon have the …
I sit on my fat backside for most of the day, so getting out and actually moving around is a bit important. I tend to cycle, be it mountain biking or road biking, and after trying the alternatives I’ve ended up using Strava. It seems to be the …