Phone and tablet lessons · East Kent
Get to know the AI that's already on your phone
Recent iPhones and Android phones come with AI built in: assistants you can talk to, cameras that answer questions, and tools that screen unknown callers. Some of it is switched off until you turn it on, and the rest is easy to miss. In two hours at your home, on your own device, I'll find out what yours can do and set up the parts you'll use.
£149 · 2 hours at home
Home visits across Canterbury, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Faversham and Thanet. Evenings and weekends by arrangement.
What your phone can already do
The main built-in features in the UK. Each depends on your model and software, so the first job in a lesson is checking yours.
| What you want | iPhone and iPad | Android phones |
|---|---|---|
| Talk to an assistant | Siri. On iOS 27 the new Siri AI is in beta in English on Apple Intelligence models, with daily limits. | Gemini, now the main assistant on Android phones (you can switch back to Google Assistant). On Samsung, a long press of the side button opens it. |
| Point the camera and ask | Visual Intelligence on Apple Intelligence models. The free Gemini app's Live camera works on iPhone too. | Gemini Live with the camera, free. Circle to Search on Pixel 6 and later and many Samsung models. |
| Screen unknown callers | Call Screening in the Phone app on iOS 26 and later, plus Live Voicemail and voicemail summaries. | Call Screen on Pixel phones, and Call Screening on Samsung phones with Galaxy AI. |
| Scam warnings | See call screening above. | Scam Detection on Pixel: on by default for chat messages; for calls it needs a Pixel 9 or later and stays off until you switch it on. |
| Translate a conversation | Live Translation in Messages, Phone and FaceTime, and with AirPods. | Live Translate during calls on Samsung Galaxy AI phones (needs a Samsung Account), plus the Interpreter feature. |
| Tidy up a photo | Clean Up in the Photos app removes unwanted objects. | Photo Assist on Samsung Galaxy AI phones. |
| Help with writing | Writing Tools, now called Write with Siri in iOS 27. | Writing Assist on Samsung Galaxy AI phones. |
On supported models only. Apple Intelligence needs an iPhone 15 Pro or later, an iPad Pro or iPad Air with an M1 chip or later, or the iPad mini with the A17 Pro chip; Galaxy AI starts with the Galaxy S24. Checked October 2026.
What we can do in two hours
iPhone and iPad
Apple Intelligence, switched on and explained
We check your model supports it and that there's room: it needs up to 8 GB free on most devices. Your phone's language and Siri's language also have to match.
Android
Gemini, Circle to Search and the extras
Gemini set up your way, the Live camera tried on things around the house, and Circle to Search turned on if your phone has it.
Any phone
The free AI apps
ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude installed from the official store, signed in by you, with the privacy settings checked.
Calls
Fewer unwanted calls
Call screening and scam protection set up where your phone offers them, so unknown numbers are asked who they are before you pick up.
The everyday basics, while I'm there
It's fine to spend some of the two hours on the phone itself. People often ask about these.
- Bigger, clearer textText size, bold text and display settings, so the screen is comfortable to read.
- Storage that keeps filling upFinding what's taking the space and clearing it safely, which also makes room for the AI features.
- Software updatesWhy they matter for security, and how to let them install overnight.
- BackupsChecking your photos and contacts are backed up before anything goes wrong.
- NotificationsSilencing the ones that nag and keeping the ones that matter.
Free help, paid help, and going further
If you only need a quick answer about your phone, Kent's libraries run free monthly Digital Hubs with 30-minute slots and volunteer Digital Champions (book on 03000 410 950). They're a good first stop for simple questions.
A lesson with me is a different thing: two hours one-to-one in your own home, focused on AI and on staying safe from scams, with a printed guide written for your phone and two weeks of phone help afterwards. If two or three of you want to learn together, the friends and neighbours session covers up to four people for £199, which is about £50 each.
Apple says Siri AI and Image Playground have daily limits, and that expanded access will cost a fee in future, so it's worth knowing what's free today. To go deeper on one app, see ChatGPT lessons; for the camera roll, photo and video lessons; and for scam calls and messages, the scam safety session.
Before I arrive
-
Charge it and find the charger
Set-up uses battery, and there may be updates to install. -
Know your Apple ID or Google account
You'll type your own password whenever one's needed. If you can't remember it, mention it on the phone chat so we can plan around it. -
Think about what bugs you
A setting you can never find, a feature a friend showed you, a call you weren't sure about.
Questions people ask
Does my iPhone have Apple Intelligence?
If it's an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, any iPhone 16 or later, or an iPhone Air, it supports Apple Intelligence on current software. Older iPhones can't run it, but they can still use free AI apps such as ChatGPT and Gemini.
Is Gemini free on Android?
Yes. The free Gemini app includes Gemini Live with the camera and screen sharing. Paid Google AI plans, from £4.49 a month, give higher usage limits (checked October 2026).
What is Circle to Search?
A way to search for anything on your screen by circling it, on Pixel 6 and later and many Galaxy phones. On Samsung you switch it on in the navigation bar settings, then long-press the home button or handle.
Can my phone screen out scam calls?
Many recent phones can ask unknown callers who they are before you answer, including iPhones on iOS 26 or later, Pixel phones and Galaxy AI phones. Pixel 9 and later also offer Scam Detection for calls, which stays off until you switch it on.
Will I need to buy a new phone?
Usually not. The free AI apps don't need the latest model; it's the built-in features that do. I'll tell you honestly whether that matters for what you want to do.
Who you'll learn with
I'm Ross Hayes, and I live in Herne Bay. I come to you, we use your own phone, tablet or computer, and I explain things in plain English. I never ask for your passwords or bank details, family are welcome to sit in, and there's no selling on the day.
Start with a free 15-minute phone chat, so I can check what you'd like to learn and which device you use.
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