Best solo traveller apps.

Solo superstars and illustrious individuals, we know you’re out there. Fed up of seeing endless tips on romantic breaks and cheesy Instagram-worthy hand-holding photos? We hear you. Travelling alone is massively underrated, and whether you’re trying to find yourself or you just can’t convince your pals to backpack through the Congo, there’s a bunch of reasons why you’d want to take off on your own.

And, whether it’s keeping yourself safe or making new friends, there’s nothing you can’t do by yourself if you’ve got your trusty phone in your pocket. It’s why phones are so great. Settle in for a read, then get yourself a plane ticket for your next adventure. No stressful organisational WhatsApp required.

Plus, with Go Roam, on Three you can use all these solo traveller apps in over 70 destinations, within your data allowance, without worrying about coming home to a huge bill. And in case your mum starts to worry, you can give her a call on your usual allowance, from wherever you are. We’re not taking the blame for any nagging about doing your washing while you’re away, though.

Keeping safe

No matter where you are in the world, it’s important to stay safe, but you don’t always need a buddy to feel secure. There’s some great safety apps you can use while travelling. And remember, travel insurance is more than just an extra expense and could be extremely helpful if something does go wrong, so always make sure to organise yourself with the best insurance for you before you travel.

 

TripWhistle Global SOS (iOS)
With over 190 countries in the world, that’s a lot of emergency numbers to remember. TripWhistle collates all the info you might need. There’s numbers for each country, and location coordinates available too for pinpointing where you are. With everything right in the app, you can get the help you need faster and can give the right teams all the information they need. Hopefully, you’ll never need it, but if you do, TripWhistle will make the process of getting in touch with the right people as easy as possible.

 

Sitata Travel Safe on iOS / Sitata Travel Safe on Android
Sitata is a safety app to help travellers avoid tourist scams, health and safety threats, extreme weather conditions and anything else that might threaten your trip. Download the app, log in and let notifications keep you informed. They’re location-based, and you can join the community to share your experiences with others and learn from their travelling tales. Plus, even if you’re not in a Go Roam destination, the majority of Sitata’s features work offline. It’s a great way to check out any strange occurrences, or for doing research when you’re booking your hotel or hostel. It also has similar TripWhistle style features with emergency services information at the tap of a finger.

 

Navigating the unknown

It can be hard to find your way around in new places, especially if you couldn’t cram that map in alongside your camera and passport. So, use your best pocket guide – your phone.

 

Google Maps on iOS / Google Maps on Android
Google Maps might seem like an obvious choice, but it’s also a super useful one. Whether you’re just looking for the nearest restaurant or you’re trying to find your hotel from the airport, the app lets you choose your method of transport and gives you a selection of routes, from fastest to most direct. No longer do you need to worry about wandering off and losing yourself in your new favourite city; with Google Maps, you’ll always find your way home.

Uber on iOS / Uber on Android
It’s late, it’s dark, and you’ve chosen to visit Germany in midwinter, meaning your fingers and toes are frozen. That’s when it’s time to give up on the idea of walking and call an Uber. If you don’t know of it, Uber’s a super simple taxi app that lets you call a cab to your exact location. You can track the driver’s journey to you and share your journey with friends, or fellow travellers you’ve met on the trip. That way, they can make sure you got home safely. Plus, it’s cheaper than a traditional taxi, and everything’s done in-app, so you don’t need to use your data to search the local taxi firm’s number. No more awkward phone calls for this traveller.

 

Meeting new friends

One of the best things about travelling alone is the people you meet on the way. Whether it’s a travelling companion for just a few days, someone to have dinner with, or a new friend for life, your phone can even help you with making some new connections.

Hostelworld on iOS / Hostelworld on Android
If budget is a primary concern with your travelling, Hostelworld is a great place to start. Staying in a hostel will give you the chance to meet a bunch of other travellers, plus it can be way more affordable than using a prime location hotel. The Hostelworld app lets you look at, compare and book over 36,000 hostels and B&Bs, meaning you’ll find the best value place to stay and you’ll be able to keep track of it all from your phone. More time to make friends and more spare cash to spend on your trip of a lifetime. Perfect.

Duolingo on iOS / Duolingo on Android
Yes, it’s everyone’s favourite language learning app, Duolingo. Famous for its persistent birdie mascot, this might seem an odd choice when looking to meet new people. However, what could be better than meeting the locals and getting the insider advice on where to explore? Before you jet off to your new destination, check out the local language on Duolingo and brush up on your basics. That way, when you order your first meal alone, you can look like an expert. You could get some hot tips on where to eat for the rest of the trip. And if you’re a real pro, you might even land yourself a great buddy to visit – holiday homes for life, yo!

SoloTraveller on iOS / SoloTraveller on Android
The final app on our list is SoloTraveller, a sort of social network for the travellers amongst you. Targeted at people who love to explore alone, the app connects you to like-minded travellers near you. Whether you’re interested in meeting locals, sharing a taxi, sightseeing or just getting great advice on what to add to your itinerary, SoloTraveller has it all. And if you’re not sure about the idea of leaving your friends and family behind for a lone trip, there’s a whole community of people on the app that can offer guidance and assistance on planning your adventure.

The post Best solo traveller apps. appeared first on Hub.

Source: Three Mobile Hub






Three tips on what to do on Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day is here again, and whether you like it or not, it’s pretty tough to ignore the big V. Are you planning something special? Keeping it low-key? Or burying your head under the sheets until it’s all over? No matter what you’re up to, we’ve got a few ideas that’ll keep your loved one sweet.

 

Valentine’s gifts

If you fancy spoiling the love of your life, you could treat them to a shiny new phone. But if that’s way out of your budget, how does £20 a month sound? Our 12-month SIM plan is a unique Valentine’s Day gift that’s all geared up to give their current phone a new lease of life. As well as unlimited data, calls and texts, they’ll be able to use their phone abroad at no extra cost with Go Roam and stream music and movies endlessly with Go Binge. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

It’s worth checking out some of our accessories too. For gamers and streamers, we’ve got audio essentials, like the Flip 4 Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker and the Jabra Move wireless headphones. And for the gadget geek, why not treat them to mobile Wi-Fi so they can connect their tablet, console, laptop and other devices, securely whenever and wherever they like.

 

Valentine’s dinner ideas

If you fancy a night in, you can always depend on Deliveroo to come up with the goods. Or why not rustle up a three-course meal yourself if you’re on a budget? Don’t worry if your cooking skills leave a lot to be desired, because there are apps on-hand. Here are two of our favourites that’ll have you sautéing, steaming and simmering in no time:

 

BBC Good Food on iOS / BBC Good Food on Android
With a choice of around 10,000 recipes from celeb chefs, enthusiastic users and the Good Food team themselves, there plenty of starters, mains and puds to float your boat. The step-by-step guides make it easy to cook up a storm, and you can create an account to rate and save all your favourite dishes so you’re all set for next Valentine’s Day. Win.

 

Deliciously Ella on iOS / Deliciously Ella on Android (£2.99)
Looking for a healthy option? This clean eating recipe guide will help you whip up something tasty and nutritious while avoiding gluten and sugar. All the recipes come with clear instructions and photos, with some handy detox eating plans.

 

Valentine’s dinner deals with wuntu

If you haven’t got anything planned and your bank balance isn’t looking too healthy, don’t despair. Our rewards app, wuntu is here to help you out. Exclusive to Three customers, it brings you offers, competitions and deals from big brands every week. Most weeks there’s at least one lunch and dinner deal, where you can chow down on everything from Italian to Mexican, for as little as £3.

 

This Valentine’s Day, wuntu brings you 2-4-1 on burgers at the popular London PubLove chain; or you can buy one all-day brunch and get one free. Then wash it all down when you get home with a fine bottle of vino, because wuntu is offering 10 bottles of wine from Virgin Wines for just £45. All you need to do is make sure you download the free wuntu app from Google Play or the App Store and get the offer code for whichever deal you fancy.

 

Why not use a couple app?

Valentine’s is the perfect time to get closer and make sure you’re working together as a team. There are a few apps designed for couples that will help you share tasks and keep you both in sync. Here are two of our favourite couple apps:

 

Simply us on iOS
This one isn’t particularly romantic, but it’s a fun app with great intentions. It helps you organise your life together so that you never double book your nights out and you know who’s turn it is to buy the milk. Create private to-do lists, shopping lists and small projects, and sync up a special calendar so you know what each other is up to.

 

Couple on iOS / Couple on Android
Couple is a little more romantic and perfect if you’re not yet living together or you’re in a long- distance relationship. You can create a private social media space where you can call, text, FaceTime and express your feelings with video, audio, doodles and cute stickers. It’s a way of keeping all your memories in one place and if you want to add a cheeky photo you can set it to disappear within a certain time. On top of all this, you also get a shared calendar and you can exchange to-do lists. It’s the perfect way to stay connected and keep the love alive.

So, there you have it: everything you need to make your Valentine’s Day run as smooth as silk. Whatever you’re up to on 14 February, your phone has you covered. And if you love being single, check out our top apps for solo travellers. #PhonesAreGood

The post Three tips on what to do on Valentine’s Day. appeared first on Hub.

Source: Three Mobile Hub






What the heck is Home-Fi?

What the heck is Home-Fi?

We can all agree that in today’s fast-moving world, slow and unpredictable internet just isn’t an option. Whether for work, for play or for socialising, speedy internet is vital.

Think about it; if you’re downloading wedding day pics featuring your nearest and dearest, WhatsApp’ing your mum on her cruise holiday or quickly trying to finish up a work project at home to make a tight deadline, a reliable internet connection is as essential as air to most of us.

That’s why we put our heads together to work on a solution to make patchy internet a thing of the past, for everyone.

Enter Home-Fi.

Buy the box, plug it in, get online. And… that’s it. It’s genuinely that easy. It’s similar to Mi-Fi, but for your entire home. 

And, just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, you can now bag yourself Unlimited data for just £22 per month. Awesome, right?

Home-Fi doesn’t require a fixed line to work, so there’s tonnes of benefits for all kinds of people.

Are you living in a remote location that relies on an old copper cable for your internet? Do you constantly get distorted connections and irritating buffer wheels?

Home-Fi can help.

Recently moved house and currently living in that awful period of having no broadband and an installation date pencilled into the calendar several weeks away?

Home-Fi to the rescue.

Part of a group of students living in shared housing? Home-Fi will get you connected.

Small business that has moved to temporary offices for six months? Home-Fi will get your internet up and running quickly, easily and cheaply. With no lengthy installation process required.

And, most importantly – it’s reliable, with quick internet speeds and great connectivity.

Up to 32 wireless devices can be connected to one router, making Home-Fi the most considerate early Christmas present we could think of to give the 172 residents of the lovely and remote village of Hebron, Northumberland, in December 2016.

If fast, dependable internet and Unlimited data is a bit of you, order your Home-Fi today.

Main pic: Pexels via Caio

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Source: Three Mobile Hub






Offers for wuntu’s 2nd birthday

Offers for wuntu’s 2nd birthday

We’ve made it through January and we reckon it’s time for a treat. Luckily, there are plenty to choose from this week on wuntu.  We’re talking sweet treats, banking solutions, top tech and much, much more. All you need to do is download the wuntu app (it’s free and exclusive for all Three customers) and click on the deal you fancy. Here’s a quick rundown of the best ones:

A sweet treat from Greggs

Thanks to those nice folks at Greggs, you can tuck into a triple chocolate muffin without paying a penny. Imagine a gorgeous muffin from the baking boss with real Belgian chocolate chunks and lashings of chocolate sauce, courtesy of wuntu.

If you’re not into muffins, then don’t fret. You can choose another sweet treat from the wide range at Greggs. Delve into a doughnut; enjoy an éclair; or bite on a biscuit. But be quick, because this offer is only valid today (Friday 1 February). So, take yourself off to your nearest Greggs right now, show staff the QR code and savour the flavour of a free treat.

Introducing totally mobile banking

Because wuntu likes to bring you brand new things, we’re really excited to introduce you to Starling Bank. This is 100% mobile banking – so if you open a current account with Starling, everything you’ll ever need will live on your phone. It’s been designed to make digital banking the best ever, because you get everything in an instant – with just a tap or a swipe. We’re talking a good money management tools, flexible card controls, real-time payment notifications, 24/7 customer support and  insights on your spending. You can also check out a great post to read here to help you get some reliable money management tips and ideas! You’ll also enjoy interest on savings, straightforward overdraft or loan options, and no fees when using your debit card abroad. Check out a great post to read here to help you get some reliable money management tips and ideas!

It’s totally safe and secure and Starling won the Best British Bank and Best Current Account awards in 2018. You can try Starling alongside your existing current account – setting up a current account is dead simple and only takes a few minutes.

30% off Samsung monitors

Wuntu has teamed up with the tech giants Samsung to bring you a whopping 30% off monitors. If you’re massively into gaming it goes without saying that you need a decent screen to immerse yourself in. And wuntu can get you 30% off selected Samsung screens, including the world’s first 32:9 49 inch monitor complete with a smooth 1800R curve and HDR (that’s High Dynamic Range to you and me) which gives you greater light and dark contrast and a wider range of colors. There are plenty of other high-res, curved and 4K monitors for you to choose from too and the 30% off lasts from now until 12 February 2019. Your gaming is about to reach whole new levels.

Terms and conditions
1. Offers expires 23:55 on 12.02.19
2. UK residents aged 18+ only, one claim per user
3. Offer is open to wuntu customers only
4. Offer is not open to affiliates of Samsung
5. For full Ts & Cs visit https://rewardstermsandconditions.threemicrosites.co.uk/

So there we have it. Something for chocoholics, gamers and savvy savers – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Head over to wuntu now and check out all the other awesome deals we’ve got going on. For full terms and conditions, check out https://threemicrosites.co.uk/rewardstermsandconditions

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Source: Three Mobile Hub





How to take the perfect couple selfie

We all love a shameless selfie and the craze for splashing them all over social media isn’t set to end any time soon. In fact, manufacturers like Huawei and Samsung take the front-facing camera very seriously and are making phones that are geared specifically towardsfor the selfie-takers. Here’s a quick look at 3three of the best selfie smartphones out there:

 

Honor 10

The Honor 10 has a whopping 24MP front camera, which gives you amazingly detailed images that look great if you want to print them onto wall canvases or show them on a larger screen. It recognises 8 different selfie scenarios and adapts to take the best possible pic, while optimising slightly blurring the background of the photo to help you stand out. Another great feature is 3D portrait lighting and an AI beauty tool which adds flattering effects based on your age, gender and skin tone. Who needs filters?

 

Huawei P20 Pro

The P20 Pro also has a 24MP front-facing camera for crisp, detailed selfies and AI processing with image and scene recognition. The P20 camera will automatically ramp up the green of the trees and the blue of the sky – so if you like Instagram-style filters you’ll love the brighter colours in your selfies. And you can capture those date nights perfectly, because the P20 Pro works brilliantly in low light.

 

Samsung Galaxy S9

The S9 boasts an f/1.7 aperture, which is larger than most front-facing cameras. The aperture refers to the size of the lens opening and because it’s large on the S9 it can let in a lot of light, giving you sharp, detailed images and brilliant low-light shots. You can also cChoose from three 3 different ways to take your selfies: the usual button method; a voice control option; or with gesture control. This makes it so much easier to capture a great shot and helps you avoid the inevitable arm obstruction.

 

Strike a selfie pose.

OK, so you’ve got your fab camera phone and you’ve nailed the solo selfie; but couple selfies are a whole different ball game. What filters do you use? Which angle do you take it from? And is it even possible to fit two people into a photo without the large 6.5-inch screen of the iPhone XS Max ? First things first, think about the look are you’re trying to achieve:

 

Traditional selfie.
This is where you both beam up at the camera with the look of love.

Smoochie selfie.
Steal a kiss on the cheek or mix it up with a full-on snog.

The ‘Follow Me’ selfie.
This trend was started by travel blogging couple Nataly Zakharova and Murad Osmann. Now everyone is showing off their travels with this enticing ‘led-by-the-hand’ shot.

Feet selfie.
You could be in hiking boots about to explore the jungle, or entwined on the beach (this is basically any shot that contains legs only).

Mirror selfie.
Usually taken in a bathroom or bedroom before you go for a big night out, this is the best way to get for the full length shot.

 

If you want to really make an impression with your couple selfies, make sure you get stuck in when you’re on your hols. You don’t need to worry about finding a Wi-Fi connection or the cost of sharing them, because with Go Roam you can get online in over 70 destinations at no extra cost. Grab your phone and your other half, and check out these pro tips from some of the best couple travel bloggers out there:

 

Gaz and Beth – Enjoy the Journey.
“Gaz hates the selfie culture but every now and again when we’re somewhere really cool, or it’s a really special moment that I’d like to remember, I grab the iPhone and snap a selfie. For example, we were in Cartagena, Colombia earlier this year and it was one of the most romantic places we’ve ever been. So, when the sun set and the city lights came on, I took a quick pic of the two of us so I’d remember the moment forever.”
Pro tip: Even if you’re not that into selfies, remember that they’re also about memories. It’s a great way to capture a romantic atmosphere.

 

Andrew and Amy – Our Big Fat Travel Adventure.
“Travel is a huge part of our lives and we take thousands of photos to keep a record of our journey and share adventures with our readers. As we run a couple travel blog, we take plenty of ‘usies’ wherever we are in the world, be it on a beach, mountain, boat or in a city, cave or jungle. We’ve found that the most successful usies tell a story; there should be more to the photo than just our faces so we pick backgrounds carefully and make sure they help to capture where we are and what we’re doing at that moment in time. A long arm, selfie stick or portable tripod can be very useful too.”
Pro tip: Think carefully about your photo – pick the perfect background and get the right equipment too.

 

Paula and Gordon – Contented Traveller.
“We do it when we are the only ones around, or when we are too embarrassed to ask someone else to take one of us. We had purchased a Three SIM for our phones when we got to London from Sydney, Australia. We didn’t expect the card would work throughout Europe but it did, and yes we shared photos of us in front of Buckingham Palace, in front of the Mona Lisa – sad but true – with all of our friends on our social media channels. We even used it in New York, where we played tourist in Times Square.”
Pro tip: Selfies are so much more fun when they’re shared. Use your selfies as a way to tell your friends and family about your adventures.

 

Good Instagram captions.

It’s true that a picture paints a thousand words, but if you want your couple selfies to really shine on social media it’s time to get clever with your captions. Cute Instagram captions can provide context, tell a cheeky story and even add a sense of mystery. Why not maximise your social engagement by asking a question that gets people talking? And if you’re a keen blogger you can use the caption to direct people to your blog. The Instagram caption character limit is 2,200 characters which is around 330 words, so you can really use your imagination to round up your post perfectly.

All you need to do now is get snapping and sharing. And if you’ve got more ideas or tips for the perfect couple selfie, make sure you tell us about them @ThreeUK on Twitter or Instagram.

The post How to take the perfect couple selfie appeared first on Hub.

Source: Three Mobile Hub






The Unlimited everything SIM Only offer is back!

It’s back, and it’s still huge. You definitely heard right if you heard that our Unlimited everything SIM Only 12 month contract is back up for grabs for just £20 a month. It doesn’t get much better than this.

You’ve got the chance to bag yourself a SIM Only contract for 12 months, that includes Unlimited everything (data, minutes and texts) for just £20 a month. Yep, you heard us, Unlimited everything for £20 a month. That’s one of the hottest deals on the market.

Why choose a SIM Only contract?

There’s a bunch of reasons to opt for a SIM Only contract. You won’t have to give up that gorgeous new iPhone XS Max, or your shiny Samsung Note9, just slip this superb SIM into your device and you’re ready to rock and roll. What’s even better is that with this contract, you’ll have access to the amazing benefits our customers get.

Amazing Three benefits

You can Go Roam in one of over 70 destinations around the world at no extra cost, meaning your holiday snaps can steal the social media spotlight without big roaming charges. At only £20 a month, your extra pounds and pennies will practically pay for your flights.

Or, if you’re more a fan of a staycation, you can Go Binge until your heart’s content. You’ll be able to stream Netflix, TV Player, Apple Music, Deezer and Soundcloud or use Snapchat infinitely, all without using your data – not that it’ll matter with that juicy Unlimited everything SIM you’ll be getting. Why not use the money you’re saving to upgrade to that juicy 4K Netflix subscription?

And if this isn’t enough to convince you, don’t forget that Three customers get exclusive offers and rewards just for being awesome, with wuntu. Discounted Dominos, £1 coffees and bargains at all your fave high street and online retailers.

So, if this offer’s a bit of you, make sure you grab it while you can.

The post The Unlimited everything SIM Only offer is back! appeared first on Hub.

Source: Three Mobile Hub






Bag yourself a 30-day free Aaptiv trial with Wuntu

Fitness goals can be tricky to stick to. You’d obviously love to beat your PB, run your first 5k or to just feel a little fitter and healthier but, no matter what your goal is, it can be hard to stay motivated past the first couple of weeks.

If you need some help getting (and staying) motivated, Aaptiv could be your best bet. Their audio workouts are guided by certified trainers and are perfectly synced with some awesome playlists, full of motivating tracks that have been hand-picked to give you that all-important boost, just when you need it.

And, there are loads of classes to choose from: running, strength training, cycling, rowing and even yoga and meditation; all at different experience levels. There’s something to suit everyone.

If you fancy giving it a go, how does a 30-day free trial and 10% off annual membership sound?

You just need to download the Wuntu app on your phone. It’s exclusive to all Three customers and is free to download. You can find it in the App Store or in the Google Play Store. There are loads of awesome deals available every week.

Now, how do you get your 30-day free trial?

How to get your 30-day free trial plus 10% off annual membership

All you need to do is:

  • Open Wuntu and go to the Aaptiv offer.
  • Select ‘Claim offer’ then ‘Go to website & use now’.
  • Sign up and the discount will be applied automatically.

Wuntu Aaptiv offer terms & conditions

Promotion dates: 02.01.19 – 31.01.19.

Offer expires: 31.01.19 at 23:55.

One month free trial plus 10% off annual membership, usual cost US$99.

Open to UK residents over 18.

New customers only, excludes current active members.

One claim per user.

Customer will be billed at the end of the free trial period, unless they cancel at least 48 hours beforehand.

Cannot be exchanged, refunded or transferred, or used in conjunction with any other offer

For privacy go to https://www.aaptiv.com/privacy

Steps to redeem:

a. Customer accesses the app and locates the Aaptiv offer.

b. Customer clicks “Claim offer” and is served the redemption link to the offer on the Aaptiv website.

c. Customer creates account to get 1 month free.

d. Customer enters credit card information in order to claim 10% discount on annual membership at the end of the trial period.

Three is proud to bring you this offer. For any code queries, contact Three using Help & Support within the app. For all product or offer queries or related to Partner terms and conditions, please contact [email protected]

Partner full terms and conditions at https://www.aaptiv.com/terms.

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Source: Three Mobile Hub