Tech tips for a safe summer
A lot has happened this summer: the football almost came home, the UK enjoyed a whole week of solid sunshine and we’ve proven to have a pretty top-class Olympic swimming team. As we reach the mid-point of the school holidays, there’s still plenty of time to enjoy the great outdoors before the nights draw in.
But did you know your mobile device is full of handy features to keep you safe this summer, no matter your plans?
Beach ready— It’s been the year of the staycation, and Britain’s beaches are packed with tourists — even on cloudy days. For those wanting to avoid the crowds, Beach Check UK could put minds at ease. Developed by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Tourism, the app uses data from CCTV and footfall monitors to give real-time updates on which local beaches are crowded, and which have more space.
Roaming around — If you’re planning to hit the road while your office is working remotely, you might want to consider boosting your device’s security. Whether you’re in a coffee shop or at the airport, use secure networks instead of free WiFi options.
To avoid a hefty bill, you’ll also need to check how you can use your current phone plan abroad. The easiest way to do this is to check if your network provider offers any form of roaming as part of its package in the country you’re visiting.
Stay safe — Your mobile device can act as a safety tool. Emergency SOS is already available when you take an iPhone out of the box, but there are other steps you can take. To set up an emergency contact on an iPhone, click on the Health app and press on the profile picture. Here, you’ll find an option called Medical ID and at the bottom of the page you’ll find an option called emergency contacts. You can entercontact information such as a relationship and their phone number.
Samsung phones have a feature called Send SOS Messages that allows you to press the side key three times to automatically message someone with your location. It will automatically attach pictures using your rear and front camera, as well as an audio recording of the moments before the message was sent.