How does Audible work? How much it costs, how to get free books and how to cancel
Audible is an Amazon subscription service offering audiobooks, podcasts and more. Here's how it works.
Listen up all bookworms, podcast listeners and audio fans – if you're looking for somewhere to source your favourite auditory entertainment, Audible is the perfect platform for you. Audible is an Amazon service offering a huge variety and number of titles, all wrapped up in an affordable subscription package. It's great for those who are struggling to find time to read, or for those on the lookout for a new podcast to get stuck into. Books are either read out to you by a narrator, the title’s author or a well-known celebrity, while podcasts often have famous hosts. The book fanatics at RadioTimes.com have rounded up some of the best audiobooks and best non-fiction audiobooks that you'll find on Audible. If you’ve got little ones looking for a bedtime story, we’ve got a list of the best kids' audiobooks, too. If you’re tempted to sign-up for Audible, we’ve outlined the answers to all the main questions you might have about the service and how it works below. The good news is that, at the very least, the first month will either be free or very cheap, since there's always a promotional offer around to entice potential new subscribers. Head to our piece on how to get an Audible free trial in the UK for the latest information. In our best Audible offers article, we share the top deals each month to help you bag the subscription service for free or for less, and we tell you how to get free audiobooks. And you can also head to our Audible Gift Card piece if you want to treat a loved one to the subscription service this Christmas. Start your 30-day free Audible trial undefined Quality audiobooks deserve quality audio – and if you're looking for something to play your audiobooks through at home, don't miss our best DAB radio recommendations and best Amazon Echo deals. Need something to listen to your audiobook on? Check out these Black Friday deals Black Friday 2025 (28th November) is fast approaching, but we have already found these deals you don’t want to miss: Kindle Scribe 2024 with cover and power adaptor | £294.27 (save £173.70 or 37%) at Amazon Audible three-month subscription Three months of Audible for 99p per month plus a £10 Audible voucher Apple AirPods 4 (with ANC) | £139 (save £40 or 22%) at Laptops Direct Jump to: What is Audible? How much does Audible cost in the UK? How does Audible work? What are Audible credits? What do you need to use Audible? How to buy books on Audible How to get free books on Audible How to return a book on Audible How do you cancel an Audible membership? What is Audible? Audible is an audiobook service from Amazon, offering the world’s biggest selection of titles ranging from much-loved classics to new releases and original podcasts. Listeners can download or stream their chosen titles with a membership to Audible. Books may be read aloud by a narrator, the authors themselves, well-known stars or even performed by an audio cast. Many podcasts also have famous hosts — for instance, Michael Caine’s podcast Heist is about famous robberies, and then there's From the Oasthouse, Alan Partridge's podcast, which, of course, is read by the East Anglian superstar himself. There are constantly new releases being added to Audible too – new this month includes Fearless by Lauren Roberts. Start your 30-day free Audible trial How much does Audible cost in the UK? The cost for an Audible membership depends on the plan you sign up for, and the Audible tiers have changed slightly in recent weeks. There are two monthly plans and two annual plans, and we've broken them all down below: Standard Monthly | £5.99 per month — Select one audiobook a month from the entire collection, and listen to your selected audiobook as long as you're a member Premium Plus Monthly | £8.99 per month — Get one credit a month to buy any audiobook from the entire collection, the book is yours to keep, even if you cancel, listen to thousands of additional audiobooks and originals from the Plus Catalogue, and enjoy exclusive sales and discounts Premium Plus Annual (12 credits) | £69.99 per year — Get 12 credits a year for any audiobook in the entire collection, listen to thousands of additional audiobooks and originals from the Plus Catalogue, and enjoy member-only deals and discounts Premium Plus Annual (24 credits) | £109.99 per year — Same as the 12 credits option, except with 24 credits a year. To entice you in even more, if you want to test Audible out before you commit, you can also trial the monthly services for free for 30 days. Start your 30-day free Audible trial undefined How does Audible work? By signing up to Audible on the standard membership, you receive one new audiobook every month you are a member. You can choose from a range of membership plans and which one you have will determine how many Audible 'credits' you receive each month, which can be exchanged for audiobooks on the service. You're not limited to one book a month, though, many are available for free and you can buy more. Also, you can listen to all the Audible Original Podcasts with unlimited streaming and there are also a number of exclusive offers and deals throughout the month, including the 'Daily Deals' which offer a different title for up to 80% off each day. What are Audible credits? Audible credits are the service's internal currency, with one credit purchasing one audiobook: nice and simple. But different memberships afford different credits, ranging from one credit per month to 24 credits per year, as we've mentioned above. What's great is that Audible works with a rollover scheme, so that if, say, you have a hectic month and don't get the chance to use your monthly credit, it can be used in the following month instead. But keep in mind that credits will eventually expire after a year of disuse. Have you heard the Nintendo Switch 2 release date has been announced? Plus, here's the up-to-date Nintendo Switch 2 UK stock. What do you need to use Audible? You can access Audible via your internet browser. However, it's easier to install the app on your device of choice; Audible is compatible with nearly every single phone and tablet out there. One thing you'll need to make sure is that you have an Amazon account — Audible is a subsidiary company of the retail giant after all. Plus, if you're an Amazon Prime member, you get more for your 30-day free trial. Instead of picking one audiobook with the free trial, Prime members can pick two! Titles include classics such as JK Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, or the much-talked about biography The Woman in Me from Britney Spears, and many more. And what's best, they're yours to keep, plus after the trial members will receive one credit per month. Looking at switching music streaming services? Take a look at our what is Amazon Music and Amazon Music vs Spotify, Spotify vs Apple Music and Apple Music vs Amazon Music guides. How to buy books on Audible If you are using a device like a smartphone, you can search and download from the app. If you are on a laptop or computer, you can buy audiobooks through the usual Amazon site, just make sure you're logged in. On the left of the main search bar, select the category 'Audible Audiobooks' from the dropdown menu to search for a title. After clicking on a book title you have searched for in the search bar as normal, you should see boxes with various options including 'Kindle Edition', 'Paperback' and 'Audio Download'. In the 'Audio Download' box, it should list a price or the option to purchase with one credit. By selecting this option you’ll be able to buy the audiobook outright or purchase with any unused credits. You can also do this from the mobile version of the online website. How to get free books on Audible When you sign up to a free 30-day membership with Audible, you’ll receive one free audiobook to get you started. If you continue your membership on one of Audible’s plans, you'll receive regular credits which can be exchanged for a title of your choice. One token entitles you to one audiobook, no matter the price, without having to shell out any extra cost. If you find you don't manage to use a credit every month, it's possible to get in touch with Audible customer services and request to 'freeze' your account for a few months. This allows you to catch up and use the credits you have without paying more and getting swamped, or cancelling your subscription entirely. How to return a book on Audible If you aren’t enjoying a book or have downloaded the wrong one by mistake, you're able to return it and use your credit on something else. To do this, you need to log into your account on the Audible website and click on 'Account Details' from the drop-down menu under your name. From here you can choose 'Purchase History' to see a list of all the audiobooks you've bought. On the right of the title you want to exchange, you should see a button saying 'Return Order' which can simply select to send it back. Start your 30-day free Audible trial We've written great guides on how to read books in order; just take a look at how to read Silo books in order, how to read Heartstopper books in order, and how to read Jacqueline Wilson books in order. How do you cancel an Audible membership? Your Audible membership will automatically renew at the end of your plan. This is includes your free trial period. If you want to cancel your membership, log into the Audible website and go to the 'Account Details' page. Under 'Account Settings' you should see the option, 'cancel my membership'. Select this and follow the instructions on screen to terminate your Audible plan. If you have paid for an audiobook on Amazon, it will remain in your Audible library forever even once your subscription has ended. This should also apply to items purchased during your free trial. Any credits you have not used, however, will disappear, so make sure you use them up before cancelling your membership. Start your 30-day free Audible trial Do you love reading as much as listening? Don't miss our pick of the very best Kindle deals. Find something to watch tonight with our TV Guide and Streaming Guide.
What is the Amazon Fire Stick? Your guide to how it all works
How the smart stick functions and what you can expect from it.
In today's climate of smart TVs, apps and fancy home setups, it can be easy to forget about the humble streaming stick. But if you're one of the many people not willing to spend hundreds on a brand-new TV just so you can catch up on the last series of The Last of Us, then smaller devices like the Amazon Fire Stick are the perfect affordable option. But just what is an Amazon Fire TV Stick, and exactly how does it work? Below, we’ve put together a straightforward guide outlining what to expect from the streaming stick and why you might want to get your hands on one of your own. For more information, you can see our Amazon Fire TV Stick review and our guides to Amazon Prime stick channels, the Fire TV Stick monthly fee and Chromecast vs Fire TV Stick. Or, if you're already certain that you want to purchase a Fire Stick, you can see our best Amazon Fire TV Stick deals. Buy Amazon Fire TV Stick for £39.99 £23.99 (save £16 or 50%) at Amazon View Affiliate Playlist on the source website For more of the best streaming deals, take a look at our Disney Plus offers and the Audible Prime Day offer. Jump to: What is the Amazon Fire Stick? How does an Amazon Fire TV stick work? How much is an Amazon Fire Stick? What is the Amazon Fire Stick? The Amazon Fire Stick is a smart TV device, which essentially allows you to access a range of channels and platforms straight to your TV simply by plugging it in. The Fire Stick is one of the market leaders for this type of streaming device and boasts a generous 8GB of storage for apps such as Netflix and the BBC iPlayer. There are four versions of the Fire Stick; the standard model, the cheaper Lite model, the 4K version and the 4K Max. The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is the latest streaming stick to come out, it has a slightly higher price tag but will allow you to watch in the best quality, with ultra HD streaming. Buy Amazon Fire TV Stick for £39.99 £23.99 (save £16 or 50%) at Amazon How does an Amazon Fire TV stick work? The Fire Stick allows you to watch and listen to all your favourite content with one simple device. Being portable and pocket-sized, you can take it with you wherever you go and access all your content just by plugging it into the back of a TV. Every smart stick apart from the Lite also comes with Alexa voice control, meaning you can search for shows and control what you’re watching without having to use the remote. You can access Prime Video content as well as a long list of apps including ITV X, Channel 4, BBC iPlayer, Hayu, Netflix and Disney Plus. You can also rent and buy films through Amazon with the Fire Stick and even browse the internet. Music fans would also benefit from the device as you can listen to songs and playlists from the likes of Amazon Music, Apple Music and Spotify, all of which are available on the smart stick. The Amazon Fire Stick essentially collates everything into one place, so you don’t need to spend time logging in to all your accounts in different locations. Plus, you can use voice control to easily control and stream everything from your favourite show to your latest playlist. Buy Amazon Fire TV Stick for £39.99 £23.99 (save £16 or 50%) at Amazon Here's how to watch Disney Plus on an Amazon Fire Stick. How much is an Amazon Fire Stick? The standard price of an Amazon Fire Stick depends on the model. The price of the regular Fire Stick is usually £39.99. Buy Amazon Fire TV Stick for £39.99 £23.99 (save £16 or 50%) at Amazon For the other models, the RRP ranges from £59.99 for 4K to £69.99 for the 4K Max. Buy Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K for £59.99 £27.99 (save £32 or 53%) at Amazon Buy Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max for £69.99 £39.99 (save £30 or 39%) at Amazon And if you're interested in buying an Amazon Echo, too, we suggest reading our Amazon Fire TV Cube review. It's Amazon's most sophisticated device and combines the Alexa voice recognition technology with a streaming device, this device has an RRP of £139.99. Buy Amazon Fire TV Cube for £139.99 £109.99 (save £20 or 21%) at Amazon We've got plenty more deals available, like the best BT Sport offers, the best laptop deals and best Amazon Echo deals. For more information about Amazon Fire TV Sticks, take a look at our guide on can you watch normal TV on an Amazon Fire TV Stick?
Calling all bookworms! If you own a Kindle Paperwhite and are heading out and about, you'll want a case to protect it from any scratches or other damage. It's perfect way to take your reading library on the go with you — just pop your Kindle in its case and enjoy your books wherever you are. Cases come in all sorts of styles, materials and designs, and there are even sites where you can personalise your own Kindle case. We've scoured the web and found a selection of the best Kindle Paperwhite cases to help you choose the perfect one for you, whether you’re looking for something sophisticated and boardroom-ready or something a little more fun and unique. All the cases below should be compatible with the 2024 seven-inch Kindle Paperwhite. undefined If you're in the market for a Kindle, be sure to read our guides on the best Kindle deals and Kindle Scribe vs reMarkable 2. Plus, Samsung Ring vs Oura Ring and take a look at the Samsung Galaxy S25 release date. Jump to: How to choose a new case for your Kindle Paperwhite Best Kindle Paperwhite cases 2025 at a glance 10 of the best Kindle Paperwhite cases How to choose a new case for your Kindle Paperwhite Size shouldn't really be a problem, but do check you are buying a case that will fit. Are you likely to read your Kindle by water? Whether you're taking your Kindle on holiday with you, or reading it pool-side during the warmer months at home, you might want to think about selecting a waterproof case. Not all of the cases come with a light for night-time reading, so look for one that does if that's a deal-breaker for you. Best Kindle Paperwhite cases 2025 at a glance: Joylifestyles Floral Case | £24 £15.60 (save £6.40 or 35%) FINTIE Case | £35.99 £19.99 (save £16 or 44%) CoBak Kindle Paperwhite Case | £28.99 £16.99 (save £12 or 41%) MoKo Case for Kindle Paperwhite | £39.99 £14.99 (save £25 or 63%) MoKo Starry Night Case | £36.99 £21.99 (save £15 or 45%) Foldback Book Cover | £29.95 £20.96 (save £8.99 or 30%) Customised Universal Kindle Cover | £34.95 £27.96 (save £6.99 or 20%) Kindle Paperwhite Fabric Case | £31.99 Kindle Paperwhite Fabric Case | £36.99 Kindle Paperwhite Leather Cover | £59.99 10 of the best Kindle Paperwhite cases Customised Universal Kindle Cover | £34.95 £27.96 (save £6.99 or 20%) The marriage of old and new has never looked better! This book cover is a fantastic option for readers who like their tech but miss holding a real book in their hands. Plus, the creators of this case have 40 years of bookbinding experience. Buy Customised Universal Kindle Cover for £34.95 £27.96 (save £6.99 or 20%) at Not On The High Street Joylifestyles Floral Case | £24 £15.60 (save £6.40 or 35%) This Kindle case is a form-fitting, lightweight and flexible cover which will protect your most prized possession: the home of all your books, of course! Buy Joylifestyles Floral Case for £24 £15.60 (save £6.40 or 35%) at Etsy Kindle Paperwhite Fabric Case | £36.99 This water-safe cover protects your Kindle and open and closes just like a book, while its thinness and lightness means that you can read for hours at a time. Buy Kindle Paperwhite Fabric Case for £31.99 at John Lewis Buy Kindle Paperwhite Fabric Case for £36.99 at Amazon Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Leather Cover | £59.99 This Kindle Paperwhite case is ultra thin and light to take on the go with you. Made from a high-quality leather with a microfibre interior to protect the display screen from damage, this leather case comes in Ruby and Walnut colourways. Buy Kindle Paperwhite Leather Cover for £59.99 at Amazon MoKo Case for Kindle Paperwhite | £39.99 £14.99 (save £25 or 63%) Designed exclusively for Kindle Paperwhite's 12th generation, this case has a magnetic closure to keep your device protected when not in use. Featuring intelligent power saving, it will automatically out your device to sleep or wake it up when the cover is open and closed. Various colours and designs are available, and we're showing you the gorgeous Agave Green version here. Buy MoKo Case for Kindle Paperwhite for £39.99 £14.99 (save £25 or 63%) at Amazon Foldback Book Cover | £29.95 £20.96 (save £8.99 or 30%) These cases are made by a seller on Etsy and turn your e-reader into what looks like a real hard-back book. You can choose from classic covers like Alice in Wonderland, Pride and Prejudice and The Great Gatsby, and the front folds completely round so you can hold your Kindle with one hand. Buy Foldback Book Cover from £29.95 £20.96 (save £8.99 or 30%) at Etsy Have you heard about the new Kindle Colorsoft release date? FINTIE Case | £28.99 £15.99 (save £13 or 45%) A simple but effective design, this case will protect your Kindle Paperwhite wherever you go. Made from a long-lasting and durable synthetic leather that is super slim and lightweight to carry, it's available in a variety of colours. Buy FINTIE Case for £35.99 £19.99 (save £16 or 44%) at Amazon MoKo Starry Night Case | £36.99 £21.99 (save £15 or 45%) Great for art fans, this Kindle Paperwhite case features Van Gogh’s starry night design, although there are more than 10 other patterns you can choose from. It's a slim, lightweight design that has a protective hardback for full protection. Buy MoKo Starry Night Case for £36.99 £21.99 (save £15 or 45%) at Amazon CoBak Kindle Paperwhite Case | £28.99 £16.99 (save £12 or 41%) This is a lovely case that not only looks like a premium purchase, it feels like one too! Which can only be a good thing as you'll be holding your Kindle a lot as you make your way through your backlog of books. Next on our list? Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart. Buy CoBak Kindle Paperwhite Case for £28.99 £16.99 (save £12 or 41%) at Amazon Looking for present ideas? Check out our best tech gifts guide. Or for more product guides and reviews, head straight to the Technology section.
How to watch Game of Thrones season 1 - 8 in the UK
The best places to watch all of GoT no matter where you are.
Despite the controversy over Game of Thrones' ending, the hit fantasy drama based on George RR Martin's book series is still a popular watch today, making it so there are plenty of options to stream seasons 1 through 8. No doubt helped by the success of the prequel series House of the Dragon, the allure of the original series's escapades with political scheming, bloody battles, mythical creatures and real-world stories in a fantasy setting is still a big grab for genre fans. While the show does have a reputation for being pirated on an "unprecedented scale", those who want to stream GoT legally have a load of choices across the UK or US. Luckily, this handy article will take you directly to each Game of Thrones streaming option to suit whichever service you prefer. Spoiler warning: We have included a recap of each season's events, so those who've already seen the show know which is which upon a rewatch. If you're new to Game of Thrones, be sure to avoid reading each recap and jump straight to the links, so you don't have its surprises ruined for you. How to watch Game of Thrones season 1 online Here is where you can stream, download, and watch Game of Thrones season 1: Watch & download on Amazon (UK) Watch on Apple TV Download on Google Play Store Watch & download on NOW TV (UK) Watch & download on Sky (UK) Watch & download on Amazon (US) Watch & download on Hulu (US) Watch & download on Max (US) Season 1 recap Among other events in the very first season, we meet Sean Bean as Ned, who is offered to be the new Hand of the King, 10-year-old Bran Stark is paralysed in an attempt to keep him quiet, Jon Snow joins the Night’s Watch, Sansa is captured while Arya escapes and Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa) dies after a duel and a run-in with a witch. Drogo’s widow Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) becomes the "Mother of Dragons" after she emerges unharmed from flames with three hatched dragon eggs. How to watch Game of Thrones season 2 online Here is where you can stream, download, and watch Game of Thrones season 2: Watch and download on Amazon (UK) Watch on Apple TV Download on Google Play Store Watch & download on NOW TV (UK) Watch & download on Sky (UK) Watch & download on Amazon (US) Watch & download on Hulu (US) Watch & download on Max (US) Season 2 recap In season 2, Theon Greyjoy takes over Winterfell, Jon Snow defects from the Night’s Watch to join the Wildling and Arya pretends to be a boy and becomes a servant to Tywin Lannister before escaping (again). Meanwhile, Daenerys wants support for her invasion of Westeros but is imprisoned before she kills pretty much a whole town for taking away her dragons. Not a woman to be crossed. How to watch Game of Thrones season 3 online View oEmbed on the source website Here is where you can stream, download, and watch Game of Thrones season 3: Watch and download on Amazon (UK) Watch on Apple TV Download on Google Play Store Watch & download on NOW TV (UK) Watch & download on Sky (UK) Watch & download on Amazon (US) Watch & download on Hulu (US) Watch & download on Max (US) Season 3 recap The third season saw the infamous Red Wedding, where the reception was a trap and turned into a massacre. There was also some pretty gruesome torture, a resurrection, a birth, and a wedding between Sansa and Tyrion (without all the death of the other wedding - but neither of them were very happy about it all the same). How to watch Game of Thrones season 4 online Here is where you can stream, download, and watch Game of Thrones season 4: Watch and download on Amazon (UK) Watch on Apple TV Download on Google Play Store Watch & download on NOW TV (UK) Watch & download on Sky (UK) Watch & download on Amazon (US) Watch & download on Hulu (US) Watch & download on Max (US) Season 4 recap It’s another unhappy wedding as Joffrey drinks poisoned wine and dies at his own nuptials to Margery. Sansa escapes with Littlefinger who takes her to Lysa Arryn, who he marries and then kills. Jon Snow is in the North trying to warn Night Watch of an attack, Theon is tortured into madness while Arya eventually runs away to study at the House of Black and White under Jaqan H’ghar. How to watch Game of Thrones season 5 online Here is where you can stream, download, and watch Game of Thrones season 5: Watch and download on Amazon (UK) Watch on Apple TV Download on Google Play Store Watch & download on NOW TV (UK) Watch & download on Sky (UK) Watch & download on Amazon (US) Watch & download on Hulu (US) Watch & download on Max (US) Season 5 recap In the fifth season, Cersei is forced to walk naked to atone, another unwanted marriage is arranged and there are multiple burnings of people who are still alive (one as Stannis Baratheon sacrifices his own daughter). A cheerful season as ever. As for favourite Jon Snow (Kit Harington), he becomes Lord Commander of the Night Watch, fights the White Walkers and then is killed, prompting a global meltdown from fans. How to watch Game of Thrones season 6 online Here is where you can stream, download, and watch Game of Thrones season 6: Watch and download on Amazon (UK) Watch on Apple TV Download on Google Play Store Watch & download on NOW TV (UK) Watch & download on Sky (UK) Watch & download on Amazon (US) Watch & download on Hulu (US) Watch & download on Max (US) Season 6 recap Don't panic, Jon Snow is resurrected from the dead by Melisandre, which is good news for fans, and Ramsay is eaten by his own dogs, which is bad news for him. For Mother of Dragons Daenerys, she proves her power by emerging unharmed from the fire again and Theon sails to join her cause with his sister Yara Greyjoy. Ayra Stark is now well-trained as an assassin and kills Walder Frey to avenge the deaths of her family members. Also, Cersei is now Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. How to watch Game of Thrones season 7 online Here is where you can stream, download, and watch Game of Thrones season 7: Watch and download on Amazon (UK) Watch on Apple TV Download on Google Play Store Watch & download on NOW TV (UK) Watch & download on Sky (UK) Watch & download on Amazon (US) Watch & download on Hulu (US) Watch & download on Max (US) Season 7 recap In the seventh season, Jon Snow and Daenerys join forces and try to bring all the major players together against the White Walker threat. Cersei agrees, but plots to take over Westeros. Bran reveals it was Littlefinger who killed Jon Arryn and he is executed. Bran also discovers that Jon Snow is really a Targaryen and therefore has a claim to the Iron Throne. In the meantime, a dragon of ice turns up and, finally, Winter has come. How to watch Game of Thrones season 8 online Here is where you can stream, download, and watch Game of Thrones season 8: Watch and download on Amazon (UK) Watch on Apple TV Download on Google Play Store Watch & download on NOW TV (UK) Watch & download on Sky (UK) Watch & download on Amazon (US) Watch & download on Hulu (US) Watch & download on Max (US) Season 8 recap The final season seriously divided fans, with more than 1 million people signing a petition to have it reshot. Jon Snow and Daenerys realise they are related (Daenerys is technically his aunt), but he promises he won't do anything to threaten her throne. Of course, Jon then kills Daenerys in the middle of a kiss and is subsequently exiled. The result is that Bran Stark becomes king, while his sister Sansa becomes Queen of the North. Oh, and a 21st-century coffee cup pops up in the middle of a banquet. Quite a turn of events. Check out more of our Fantasy coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
How to get Disney Plus on PS5 - your guide to setting it up
Find out how to stream Disney Plus on your PS5
Disney Plus is home to some of our childhood favourite films as well as a load of blockbusters, new series, and thrilling originals. They have a huge library with thousands of hours of content perfect for both kids and adults. Their range is ever increasing, with the new Shōgun original series already gaining praise from fans as well as new films like Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and The Marvels recently added to the platform. What's more, Disney Plus can be accessed via tablets, phones, and of course gaming consoles. If you have a PS4 or PS5 then Disney Plus can be streamed straight from your console. To make the watching process easy, we've got this guide to explain how to get Disney Plus on your PS5, we'll also explain the PS4 and other consoles. If you don't already have a PS5, see our best PS5 deals. Sign up to Disney Plus for £4.99 a month For more on Disney Plus check out our guide on how much is Disney Plus, can you watch Disney Plus offline, and the best movies to watch on Disney Plus. Is Disney Plus available on PS5? Just like Netflix and Amazon Prime, Disney Plus is available on PlayStation 4 and 5 consoles so you can stream your favourite shows and classic films directly through your console. On the PS5, this is already installed, the PS4 it's on a dedicated app. It's viewable in the Media section on the PS5 and TV and Video section of the main menu of your PS4. Sign up to Disney Plus for £4.99 a month How to get Disney Plus on PS5 and PS4 For the PS5, you can get Disney Plus by finding it through the media section, then go to 'all apps', and it will be there. For the PS4, the Disney Plus service can be accessed through the main PlayStation store, where you can download the dedicated Disney Plus PS4 app. Once downloaded, the app will be stored in the TV and Video section of your console’s main menu. Sign up to Disney Plus for £4.99 a month Is Disney Plus available on PS3? No, Disney Plus isn't available on PS3 because production has stopped on the console. Sign up to Disney Plus for £4.99 a month For more from Radio Times, see our best PS5 deals, the best shows to watch on Disney Plus and what's new on Disney Plus.
Five of the best power banks for Nintendo Switch and which type you need
Keep gaming for longer with a portable charger.
Running fast out of charge midway through the best Switch games when you're away from a plug is never fun. To make sure you don't suffer this fate, we've rounded up five of the best power banks for Nintendo Switch, as well as all the essential info about which type you need. There are multiple types of power banks to choose from that have different capacities, and some provide extra functionality. But don't fear; we'll go over the basics of each one so you can decide which is the best fit for you. All these power banks will work with every model of the Nintendo Switch, whether that's the original, the Switch OLED or the Switch Lite. Some models will even charge your phone and other devices too. They should work on the rumoured upcoming next-gen Switch 2 as well, as the device is likely to have a similar power draw. If you want to really switch things up, you can check out the best Nintendo Switch cases and best Nintendo Switch chargers too. If you're yet to buy Nintendo's hybrid console, check out our best Switch deals and see if we think the Switch is worth it. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website Jump to: How long does a Nintendo Switch charge last? What size power bank do I need for Nintendo Switch? Which power bank should I buy for Nintendo Switch? Best power banks for Nintendo Switch at a glance 4 of the best power banks for Nintendo Switch Energy efficiency: How long does a Nintendo Switch charge last? How long you can keep playing without having to plug in depends on which type of Nintendo Switch device you have. If you have the original Nintendo Switch you’re looking at around four and a half to nine hours playing time, depending on the game and what you’re using it for. The Nintendo Switch Lite is slightly lower, with around three to seven hours on a single charge. If you have the original version of the Switch from a few years ago, however, you’ll be looking at a little less playing time again, at around two and a half to six and a half hours. Like the original Nintendo Switch, the Nintendo Switch OLED has approximately four and a half to nine hours of battery life. If you want to extend the time you can play for, you can plug in a power bank which will charge while you continue playing. A Nintendo Switch portable charger will offer more juice in terms of battery life but not in memory capacity, so if that’s what you’re looking for, it might be worth checking out our list of the best micro SD cards for Nintendo Switch. If you're wanting to save money on the Nintendo Switch, take a look at the best Nintendo Switch offers. What size power bank do I need for Nintendo Switch? The size power bank you need depends on how long you’ll be wanting to play your device for away from plug sockets. The battery capacity in power banks is measured in milliamp hours (mAh). The higher the figure, the longer the battery pack will be able to power your device for. For most journeys or days out up to 10,000mAh should be enough to keep you going and boost your playing time by a good few hours, depending on the games used. 20,000mAh versions are also available and would work well if you had a long international flight or if you have multiple electronic devices you’ll be charging with it. There are also 30,000mAh versions and above which can potentially charge your Nintendo Switch multiple times over. For most people, these are unnecessarily large unless you are going to be away from mains electric for days at a time. Our friends over at Made For Mums have put together a guide on the best Nintendo Switch games for kids. Which power bank should I buy for Nintendo Switch? The size of the Nintendo Switch portable charger you choose is up to personal preference. The larger the capacity, the heavier and more expensive it is likely to be, so it’s worth considering what it is you will actually need. There are also a number of functions available on different models such as quick charge capabilities, stands and multiple ports for different leads. Such features may or may not be useful for you but are likely to figure in the price, so it can pay off to check this out first. If it’s things like headsets and extra controllers you’re looking for, we’ve also found some of the best Nintendo Switch accessories, too. View Green Video on the source website Best power banks for Nintendo Switch at a glance Anker Nintendo Switch portable power bank (20,100mAh), £27.99 Venom Switch power bank with kick stand (10,000mAh), £14.99 Jonkuu portable power bank chargers (10,000mAh), £12.49 £13.49 Romoss portable charger (30,000mAh), £82.59 imuto (20,000mAh), £29.99 £26.99 4 of the best power banks for Nintendo Switch Anker Nintendo Switch Portable Power Bank (20,100mAh) Best for officially licensed If you want to ensure you have the proper kit, this Nintendo Switch power bank from Anker is branded with the device's logo for guaranteed compatibility. It’s also able to automatically adapt for other devices to charge them as efficiently as possible. You do pay more for the official licensing, but it is guaranteed for two years. Latest Deals Venom Switch Power Bank with Kick Stand (10,000mAh) Best for practicality while playing This 10,000mAh is ideal for things like train journeys as the Nintendo Switch power bank has a built-in stand. This means you can easily prop your device and continue playing wherever you are, without worrying about standing it up with wires in the way. Latest Deals Jonkuu Portable Power Bank Chargers (10,000mAh) Best for value for high capacity This power bank has generous power capacity for a fair price compared to other battery packs. It is compatible with other devices like smartphones and tablets and should automatically shut down in the case of a short circuit or overload. Latest Deals Romoss Portable Charger (30,000mAh) Best for big trips or multiple devices This large-capacity charger is ideal for camping trips or periods away from the usual electricity points. With different sized ports it should be able to power up multiple devices and has quick charge capabilities to get things moving faster, too. Latest Deals imuto (20,000mAh) Best for keeping track of battery life This affordable yet reasonably powerful model offers a bonus LED display to show remaining battery life, helping you to better time your charges. Not only that, it's smaller than an iPhone 6+, meaning that it's compact and portable. undefined For more tech deals, check out the best Fitbit offers and the best Xbox Series X deals perfect for beating the January blues.
Where and how to watch all the top shows from the US network.
Over the last few years, some of the entertainment industry’s most popular content has been delivered by the sharp minds at HBO. Their series have received hundreds of awards, and many have now become household names. From the likes of Chernobyl to The Last of Us, and Game of Thrones to its prequel House of the Dragon, the American network knows a thing or two about creating a stand-out show. However, because HBO is a US network and is not a listed channel on regular British television, much of its great content can prove tricky to find outside of the United States. Luckily, HBO's output is still available in the UK, thanks to a deal with Sky. To help you access their stellar content, we've got this guide - which explains how to watch HBO in the UK and some of the best shows to get stuck into. Watch HBO for no extra cost with Sky Jump to: What is HBO? Is HBO available in the UK? How to watch HBO shows in the UK Popular HBO shows and where to find them in the UK What is HBO? HBO is a US network from Warner Bros, with the lettering standing for "Home Box Office". It has been producing some of the most recognisable shows and characters for decades and its often award-winning content has been watched all over the world. Some of their most famous productions include Game of Thrones, Succession, The Sopranos, and Chernobyl. HBO is still centred around a US audience, and there are a range of HBO channels and streaming options. The first is HBO Max, which has all the network’s films and shows in addition to other content made by Warner Bros, who own HBO. While HBO Max launched in the US, it is not currently available to access in the UK and is not expected anytime soon. The second is HBO GO which is an app and online version of HBO’s network. It allows users who are already subscribed to any TV service which offers HBO, to stream their content on various devices. The last is HBO Now which is a stand-alone version of the channel, which users can access directly without having to have an existing subscription to a TV service. None of these three options are available in the UK but don't worry, there are other ways to catch HBO shows in the UK. Is HBO available in the UK? Not as a broadcast channel. However, you can still watch plenty of HBO shows, because they make their way onto the Sky Atlantic channel and can be accessed through both Sky and NOW TV. Watch HBO for no extra cost with Sky How to watch HBO shows in the UK In the UK, viewers can access HBO shows through their existing Sky subscription or through a NOW TV pass. There are various packages, deals and trials available for both services, depending on what other content you are also interested in. Watch HBO in the UK with Sky Atlantic HBO and Sky have teamed up to allow HBO content to be shown on Sky Atlantic in the UK. If you have a Sky subscription, which includes entertainment channels, you will be able to watch HBO shows in the UK just as easily as you would any other series. Shows like The Last of Us and Succession air on Sky Atlantic in line with their American release. Even though not all of HBO's shows are available on Sky, most of their major productions are broadcast by the UK channel. Watch HBO for no extra cost with Sky Watch HBO in the UK with NOW TV If you don’t have a subscription to Sky, you could also consider a NOW TV Entertainment Pass. This pass allows you to access HBO shows on Sky Atlantic as well as channels including Comedy Central, Gold and National Geographic. Whether you decide to go for the Sky or NOW TV option depends on the rest of the content offered on both platforms and which would suit your household better. Watch HBO with a NOW TV Entertainment pass Popular HBO shows and where to find them in the UK HBO has been creating stellar entertainment for years and many of their shows have gone down in entertainment history, making household names out of their stars in the process. Here are some of the most popular HBO shows and where you can watch them: The Last of Us One of HBO's hottest releases stars Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey as they navigate a post-apocalyptic world, The Last of Us has taken its audiences by storm. Watch The Last of Us on Sky Watch The Last of Us on NOW TV Succession Succession is an intense drama about the Roy family's media empire — and the uncertainty of who will take over. Watch Succession on Sky Watch Succession on NOW TV Watch Succession on Prime Video House of the Dragon Dive back into the fantasy world of Game of Thrones with the new prequel, House of the Dragon. Watch House of the Dragon on Sky Watch House of the Dragon on NOW TV Watch House of the Dragon on Prime Video Watch House of the Dragon on Apple TV Westworld The dystopian sci-fi drama Westworld, featuring Thandiwe Newton, Tessa Thompson and Aaron Paul, can be watched on Sky. Watch Westworld on Sky True Detective The multi-awarding winning crime drama True Detective can be found on a variety of platforms. Watch True Detective on Sky Watch True Detective on Prime Video The Wire American crime drama The Wire was written by a former crime reporter, and the star-studded cast includes Idris Elba, Dominic West and Michael B Jordan. Watch The Wire on Sky Watch The Wire on NOW TV Watch The Wire on Prime Video The Sopranos Often cited as one of the best television series ever made is The Sopranos, which follows a New Jersey based mafia boss as he negotiates his family and a life of crime. Watch The Sopranos on Sky Watch The Sopranos on NOW TV Watch The Sopranos on Prime Video Six Feet Under Six Feet Under is a series focusing on a family who run their own funeral parlour in Los Angeles. Watch Six Feet Under on Sky Watch Six Feet Under on NOW TV Watch Six Feet Under on Prime Video Friends Hang out with Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Monica, Joey and Phoebe at Central Perk on a variety of platforms. Watch Friends on Sky Watch Friends on Prime Video Watch the Friends: The Reunion on NOW TV Watch HBO for no extra cost with Sky For more how to watch content, check out how to watch ViaPlay and how to watch Apple TV on a smart TV. Or if you're looking for more information on Sky, take a look at what is Sky Stream or the best Sky Sports offers.
Best micro SD card for Nintendo Switch to buy today
Make the most of your device with a micro SD card.
Most of us love our Nintendo Switch, and you're unlikely to hear a complaint from the RadioTimes.com team when we're talking about it. However, Nintendo did drop the ball somewhat when it came to giving us a decent amount of storage space to keep our games installed on the console. It doesn't take long after buying one to realise that space is a bit of an issue, especially with games like Animal Crossing which have had some huge updates. You'll soon be at the point where something will need to be deleted if you want to play something new — an ever annoying chore for the Technology and Gaming teams! With that in mind, taking a look at what memory cards you can get to give that storage space an all-important boost is a wise move and there is plenty out there to choose from various sizes. The best Nintendo Switch games can be purchased online and downloaded so picking up a micro SD card is a smart move you should strongly consider, particularly with some of the games on the way that will likely be on the large side — we're looking at you Breath of the Wild 2. For more Nintendo Switch accessories, try our guides to the best Nintendo Switch cases and the best power banks for Nintendo Switch. Or head to our Nintendo Switch OLED review to see how the console performs. Plus, here are the top Nintendo Switch offers for this month. Jump to: What is the best micro SD card for Nintendo Switch? Do you need a micro SD card for Nintendo Switch? What micro SD card are compatible for Nintendo Switch? 10 best micro SD cards for Nintendo Switch at a glance 10 of the best micro SD cards for Nintendo Switch What is the best micro SD card for Nintendo Switch? There are a variety of memory card sizes, brands and types to choose from. Below, we've broken down what you should look for below to get the best micro SD cards for Nintendo Switch devices. Do you need a micro SD card for Nintendo Switch? The Nintendo Switch device comes with 32GB of internal storage plus compatibility with memory cards for additional storage of up to a potential of 2TB. As an idea, some of the bigger games can use upwards of 10GB each so if you intend to download multiple big-name games you may run out of space quite quickly. To download and play new games, you may need to delete ones you already have to allow enough space. To avoid having to do that, you can purchase a separate micro SD card which can be inserted into your device and store more of your games altogether. Our friends at Made For Mums have put together a guide on the best Nintendo Switch games for kids. What micro SD card are compatible for Nintendo Switch? In terms of Nintendo Switch SD card capability, there are two types of cards which will work with the console, according to Nintendo. These are the microSDHC and microSDXC types of micro SD cards. If you’re buying a memory card for your Nintendo Switch, make sure it is one of the above or it won’t be compatible with your device. If in doubt, you can purchase the officially licensed Nintendo Switch memory card by SanDisk. What is the micro SD card size for Nintendo switch? There are a range of memory card sizes depending on what you need and how much you are willing to spend. Sizes range from around 16GB to up to technically 2TB, although memory cards of this size are not currently available (though the device can support it for when they are in the future). As an idea of how huge this is, the maximum capacity Xbox Series X currently has is 1TB, so you shouldn’t need a card quite this big with current games. Even a medium sized 64GB micro SD card would provide double the amount of additional storage. One of the biggest sizes is usually a 400GB card although you can now get cards up 512GB in size. As the capacity increases, the price tends to follow so it’s best to look at how games you’ll be looking at downloading and what size is going to be right for you. Where does a micro SD card go in a Nintendo Switch? A memory card can be easily inserted into a Nintendo Switch device and the slot for the card can be found underneath the stand. To insert the card, first make sure your device is turned off and push the memory card gently into the slot with the label facing up (away from the device). You should hear it click into place and then it’s ready to go. Best micro SD cards for Nintendo Switch at a glance: View Affiliate Playlist on the source website 10 of the best micro SD cards for Nintendo Switch SanDisk microSDXC (officially licensed) - 64GB Best for those who love to have all their games ready to play. Latest Deals SanDisk microSDXC (officially licensed) – 128GB Best for those who buy a lot of games and want easy access to them all. Latest Deals SanDisk microSDXC (officially licensed) - 256GB Best for the avid gamer who is always running low on storage space. Latest Deals Read more on Nintendo: Nintendo Switch OLED review The very best Nintendo Switch games Nintendo Switch Pro release date Best Nintendo Switch games for kids How to charge Nintendo Switch controllers The best Nintendo Switch Lite games How to connect Nintendo Switch to TV Kingston Canvas Select microSDXC – 16GB Best for Switch gamers who only need a small increase in space. Latest Deals Kingston Canvas Select microSDXC – 32GB Latest Deals Kingston Canvas Select microSDXC – 64GB Latest Deals Kingston Canvas Select microSDXC – 128GB Latest Deals Kingston Canvas Select microSDXC – 256GB Latest Deals SanDisk Ultra microSDXC – 400GB Best for Nintendo Switch gamers that use up a lot of storage space quickly. Latest Deals SanDisk Ultra microSDXC – 512GB Best for gamers that do not want to have to think about storage space again. Latest Deals Be sure to follow Radio Times Gaming on Twitter and swing by our video game release schedule for all upcoming games on consoles.
10 best Nintendo Switch accessories: screen protectors, cases and other must-haves
The top gaming accessories for your Nintendo Switch, from headsets to stands.
While buying a new console can be exciting, it's worth noting that it won't just be the console you need to purchase. As the market has grown since its initial release back in March 2017, the number of Switch accessories has skyrocketed. Not all accessories are essential, but we think there are some that are definitely worth buying. This includes the best Nintendo Switch cases, the best screen protectors, extra controllers, and more. All extra things that you will likely need to buy to get the most out of your shiny new Nintendo console. All of these extras can add up quickly, especially when purchasing extra controllers and a Micro-SD Card. This list should help you weigh up the costs of what you do and don't need on top of your console purchase. However, all these extra bits, such as suped-up controllers and steering wheels, can add up quickly, especially when you've already splashed out around £279 for the console. This list should help you work out which accessories you need and when it's best to save a little money. Read on to find out what we think 10 of the best Nintendo Switch accessories are, where you can buy them, and how much they should cost. If this list has you wanting more from your Switch, also check out our guide to the best Nintendo Switch chargers for more accessories and head to our best Nintendo Switch games round-up to find something new to play. 10 of the best Nintendo Switch accessories 1. Hori Nintendo Switch Compact Playstand A stand allows you to keep your device stable while you play, and this one has a choice of three angles to adjust your screen to. It even charges your device while you use it, too. Buy now at Amazon for £9.99 2. Tempered Glass Screen Protector Keep your device protected by choosing one of the best Nintendo Switch screen protectors you can. This tempered glass one should help your screen stay scratch-free without adding too much width, meaning it should still fit into console hubs and other devices. It also comes in a handy pack of two. Buy now at Amazon for £7.81 Buy screen protector for Nintendo Switch Lite at GAME for £5.99 Buy screen protector for Nintendo Switch OLED model at GAME for £7.99 3. Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Racing Wheels These wheels will enhance your gaming experience during racing games. Simply slot your joy-con controllers into the centre and hold the wheel like you’re in a real car to play. Buy now at Currys for £9.99 4. Nintendo Switch Wireless Pro Controller If you’re feeling nostalgic for the traditional gaming controller, you can swap in this wireless pro version to play your Nintendo Switch. It has the feel and manoeuvrability of a classic control with all the functionality of the new joy-cons. Buy now at Currys for £49.99 Alternatively, GAME has some cheaper wired controllers with some nifty designs, like this Charizard one for £24.99. 5. Hard Travel Carrying Case Keep your handset safe and secure with one of the best Nintendo Switch cases you can find. This one has a hard shell for protection and plenty of pocket space to store your games and controllers alongside your device. It should fit the OLED model and Switch Lite, too. Buy for £11.99 on Amazon 6. Turtle Beach Recon 70N Gaming Headset for Nintendo Switch Truly get your head in the game with a headset. These headphones will help tune out the noise for the rest of the household, and they include a microphone to chat with friends and other gamers during play. They're also compatible with other gaming devices if you have other consoles, too. Buy now on Amazon for £27.99 7. PDP Switch Joy-Con 4X Charging Shuttle While Joy-Cons are amazing little controllers, keeping them all charged up can be a pain considering the only way to do so out of the box is to attach them to your docked Switch console. Luckily, this charging dock can charge up to four Joy-Cons at once. Buy now at GAME for £14.99 8. Joy-Con Controller Joy-Con controllers are a new gaming classic, released especially for the Nintendo Switch device. There are various colour pairings to choose from, including neon red, blue, green, pink (pictured), and more. Buy now on GAME for £64.99 9. Poké Ball Plus While it doesn't have much use, it's a perfect gift for Pokémon fans. The Nintendo Switch Poké Ball Plus allows you to catch your Pokemon and bring them into the real world. Plus, it's cute. Compatible with Pokemon: Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee and Pokemon Go games. Buy now at Argos for £49.99 10. SanDisk Memory Card Boost your device’s capacity with a memory card like this officially licensed one with 256GB memory. There are lots of different options of different sizes, capabilities and prices, and you can find more in our list of the best memory cards for Nintendo Switch. Buy now on Amazon for £39.49 Read more on Nintendo: Nintendo Switch OLED review - handheld gaming levels up The very best Nintendo Switch games Nintendo Switch Pro release date - the latest rumours Best Nintendo Switch games for kids Nintendo Direct - when is the next live stream? Best Nintendo Switch micro SD cards to buy How to charge Nintendo Switch controllers The best Nintendo Switch Lite games - take these on the go How to connect Nintendo Switch to TV Hungry for more gaming? Visit our video game release schedule, or swing by our hubs for more Gaming and Technology news. Looking for something to watch? Check out our TV Guide or Streaming Guide. 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Apple AirTags are finally here and available to buy now
Apple's AirTags have now been officially revealed - here's what you need to know.
After much speculation and the usual rumblings on the rumour mill, Apple finally treated us to the highly anticipated AirTags launch in its 'Spring Loaded' event. And they are available to buy now. Buy the Apple AirTags for £29 (or 4 for £99) from Amazon now Hints of Apple’s item tracking devices were first uncovered in the code for the iOS 13 release back in June 2019. Since then, Apple fanatics have been excitedly anticipating the devices’ release. Like so many things last year, it seems that the AirTags arrival on the market was delayed due to the global pandemic. More recently, rumours were flying as eagle-eyed leakers spotted a number of third-party AirTags accessories popping up on sites like eBay. But, we can confirm - the wait is finally over. Here is everything you need to know about Apple's new Bluetooth tracker, including how it works, what it looks like, price and where to buy it. To find out more about Apple's latest devices, head to our review of the new iPad Pro, iPhone 13 page and more on the AirPods 3 release date. If it's the earbuds you're after, we've also got our Apple AirPods review and Apple AirPods Pro review. And for our verdict on Apple's most recent wearables, be sure to read our experts' Apple Watch 6 review and Apple Watch SE review. Jump to: What are the Apple AirTags? What do the Apple AirTags look like? How much do the Apple AirTags cost? Where to buy Apple AirTags How will Apple AirTags work? What are Apple AirTags? The AirTags are pocket-sized Bluetooth trackers which can be attached to items such as bags, cases and keys, allowing you to track their location from Find My on your iPhone. Similar tracking devices exist already, most notably the Tile Mate (available now for £19.99 on Amazon) and the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag, which was released earlier in 2021 for £29. The Galaxy SmartTag is available from a number of retailers, including Amazon and John Lewis, in two colours; black and oatmeal. What's the difference? Unlike competitors, Apple won't be aware of your location or the location of your items. Apple AirTags are now available to buy for £29 at Amazon. What do Apple AirTags look like? Rumours around Apple AirTags gave us a good idea of what the devices would look like. During the Spring Loaded event, Apple confirmed you will be able to customise your AirTags with emojis. Plus, Apple has teamed up with Hermes for a special edition designer version of AirTags with a leather holder/strap. In addition to the design of the tracker itself, Apple also revealed that the tiny device will be compatible with plenty of fun accessories. The Leather Loop is also available to buy now for £29 at Currys. How much do Apple AirTags cost? AirTags are one of Apple's most affordable products to date. The brand has confirmed that a single AirTag will set you back £29, or alternatively, you can purchase a set of four for £99. Buy the Apple AirTags for £29 (or 4 for £99) from Amazon now This is fairly in line with competitor Tile who sell a Tile Pro version with a larger tracking range for £29.99. There are also various bundles, including Bluetooth tracking stickers. Where to buy Apple AirTags You can buy the new Apple AirTag for £29 at a number of UK retailers, including Amazon and John Lewis. £29 at Amazon £29 at John Lewis £29 at Very £29 at AO £29 at Argos How do Apple AirTags work? AirTags will work using Precision Finding via the Find My app. After you've attached the AirTag to an item, Find My will give you feedback (including how many feet away you are) to help you locate the AirTag. At the event, it was stressed that AirTags were "designed to track items, not people", so you don't need to share your location with anyone (including Apple) to make use of AirTags. For more of the latest news, product launches and reviews, head to our Technology section. Also, keep an eye on our Apple event summary.
My Fantasy Bookshelf: Simon Farnaby shares the books which influenced his life and career
The actor and writer shares his most significant reads.
You will have seen actor and writer Simon Farnaby in a variety of period guises throughout his time in the popular Horrible Histories series, which has covered everyone from “Horrid Henry VIII” to “Bolshy Boudica”. A long-term member of The Mighty Boost cast, you'll also spot him in BBC One's Ghosts and the charming live-animation film Paddington 2, which he co-wrote. Now, Farnaby is releasing his own book for children. The Wizard in My Shed follows an ordinary girl called Rose who finds a banished warlock in her shed, sent to the 21st century in punishment for his bad behaviour. Below, the author discusses the books which influenced his latest novel and those which have been significant to him throughout his life, and draws up his final Fantasy Bookshelf selection. Farnaby shares his own favourite read as a child, the book which has taught him the most and the novel which inspired him to study in Dublin. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, which one would you choose? The Third Policeman by Flann O’Brien. It has a bit of everything; robbery, murder, musings on life and death and a policeman who’s half man half bicycle. It’s also the book that’s made me laugh out loud the most. There’s mad scientist in it, de Selby who believes that night-time is created by tiny volcanic eruptions in the earth that block out the sun during the day. I give a little wink to him in The Wizard in My Shed for the eagle-eyed reader. What was your favourite book growing up? I loved Stig of The Dump by Clive King. It’s about a boy who discovers a caveman living in a refuse tip. It just made me really want to be best friends with a caveman. I loved that type of narrative as a kid. Like when I saw ET I really wanted to be best friends with an alien. It’s not hard to see why I’ve written a book where a kid becomes best friends with a wizard from the dark ages. As a child, which character from a book would you say you were most like? I always felt a connection to Danny Champion of the World. I’m not sure why because we didn’t live in a caravan and my mum was very much alive. I think it’s because my dad was a gardener and I was always helping him and getting my hands dirty like Danny, and I thought my dad was the best dad ever. Or maybe I just liked the title! Which book has taught you the most? There’s a book called Why Men Don’t Listen and Women Can’t Read Maps by Allan and Barbara Pease which sounds terrible but gives very persuasive scientific explanations of why we behave like we do. We humans forget that we were around for millions of years before we bought food from supermarkets and didn’t have to worry about our kids getting eaten by wolves. Our brains are really still wired up to suit that time. Did you know women have 20 per cent more peripheral vision than men (because they had to watch out for said wolves)? Which book has had a tangible influence on your life? The Ginger Man by JP Donleavy is hilarious and bawdy and it’s easy to see why it was banned for years but it's the reason I went to Trinity College, Dublin to study. If you could star in an adaptation as a character from any book, which would it be? There’s a lot of talk about a screen adaptation of The Wizard in My Shed and I think Merdyn would probably be in my casting range. He’s a bit like Stupid Death, one of my characters from Horrible Histories. He’s quite high status and gregarious and full of himself but is actually a bit of a softie at heart. Although I often prefer playing villains so it might be Jerabo (Merdyn’s nemesis). Are there any books or authors which inspired how you wrote The Wizard in My Shed? I read Don Quixote by Cervantes many years ago and that’s a big touchstone for Merdyn. Quixote believes in hopes and dreams and will take on any battle even though he has zero chance of succeeding. I have written another book called the Phantom of the Open which is the true story of Maurice Flitcroft who tried to win the British open golf championship despite being a 46 year old crane driver [film version starring Mark Rylance out later this year]. I like characters that overreach themselves. If you could go back in time and convince the author of a book to change one event in their story, what would it be? Maybe JD Salinger could give a happy ending to The Catcher in The Rye? If you could choose one book for every child to read growing up, what would it be? For younger kids The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton is great. It’s just an imaginative rollercoaster which should inspire kids to create ludicrous characters and worlds themselves For older kids, The Iron Man by Ted Hughes. The film The Iron Giant by Brad Bird who did The Incredibles [films] is based on it and it’s simple, beautiful and heart breaking. What is the best reading recommendation you’ve ever been given? My friend Shane Allen (who commissioned BBC One's Ghosts) recommended Apathy and Other Small Victories by Paul Neilan. It’s about a hopelessly indecisive twenty-something (called Shane) who gets accused of a murder he didn’t commit but is too useless to talk himself out of it. It’s hard to describe just how or why it’s so funny. I usually hand it to people and say, “just read it” and invariably they later end up telling me it’s the funniest book they’ve ever read. What was the last book you read and would you read it again? I just read this book called Charlie and The Chocolate Factory by a writer called Roald Dhal and I won’t read it again it was terrible. I’m joking! It was wonderful and I will be reading it again to my daughter when she’s older. The Wizard in my Shed by Simon Farnaby, illustrated by Claire Powell, is publishing in paperback on 29 April by Hodder Children’s Books. Read Simon Farnaby’s Fantasy Bookshelf The Third Policeman by Flann O’Brien Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Stig of The Dump by Clive King Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Danny Champion of the World by Roald Dahl Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Why Men Don’t Listen and Women Can’t Read Maps by Allan and Barbara Pease Buy the book The Wizard in My Shed by Simon Farnaby Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Don Quixote by Cervantes Buy the book Listen to the audiobook The Magic Faraway Tree Collection by Enid Blyton Buy the book The Iron Man by Ted Hughes Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Apathy and Other Small Victories by Paul Neilan Buy the book Charlie and The Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl Buy the book Listen to the audiobook The Ginger Man by JP Donleavy Buy the book
My Fantasy Bookshelf: Clare Balding shares the books which influenced her life and career
The presenter shares her top reads with RadioTimes.com.
Broadcaster and author Clare Balding is a cornerstone of British sports coverage and, it’s fair to say, a national treasure. With a long-standing and varied career under her belt, she was awarded a BAFTA for her work during the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics as well as an OBE the following year for services to broadcasting and journalism. A devout animal lover, Balding has written a number of books about four-legged friends from dogs to horses, including children’s fiction. Her latest book, Fall Off, Get Back On, Keep Going is also aimed at children. A practical, inspiring guide for kids, Balding combines warm insight from her own life with advice, tips and the stories of dedication and determination of real sports people. Below, the broadcaster shares the books which have inspired her writing career and life outside of her work and lines up her final Fantasy Bookshelf selection. Balding shares the inspiration behind her new book, discusses the best reading recommendations she’s ever received and reveals her favourite fictional guinea pig. If you could only save one book in the world, which one would it be? An Atlas, for lots of practical reasons. If it was the only book I had in the world, at least I would know where I was and where I wanted to go. I love maps and I love atlases. What was your favourite book growing up? Black Beauty by Anna Sewell - my absolute favourite. That would be a close run for the book I'd want to save as well because I've got a first edition and it's absolutely beautiful. Uncut pages, illustrations, plates on the shiny paper. It's really, really beautiful. Which character would you say you were most like as a child? George from The Famous Five. George had Timmy the dog and she was a tomboy and she was quite rude to people and she just wanted to do what she wanted to do. She loved her dog and I thought she was really cool. You book Fall Off, Get Back On, Keep Going is full of lots of advice, practical tips, inspiring people and insights from your own life. What influenced the way you wrote it? I had wanted for years to write a book about how sport and sports people, I think, are really good lessons in how to overcome failure and keep going. I wanted to do that for many years, perfecting the idea of putting it into 10 chapters and giving it this theme of falling off getting back on again, obviously, based on my life. I realised that a lot of children had read my first memoir which was called My Animals and Other Family. Lots of kids read that, and they identified very strongly with stories in my childhood. So putting that into a form that was specifically aimed at nine to 12 year olds was important to me. Those small biographies of amazing women, I think those are really good [Little People, Big Dreams]. Children really like facts, they like to know more about people. So that's why I wanted to do stories in my book of individuals who have done amazing things that [kids] might not have heard of before. Which book has taught you the most or made you think about something differently? The Power of Now. I remember when I read it, understanding for the first time how I had always been outcome driven, or driven towards the next project and constantly on a wheel that never seemed to stop turning. [It helped me] understand the power of being present and how much it could sharpen your brain as well as really focus on the limited time right now. If you could choose one book for every child to read growing up, which would it be? Olga da Polga by Michael Bond. I loved that book. I just think [Bond] was a fabulous writer. I'm very taken with books about animals, animals with personalities and animals with voices. If you could go back in time and convince the author of a book to change one event in their story, what would it be? There are so many books where somebody dies or an animal dies and I think no, that wasn't supposed to happen! But I don't think it is morally right to ask an author to change something because they've written for a reason and they are looking to achieve something. If the end of a book is sad and it moves you emotionally than that is intended. What’s your favourite podcast? I do listen to a lot of podcasts and one that I have enjoyed the most is a new one, which is Greg James and Bella Mackie who are married in real life. It's called Teach Me a Lesson. I really love it because I know it’s going to be a series that will make up for all the times in school when I wasn't concentrating. That classic thing of education being wasted on the young. It's an education for those who knew it was wasted on them. Do you have a favourite quote which resonates with you? I used to have written in the front of my diary and I would put it in every diary for every new year, “Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain.” I really like that philosophy. We've had a lot of rainy days recently and it is quite difficult to dance on every single one of them. But the idea that there is something to be gained in this moment of crisis for ourselves, personally, I do think it's a very positive and important outlook. What is the best reading recommendation you've ever been given? I've just finished a book called Where the Crawdads Sing which was bestseller and that was absolutely fantastic. I've really enjoyed that, and discovering Jojo Moyes, who actually I've met and is a friend of mine. There's a final one I'll mention which is Caitlin Moran. Her books, How to Be a Woman and the most recent one I've just finished which was called More Than a Woman. Fall Off, Get Back On, Keep Going: 10 ways to be at the top of your game! by Clare Balding is out now, published by Hachette Children’s Books. Read Clare Balding’s Fantasy Bookshelf Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Buy the book Listen to the audiobook The Famous Five Collection by Enid Blyton Buy the book Fall Off, Get Back On, Keep Going: 10 ways to be at the top of your game! by Clare Balding Buy the book Listen to the audiobook My Animals and Other Family by Clare Balding Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Little People, Big Dreams Series Buy the book The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Olga da Polga by Michael Bond Buy the book Teach Me a Lesson by Bella Mackie and Greg James Listen to the podcast Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens Buy the book Listen to the audiobook How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran Buy the book Listen to the audiobook
8 of the best educational non-fiction audiobooks
Learn while you listen with these popular audiobooks.
When lockdown was enforced in 2020, made of us went into isolation vowing to make the most of the enforced free time by learning a host of new skills. (How is that sourdough starter coming along?) Of course, the crushing realities of lockdown have probably at least partially got in the way of those aspirations - but here's one easy way to self improve: listen to an educational audiobook. This is something you can do on the school run, on your commute, or even the time spent in bed that was formerly your commute. Listening to words, it turns out, is a whole lot less demanding than reading them - and if you're in search of audiobooks, Audible is the place to go. Whether you want to brush up on your languages skills or learn more about the lunar landing, our round-up of the best educational non-fiction audiobooks has you covered. These are all available as one-off downloads, but if you really want to commit to audiobooks, an Audible subscription is almost definitely the wisest course of action - especially you can enjoy a free 30-day trial before the £7.99-per-month expenditure begins. Sign up to a free 30-day Audible trial at Amazon For more information on the service, and differing subscription costs, don't miss our how does Audible work explainer. And for a more comprehensive list of the titles available to download, be sure to read our best audiobooks on Audible article. Listen for less – Audible deals in the Prime Early Access sale From the 10th October until 18th December, you can get Audible for just £2.99 a month! For your money, you’ll get one monthly credit to spend on an audiobook of your choice, plus access to countless free audiobooks and podcasts. Whether you want classic literature, cracking comedy or true crime – there’s something for everyone. Get Audible for £2.99 per month — then £7.99 (auto renews) 8 of the best educational non-fiction audiobooks Sapiens By: Yuval Noah Harari Narrated by: Derek Perkins Sapiens is one of the most highly regarded and influential modern books of its kind. Here the work of Yuval Noah Harari is narrated to explore human beings from the Stone Age to now and some of the things that have made people so intelligent and yet so destructive. Buy the audiobook for £27.99 on Amazon Free with a 30-day trial of Audible Beginner’s Spanish with the Superpolyglotbros By: The Superpolyglotbros As twin brothers and professional language coaches the “Superpolyglotbros” will take you through the basics of learning Spanish over 10 hours in a fun and engaging way. Great for anyone who struggles to learn off the page alone and needs something with a little more personality to stay interested. Buy the audiobook for £13.12 from Amazon Free with a 30-day trial of Audible The Space Race By: Colin Brake, Patrick Chapman, Richard Hollingham, Richard Kurti, Sue Nelson, Helen Quigley, Andrew Mark Sewell Narrated by: Kate Mulgrew This docu-drama focuses on the first moon landing and was created to celebrate 50 years since the momentous event. Including conversations with space legends such as Buzz Aldrin and Tim Peake, the story title brings to life the amazing first steps of man on the moon. Buy the audiobook for £17.49 from Amazon Free with a 30-day trial of Audible Stephen Fry’s Victorian Secrets By: Stephen Fry Narrated by: Stephen Fry Stephen Fry peels back the curtain to the seedy underworld of Victorian era and exposes everything from social scandals to murder. Over 12 episodes, Fry recounts real events and stories which demonstrate the dangerous and shocking lives of Victorians in Britain. Free with a 30-day trial of Audible Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep and Dreams By: Matthew Walker Narrated by: John Sackville We spend a huge portion of our lives asleep but there is still so much that we don’t understand about it. In the first book of it’s kind, Professor Matthew Walker explores the mystery of the meaning of sleep and what effects it has on our body, including during REM (dream state) sleep and the consequences of caffeine and alcohol. Buy the audiobook for £22.74 from Amazon Free with a 30-day trial of Audible Talking To Strangers By: Malcolm Gladwell Narrated by: Malcolm Gladwell Have your assumptions challenged in this audiobook as author and narrator Malcolm Gladwell uncovers the darker side of attempting to decipher lies and motives of others. By examining real encounters, false convictions and psychology, Gladwell turns expectations on their head. Buy the audiobook for £27.99 from Amazon Free with a 30-day trial of Audible The Body By: Bill Bryson Narrated by: Bill Bryson This book explores the amazing ways in which the human body functions. Credited for making science understandable while still being entertaining, author and narrator Bill Bryson shares amazing facts and insight into our human biology. Buy the audiobook for £16.62 from Amazon Free with a 30-day trial of Audible Heroes By: Stephen Fry Narrated by: Stephen Fry The heroes of Greek mythology have endured right through to the modern day in plays, books, films art and almost every aspect of culture across history. Here, Stephen Fry takes the listener through those famed first tales of quests, adventures and scheming gods. Buy the audiobook for £27.99 from Amazon Free with a 30-day trial of Audible Want to listen to Audible while doing the washing up? Take a look at our best smart speaker round-up.
My Fantasy Bookshelf: Harlan Coben shares the books which influenced his life and career
The author divulges his most inspiring reads.
Author Harlan Coben is well known for his seemingly never-ending list of best-selling novels, many of which have been adapted into nail-biting Netflix dramas including The Stranger and Safe. His thriller The Innocent is his next title due to be released on the small screen this April and his latest novel Win is about to hit bookshelves internationally. Below, Coben tells RadioTimes.com about the titles which have influenced his own writing and ways of thinking and lines up his final Fantasy Bookshelf selection. The author shares the one book in the world he would save, his favourite quote and reveals what’s up next on his reading list. What was your favourite book growing up? Charlie and The Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. Do you want to know how to write suspense and make the reader cheer for your hero? Think of how much badly you wanted Charlie to find a golden ticket. Which book has taught you something new? Every book I’ve ever read to some degree. My favourite book on writing and the creative process is Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, not just because it teaches but because it articulates so wonderfully what you already know. If you could only save one book in the world, which one would it be? Oy, what a question. I recently re-read American Pastoral by Philip Roth, and I still think it’s the most perfect (as opposed to best) novel I’ve ever read. Which book would you most like to see on screen next? I have never read a book and thought, “Oh man, I can’t wait for a movie version of this!” Not once. If I love a book, I love a book. If I love a movie or TV show - you get the idea. I don’t want one to be the other. But since I have to answer, I’ll say The Innocent by yours truly simply because it’s the next one coming out on Netflix and thus self-serving. Are there any books or authors which inspired you to become a writer? Are there any that haven’t? The one I usually choose is Marathon Man by William Goldman. That was my first “adult” thriller I read as a teen. I still remember thinking you could put a gun to my head, and I won’t put this book down. That’s a lofty goal but remains mine. If you could choose one book for every child to read growing up, what would it be? Oh, I’m not the one to answer this. I want you to read for pleasure and to expand your world, not to grow up. In fact, I want almost the opposite. Stay childlike, dear reader. Hmm, let’s go for A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle because I read that when I was about 10 and loved it. What’s the best line from a book which has stayed with you? In Philip Roth's Everyman, Roth paraphrases the artist Chuck Close, “Amateurs look for inspiration; the rest of us just get up and go to work.” This sticks with me and reminds me to treat writing like a job. Good advice for all creatives. If you could go back in time and change the ending of any book, which would it be? I would never change an ending. The ones that wound you the most – the tragedies – work best because you wish you could change them. Do you want to go back and save Romeo and Juliet so they can live happily ever after? Maybe. But boy, would that ruin the story. What was the last book you couldn’t put down? Homeland Elegies by Ayad Aktar. What’s next on your reading list? The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. Win by Harlan Coben is published by Century, £20. Read Harlan Coben’s Fantasy Bookshelf Charlie and The Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Bird by Bird: Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott Buy the book American Pastoral by Philip Roth Buy the book Listen to the audiobook The Innocent by Harlan Coben Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Marathon Man by William Goldman Buy the book A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Everyman by Philip Roth Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Homeland Elegies by Ayad Aktar Buy the book Listen to the audiobook The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah Buy the book Listen to the audiobook
My Fantasy Bookshelf: Russell Kane shares the books which influenced his life and career
Comedian, presenter, writer, actor – it seems there are few things Russell Kane can’t do. Latest on a long list of talents (and luckily one of the few occupations which lends itself to pandemic-induced working from home), is podcaster. Each episode of his BBC Radio 4 show Evil Genius delves into a different character from history, covering everyone from Father Christmas to Mother Theresa, including authors such as Charles Dickens and Enid Blyton. Here, Kane discusses all the authors and books which have influenced his life and career and selects his final Fantasy Bookshelf line up. Kane shares his top tear-jerking recommendation, reveals which books have changed the way he thinks and divulges what he’d really like to steal from author Dan Brown. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, which would you choose? Probably Madame Bovary. I reread it every few years anyway. I love Flaubert’s writing. He makes fun of everyone, and yet has such depth, compassion and lyricism. Which character from a book do you wish you could be like? Obviously Mr Darcy [of Pride and Prejudice]. Handsome, wealthy and a man of few words. I can’t stop talking and I’m only 5 foot 10. Oh well. Which character from a book would you say you were most like as a child? Matilda. I even did a DNA check to make sure I belonged in that nest. Turns out I was an alien. Which book has made you think about something differently? So many. Black Box Thinking by Matthew Syed. There is a reason there are so few plane crashes – they learn from their mistakes. This book is that philosophy for excellence. The Village Effect by Susan Pinker taught me the health benefits of staying in touch with friends and family. Also, Bulletproof by Dave Asprey changed the way I eat forever. I’ve taken years off! What was the last book you couldn’t put down? The Porcupine by Julian Barnes. A nasty, brilliant little political courtroom slanging match. Which writer has had the biggest influence on your career? I would say Dorothea Brande [for] becoming a writer. It’s the start of my journey and I have never ceased with my foot to the floor. If you could go back in time and convince an author to do one thing differently, what would it be? I would get Dan Brown to bin his manuscript. Then I would fish the manuscript out of the bin and steal it. Millions! If you could narrate the voice of any character in an audiobook, who would you choose? Claude and Sir Bobblysock, but Simon Callow already does it. So that’s the end of that. Do have a favourite line or quote from a book which has resonated with you? “We colour according to our mood, the objects we survey.” Hardy, A Pair of Blue Eyes. Who are your top author recommendations? I love Ian McEwan, all of Anne Tyler and if you want to cry, try Kit de Waal. If you want a nasty little thriller, but beautifully written, try Leïla Slimani. What’s next on your reading list? Dickens. There are new unabridged audiobooks out [such as] Bleak House. 43 hours of Audio read by Miriam Margoyles. Surely this will get me over my boredom with Dickens? I have tried many times. Russell Kane's BBC Radio 4 podcast Evil Genius is available now on BBC Sounds. Read Russell Kane’s Fantasy Bookshelf Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert Read the book Matilda by Roald Dahl Read the book Listen to the audiobook Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Read the book Listen to the audiobook Black Box Thinking: The Surprising Truth About Success by Matthew Syed Read the book Listen to the audiobook The Village Effect: Why Face-To-Face Contact Matters by Susan Pinker Read the book Listen to the audiobook The Bulletproof Diet by Dave Asprey Read the book Listen to the audiobook The Porcupine by Juian Barnes Read the book Listen to the audiobook Robert Langdon Series Collection by Dan Brown Read the book Claude on Holiday by Alex T Smith, narrated by Simon Callow Listen to the audiobook A Pair of Blue Eyes by Thomas Hardy Read the book Listen to the audiobook Atonement by Ian McEwan Read the book Listen to the audiobook The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler Read the book Listen to the audiobook My Name is Leon by Kit de Waal Read the book Listen to the audiobook Adele by Leila Slimani Read the book Listen to the audiobook Bleak House by Charles Dickens, narrated by Miriam Margoyles Listen to the audiobook
Find out what we thought of Apple's newest smartwatch release.
Apple fans will need no introduction to the Apple Watch 6, the latest smartwatch model, which was unveiled with much fanfare in the brand's virtual event, Time Flies, last September. The shiny wearable tech was released alongside the Apple Watch SE, a more affordable version of the high-end 6. While there were many exciting features showcased during the event, the functions Apple gave most attention to were the health additions of this model, only available on a select few smartwatches by any brand. The first is its ability to take an ECG (electrocardiogram), and the second is the Blood Oxygen feature, which uses light to measure the levels of oxygen in your blood. There are many other functions to shout about, but these were the stand-out additions that account for the price increase compared with the SE model. We’ve taken all the features on the Apple Watch 6 for a test drive to see if the model is worth all the excitement and have shared our findings below. For a top of the range offering from other brands, see our Huawei GT2 Pro review and Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 review. For a more fitness-focused top-end smartwatch, there's also our Fitbit Sense review. And for our expert pick of the best wearables out there, read our best smartwatch list. Or, take a look at our Apple event summary to find out whether you should wait to buy a new smartwatch. Here is everything we know about the upcoming Apple Watch 7 pre-order date. Apple Watch 6 review: summary The Apple Watch 6 is the all-singing, all-dancing smartwatch offering from the tech giant. As might be expected from Apple, there are cutting edge health features such as ECG monitoring, a range of customisable options such as personalised watch faces, plus specialised fitness tracking for a range of activities. There's also the unique "three rings" wellness tracking format (explained below), and, synced with your iPhone, the watch is practical for everyday use, allowing you to FaceTime Audio from your wrist, use Apple Pay and view notifications from a range of apps. This model's price starts from £379, varying depending on size (there are 40mm or 44mm options), material and strap choices, including special brand collaborations. Of all the Apple smartwatches, the 6 has a wide range of model variations available. The Apple Watch 6 is available from Currys, AO, Very and other major retailers. Jump to: What is Apple Watch 6? How much is Apple Watch 6? Design Features Apple Watch 6 set-up Our verdict Where to buy What is Apple Watch 6? The Apple Watch 6 is Apple’s latest and most high-tech iteration of its smart wearables to date. Right from your wrist, this smartwatch can be used to take and respond to calls and messages, monitor advanced health stats and track fitness, along with a long list of other functions. What does Apple Watch 6 do? We were impressed with the range of features available on the Apple Watch 6. Along with the usual fitness and sleep tracking and ability to display notifications (while allowing you to answer calls and reply to texts from your watch), there is also fall detection and an altimeter, which we explain in more detail further on. While you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference at first glance between the Apple 6 and the more economical SE (and even the earlier Apple Watch 3), there are few key features that set it apart. In addition to a heart rate monitor (a common on most smartwatch models), the Apple Watch 6 can deliver an ECG (electrocardiogram), which can measure your heart’s rhythm and activity. The 6 also has a blood oxygen sensor on the back of the watch face which fires red light into your arm and measures the light to come back to give you a reading (anything between 95 and 100% is normal). Key features: Range of specialist workout tracking options ECG and heart rate VO2 max and blood oxygen monitor Altimeter for elevation level Fall detection Sleep tracking Facetime audio and can reply to messages from the watch Apple Pay Breathing app The cellular model can take calls and messages without a connected phone How much is Apple Watch 6? The price of the Apple Watch 6 varies greatly depending on the options chosen. The standard starting price is £379 for a 40mm model, the price climbing depending on which materials and watch strap you choose. Collaboration or special edition options also come at a premium. For instance, Apple has teamed up for Nike models and Hermes edition straps. Is Apple Watch 6 good value for money? Overall, we’d say yes. While not cheap, we were impressed with the highly functional and slick features of the watch. The design is well-thought-out, effective to navigate, and the look can be very well personalised, both externally (in terms of strap and colour options) and internally (in terms of the watch faces and apps available). While the price is a step up from the SE, the advanced ECG and blood oxygen monitors do the job and would likely justify the increase for anyone who really valued having these functions. Apple Watch 6 design The Apple Watch 6 model features a square face with rounded edges and a bright, clear digital screen. The smartwatch's face is a touch screen, plus there is a “digital crown”, a dial-like button on the right-hand side of the watch face which can be pressed as a home button and twisted for scrolling. There is also a flat button beneath it. We tested the red 40mm model with a silicone sports strap. There is also a 44mm sized model available in three materials plus numerous strap options, which can easily be swapped in and out and are interchangeable across the Apple Watch 3, SE and 6 (strap prices start from £49). The watch itself is a medium weight but not as heavy as expected at first glance. The sports strap was very lightweight while being supple and feeling very robust. Overall, the watch felt well-made and high quality, although we thought that the shiny sides and back of the watch face could be liable to eventual scratching, much like the iPhone models. Apple Watch 6 features As expected from the current top of the range release from Apple, the Watch 6 is packed with impressive features that can be customised for a highly personal experience. There are a dizzying array of watch face options in which you can alter colours and various other elements to make it your own. Different faces display a choice of easy to view key functions at any time, from the time and date to heart rate and “ring” progress. The rings' premise is that you have three that can be set to your own targets, and you will receive reminders and updates on your progress throughout the day. Red is known as the Move ring and tracks active calories, green measures exercise in minutes, and blue is how often you have stood up (the standard setting is a target of once an hour). The rings reset every 24 hours, and your progress is monitored with alerts. The standard watch settings feature many notifications, particularly if you already have a range of notifying apps on your phone. However, all of these can be adjusted with time as preferred. There is a range of health and fitness capabilities on this watch, including specialist sport tracking from outdoor running and indoor cycling to kickboxing and open water swimming. The health tracking options on the 6 are also top of the range, with a clear, easy to use ECG, which can be activated at the touch of a button and gives results in moments. The blood oxygen monitor is also state of the art and just as easy to operate. Apple Pay, music playing compatibility and the option to add a range of apps from Nike Run Club to popular office tool Slack also make it practical for use day-to-day. We were similarly impressed with how easy it was not only to see incoming calls and texts but also to take them (including FaceTime Audio, although not FaceTime Video) from your wrist. For messages, there are quick responses available, plus voice note and even drawing options to reply. What is the Apple Watch 6 battery like? Battery life on the Apple Watch 6 is stated as 18 hours based on 90 time checks, 90 notifications, 45 minutes of app use, and a 60-minute workout with music playback, according to Apple. Over the course of the day, the battery seemed to last in line with the prediction, and we’d say Apple gave a fair assessment. If you’re not doing a full workout with music and using the apps for that long each day, the battery life can outlive the 18 hours. However, compared to other smartwatch models, this Apple version does guzzle through battery at quite a rate. The battery level can be viewed by swiping up from the bottom of the screen, although the level isn’t constantly available to see at a glance. When the watch gets to 10% capacity, there is a useful alert. To charge, the back of the watch connected wirelessly to a circular coin magnetically, which has a USB cord. The wire is a decent length, although the coin doesn’t hold very strongly to the watch back, so you’ll need to make sure it is stable and flat to keep it charging. There is no plug adapter included, as Apple announced they were removing these from smart devices for environmental reasons. Apple Watch 6 set-up: how easy is it to use? The Apple Watch arrived as a sleek, white rectangle which turned out to be two boxes in a sleeve. One box contained the watch face in a protective casing plus the charging cable. The other housed the red silicone strap in two halves, plus an extra strap piece, so there were two sizing options. A clear diagram within the packaging explained how to attach the straps to the watch face. When getting set up, we downloaded the Apple Watch app and paired the device. There were on-screen instructions explaining how to pair the two clearly, and the syncing process took a few minutes, during which time you are still able to continue using your iPhone as normal in the background. The syncing was smooth, and we were impressed to see the Apple Watch featuring a wide range of apps from the iPhone, which were easy to use and navigate between. We also found the smartphone app itself intuitive and familiar. However, in classic Apple-exclusive style, this watch will only work with iPhones, so Android users will be disappointed. The full unboxing and syncing process with a short charge took around 20 minutes or so. Our verdict: should you buy Apple Watch 6? Yes, we would definitely recommend the Apple Watch 6, but only to iOS users. This exclusivity is a drawback but is not unexpected from Apple, known for ring-fencing its products from external compatibility. The slick look and functionality of this smartwatch model is a major draw, and the personalisation of the style and apps within it is unparalleled. On a day-to-day basis, the watch is a genuinely useful, practical tool that complements other assets of the Apple family well. The health functions such as the Blood Oxygen monitor are a top of the range addition, although, for some, the steeper price for these features may not be warranted. In which case, we would recommend the otherwise identical SE model, which you can read about in our Apple Watch SE review. Review scores: Design: 5/5 Features (average): 4/5 Functions: 5 Battery: 3 Value for money: 4/5 Ease of set-up: 5/5 Overall star rating: 4.5/5 Where to buy Apple Watch 6 The Apple Watch Series 6 is widely available from a range of retailers, depending on the exact face and strap design you are looking for: From £379 at Currys From £379 at AO From £379 at Very From £379 at John Lewis From £379 at Argos From £329 at Apple For the latest news, reviews and guides check out the full RadioTimes.com Technology section. For a list of our favourite wearables in 2021 read our best smartwatch round-up.
Garmin's female-focused smartwatch is an unfortunate example of style over substance.
Garmin has a reputation as one of the "cool" brands on the market for techy smartwatches, with specialist options for everything from running to the most wild and adventurous explorations. One of the brand’s latest offerings is the Garmin Lily, a lightweight, delicate smartwatch that looks more like a regular wristwatch. A slimmer, more subtle choice designed for women to wear every day. We tested the Sport version, which features a silicone wristband and is around £50 cheaper than the leather strapped Classic model. Below, we take you through our experience using the smartwatch and its various features, explaining what works and what doesn’t and whether we felt it was worth the price tag. If you’re interested in other more classic style smartwatches, have a look at our Samsung Watch 3 review, as the model also has a circular watch face and can be bought with a leather strap. For a sportier, more functional choice, see our Huawei Watch Fit review. For a comprehensive pick of the finest wearables out there, read our best smartwatch list. Garmin Lily review: summary The Garmin Lily is a light-touch, attractive smartwatch which offers limited functionality for the price. Overall it was a disappointing, borderline insulting option targeted primarily at women users. Some may only be looking for basic tracking features on health and activity, which the watch can deliver, with the stylish look being the key offering. We tested the Garmin Lily Sport, which costs £179.99 - which puts it on a par with the Fitbit Versa - while the Classic with a leather strap comes in at £229.99. The Garmin Lily is available to buy from Garmin, John Lewis, Argos and Currys. Jump to: What is the Garmin Lily? How much is the Garmin Lily? Design Features Garmin Lily set-up Our verdict Where to buy What is the Garmin Lily? The Garmin Lily is the lighter touch smartwatch by Garmin, which is specifically aimed at women. It is designed for everyday usage rather than for specific sports (the Garmin Forerunner models are tailored for running) or extreme activities (such as the high-end Gamin Fenix 6). What does Garmin Lily do? The Garmin Lily tracks health functions such as heart rate as well as activities including walking and running, plus a select few sports and exercises and some special extra features: Heart rate tracking Stress tracking Hydration level monitoring Menstrual cycle tracking Sleep tracking Pulse oxygen sensor Activity tracking Music control and notification by pairing with a smartphone Safety alert feature GPS only when connected via a smartphone How much is the Garmin Lily? The price of the Garmin Lily depends on the model chosen. We tested the Garmin Lily Sport, which retails at £179.99. The Classic model features a leather strap and retails at £229.99. £179.99 at John Lewis (Sport) £229.99 John Lewis (Classic) From £179.99 at Garmin Is Garmin Lily good value for money? In a word, no, although it depends on what you are looking for. The watch's style is its main draw, with a lighter, more delicate body and decorative watch face. If you’re only looking for basic features from a smartwatch, such as health and light activity tracking (and will always have your smartphone with you to get full use of them), this is perhaps an option. However, considering both the classic and sport models' price, the watch lacks the features and functionality that other brands deliver in their smartwatches for the same or even lower price points. Garmin Lily design The slim, very lightweight watch comes with either a silicone or leather strap (other straps to swap in can be purchased from £27.99), and it has a small, circular watch face with a petal-like pattern. There are various colour options, including cream, rose gold and purple for the Sport model and bronze, black or white in the Classic design. Unlike other models, text and icons appear over the watch face rather than the face being more screen-like (as with the Samsung Watch 3 or Apple Watch 6 and SE). This makes it more like a traditional watch and may be appealing to anyone who doesn't want to feel like they have yet another laptop or phone screen to be looking at. However, this does mean that watch face options are very limited compared to Apple Watches or the Huawei Watch Fit, for instance. There are options to alter the screen brightness and other settings, which will alert you if they will use additional battery power, which is helpful for planning battery life. The watch face is a touchscreen with no external buttons, although there is a small touch circle at the screen's base, which acts as a home button. The screen didn’t feel as responsive as other models we’ve tested have been. For instance, the watch face should turn on when lifted and tilted towards the body, but it wasn't always easy to get this at the right angle to make the screen come on. Garmin Lily features Overall, the Lily model's capabilities are disappointing, especially coming from a brand like Garmin, which can deliver advanced features on other models, but not on the model it tailors towards women. Options on the watch can be controlled from the app, which is clear, intuitive and easy to use. However, there can only be five sport and activity options on the watch at any one time, in addition to running and walking, which cannot be removed. For those who stick to a set routine, this streamlined approach may not be an issue. However, it could be frustrating to swap in and out various activities from the app as needed if you try different activities. Considering the watch is designed for everyday use, it is interesting that Garmin decided not to include its Garmin Pay feature on the model for women. While the absence of higher-tech features and sports tracking could be put down to the watch being intended for daily use, rather than for specialised sports, the payment feature would have surely been one of the more useful additions in this instance. The other major drawback is the lack of GPS. While there are GPS capabilities, this is only when connected with a smartphone, and the watch can piggyback the existing location abilities from your phone. This shouldn’t be a huge problem if you carry your phone with you all the time. However, a key flaw appeared with the watch’s special safety (one of the few features added, rather than subtracted from this model). Within the phone app, it is possible to add an emergency contact who will receive a text letting them know you are in distress along with your location if you repeatedly tap the watch face. The issue is that to send the signal, the watch needs a connection to the smartphone app. If the watch can send the alert but doesn’t connect to the GPS, the location sent will be incorrect. During testing, I accidentally sent an emergency alert while putting the watch onto my wrist, although there was an option to cancel. The message that came through to my emergency contact, who was sitting in the next room of my London flat. The alert included location coordinates and a helpful link to a map which informed her I was somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic Sea. Therefore, this feature's effectiveness relies heavily on having your readily connected smartphone charged and with you in an emergency, which limits how useful it actually is. What is the Garmin Lily battery like? The maximum battery life for the Garmin Lily is five days, and settings such as brightness can be altered to use less battery. When altering these settings, there are warnings that they will use more battery which is helpful. There are also useful low battery alerts which appear at around 10%. However, during testing, battery life decreased by around 80% over a period of 48 hours with quite limited use. To charge, there is an unusual clip device that attaches to the watch face like a peg. While it might not look as streamlined as chargers on other models, it is secure and stays connected for more effective charging than we’ve seen by other brands. Garmin Lily set-up: how easy is it to use? On first impressions, the packaging for the Garmin Lily looks cheap. It arrives in a box folded in the manner of a shoebox and felt much lower quality than the generally glossy packaging of all the other models we tested – a real shame for the price point. Included was the charger, which connected securely, and instructions that were clear and well explained. The app was easy to find, simple to use and very intuitive. Very clear instructions explained how to sync the watch to the phone app, and it connected quickly and smoothly. Signing up to the smartphone app was also straightforward and easy to do, and the entire process, including unboxing and syncing, took less than 10 minutes. Our verdict: should you buy a Garmin Lily? If you’re looking for a delicate and attractive looking option that is slightly smarter than a regular wristwatch, then this could be one to look at. The style is the main thing you’d be paying for on this model, so it would be down to the individual if they were willing to splash out for the extra cost considering the lack of features for the price. While the basics such as heart rate and activity tracking are there, the constant reliance on being connected to the smartphone app and flawed or missing features meant the watch was disappointing overall. The real sting in the tail comes from the Lily being targeted at women users when Garmin's other smartwatches have so many more features and practical additions. Review scores: Certain categories are weighted more highly. Design: 3/5 Features (average): 2/5 Functions: 1.5/5 Battery: 2.5/5 Value for money: 2/5 Ease of set-up: 5/5 Overall star rating: 3/5 Where to buy Garmin Lily watch Both the Garmin Lily Sport and Classic models are available to buy from a range of retailers. £229.99 at The Watch Shop (Classic) £179.99 at John Lewis (Sport) £229.99 John Lewis (Classic) £179 at Currys (Sport) From £179.99 at Garmin £179.99 at Argos (Sport) Latest Deals There are lots of smartwatches on sale right now - don't miss our pick of the best smartwatch deals. Still unsure about what wearable to buy? Read our best smartwatch 2021 round-up.
See how Huawei's smartwatch fared in our in-depth review.
There is a huge range of smartwatches on the market by just about every big brand, plus plenty of new names popping up. One of the increasingly more established figures in technology is Huawei, which currently has its own line of models at various price points. The Huawei Watch Fit is an accessibly priced smartwatch that offers many of the same features as some of the more costly wearables by other brands - though if you're in search of a wearable that's cheaper still, don't miss our Samsung Galaxy Fit 2 review. Able to do much more than tell the time and date, the smartwatch tracks heart rate and sleep and activities and offers guided workouts. To see how the device really performs, we tested the Huawei Watch Fit to assess its various functions, battery, usability and durability. We have a general summary of the model below, along with quick links to help you navigate to individual sections such as design, value for money and information about where you can buy the smartwatch. We have also tested Huawei's high-spec model for those looking at something a little shinier, which you can discover in detail with our Huawei GT2 Pro review. For a completely list of our favourite wearables, check out our best smartwatch article. Huawei Watch Fit review: summary The Huawei Watch Fit is a sleek, lightweight smartwatch with a sporty look and feel. The touch screen watch face is slim and features clear and simple icons. You can swipe to view popular stats from the lock screen while an external home button on the right-hand side of the devices allows full menu access, return to the home screen and pausing functions. This option retails at £69.99 as standard and has a choice of four colours; graphite black, mint green, cantaloupe orange and sakura pink. The soft rubber strap is smooth and comfortable to wear and features a large range of fastening holes for optimum fit. There are clear and easy to follow work-outs and straightforward health and fitness tracking abilities which can be seen in greater detail on the compatible device app. While the device is compatible with iOS, the music control function is currently unavailable from the watch if you are using an iPhone. The Huawei Watch Fit is available from a range of retailers, including Amazon, Very and Huawei. Jump to: What is Huawei Watch Fit? How much is Huawei Watch Fit? Design Features Huawei Watch Fit set-up Our verdict Where to buy What is Huawei Watch Fit? The Huawei Watch Fit is a smartwatch fitness tracker. The wearable smart device tracks health components such as heart rate and activity. The device is designed to be paired with a smartphone, so it can also display notifications such as incoming calls and messages. What does Huawei Watch Fit do? The watch can continually monitor things like heart rate and sleep as well as exercise and general activity. Using Bluetooth, the Huawei Watch Fit pairs with a smartphone to display notifications in real-time. The data collected by the watch can then be viewed in further detail within the app for a full breakdown of sleep cycles and more. Fitness programs on the watch feature an animated virtual trainer who demonstrates the movements. There are also regular reminders to keep moving with shorter stretching exercises prompted on the screen after more than an hour of inactivity. Key features: A range of guided workout and fitness programs with animated demonstrations, plus breathing exercises “Energiser” three-minute sequences, stretching and exercise from home options ideal for fitting in between home working Heart rate, stress, Spo2 (blood oxygen saturation) and sleep monitoring Time, date, weather, alarm and other standard functions How much is Huawei Watch Fit? The Huawei Watch Fit costs around £69.99 from most retailers (reduced recently from £99.99), making it one of the more accessibly priced models. Is Huawei Watch Fit good value for money? Overall, the Huawei Watch fit is good value for money as the clear functions and easy to follow fitness programs make it an accessible, well-priced option, especially if you already have a Huawei phone. Apple users may be put off by the unavailability of the music control function with iOS, although the smartwatch can still pair with iPhones for the rest of the features. Huawei Watch Fit design The Huawei Watch Fit is sleek and streamlined in design. The strap is smooth and comfortable to wear, and it feels durable, while the slim face makes it a slightly less obtrusive choice which is very lightweight. The rubber straps have plastic buckles and a large range of fastening holes. This means it's easy to adjust for a comfortable fit that is still secure enough to allow the technology to track heart rate and other functions. The screen is clear to see and navigate around. Functions are displayed as simple icons, which are easy to see as a menu within the narrow screen. There are five brightness levels and a do not disturb mode, which can be scheduled so you won’t receive notifications during this period. Notifications also will not display during fitness programs. The touch screen is responsive, and you can slide left or right for quick access to key stats such as heart rate, weather, activity and stress levels. The external home button directs to the menu, returns to the home screen, and pauses workouts and more. A range of watch faces is available on the watch, which can be selected in the settings area and more that can be browsed and downloaded on the compatible smartphone app. The choice of watch face determines the information available on the lock screen. Most display date and time as a minimum, while others offer weather, weekday, heart rate and other information at a glance. Huawei Watch Fit features The Huawei Watch Fit is easy to use and tracks key health and fitness components easily. The compatible Huawei Health app is also straightforward. It allows some expansion on the data collected by the watch, such as variations in light, deep and REM sleep throughout the night. It clearly displays steps, calories burned, SpO2 and other stats. Reminders to keep moving after staying still for an hour are useful as the screen offers the option to instantly start a quick stretching or energising routine with the tap of a button. The short sequences can last as little as three minutes, making them practical, doable solutions for most, especially if working from home. The animated personal trainer demonstrating different movements is clear, and the routines are easy to follow first time, even if you are not already familiar with the exercises. There is a range of options from walks and indoor runs to open water swimming and interval running. The wearable device also monitors stress and offers simple breathing sequences. It displays notifications from a paired smartphone and has standard features such as an alarm, flashlight and weather information. There are music control abilities with the smartwatch. However, these are not currently compatible with iOS devices. What is the Huawei Watch Fit battery like? The battery life of the Huawei Watch Fit is up to 10 days. The watch charges quickly with a USB cable which attaches via a magnetic fitting into the back of the watch face. The magnet isn’t too strong, so it needs to be set flat to keep it charging as the wire is quite short. It is easy to keep track of the battery level, displayed as a percentage, by swiping down on the watch face. The battery also displays when plugged in for charging and is featured clearly on the smartphone app. After 24 hours of use consisting of three workout programs and a timed walk, the battery had reduced by around 20 per cent. How often it needs to be charged would depend on how often it is used and how intensely, but overall the battery life was fairly good. Huawei Watch Fit set-up: how easy is it to use? Setting up the Huawei Watch Fit took around 40 minutes in total, with half of that time devoted to an update that began on the smartphone app before updating on the watch itself. Neither device could be used while this process took place. Once ready, the watch was straightforward to pair and clearly displayed the device name to select from the smartphone app, which detected it using Bluetooth. The app can support multiple Huawei devices meaning you can monitor all your tech in the same place by the brand. There was a warranty card along with a small and brief instruction booklet containing mainly safety notices. There was a printed QR code to scan, which led to a website where the Huawei Health app could be downloaded. This wouldn’t download from the iOS Safari web browser, but the app was easy to find and install from the usual app store. There was also a web address printed which could offer more instructions; however, the setup information was also on the app, which was the simplest way to discover how to use certain functions. The neat, streamlined box included the watch with attached strap and a USB charging wire. There is no plug adapter, so you need to have your own or a USB plug to charge. Our verdict: should you buy Huawei Watch Fit? Overall, the Huawei Watch Fit is a well-priced and accessible option for those looking for an everyday smartwatch. The sleek and sporty look makes it an attractive choice that is slimmer than other models available. Easy to navigate, the smartwatch also has a select menu of key functions that most people would get regular use out of. The watch is lightweight and comfortable to wear, and there is a range of four colours to choose from. While the setup process could be smoother, it is intuitive and easy to navigate overall. The main drawback for iPhone users is that music control isn’t currently compatible with iOS, meaning there would be a relatively standard smartwatch function unavailable. Review scores: Certain categories are weighted more highly. Design: 4/5 Features (average) : 3.75/5 Functions: 3.5 Battery: 4 Value for money: 5/5 Ease of set-up: 3.5/5 Overall star rating: 4/5 Where to buy Huawei Watch Fit watch The Huawei Watch Fit is widely available at the below retailers: £69 at Amazon £69 at Huawei £89.99 at Very £69.99 at Currys undefined Looking for a smartwatch bargain ? Make sure you check out our pick of the best smartwatch deals this month.
Find out how well the high-end Huawei smartwatch performed with our detailed review.
Huawei is quickly becoming one of the new big players in the world of technology, with slick and clever devices capable of competing with the big names – minus the price tag. The brand’s repertoire includes a range of smartwatches at various levels, from standard fitness and health tracking to high-tech options that wouldn’t look out of place on Daniel Craig's wrist. The Huawei GT 2 Pro certainly falls into the latter camp, with a luxe look and tailored fitness tracking for all sorts of 007-worthy activities such as downhill skiing and triathlon training. We’ve put Huawei’s high-end smartwatch through its paces, diving into the various features and seeing how they perform as well as assessing its overall usability, battery capabilities and health-tracking functions. You can find an overall summary of the model below, along with quick links to the various sections of our detailed review, including design, value for money and where you can buy the smartwatch. If you are interested in a Huawei model with fewer bells and whistles, you can find out about the brand’s more standard model in our Huawei Watch Fit review. And if you want to take a look at our expert pick of the best wearables available, don't miss our best smartwatch list. Huawei GT 2 Pro review: summary The Huawei GT 2 Pro is a sleek, titanium watch with a luxe look and feel without being too weighty. The sapphire glass watch face makes for a crisp, clear and scratch-resistant touch screen that is reactive and quick to load. There is a wide range of sports tracking options available, including triathlon, golf driving range and skiing monitoring capabilities. The watch can store up to 500 songs and can wirelessly connect to Huawei earbuds. While the device is compatible with iOS, the music control function is currently unavailable from the watch if you are using an iPhone. There are two external buttons on the right side of the large, circular watch face. Styled as traditional watch dials, they add to the classic aesthetic of the device. The Huawei GT 2 Pro is the brand’s high-end smartwatch offering and retails for £199.99. It is available in a black “fluoroelastomer” rubber-style or a grey-brown leather strap. The Huawei GT 2 Pro is available to buy from Huawei, John Lewis and Amazon. Jump to: What is Huawei Watch Fit? How much is Huawei Watch Fit? Design Features Huawei Watch Fit set-up Our verdict Where to buy What is Huawei GT 2 Pro? The Huawei GT 2 Pro is a sleek, high-end smartwatch. The model is made from titanium with a large, circular watch face and external dials to mirror the style of a classic watch. The wearable technology tracks various fitness and health metrics and connects with a smartphone app to record this data and interrogate it further. What does Huawei GT 2 Pro do? The advanced smartwatch can track varied sports programs, has GPS and route tracking capabilities, and monitors health features such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels and sleep. Using Bluetooth, the watch connects to Android and iOS smartphones to provide further insight and monitoring of the health and fitness data it tracks. It can also display notifications such as messages, calls and payment transactions. Key features: More than 100 workout modes, including golf driving range, skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing and triathlon Barometer and compass in addition to standard functions such as time, date and alarms Stores up to 500 songs with fair volume and sound quality, plus wireless pairing capabilities to Huawei earbuds VO2max and SpO2 monitoring, plus heart rate, stress and sleep tracking Severe weather warnings and "route back" feature which uses GPS points to plot a route home Remote shutter function can take a photo on your phone from your smartwatch How much is Huawei GT 2 Pro? The Huawei GT 2 Pro retails at £199.99, making it a premium, high-end smartwatch offering from the tech brand. Latest Deals Is Huawei GT 2 Pro good value for money? Overall, this model is well-priced and good value. Even without considering the watch's health and fitness features, the quality of the sleek materials and luxury look and feel of the watch make it a reasonably priced model compared with traditional, non-smart watches of a similar style. The varied fitness tracking functions, additional health tracking and GPS features elevate this model above those designed for everyday usage. Huawei GT 2 Pro design The smart Huawei GT 2 Pro has a titanium body with a round, sapphire glass watch face that is resistant to scratching. There are compass markings around the screen's exterior plus two buttons to control various functions on the face's right side. Styled as classic dials, they add to the design's traditional watch look, although they can occasionally catch. The combination of two buttons plus touchscreen functionality to navigate all the watch's features can take getting used to. Most users will be used to either solely touchscreen devices or a single home button, rather than combining three methods to navigate. Despite this, both the buttons and touchscreen are responsive and function well overall. Swiping down on the home screen reveals key features such as battery status, sleep mode and the settings menu in the same familiar manner as most smartphones. The smartwatch looks and feels high quality, with a large watch face that has a crisp and clear display. This model boasts a larger screen size and quality titanium build without the expected weight, making it ideal for daily use and wear during workouts. There are various home screen watch faces to choose from on the watch, with more available to easily download from the compatible smartphone app. Huawei GT 2 Pro features One of the Huawei GT 2 Pro's key draws is the extensive list of activity tracking options. In addition to running, walking, and swimming, users can monitor more adventurous and winter sports, including golf driving range, rowing, cross country skiing, snowboarding, and triathlon modes. These have specialised monitoring, such as strokes per minute for rowing and total descent for skiing. There is even the option to add further activities in an extended menu, ranging from yoga and roller-skating to belly dancing and parachuting. In these instances, the watch will record the standard time, heart rate and calories burned under the specific activity, rather than specialised additional details. There are 13 running programs available to try on the watch for various intensities and lengths of time. However, there are no guided fitness general programs on this model as there is on the standard Huawei Watch Fit. The programs record movements, locations and distance accurately, and the watch automatically detects when you start exercising and offers to record it for you. It similarly vibrates and offers to pause the program should you stop, making it easy to keep track of your performance. In terms of health, this model offers advanced heart rate tracking, blood oxygen level monitoring (SpO2), plus VO2max. Huawei describes its VO2max feature as monitoring “the maximum rate of oxygen consumption measured during incremental exercise” and adds that the level of “consumption reflects cardiorespiratory fitness and endurance.” All data is recorded on the smartphone app, where further detail on all the recorded stats can be easily looked into. There are also advanced weather features, including moon phases and tides, as well as weather warnings. The “route back” feature uses GPS points to plot a way back again, making it particularly suited to those who complete outdoor and adventurous sports. Music can play from the watch, with the ability to store up to 500 songs and to connect wirelessly to Huawei earbuds. However, music functions across all Huawei smartwatches are currently incompatible with iOS, which is bad news if you have an iPhone. What is the Huawei GT 2 Pro battery like? The Huawei GT 2 Pro smartwatch has a maximum battery life of up to two weeks, depending on usage. The watch charges with a two-part device; a white disc and a USB lead. The lead plugs into the disc, which attaches magnetically to the back of the watch face. The smartwatch charged at a reasonably fast pace and maintained levels well while in use. By swiping from the top of the home screen, the battery level can be displayed, and it is also shown clearly on the smartphone app. The downside was the battery warning, which vibrated with a low power warning before instantly shutting down. Earlier, incremental warnings would be more useful, particularly as the battery level isn’t permanently visible on the home screen watch face. Huawei GT 2 Pro set-up: how easy is it to use? The smartwatch arrives in luxe packaging, as a black cube box with gold detailing and excellent presentation. The watch comes attached with the chosen strap and the two-piece charger, small quick start booklet and warranty card hidden from initial view. There is no wall plug adapter included, so you will need a USB charge port or an existing adapter to charge the device. The Huawei Health app can be easily located and downloaded on your relevant smartphone app store and is quick and intuitive to sign up to with basic information such as your height and birthday. Downloading an update once the watch had paired was fairly slow, however. The device syncs with the app using Bluetooth and initially struggled to connect, although it paired successfully after a few attempts. Overall, the watch was partly charged, connected, updated and set up for use within half an hour. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. Our verdict: should you buy Huawei GT 2 Pro? The Huawei GT 2 Pro is ideal for those looking for more advanced features and regularly complete more varied or adventurous outdoor activities. It is especially suited to those who use other Huawei devices. However, we wouldn’t recommend this watch if you have an iPhone or iOS device due to some functions being incompatible. The high-quality look, slick design, and crisp display make it attractive even as a regular wristwatch, with the addition of accurate tracking of heart rate, sleep, and stress. Considering the price compared to other high-end models by other brands, it could also be a good choice even for those who won’t use some of the more advanced features daily. Review scores: Certain categories are weighted more highly. Design: 4.5/5 Features (average) : 3.75/5 Functions: 4 Battery: 3.5 Value for money: 4.5/5 Ease of set-up: 3.5/5 Overall star rating: 4/5 Where to buy Huawei GT 2 Pro watch You can purchase the Huawei GT 2 Pro at a range of retailers: £199.99 at Huawei £199 at Currys £199.99 at Argos £199 at Amazon Latest Deals For all the latest discounts on wearables, don't miss our pick of the best smartwatch deals this month. For a list of our favourite wearables this year read our best smartwatch round-up.
My Fantasy Bookshelf: Phoebe Fox shares the books which influenced her life and career
The Great actor shares her most influential reads.
Phoebe Fox has a range of varied period roles under her belt, from her part in The Aeronauts alongside Felicity Jones and Eddie Redmayne, which is set in the 1860s, to playing the lead in WWII horror, The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death. Now, Fox stars as Marial in 18th century comedy-drama The Great, with Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult, which follows the escapades of a Russian Emperor and his new Empress. Here, the actor discusses the books which have inspired her most and lines up her final Fantasy Bookshelf selection. Fox shares the lessons she takes from a fictional count, which childhood story she was devastated by and the book she is most looking forward to reading next. What was the last book you couldn’t put down? I have been making up for lost time lately. Filling in the gaps left by a teenage predilection for partying over studying and the pursuit of acting over education. This led me to The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. Her voice chimes as clearly today as it did 60 years ago. Reading it felt so personal, like I must be the first person to have discovered her. I am amazed that she only wrote one novel, and it’s this explosion of wit, and trauma and everything between. Which book would you like to see adapted for screen next? I would love to see an adaptation of Less by Andrew Sean Greer. It has all the things I want in a film; love, travel, humour. If you could star in an adaptation as a character from any book, which would it be? I can’t think of a specific character from a book that hasn’t already been adapted (cough, Hermione, cough, Harry Potter). But, I am being hounded by a friend to write a film in which I can play Susan Sontag. I thought I’d just put that out into the universe, in case anyone reads this who has been itching to make that Susan Sontag biopic... Which character from a book do you wish you could be more like? Lately I have been taking a lot of cues from the Count in A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. He is a man dealing with the upheaval of the world as he knew it. He finds himself to confined to one building for the foreseeable future, without the comforts or social interactions that defined his life before. Yet, he remains full of love and optimism for mankind, whilst acknowledging that we must embrace change in order to grow. We could all be a bit more like the Count, I think. Is there anything you have read which has inspired your career path in any way? I was obsessed with The Swish of the Curtain by Pamela Brown when I was a child. It’s about a group of kids who create their own Amateur Theatre company. I was already absolute in my decision to be an actor by this point, but if anything, it confirmed to me that I was on the right path. Later on my mum found out it was the first in a series of a books. I was bloody devastated when we then failed to find any of them, as they were all out of print. Maybe I’m still a bit devastated actually; I never got to know how the story ended. What is the best reading recommendation you’ve ever been given? Sight by Jessie Greengrass was put up on Instagram by an acquaintance, so no one actually recommended it to me personally and yet it had a profound effect on me. The book deals with the conflicting emotions brought to the surface when you are deep in the throes of your ‘child-bearing’ years. It’s one of the only novels I’ve read in which I felt moved to underline whole passages, so I wouldn’t forget them. What was the last book you read and would you read it again? I have just finished Bad Behaviour by Mary Gaitskill. I’m not normally into short stories, surprisingly for someone who has such a low boredom threshold, but I found each piece completely riveting. The subjects she explores; being a writer, being a woman, sadomasochism, prostitution etc, are thrilling, and matched by her beautiful turn of phrase. I don’t tend to re-read things, but never say never. What are you most excited to read next? I have Nell Zink’s latest book Doxology waiting on my nightstand. I love the story of how she was discovered. She sent her writing to Jonathan Franzen out of the blue, he wrote back, and the rest is history. The Great airs weekly on Channel 4 on Sundays at 9pm – take a look at our full TV Guide Read Phoebe Fox’s Fantasy Bookshelf The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath Read the book Listen to the audiobook Less by Andrew Sean Greer Read the book Listen to the audiobook A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles Read the book Listen to the audiobook The Swish of the Curtain by Pamela Brown Read the book Sight by Jessie Greengrass Read the book Listen to the audiobook Bad Behaviour: Stories by Mary Gaitskill Read the book Listen to the audiobook Doxology by Nell Zink Read the book Listen to the audiobook
My Fantasy Bookshelf: Nadia Sawalha shares the books which influenced her life and career
The Loose Woman presenter shares all of her favourite reads, including her own new book on home-schooling.
Presenter, actor and ITV "Loose Woman" Nadia Sawalha has long been a familiar face to our living room TV screens. Now, the parent of two has released a timely, honest guide to home-schooling with her husband Mark, as they share their experiences of educating their children outside of mainstream education. Below, Sawalha shares the books from her life which have had the biggest impact on her and chooses her final Fantasy Bookshelf selection. Sawalha explains which favourite author she shares with fellow presenter Kaye Adams, the book which opened her eyes to other experiences and why, as a child, she identified so greatly with a fictional horse. Which book did you most enjoy reading to your own children? I really struggled with the story time. I thought it was going to be this magical thing and on Loose Women I once admitted this and the other Loose Women were absolutely shocked and horrified. I found it a bloody nightmare, I was exhausted, but the amount of women that still come up to me to me and say, “I'm so glad that you said that.” But there were ones that I did enjoy because it was a chance for me to act, things like We're Going on a Bear Hunt. Children love that repetitiveness, it gives them the real comfort of absolutely knowing what's coming next, then that can be transferred when you're on a walk and you have no sweets left and you have to keep them enthused and entertained. What was your own favourite book when you were growing up? I was very lucky as a child because my father is Arabic and he would tell us the stories of The Arabian Nights. My father is one of the greatest storytellers you'll ever meet and it was magical to us, my dad would take us off on a magic carpet. It's a lovely book to have because I was really strongly connected to that part of my culture but the very British side of me absolutely loved Enid Blyton. I used to love the Secret Seven and the Famous Five. I used to be lying in bed reading them and crunching through apples. If you could gift every child in the world one book, which would it be? Winnie the Pooh, they are such fantastic stories for children and give us so many fantastic quotes that can be relevant to any man, woman or child. Things like, “sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart,” and “you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” You can escape into this very safe but challenging world, sometimes, for Winnie, but there's these really good, positive affirmations. Growing up, which character from a book did you most identify with? Black Beauty had a really big effect on me. I was obsessed with the horse, I would go out and I would gallop like I was a horse and I truly believed I was one. When I would jump I would feel like I was jumping forever. I really felt like I entered the soul of the horse. I know I'm an empath, I'm a rescuer, and I think it began with Black Beauty. I remember being just so happy and literally escaping into the horse and then I think, as far as I can remember, it was my first window into the cruelty that is in humanity as well. I found it shocking. My god, I sobbed through that book. Are there any books which inspired the way you wrote, Honey, I Home-Schooled the Kids? There weren’t books like this and when we first took our children out of school it was incredibly scary. You're going completely against the tide of the rest of the world it felt and there was nothing; no actual, honest journey of what it's like. My husband and I are very different, he has an MA, he’s an English graduate and I left school at 15. I think what is really unique about this book is it’s two people coming from different educational background and investigating how the education system worked and didn't work in various ways. What people are doing now is they are not home educating, they are being asked to recreate a school system in their home and pretend to be teachers and that's not what we did with our children at all. Which book has inspired you the most? Nigella Lawson's first book Domestic Goddess, my sister and I had such a bad girl crush on her. I loved her attitude to food. She gave me confidence being a curvy woman, the confidence that I just loved food and not to be ashamed of it and she inspired me because she always said I'm not a chef, I'm just a cook. I've done five cookery books since then and I really think she inspired me. But it was my mum who gave me all the Cordon Bleu books that started off [my love of cooking]. Are there any books which have changed the way you see the world? Roots and The Colour Purple really opened my experiences to cruelty. Novels that I love always have to have a theme of cruelty and I was absolutely devastated [by these books] and to this day they still haunt me. I think because I had such as lovely childhood, they opened me up to other worlds. To understand and realise what terrible depravity and cruelty goes on in the world was a big eye opener. Roots and The Colour Purple really opened that up to me as well as the incredible ability for the human spirit to survive through the most terrible circumstances. Which character would you like to voice most in an audiobook? One of my favourite books is Hangover Square by Patrick Hamilton. It's fantastic, set in London in the late 1930s and it's actually my husband [Mark] who recommended it to me. This book is very much about alcoholism [...] there are many themes, it covers mental health and the central female character is the most evil woman called Netta. She is exquisitely beautiful, slightly past her prime but exquisitely beautiful - think Vivienne Leigh. Mark and I were obsessed in wanting to make this a movie because we think it would make the most amazing film. I would love to play her in an audiobook, it would be an honour. What is the best reading recommendation you’ve ever been given? Jackie Collins by Kaye Adams who is my fellow Loose Woman, we’re very, very good friends. We both love to read but we always hate what the other one has read. We never, ever agree, but we both share a love of Jackie Collins books. They were like the original chick books; they were very sexy, they were always set in Hollywood, they were very glamorous. What was the last book that you read and would you read it again? I'm not really one for reading a book a second time around. The most recent book I read was Daisy Jones and the Six. It's about a '70s rock band and it was great, really good escapism. There was sex, there was drugs, there was glamour. Beautiful women, misunderstood women, ambitious women. But I wouldn't read it again, it has to be my classics like Hangover Square that I would go back to. Honey, I Home-Schooled the Kids by Nadia Sawalha and Mark Adderley is published by Coronet, £14.99 Read Nadia Sawalha’s Bookshelf We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Micheal Rosen Buy the book The Arabian Nights translated by Malcolm Lyons Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Honey I Home-Schooled the Kids by Nadia Sawalha and Mark Adderley Buy the book Listen to the audiobook How to be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson Buy the book Classic French Cookbook by Le Corden Bleu Buy the book Roots by Alex Haley Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Colour Purple by Alice Walker Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Hangover Square by Patrick Hamilton Buy the book Hollywood Wives by Jackie Collins Buy the book Daisy Jones and the Six Buy the book Listen to the audiobook
Best Samsung Galaxy S21 pre-order deals available now
Brighten up the start of a gloomy year with a shiny new smartphone on a great deal.
While 2021 may not have got off to the best start for most of us, there is a silver lining in the shape of a shiny new smartphone to look forward to. The Samsung Galaxy S21 is now available to pre-order (officially released on 29th January) and there are currently some great deals available to get your hands on the new handset. You can grab 100GB contracts, get cash for trading in your old handset and there are even freebies including ear buds and other smart tech if you pre-order before the device hits the shelves. The exciting new device is available in a range of colourways, from sleek navy and grey to vibrant red and pink, with three models (Galaxy S21, S21+ and S21 Ultra) and the storage sizes (128GB, 256GB and 512GB) to choose from. The smartphone runs on Android 11 and features triple back camera lenses for a range of photography abilities, comes with 5G connectivity and has a flat, iPhone-esque screen design rather than the curved style of previous models. Being offered for free with the smartphone from Samsung and many retailers are the Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Smart Tag as a special pre-order promotion. The ear buds are in-ear, wireless headphones which promise immersive sound quality when connected to your new S21 phone. The smart tag is a clever, electronic label style device which you attach to valuable or precious possessions (keys, a child’s favourite teddy bear) so that you can track its location from an app. Together, the additional devices would usually set you back between £188 and £249, meaning you’re getting a lot more bang for your buck if you decide to place an advance order. Below, we have rounded up some of the best deals on the Samsung Galaxy S21 models available now, whether you’re looking to buy the device outright or sign up for a new contract. Not sure which model is for you? Check out our Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Plus vs Ultra guide to compare the camera, battery life and more of each model. Best Samsung Galaxy S21 pre-order deals When choosing the best deal for you, it is important to check the small print, especially when signing up to a phone contract. Check whether you are signing up to a 12, 18 or 24 month contract or even rolling option. If you are currently in an existing contract you may also be able to request an upgrade to get the new handset. Alternatively, you may prefer to buy the device outright and add in your own SIM. Here are some of the best deals available to pre-order the device now, including pay monthly deals and outright buys. Samsung S21 deals Samsung Galaxy S21, Vodafone - unlimited minutes and texts, 100GB data per month with free Galaxy Buds Live, Galaxy Smart Tag and £20 gift card | £39 a month, £99 upfront Samsung Galaxy S21, iD Mobile - unlimited minutes and texts, 20GB data per month with free Galaxy Buds Live and Galaxy Smart Tag | £34.99 a month, £99.99 upfront Samsung Galaxy S21, EE - unlimited minutes and texts, 40GB data per month with free Galaxy Buds Live and Galaxy Smart Tag plus choice of “smart benefit” | £66 a month, £50 upfront Samsung Galaxy S21, EE - unlimited minutes and texts and data with free Galaxy Buds Live and Galaxy Smart Tag | £66 a month, £30 upfront Samsung Galaxy S21 HANDSET ONLY with free Galaxy Buds Live and Galaxy Smart Tag | £769 Pre-order at Samsung Pre-order at John Lewis Pre-order at Samsung's Amazon store Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus deals Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus, Vodafone - unlimited minutes and texts, 100GB data per month with free Galaxy Buds Live and Galaxy Smart Tag | £39 a month, £250 upfront Samsung Galaxy S21 PLus, Vodafone - unlimited minutes and texts, 100GB data per month with free Galaxy Buds Live and Galaxy Smart Tag | £47 a month, £79.99 upfront Samsung Galaxy S21 PLus, EE - unlimited minutes and texts, 100GB data per month with free Galaxy Buds Live, Galaxy Smart Tag plus “gaming unleashed” bundle | £76 a month, £30 upfront Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus, EE - unlimited minutes and texts, 40GB data per month with free Galaxy Buds Live and Galaxy Smart Tag | £67 a month, £50 upfront Samsung Galaxy S21+ HANDSET ONLY with free Galaxy Buds Live and Galaxy Smart Tag | £949 Pre-order at Samsung Pre-order at John Lewis Pre-order at Samsung's Amazon store Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra deals Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, Vodafone - unlimited minutes and texts, 100GB data per month with free Galaxy Buds Live and Galaxy Smart Tag | £47 a month, £290 upfront Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, Vodafone - unlimited minutes and texts, 100GB data per month with free Galaxy Buds Live and Galaxy Smart Tag | £51 a month, £99.99 upfront Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, EE - unlimited minutes and texts and data with free Galaxy Buds Live, Galaxy Smart Tag and “smart benefit” gaming bundle | £89 a month, £30 upfront Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, EE - unlimited minutes and texts and 10 GB data per month with free Galaxy Buds Live and Galaxy Smart Tag | £75 a month, £50 upfront Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra HANDSET ONLY with free Galaxy Buds Live and Galaxy Smart Tag | £1,329 Pre-order at Samsung Pre-order at John Lewis Pre-order at Samsung's Amazon store Not sure if the Samsung Galaxy S21 is for you? Our iPhone 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S21 and OnePlus 9 vs Samsung Galaxy S21 guides will help you decide.
My Fantasy Bookshelf: Finding Alice’s Isabella Pappas shares the books which influenced her life and career
From The Handmaid's Tale to Americanah, the Finding Alice actor discusses her favourite books.
Isabella Pappas is an Olivier-nominated actor seen on the stage as well as the screen in Paranoid, Home and Almost Never. Now, Pappas joins the stellar Finding Alice cast fronted by Keeley Hawes (Alice) and also featuring Joanna Lumley and Nigel Havers. Pappas plays Charlotte, the daughter of Alice (Hawes) and the soon-to-be late Harry (Jason Merrells), as the pair cope with his loss and the secrets which emerge following Harry’s death. Below, Isabella Pappas shares the books which have inspired her and now earn a spot on her Fantasy Bookshelf. She shares the book she read between scenes backstage, the story she believes can break hearts and rebuild them again, plus the quote which has resonated with her most during lockdown. What was your favourite book growing up? A Series of Unfortunate Events was one of my most prized possessions, I would rampage through the series. I would read at the library when there was a new edition and be the first to check it out. I grew up on a small farm in the middle of a rural town so it was truly an escape for me. I wanted more than anything to be Violet Baudelaire because she invented things all the time and I tried inventing things but mine didn't work. What was the last book you couldn’t put down? The Handmaid's Tale. I read it while performing every night at the Donmar [Warehouse Theatre]. I would read it backstage and try to fit in another chapter before I went on stage. I think it truly scares you into realising a lot of ugly truths about the way the world could go. If you could star in an adaptation as any character, who would it be? Antigone by Sophocles. The pain, the betrayal and the sacrifices are truly mesmerising and it's timeless, I feel like it could be modernised in a really exciting way. Which is the one book you would tell everyone in the world to read? The Giving Tree. It's a children's book and it will break your heart and then slowly piece it back together. It's about humanity, not just being human, but being in the world around us in nature. I think it’s really important, with climate change and all the things that are happening, for a younger generation to be reading because it really makes you appreciate what we've been given. Which quote from a novel have you found most poignant? One which resonates with me especially after COVID and lockdown is, "We thought we had such problems, how were we to know we were happy?" which is Margret Atwood in The Handmaid's Tale. The book is full of good quotes but I think that one is really relevant today. What have you read which has inspired your career in performing? Attempts on Her Life by Martin Crimp is such a beautiful play. The way that the dialogue is crafted just makes me want to tell the story and it's just one of the plays that, as an actor, you really are itching to perform. I think it pushed me definitely towards acting and I think it really renews your passion for storytelling. Is there a character you wish you could be more like in real life? The play Emilia by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm. It's based on the real Emilia Bassano and her life. She was said to have aided Shakespeare in coming up with a lot of the bigger concepts for his play but then she was given no credit. She had to battle not only the men who oppressed her but also other perceptions of her because Shakespeare makes his own judgement in Othello, by writing her into the play. I think it's a really beautiful piece. What is the best reading recommendation you’ve ever been given? The best reading recommendation I've ever been given was Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. It has such a stigma around it but I decided to sit down and read it without any other judgments following about in my head. I think the reason it had such an impact is because Dolores is such a complex female character and she completely undermines tropes of the time. Which book has made you think about something differently? Purple Hibiscus is such a beautiful, heartbreaking book that I think everyone should read. It made me see the world differently because it was such a learning curve. It made me realise that a book doesn't have to be centred around my culture and my circumstances for me to be able to relate to it. It's just so heartbreaking and overwhelmingly beautiful in its descriptions. It's full of these amazing adjectives that you just eat up every time. What are you excited to read next? Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is an amazing author, she wrote Americanah which I'm really looking forward to reading. Finding Alice airs on Sunday 17th January at 9pm on ITV – check out what else is on with our TV Guide Isabella Pappa’s Fantasy Bookshelf A Series of Unfortunate Events series by Lemony Snicket Buy the books Listen to the audiobook The Handmaid's Tale by Margret Atwood Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Antigone by Sophocles Buy the book Listen to the audiobook The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein Buy the book Attempts on Her Life by Martin Crimp Buy the book Emilia by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm Buy the book Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Buy the book Listen to the audiobook
Best smartwatch deals in the January sales - £160 off Apple Watch and more
Save on Apple, Samsung, Garmin, Fitbit and Huawei smartwatches in the sales.
January may be typecast as the dullest month of the year, but we’ve found some great deals which should brighten up the month and save you some cash, too. Right now there are some great smartwatch deals in the January sales at the likes of Argos, Currys and Very. Smartwatches can connect to other devices for calls and notifications and are also great for monitoring health and keeping track of your fitness, so if your New Year’s resolution was to be more active in 2021, it might be a smart investment. Smartwatches by many of the big names including Apple, Samsung and Fitbit are currently reduced in the January sales. It's worth noting that some models have been selling out at retailers, so make sure you act fast if you see one you like at a good price. Savings range depending on the model and retailer and there are a lot on offer at the moment to go through. To help make your life a little easier, we’ve highlighted some of the best deals you can get your hands on now, or you can see the full ranges on the retailer websites. See all Curry’s smart watch deals See all Argos wearable tech deals See all Very smart watches Best smartwatch deals in the January Sales The best saving available at the moment is on the Apple Watch Series 5 with the Nike special edition sports band (platinum and black). This watch would usually set you back £479 at Currys, or £459 for the regular sports band version. Both are now reduced to £319 which means you can save £140 or £160 depending on the model you go for. Garmin are another one to look out for as there is currently £120 off the Garmin fenix 6S Pro. You can also save up to £80 on Samsung smartwatches, £60 on Fitbits and £59 with Huawei models. See our full pick of the best deals for each brand below. Best Apple smartwatch deals There are a few different deals on Apple Watch models, with savings ranging from £60 all the way to £160. Buy Apple Watch Series 5 (Nike Sports Band) at Currys | £479 £139 (save £160) Buy Apple Watch Series 5 (regular sports band)at Currys | £459 £319 (save £140) Buy Apple Watch SE at Currys | £379 £319 (save £60) Best Garmin smartwatch deals With Garmin watches there are also savings in excess of £100 with the fenix 6s Pro as well as discounts on the Forerunner and Instinct solar models. Buy Garmin fenix 6S Pro at Currys | £599 £479 (save £120) Buy Garmin Forerunner 45S at Currys | £169 £129 (save £40) Buy Garmin Instinct Solar GPS Smart Watch at Amazon | £319.99 £299.99 (save £20) Best Samsung smartwatch deals We've found some good deals on two of the popular Samsung Galaxy smartwatches which are worth taking a took at, with savings ranging between £50 and £80. Buy Samsung Galaxy Active2 4G S (40mm) at Currys| £379 £299 (save £80) Buy Samsung Galaxy Watch3 at Amazon | £419 £369 (save £50) Best Fitbit smartwatch deals Designed primarily for health and fitness tracking, there are currently discounts on a range of Fitbit models. Buy Fitbit Versa 2 at Currys at Currys | £219 £159 (save £60) Buy FITBIT Sense at Currys | £299 £249 (save £50) Buy Fitbit Versa 3 at Very | £199.99 £159.99 (save £40) Buy Fitbit Versa Lite Smart Watch at Argos | £129.99 £114.99 (save £15) Best Huawei smartwatch deals Tech giant Huawei also has a range of smartwatches and there are some great savings to be had in the January sales. These are our top picks below. Buy Huawei Watch GT 2e at Currys | £159 £99.99 (save £59.01) Buy Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro Smart Watch at Argos | £229.99 £199.99 (save £30) For more tech news check out our Technology section. Looking for some advice? Read our guide to the best smartwatches, tried and tested.
Get free Apple Airpods with iPhone 12 mini plus data deals
Free Airpods and 54GB data for the price of 6GB with a range of phone contracts in the January sales.
The January sales have landed to brighten up an otherwise gloomy month, which kicked off with yet another national lockdown. While most people won’t be able to see friends and family in person during the coming weeks, there are now more opportunities than ever for video and phone calls, texting or escaping lockdown life via social media. For others, tuning into good music is the best way to switch off after a long day in the (home) office. Airpods are one of the current favourite choices for headphones, as the earbuds can connect without cumbersome wires, which makes them particularly useful for listening during exercise. Luckily, Carphone Warehouse has launched its 'Mega Price Drop' January sale and is offering the latest iPhone 12 mini on contract with a free pair of Apple Airpods (and charging case) included. The Airpods currently retail for £159 on the Apple website. Free Apple Airpods in new Carphone Warehouse deal The deal is part of a 24 month contract with unlimited calls and texts plus 10GB of data for £38.99 per month plus an upfront cost of £43.99. You can get the device on contract and see more information on the retailer’s website below. Apple iPhone 12 Mini (64GB) - 10GB data, unlimited minutes and texts | £38.99 per month, £43.99 upfront Or, if you prefer to buy your handsets outright, the iPhone 12 mini is currently available on the Apple Amazon store for £20 off the usual price (£679 instead of £699). What other deals are available in the Carphone Warehouse January sale? <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2020/01/GettyImages-1167245731-1-a190053-scaled.jpg" width="2560" height="1707" alt="Tim Cook, chief executive officer of Apple Inc., speaks about the new iPhone during an event at the Steve Jobs Theater in Cupertino, California, U.S., on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019. Apple said its TV+ original video subscription service will launch Nov. 1 for $4.99 a month, undercutting the price of rival offerings. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images" title="Apple iPhone 12 release date" /> If your smartphone isn’t quite up to scratch or you find yourself using up your monthly allowances, there are some particularly good deals on data bundles also in the Carphone Warehouse sale. The ‘9x data’ deal means that many devices are available with a huge increase in allowances for the same price as standard contracts, with the 6GB data allowance increased to 54GB. For example, you can get the Google Pixel 5 5G with a huge 54GB of data instead of 6GB (plus unlimited calls and texts) for £34 per month, with £9.99 to pay upfront. Google Pixel 5 5G (128GB) - 6GB 54GB data, unlimited minutes and texts | £34 per month, £9.99 upfront The ‘9x data deal’ is also available on Samsung Galaxy S20 and Apple iPhones including the brand new iPhone 12 and other models. Apple iPhone 11 (64GB) - 6GB 54GB data, unlimited minutes and texts | £34 per month, £59 upfront Apple iPhone 12 (64GB) - 6GB 54GB data, unlimited minutes and texts | £34 per month, £229 upfront Apple iPhone SE (64GB) - 6GB 54GB data, unlimited minutes and texts | £30 per month, £0 upfront Apple iPhone XR (64GB) - 6GB 54GB data, unlimited minutes and texts | £34 per month, £0 upfront Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition (128GB) - 6GB 54GB data, unlimited minutes and texts | £34 per month, £9.99 upfront The larger Samsung Galaxy S20+ is also currently available to buy outright on the Samsung Amazon site with £150 off (£849 rather than £999). For more tech news check out our Technology section.
My Fantasy Bookshelf: Sandi Toksvig shares the books which influenced her life and career
The writer and presenter shares her top reads as her latest book hits the shelves.
Sandi Toksvig is a comedian, novelist, actor, broadcaster, activist and, of course, bonafide national treasure. You’ve likely seen her presenting QI or, until the current series, in the famous Bake Off tent alongside Noel Fielding. Her latest book, Toksvig’s Almanac 2021, is a collection of remarkable women of history, from pirate nuns to astronauts. She is also preparing for a tour of her one-woman show The National Trevor, in Spring next year. Here, Sandi Toksvig shares some of the books which have inspired her varied career and chooses the top titles to line up on her Fantasy Bookshelf. She shares the next book on her reading list, how her father’s work inspired her own writing and a career highlight voicing Winnie the Pooh’s Tigger. What was your favourite book growing up? Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh. At last here was a girl in literature who I could identify with. Determined, independent and given to observing the world. It gave me hope that I was not alone. If you could give one book to every child to read, what would it be? There are so many but definitely The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch. It is the most wonderful princess and dragon story with complete role reversal. Also, I quite fancy wearing a paper bag. Who has inspired your own writing? My father inspired me. He wrote books but also journalism which is how I learned to write to a deadline. He wrote a book called Edited Reality about how hard it is to distil what is happening in the world into bite-sized chunks. He was concerned about the duty of the honest journalist to inform without trying to persuade. Is there anything you’ve read which has influenced your outlook on your career? Emily Dickinson’s poem I am Nobody had a huge effect on how I view being in the public eye. It is about the absurdity of fame and has been a guiding light in a celebrity obsessed world. If you could go back in time and convince the author of a book to change one event in their story, what would it be? Why oh why couldn’t Dr Zhivago have a happy ending? Spoiler alert but the last sentence tells us that Lara is "forgotten as a nameless number on a list which was later mislaid, in one of the innumerable mixed or women's concentration camps in the north." I mean it’s a heck of a big read to end on that horror. Who would be your dream character to narrate in an audiobook? I played Tigger once in a Winnie the Pooh audio drama and I’m not sure I will ever do better. Are there any stories you wish there were more books about? I would love there to be a wider range of general literature where lesbians are just characters and not serial killers or mad or both. Which book has taught you the most or made you think about something differently? Weirdly The Ashley Book of Knots had a huge impact on me. It is an encyclopaedia of knots which took eleven years to write and has thousands of illustrations of what can be done with a piece of rope. It made me think about the making of all things – food, writing, decisions – first consider what you want to create and then take the time to find the pattern which achieves that. The same piece of rope can result in a multitude of outcomes. What is the best reading recommendation you’ve ever been given? Janet and John by Mabel O'Donnell and Rona Munro. The best because these were the books which taught me to read although I never really felt Janet came to the fore as fully rounded a character as John. What’s next on your reading list? Paris: The Secret History by Andrew Hussey. It’s one of several books about Parisian history which I am reading for a new project. Mostly I read factual research for one work assignment or another. Sadly I mostly lack the time for fiction. Sandi’s new book Toksvig’s Almanac 2021 is out now and she will be touring the UK in spring 2021 with The National Trevor tour. For details of the book and tour visit www.sanditoksvig.com Read Sandi Toksvig’s Fantasy Bookshelf Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh Buy the book The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch Buy the book The Edited Reality by Claus Toksvig Hope is the Thing with Feathers: The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson by Emily Dickinson Buy the book Dr Zhivago by Boris Pasternak Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne Buy the book Listen to the audio book (featuring Sandi Toksvig as Tigger) The Ashley Book of Knots by Clifford Warren Ashley Buy the book Janet and John by Mabel O'Donnell and Rona Munro Buy the book Paris: The Secret History by Andrew Hussey Buy the book
My Fantasy Bookshelf: Ben Miller shares the books which influenced his life and career
The Bridgerton actor shares his top reads ahead of the release of his new book and latest Netflix series.
You might know actor, comedian and author Ben Miller as Agent Bough, the long-suffering side-kick to Rowan Atkinson’s Johnny English, as one half of comedy duo Armstrong and Miller (with Alexander Armstrong) or as the original lead detective on Death in Paradise. His latest role is in Bridgerton, the Netflix period drama which has been binge-watched across the nation, and his new book for children, The Day I Fell into a Fairytale, recently hit the shelves. Below, Miller discusses the titles which have influenced his own writing and comedic career, selecting the books he’d line up on his Fantasy Bookshelf. Miller shares the childhood book he reads to his own children, his dream role as an unhelpful caterpillar and explains why he’s more like Huckleberry Finn (with ill-fitting swimming shorts) than master detective Sherlock Holmes. Which books inspired your career in comedy acting? I read a lot of Dickens growing up, and it's had a huge influence on me. The idea that names alone can be funny: that language and character and situation can have you in stitches, before you even add so much as a gag. I love the later, socially-conscious novels, but for pure fun you can’t do much better than The Pickwick Papers. If you could star as a character from any book, which would it be? My daughter Lana’s favourite book is Alice in Wonderland, so I’d like to be in that, please. The caterpillar would be my first choice. Sitting on a mushroom, smoking a hookah, and being of no help to Alice whatsoever is safely ‘in my wheelhouse,’ as they say in Hollywood. Which character do you see yourself in? Huckleberry Finn. In real life I’m a bit of a daydreamer, and Huck was the character I really identified with in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. When Huck ran away and had an adventure of his own in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn I felt like it was happening to me. But then that’s the brilliance of Mark Twain; it’s all so natural it doesn’t feel like writing at all. Which character do you wish you could be more like? Sherlock Holmes. Who doesn’t? To have that tidy a “brain-attic” that you can instantly access any piece of knowledge. Mine is more like my bedroom floor: piled high with unfinished stories, half-remembered facts and badly-fitting swimming shorts I bought online and forgot to send back. What is your favourite quote? It's from The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery; "And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the naked eye." There are children's books that you must keep reading as an adult and The Little Prince is one of them. What was your favourite book in childhood? It would have to be King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green. It weaves all the magical stories of Arthurian legend into one glorious arc: the sword in the stone, Lancelot and Guinevere, and Gawain and the Green Knight. My father used to read it to me at bedtime, right up until I was a teenager, and I’ve kept the torch burning by reading it to my kids too. Your new book, The Day I Fell into a Fairytale is now out in hardback. Which stories inspired your own writing? Every time I sit down to write a new children’s book, I get my eye in with a bit of AA Milne. Every soft toy living in the Hundred Acre Wood is effortlessly drawn: even the punctuation is funny. The problem is the writing is so nailed down there’s nothing to steal. But then, who cares? At least I get to read a bit of Winnie-The-Pooh. Is there a piece of reading which has had an impact on your life? My friend Jez Butterworth once gave me a change of address card by a young man called Alexander Armstrong. It was a sort of shaggy dog-poem, where the last line sounded out his address. That didn’t turn out too badly. What was the last book you read and would you read it again? I just finished Serpentine by Philip Pullman, and yes, I would definitely read it again. It’s quite short, beautifully illustrated, and deliciously atmospheric. We get a glimpse of Lyra in between His Dark Materials and The Book of Dust, as she works a few issues through with Pantalaimon, her daemon. As you do. It made me think I’m not nearly thoughtful enough as a writer, but then just as we can’t all be AA Milne, we can’t all be Phillip Pullman either. What’s next on your reading list? Next on my list is The White Ship by Charles Spencer. In fact I’ve got it sitting next to me as I write. It’s the true story of an extraordinary shipwreck that took place off the coast of Normandy in 1120, when Henry I, son of William the Conqueror, lost his only legitimate son, his treasure, and two hundred of his court. As a direct result, England plunged into anarchy. Can’t wait. Ben Miller’s book for children of all ages, The Day I Fell into a Fairytale, is out now in hardback. New period drama Bridgerton is streaming now on Netflix. Buy Ben Miller's Fantasy Bookshelf The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll Buy the book Listen to the audiobook The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain Buy the book Listen to the audiobook The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain Buy the book Listen to the audiobook The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle Buy the book Listen to the audiobook The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Exupery (translated by Irene Testot-Ferry) Buy the book Listen to the audiobook King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table by Roger Lancelyn Green Buy the book Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Serpentine by Philip Pullman Buy the book Listen to the audiobook The White Ship: Conquest, Anarchy and the Wrecking of Henry I’s Dream by Charles Spencer Buy the book Listen to the audiobook The Day I Fell into a Fairytale by Ben Miller Buy the book Listen to the audiobook
My Fantasy Bookshelf: Romesh Ranganathan shares the books which influenced his life and career
The comedian discusses his favourite reads.
Comedian Romesh Ranganathan is a well known stand-up and podcaster and is a regular face on the small screen. He hosts a number of TV shows including his BBC travel documentary series The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan as well as Sky’s Rob & Romesh Vs, with fellow comedian Rob Beckett. Below, the comic discusses the books which have inspired his life and career in comedy and lines up his final Fantasy Bookshelf selection. Ranganathan shares which story ending he'd like to rewrite, the book he’d love his children to read one day and the qualities he once shared with Bilbo Baggins. If you could only save one book in the world which would it be? It would have to be Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. The whole family love it and it would mean they think I’m amazing for saving it, when in actual fact I really love it myself. Which is the one book you would delete if you had to? Even though it’s a brilliant book, Of Mice and Men is one that I cannot revisit without experiencing anxiety flashbacks from having to extract every single nuance from it for GCSE English. Growing up, which character were you most like? I was probably most like Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit - lazy, liking home comforts, and very reluctant to do anything resembling exertion. Which character would you say you were more like now? I love the father-son relationship in Danny the Champion of The World and would like to think I have something similar with my children. Minus the poaching. Which book would you want your own children to read one day? I would love my children to read So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson as it’s all about the public shaming that seems so prevalent at the moment. I would love them to be aware of how ridiculous that all is. Is there a book which has changed how you see the world? Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race by Renni Eddo-Lodge has really made me reflect on race relations and my attitudes towards tackling issues around race. Which writer has influenced the way you’ve written your own books? Steve Martin’s autobiography really made me think about the way a comedian should write a book. My writing style is completely different to his, but he really made me reflect on what somebody wants from a book by a comic. It’s a brilliant read. If you could go back in time and change the ending of any story, which would it be? I would have loved Fantastic Mr. Fox to have come to some sort of accord with the farmers instead of turning them over like that. Farming is difficult and those guys didn’t deserve to be treated like that. Is there a book you’ve read time and time again? I love Life of Pi by Yann Martel and would recommend it to anyone and everyone. I probably read it once a year. Which book is sitting on your bedside table now? I am currently reading A History of the World by Andrew Marr in a desperate attempt to appear informed. As Good As It Gets by Romesh Ranganathan is out now in hardback from Bantam Press, £20. Read Romesh Ranganathan’s Fantasy Bookshelf Charlie and The Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck Buy the book Listen to the audiobook The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Danny The Champion of The World by Roald Dahl Buy the book Listen to the audiobook So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed by Jon Ronson Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Why I’m not longer talking to White People About Race by Renni Eddo-Lodge Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life by Steve Martin Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl Buy the book Listen to the audiobook Life of Pi by Yann Martel Buy the book Listen to the audiobook A History of the World by Andrew Marr Buy the book Listen to the audiobook
How to get your hands on the new smartphone from OnePlus to moment it is released.
The OnePlus 8T is finally here, adding yet another smartphone to relatively new manufacturer OnePlus's collection. The new handset is available in two glossy colours (aquamarine green and lunar silver) and boasts fast processing, 5G and four back cameras (that's one more than even the new iPhone 12 Pro has). The new device was revealed during a live digital showcase event on 13th October, the day after the iPhone 12 release. It will be available as an 8GB RAM + 128GB storage size or a 12GB RAM + 256GB storage size and a charger will be included. There's lots to love about the OnePlus 8T phone. Below, we explain where you can pre-order the smartphone from so you can be the first to get your hands on the shiny 8T. Head to our iPhone 12 review and iPhone 12 mini review to see how it compares. How to pre-order the OnePlus 8T You will be able to purchase the OnePlus 8T directly from the brand's website or you can trade in your existing phone and upgrade to the newest 8T. In the UK, this will be available to buy from 20th October. Pre order OnePlus 8T from OnePlus The new device is a lower priced model than existing devices by the brand and features fast charging and improved screen display and multi-functional cameras. Prices for the new handset start at £549, which is £50 less than the current lowest priced OnePlus 8 model. OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro deals If you're looking to get your hands on a OnePlus device now, you can find it at a range of retailers. The 8 device would usually cost from £599 and the Pro would be £799 or £899 depending on storage sizes. The devices are reduced in the Amazon Prime Day sales. We list the best deals below you can get on Amazon now: Buy OnePlus 8 (black) - 8GB RAM 128GB for £564.99 OnePlus 8 (green) 12GB RAM 256GB for £580 OnePlus 8 Pro (black) 8GB RAM 128GB for £649 OnePlus 8 Pro (green) 12GB RAM 256GB for £749 For more tech news and updates you can find visit our Technology hub for all the latest info.
OnePlus 8T release date: specs, design, price and more
All there is to know about the latest OnePlus smartphone launch.
There have been a lot of big launches in the world of tech to get excited about recently. We've had not one but two Apple Events the last couple of months, revealing everything from the Apple Watch 6 and Homepod Mini to the brand new range of iPhone 12 devices. Just a day after Apple's most recent launch, the OnePlus 8T has been announced, with lots of high-tech new features to get excited about. Chinese tech manufacturer OnePlus is fairly new to the smartphone scene, having released two handsets just last year. For 2020, we've now seen the release of the OnePlus 8T model in an Apple-like live digital event. While some aspects of the new model may be familiar to those who already own or have used the OnePlus 8, their 8T handset provides lots to be excited about. Below, we explain everything you need to know about the new device including the price, specs and special features. OnePlus 8T facts What is the OnePlus 8T release date? 20th October What is the OnePlus 8T price? from £549 What are the OnePlus 8T colours? aquamarine green, lunar silver What is the OnePlus 8T screen size? 6.55 inches Does OnePlus 8T have 5g? yes How much does the OnePlus 8T cost? The new OnePlus 8T costs £549, which is less than the usual price of the standard OnePlus 8 which would normally be £599. You can order it from the OnePlus website and find out more about OnePlus 8T pre-orders. What are the OnePlus 8T specs? OnePlus powers devices using its speedy 'dragon' software by the name of Qualcomm Snapdragon 865. To the average phone user, this means fast speeds and performance through tasks including photography and gaming. The phone runs on the brand's OxygenOS system and, like the new iPhone 12, it has 5G and comes with a high-tech camera. The screen also has vibrations as you use the touch screen to make it feel more responsive and as though you are touching physical buttons. Below, we go through the rest of the main specs on the new device. OnePlus 8T screen The size of the OnePlus 8T screen is 6.55 inches, the same as the OnePlus 8. There is also a tough Corning Gorilla Glass screen and 120 Hz Fluid Display which should be bright and sharp for clear images. Colours should also be bold and clean, thanks to certified HDR 10+. The screen boasts 8,192 variations of brightness which will automatically adjust for the most natural fit in any given situation - ideal for anyone who finds bright screens can irritate their eyes. OnePlus 8T design The device itself features an almost uninterrupted touch screen on the front, with no home button and only the front camera in the top corner. The phone is also relatively thin and lightweight. In terms of actual dimensions, here's how it measures up: Height: 160.7 mm Width: 74.1 mm Thickness: 8.4 mm Weight: 188g OnePlus 8T colours The OnePlus 8T is only available in two colours, unlike other devices by the manufacturer at the moment which are currently available in up to four. At release, the two colour choices are either aquamarine green or lunar silver. The silver colour has a matte finish which means it will be easier to grip and keep hold of than glossier finishes. OnePlus 8T camera There are four back cameras in total on the OnePlus 8T. There's a a 48 MB main camera lens and then a 16MP Ultra-Wide Angle lens which can capture 123 degrees in a single shot (that should make group pictures a lot less squashed). There are also two more lenses; a Macro and Monochrome lens and all four are situated within a rectangular space, plus flash, on the back of the device in the top left corner. For taking images in low lighting and after dark there is also nightscape mode, providing improved quality even in difficult shooting conditions. There is also a fifth camera on the front of the device which is 16MP and features Electronic Image Stabilisation, meaning your selfies should be clear and free from blur. OnePlus 8T charging One of the most exciting things about the OnePlus 8T for many smartphone users who familiar with other brands, is the long battery life. The handset boasts 4,500 mAh5 battery power, which essentially means it should be able to last the whole day. Even better, it has superfast charging so a full day's power can be achieved after being plugged in for just 15 minutes. A charger will also be included with your order (unlike with the new iPhone 12) which will be in the form of a Warp Charge 65 Power Adapter and a Warp Charge Type-C to Type-C Cable (pictured above). For more tech news check out our Technology section – find something to watch with our TV Guide