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Cyber Monday Apple iPhone deals 2021: Best UK offers from Sky, Three – Radio Times

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Thought the iPhone deals were over? Cyber Monday is now here and we have all the best discounts on iPhone 13, iPhone 12 and more from iD Mobile, Three, Sky and all the major UK networks.

Black Friday may be over, but Cyber Monday is only just beginning – and so are a whole host of new deals. Our expert team has scoured the net and researched prices for the very best Cyber Monday on the iPhone 11, iPhone 12 and even the brand new iPhone 13. 

Vodafone had some of the best deals across most iPhone models over Black Friday, and the offers extend right through to the end of Cyber Monday – which means there’s still a chance to save 50% on a smartwatch connectivity plan with the iPhone 13.

Vodafone faces tough competition this Cyber Monday, so make sure you compare all the deals below to find the plan that is right for you, with  ThreeVirgin MediaSky MobileO2 also getting in on the price-slashing action.

However, there are also savings on buying a shiny new iPhone outright, with retailers such as Currys and John Lewis also an option for those not looking for a contract.

Those who are looking for a plan, however, could do a lot worse than Three, who are still offering six months half price on the new iPhone 13 Pro as well as a £100 voucher if you swap from another network, while Virgin Media are offering great bundle deals for a few more days, including the iPhone 13 from £30 a month with no upfront cost (36-month plan).

However, if you’d like your iPhone 13 with all-you-can-eat data, then iD Mobile are still offering one of the lowest-priced deals around, including unlimited data, minutes and texts for £39.99 per month and £29 upfront (24-month plan).

Here are the best iPhone Cyber Monday deals available today, as well as our thoughts and advice on which of the many models is right for you. If you’re purchasing outright, take a look at our best Cyber Monday SIM-only deals, and browse the sales at AmazonCurrysAOArgos and Very.

iPhone 13 Cyber Monday deals highlights at a glance

It’s been a good Black Friday weekend for iPhone 13 deals – here are some of the best offers still going this Cyber Monday:

When do Cyber Monday iPhone deals end?

Long gone are the days when Cyber Monday deals end at midnight – the time that Cyber Monday deals end depends on each individual retailer. For example, Vodafone and Sky have countdown timers showing that their deals will end at midnight on Cyber Monday, while Virgin Media has confirmed their offers will run through Wednesday 1st December.

If you have your eye on a particular deal, it is worth checking the retailer’s website to see when their deals expire. However, not every website states when their offers end, and products may well run out of stock – so it may be safer to purchase your iPhone on Cyber Monday just to be sure!

Cyber Monday iPhone contract deals available now

If 50-60GB of data sounds like plenty to you, then here are the best deals on mid-range data iPhone contracts. Unlimited data prices are in the table below, while handset-only deals are in the next section of the article.

Best iPhone Cyber Monday deals with 50-60GB data:

Best iPhone Cyber Monday deals with unlimited data:


Vodafone Cyber Monday iPhone deals

Vodafone logo
  • iPhone 13 | From £43 per month with £29 up-front (50% off a smartwatch connectivity plan)
  • iPhone 13 Pro | From £57 per month with £49 up-front
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max | From £43 per month with £19 up-front (plus save £312 on your airtime plan)
  • iPhone SE | From £25 per month with £19 up-front

Three Cyber Monday iPhone deals

Three logo

EE Cyber Monday iPhone deals

EE LOGO

Virgin Media Cyber Monday iPhone deals

Virgin media logo

Sky Mobile Cyber Monday iPhone deals

Sky Mobile logo

Sky Mobile offered 50% off its 60GB data plans on any smartphone as part of its Black Friday deals – a deal that is continuing throughout Cyber Monday. You may have to  hurry though, the offer ends at midnight tonight:


Mobiles.co.uk Cyber Monday iPhone deals

mobiles

The Mobiles.co.uk Black Friday sale is not offering too much money off the handsets but is instead boosting the data plans – however, be aware that deals end at 8am today.


iD Mobile Black Friday iPhone deals

id mobile 100x100

Currys, via its subsidiary iD Mobile, is offering one of the top iPhone 13 deals we have spotted so far.


Best iPhone handset only deals available now

If you’d rather not have a chunky monthly payment, you can always, of course, avoid the contract route and purchase a handset outright if the budget stretches. Handset-only prices tend to not receive as much of a discount as contracts, though we’ve discovered a few deals that would go great with a sim-only deal.

The iPhone 13 is the latest model and boasts a more powerful A15 Bionic chip and improved battery life, though, in our iPhone 12 review, we gave the phone four and a half stars, and it is still well worth purchasing. There’s more detail on the differences below, but if your mind is made up, here are the best Cyber Monday deals:

iPhone 13 handset-only Cyber Monday deals

  • John Lewis: claim up to £300 when trading in an old iPhone

We have been tracking iPhone 13 availability and where to buy in the UK as the mobile has been one of the many products to experience home delivery delays, so it is worth checking stock and delivery times.

Which Apple iPhone should you buy?

iPhone 13

Apple iPhone 13

Announced in September, the big selling point of the latest iPhone model is a powerful new A15 chipset and improved battery life. We give the mobile four and a half stars in our iPhone 13 review, praising the clear display, high-end camera setup and great battery life.

There are four variations of the iPhone 13 – the mini, standard iPhone 13, Pro and Pro Max. As well as price, each model varies slightly in terms of screen size and camera setup, so it’s worth considering whether you would like any premium features.

The iPhone 13 starts at £779:

The iPhone 13 mini starts at £679:

The iPhone 13 Pro starts at £949:

The iPhone 13 Pro Max starts at £1,049:

iPhone 12

Apple iPhone 12

It may be a year old now, but the iPhone 12 holds up well and is still an excellent purchase in 2021. The iPhone 13 boasts new features such as a faster processor and improved cameras, but it’s not a revolutionary upgrade that makes the iPhone 12 obsolete.

See our iPhone 13 vs iPhone 12 page for an in-depth look at the differences between the two phones, but we’re still very impressed with the iPhone 12, which bagged four and a half stars in our full iPhone 12 review.

At the cost of a few features, the iPhone 12 is somewhat cheaper than the iPhone 13 and has seen a few deals now a newer model is available. We’ll keep you updated with the latest and greatest discounts throughout Cyber Monday.

The iPhone 12 now starts at £679:

The iPhone 12 mini now starts at £579:

Apple itself no longer stocks the iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 12 Pro Max, but you can still pick up deals elsewhere.

iPhone 11

The iPhone 11 is the outlier here in terms of design and looks, but it still stands up well as a handset two years on from its 2019 release. Of course, if you want the very, very latest thing – this isn’t it. But the phone works well, and its A13 Bionic chip makes for a smooth user experience.

The main omission of the iPhone 11 is 5G and MagSafe, which were introduced on its successor, the iPhone 12. So if that level of connectivity is a major sticking point for you as a user, this isn’t the phone for you. Take a look at our iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12 rundown for more info, or find buying links below.

The iPhone 11 is now priced from £489:

iPhone SE

Apple iPhone SE

The iPhone SE is the best option for those on a tighter budget, but it’s still an impressive handset in many ways. It carries the same A13 Bionic chip from the iPhone 11, a very good 12MP camera and a great display.

The iPhone SE is now priced from £389:

Should you buy an iPhone 13, 12 or 11?

There are a lot of factors in play when deciding which series of iPhone to choose. It’s worth taking a look at the features and specs of the new iPhone 13 and comparing them to what you actually need. Do you want the very latest specs, or is the iPhone 12 still more than enough to keep you happy?

If you’re deciding which generation of iPhone to buy, read our iPhone 13 vs iPhone 12 guide. As we detailed in our iPhone 12 review, last year’s smartphone is no slouch: it’s compatible with MagSafe accessories, has a fantastic high-res display, fast A14 Bionic chip, 5G, wireless charging, good drop protection and more.

But the same can also be said for the even older iPhone 11 – which lacks 5G but still has a stunning screen, Qi wireless charging and a reliable camera setup. It won’t be the latest and greatest Apple phone, but not everyone actually needs that.

While the iPhone 12 (64GB) has an RRP of £799, it is down to £649 on Amazon. And if you can settle for the iPhone 11, even better. Last year, the iPhone 11 – which had an RRP of £729 when it was released in 2019 – was discounted to £489 (64GB) at Currys.

If you want to know the key differences between the two older Apple phones, read our iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12 guide – which will help you make a buying decision.

If you’re solely focused on the new iPhone 13, keep an eye out for trade-in deals, which retailers have offered in prior years. These could save you some money if you are upgrading devices. That said, stock has been up and down, so head to our iPhone 13 availability page to track retailer and network stock in the UK. If you’re not sure which handset is for you, read our new iPhone 13 reviews:

Are there new iPhone deals on Cyber Monday?

Again this depends on the retailer – some simply carry their Black Friday weekend deals throughout Cyber Monday, while some take the opportunity to add some brand new offers. Either way, our team of experts will scour the net for any new Cyber Monday offers and keep this page updated.

Want an Apple device but not sure which to buy? Read our guide to the best iPhone. Got an iPad? Here’s our guide to the best iPad accessories.

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The Internet is Littered in ‘Educated Guesses’ Without the ‘Education’

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Although no one likes a know-it-all, they dominate the Internet.

The Internet began as a vast repository of information. It quickly became a breeding ground for self-proclaimed experts seeking what most people desire: recognition and money.

Today, anyone with an Internet connection and some typing skills can position themselves, regardless of their education or experience, as a subject matter expert (SME). From relationship advice, career coaching, and health and nutrition tips to citizen journalists practicing pseudo-journalism, the Internet is awash with individuals—Internet talking heads—sharing their “insights,” which are, in large part, essentially educated guesses without the education or experience.

The Internet has become a 24/7/365 sitcom where armchair experts think they’re the star.

Not long ago, years, sometimes decades, of dedicated work and acquiring education in one’s field was once required to be recognized as an expert. The knowledge and opinions of doctors, scientists, historians, et al. were respected due to their education and experience. Today, a social media account and a knack for hyperbole are all it takes to present oneself as an “expert” to achieve Internet fame that can be monetized.

On the Internet, nearly every piece of content is self-serving in some way.

The line between actual expertise and self-professed knowledge has become blurry as an out-of-focus selfie. Inadvertently, social media platforms have created an informal degree program where likes and shares are equivalent to degrees. After reading selective articles, they’ve found via and watching some TikTok videos, a person can post a video claiming they’re an herbal medicine expert. Their new “knowledge,” which their followers will absorb, claims that Panda dung tea—one of the most expensive teas in the world and isn’t what its name implies—cures everything from hypertension to existential crisis. Meanwhile, registered dietitians are shaking their heads, wondering how to compete against all the misinformation their clients are exposed to.

More disturbing are individuals obsessed with evangelizing their beliefs or conspiracy theories. These people write in-depth blog posts, such as Elvis Is Alive and the Moon Landings Were Staged, with links to obscure YouTube videos, websites, social media accounts, and blogs. Regardless of your beliefs, someone or a group on the Internet shares them, thus confirming your beliefs.

Misinformation is the Internet’s currency used to get likes, shares, and engagement; thus, it often spreads like a cosmic joke. Consider the prevalence of clickbait headlines:

  • You Won’t Believe What Taylor Swift Says About Climate Change!
  • This Bedtime Drink Melts Belly Fat While You Sleep!
  • In One Week, I Turned $10 Into $1 Million!

Titles that make outrageous claims are how the content creator gets reads and views, which generates revenue via affiliate marketing, product placement, and pay-per-click (PPC) ads. Clickbait headlines are how you end up watching a TikTok video by a purported nutrition expert adamantly asserting you can lose belly fat while you sleep by drinking, for 14 consecutive days, a concoction of raw eggs, cinnamon, and apple cider vinegar 15 minutes before going to bed.

Our constant search for answers that’ll explain our convoluted world and our desire for shortcuts to success is how Internet talking heads achieve influencer status. Because we tend to seek low-hanging fruits, we listen to those with little experience or knowledge of the topics they discuss yet are astute enough to know what most people want to hear.

There’s a trend, more disturbing than spreading misinformation, that needs to be called out: individuals who’ve never achieved significant wealth or traded stocks giving how-to-make-easy-money advice, the appeal of which is undeniable. Several people I know have lost substantial money by following the “advice” of Internet talking heads.

Anyone on social media claiming to have a foolproof money-making strategy is lying. They wouldn’t be peddling their money-making strategy if they could make easy money.

Successful people tend to be secretive.

Social media companies design their respective algorithms to serve their advertisers—their source of revenue—interest; hence, content from Internet talking heads appears most prominent in your feeds. When a video of a self-professed expert goes viral, likely because it pressed an emotional button, the more people see it, the more engagement it receives, such as likes, shares and comments, creating a cycle akin to a tornado.

Imagine scrolling through your TikTok feed and stumbling upon a “scientist” who claims they can predict the weather using only aluminum foil, copper wire, sea salt and baking soda. You chuckle, but you notice his video got over 7,000 likes, has been shared over 600 times and received over 400 comments. You think to yourself, “Maybe this guy is onto something.” What started as a quest to achieve Internet fame evolved into an Internet-wide belief that weather forecasting can be as easy as DIY crafts.

Since anyone can call themselves “an expert,” you must cultivate critical thinking skills to distinguish genuine expertise from self-professed experts’ self-promoting nonsense. While the absurdity of the Internet can be entertaining, misinformation has serious consequences. The next time you read a headline that sounds too good to be true, it’s probably an Internet talking head making an educated guess; without the education seeking Internet fame, they can monetize.

______________________________________________________________

 

Nick Kossovan, a self-described connoisseur of human psychology, writes about what’s

on his mind from Toronto. You can follow Nick on Twitter and Instagram @NKossovan.

 

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Tight deadlines on software projects can put safety at risk: survey

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TORONTO – A new survey says a majority of software engineers and developers feel tight project deadlines can put safety at risk.

Seventy-five per cent of the 1,000 global workers who responded to the survey released Tuesday say pressure to deliver projects on time and on budget could be compromising critical aspects like safety.

The concern is even higher among engineers and developers in North America, with 77 per cent of those surveyed on the continent reporting the urgency of projects could be straining safety.

The study was conducted between July and September by research agency Coleman Parkes and commissioned by BlackBerry Ltd.’s QNX division, which builds connected-car technology.

The results reflect a timeless tug of war engineers and developers grapple with as they balance the need to meet project deadlines with regulations and safety checks that can slow down the process.

Finding that balance is an issue that developers of even the simplest appliances face because of advancements in technology, said John Wall, a senior vice-president at BlackBerry and head of QNX.

“The software is getting more complicated and there is more software whether it’s in a vehicle, robotics, a toaster, you name it… so being able to patch vulnerabilities, to prevent bad actors from doing malicious acts is becoming more and more important,” he said.

The medical, industrial and automotive industries have standardized safety measures and anything they produce undergoes rigorous testing, but that work doesn’t happen overnight. It has to be carried out from the start and then at every step of the development process.

“What makes safety and security difficult is it’s an ongoing thing,” Wall said. “It’s not something where you’ve done it, and you are finished.”

The Waterloo, Ont.-based business found 90 per cent of its survey respondents reported that organizations are prioritizing safety.

However, when asked about why safety may not be a priority for their organization, 46 per cent of those surveyed answered cost pressures and 35 per cent said a lack of resources.

That doesn’t surprise Wall. Delays have become rampant in the development of tech, and in some cases, stand to push back the launch of vehicle lines by two years, he said.

“We have to make sure that people don’t compromise on safety and security to be able to get products out quicker,” he said.

“What we don’t want to see is people cutting corners and creating unsafe situations.”

The survey also took a peek at security breaches, which have hit major companies like London Drugs, Indigo Books & Music, Giant Tiger and Ticketmaster in recent years.

About 40 per cent of the survey’s respondents said they have encountered a security breach in their employer’s operating system. Those breaches resulted in major impacts for 27 per cent of respondents, moderate impacts for 42 per cent and minor impacts for 27 per cent.

“There are vulnerabilities all the time and this is what makes the job very difficult because when you ship the software, presumably the software has no security vulnerabilities, but things get discovered after the fact,” Wall said.

Security issues, he added, have really come to the forefront of the problems developers face, so “really without security, you have no safety.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 8, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:BB)

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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Beware of scams during Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sales event: cybersecurity firm

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As online shoppers hunt for bargains offered by Amazon during its annual fall sale this week, cybersecurity researchers are warning Canadians to beware of an influx of scammers posing as the tech giant.

In the 30 days leading up to Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days, taking place Tuesday and Wednesday, there were more than 1,000 newly registered Amazon-related web domains, according to Check Point Software Technologies, a company that offers cybersecurity solutions.

The company said it deemed 88 per cent of those domains malicious or suspicious, suggesting they could have been set up by scammers to prey on vulnerable consumers. One in every 54 newly created Amazon-related domain included the phrase “Amazon Prime.”

“They’re almost indiscernible from the real Amazon domain,” said Robert Falzon, head of engineering at Check Point in Canada.

“With all these domains registered that look so similar, it’s tricking a lot of people. And that’s the whole intent here.”

Falzon said Check Point Research sees an uptick in attempted scams around big online shopping days throughout the year, including Prime Days.

Scams often come in the form of phishing emails, which are deceptive messages that appear to be from a reputable source in attempt to steal sensitive information.

In this case, he said scammers posing as Amazon commonly offer “outrageous” deals that appear to be associated with Prime Days, in order to trick recipients into clicking on a malicious link.

The cybersecurity firm said it has identified and blocked 100 unique Amazon Prime-themed scam emails targeting organizations and consumers over the past two weeks.

Scammers also target Prime members with unsolicited calls, claiming urgent account issues and requesting payment information.

“It’s like Christmas for them,” said Falzon.

“People expect there to be significant savings on Prime Day, so they’re not shocked that they see something of significant value. Usually, the old adage applies: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

Amazon’s website lists a number of red flags that it recommends customers watch for to identify a potential impersonation scam.

Those include false urgency, requests for personal information, or indications that the sender prefers to complete the purchase outside of the Amazon website or mobile app.

Scammers may also request that customers exclusively pay with gift cards, a claim code or PIN. Any notifications about an order or delivery for an unexpected item should also raise alarm bells, the company says.

“During busy shopping moments, we tend to see a rise in impersonation scams reported by customers,” said Amazon spokeswoman Octavia Roufogalis in a statement.

“We will continue to invest in protecting consumers and educating the public on scam avoidance. We encourage consumers to report suspected scams to us so that we can protect their accounts and refer bad actors to law enforcement to help keep consumers safe.”

Falzon added that these scams are more successful than people might think.

As of June 30, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre said there had been $284 million lost to fraud so far this year, affecting 15,941 victims.

But Falzon said many incidents go unreported, as some Canadians who are targeted do not know how or where to flag a scam, or may choose not to out of embarrassment.

Check Point recommends Amazon customers take precautions while shopping on Prime Days, including by checking URLs carefully, creating strong passwords on their accounts, and avoiding personal information being shared such as their birthday or social security number.

The cybersecurity company said consumers should also look for “https” at the beginning of a website URL, which indicates a secure connection, and use credit cards rather than debit cards for online shopping, which offer better protection and less liability if stolen.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 8, 2024.

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