PLATELL’S PEOPLE: Why online dating apps are such a turn off 

Tomorrow’s the day when loved-up couples exchange roses and chocolates and rejoice in their good fortune, while singletons lament their lot, hope for Valentine’s cards — and, perhaps, desperately swipe right on their iPhone dating apps. Right means you like the look of them, swipe left and it’s thanks but no thanks. Around half of … Read more

Femail reveals the alternative apps and services offering groceries and essentials within 24 hours

Supermarket websites have been strained after Boris Johnson announced the third national lockdown on Monday with shoppers racing to book delivery slots. Both the Sainsbury’s and Tesco apps reported problems due to surging demand, while some shoppers took to Twitter to reveal they were 4,864 in the queue for an Ocado shop.  Shoppers at some … Read more

Save smarter in 2021: ‘Autosave’ apps can analyse bills and spending

Smarter ways to save in 2021: The ‘autosave’ apps that analyse your bills and spending to calculate how much you can squirrel away Plum & Chip are two such apps that can help you with potential savings  Some round up payments to the nearest pound and stash away the difference Others look at your spending … Read more

Fitness apps and activity trackers a success in lockdown, study finds 

Smartphone fitness apps and wearable activity trackers really boost physical activity levels, a new study reveals. After analysing data of 7,454 people, researchers found smartphone apps or activity trackers increased physical activity by an average of 1,850 steps a day.  Apps and tracker programmes that included text-messaging involving prompts and cues, and more tailored and … Read more

Amazon and Sky agree TV partnership to host each other’s apps 

Amazon and Sky have agreed a new partnership to host each other’s apps for UK streaming fans in time for Christmas.  The deal means customers in the UK and Ireland can watch content from across both platforms in one place for the first time over the festive period.  From today, Amazon Prime Video, the US … Read more

The car management apps that now offer motor insurance

A car management app is launching a new product that promises drivers motor cover in under a minute. Caura says it is the first app that allows users to pay for and manage all aspects of their car through their phone. It has partnered with six insurers to cover nearly all UK drivers with the entire … Read more

Phone apps use camera to test for urinary tract infections

Two new artificial intelligence apps use your smartphone camera to screen for urinary tract infections (UTIs) or possible signs of chronic kidney disease. Designed to cater for people in lockdown, the apps from Israel-based health technology company Healthy.io claim to turn your smartphone into a ‘clinical-grade medical device’.    With the UTI app, called Velieve, users order … Read more

The best walking apps and websites for exploring the UK

With most UK Covid restrictions limiting us to local exercise, websites and apps listing the best walks close to home have been booming. The National Trust has seen visits to 1,300 walking trails pages on its website double already this month, while the Ramblers, which offers more than 3,000 routes on its website, has recently … Read more

Apple to make apps include privacy ‘nutritional labels’ that disclose what data is collected

Apple is requiring developers to include privacy ‘nutritional labels’ with apps that disclose what type of user data is collected The labels help users see developers’ practices before downloading an app Labels show if apps record users’ browsing history or location, among other data Some data-gathering is exempt, like info in optional feedback forms The new … Read more

Facebook begins publicly testing Dark Mode on iOs and Android apps

Facebook rolls out testing for Dark Mode for its iOS and Android apps five months after launching the feature on its desktop site Dark Mode reduces eye-strain in low-light areas and can save on battery life  Facebook has already rolled out Dark Mode for Messenger and desktop Now it’s rolling out more widely on the … Read more