iOS 12.1 brings Apple SIM to iPhone XS & XR

Apple has released the first major update to iOS 12, adding support for eSIM technology that allows owners of an iPhone XR, iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max to use a software-based SIM card alongside their normal physical SIM card.

‘Apple SIM’ has been included in the iPad range since the introduction of the iPad Air 2, while the Apple Watch 3 also supports it. However, these are the first iPhones to support the functionality.

Many Android devices already support eSIM, but just as has been the case with previous innovations like Near Field Communication (NFC), the combination of Apple’s hardware and software encourages mainstream adoption.

iOS 12.1 Apple SIM

Its inclusion will allow users to switch between work and personal numbers without having to physically change SIM cards, while international roamers will be able to choose a tariff from a local provider – provided they support Apple SIM.

This is not only convenient as it negates the requirement to carry multiple handsets or SIMs, but it can also save money as mobile customers can shop around for the best deal when travelling, or test out a network before committing to a long-term deal.

EE is the only UK operator to have confirmed support for Apple SIM on the iPhone – it is already supports Apple SIM on the iPad and on Apple Watch.

Meanwhile, Truphone offers an eSIM that can be used across 33 countries.

However there have been teething problems in the US. Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint were all due to offer Apple SIM from day one but have delayed launch due to a number of compatibility issues. Of the three, Verizon has the biggest issues with PCMag reporting that when a Verizon SIM is pushed into the ‘secondary’ position, coverage reverts to 2G.

This means no data services and in some places no coverage at all as 30 per cent of Verizon cell sites are 4G-only.

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Custom plans help boost O2 revenues

O2 is already feeling the benefits of its custom price plans as an increase in handset revenue and 120,000 new contract customers contributed to a 7.9 per cent increase in revenues to £1.5 billion during Q3.

 The new tariffs were introduced at the end of August and allow customers to spread the cost of their device over the course of between three and 36 months at 0 per cent interest and are able to increase or decrease their data, text and call allowance on a month-by-month basis.

There are now 32.3 million users on the O2 network, a figure which also includes Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile and Lycamobile customers, with O2 also citing a strong quarter” for its B2B units and an increase in service revenue.

O2 finances

The company recently announced plans to bring 4G coverage to more rural communities in the UK, while it has also been trialling 5G at a testbed at The O2 in London. It’s most recent achievement was its first data test call on 5G using edge computing technology.

“O2 Custom Plans offer customers real choice, by giving them control, flexibility and transparency, and once again has driven the O2 point of difference in the market,” declared O2 CEO Mark Evans.

“Q3 saw us deliver strong commercial performance with continued growth in revenues and profitability as more customers chose to join us, stay with us and spend more with us. Our ongoing commitment to invest in our network includes enhancing 4G connectivity and preparing the ground for 5G.  As champions of Mobile we continue to build for the future, where Mobile is one of the most powerful opportunities to strengthen the UK economy and enrich our society.”

O2 was a bright spot for the wider Telefonica Group, which saw profit rise during the same accounting period. Telefonica abandoned plans to sell O2 following the failed £10.5 billion merger with Three having been impressed by the performance of the businesses during the process.

An IPO was mooted shortly after in 2016, but this was delayed because of an apparent failure to attract investors. Telefonica still plans to take O2 public but will wait until after Brexit due to market uncertainty.

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Nokia 7.1 is the smartphone you need for your perfect holiday

Forget “poolside poses” and “hotdog legs”. According to a recent survey commissioned by Nokia, over half of 1500 millennials believe creative selfies and landscapes attract the most engagement from followers. 

Perhaps that's why over a third of those millennials are found to be jealous of other people’s holiday snaps. After all, a landscape says a lot more about a holiday than a hotel swimming pool.

Getting those snaps right can be a challenge, though, particularly if you don’t have the right hardware in hand, and that’s why the new Nokia 7.1 is the ideal holiday smartphone. 

Its sharp, fast ZEISS optics, high-quality dual rear cameras and Auto HDR processing let you shoot carefree with high quality images. 

The Nokia 7.1 feasts on sunsets, handling low-light conditions with ease, while its quick autofocus helps capture spur of the moment action shots. 

If you’re struggling to take a picture of a friend or loved one—don’t worry, 55 percent of millennials admit they get help from tools and apps to improve their photos—extra features like Live Bokeh mode use the rear depth camera to blur out backgrounds. 

Live Bokeh is similar to using a big DSLR camera with an expensive lens, except in a pocket-friendly (and wallet-friendly: the Nokia 7.1 costs just £299) format. It’s like shooting in a studio, wherever you are. Live Bokeh works with the front camera too, bringing your selfies into even sharper focus.

Advanced camera skills

The Nokia 7.1 is also a master of sharing, which is ideal for the 56 percent of millennials that post their holiday snaps right there and then, rather than waiting to get back home. You can live stream to Facebook (which is still commands over 40 percent of photo shares) and YouTube directly from the camera app. 

With Google Photos as your built-in gallery, you get unlimited free storage for all your memories. Plus, the app can help you effortlessly search and share memories instantly. 

Google Photos recognises a meaningful moment like a summer BBQ or a wedding, selects your best shots and even suggests who you may want to share them with. So go ahead, search for a photo you took years ago with just a single word.  

The Nokia 7.1 is a great phone for holidays—but it’s not just about the camera. 

To keep your battery going, Android One phones such as the Nokia 7.1 prioritise background activity for your most important apps and even reduce power usage while in your pocket.  

With just 30 minutes of charge, it replenishes 50 percent of the battery. Even if you use the Nokia 7.1 to keep you entertained on a long flight, give it a quick boost once you land and it’s ready to carry on all night.

As an Android One phone, the Nokia 7.1 comes with Google’s latest mobile software built in. This combination of high-quality hardware and software generates an experience that’s smart, secure, and easy to use. 

The Google Assistant enables you to get things done quicker and easier while on the go. Google Photos allows an unlimited number of images to be stored in the cloud at high quality. You can also make use of Google Maps for directions and local information and use Google Pay for your purchases.

The price for all this reliability and creativity? In case you missed it: the Nokia 7.1 costs just £299 SIM-free, and you can head to Nokia.com to find out more.

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