Apps & services

Another gemstone widget in the £300 set, shown with no separate comment beyond being part of the ugly collection.

Another overpriced gemstone widget that he dislikes the look of.

Excited about the expected Android 10 features, especially dark mode and desktop-style use, while hoping Google adds screen recording, AirD…

Suggested as an easy way to turn your Wi-Fi details into a QR code so guests can connect without asking for the password.

Recommended for scanning your passport and emailing it to yourself so you always have a copy to hand.

Handy app for sending photos, videos and contacts between devices with virtually no file size limit.

Calls its noise reduction one of the best photo hacks he has used, as it rescues grainy photos at the cost of a little sharpness.

Lets you share a Wi-Fi connection like a hotspot, useful when you pay per device or are only logged in on your phone.

Revokes app permissions and grants them only temporarily, which also saves battery.

Sounds a siren if someone unplugs or takes your phone while it charges in public.

Face-swap GIF app that works better than he expected.

His favourite kind of app: simple and solving a real problem by switching to a faster, more private DNS.

A hidden gem that expands keyboard shortcuts into full text without extra taps.

Simple home screen button that locks your phone, useful with a broken power button or a big phone.

Fun app with interactive video filters like snow, kaleidoscope and phantom effects.

Artistic world map visualisations you can capture and set as a wallpaper.

Shows real-time lyrics for music playing from any service, with a pop-up bubble option.

Lets you recover an accidentally swiped notification with one tap, within a time limit.

Replaces the notification bar with something cleaner and far more customisable.

Widget app for which he picked three distinctive widget packs.

Handpicked high-quality wallpapers with no rubbish, including landscapes and drone shots.

The most customisable third-party Pixel launcher he has seen.

Stunning, crisp Pixel wallpapers with 3D movement, available via a sideloaded app.

Gives complete lock screen control but is still in beta, so some things don't work properly.