US military approves Android phones for soldiers

 

US service personnel will soon be using many different mobile gadgets

Samsung phones running a secure version of Android have been approved for use by the US Department of Defense.

The approval is the start of a process that will see many different types of mobile devices used by US soldiers.

Approval for other Android devices as well as Apple phones and tablets is expected in late May.

Before now, ailing phone maker Blackberry was the only firm whose products were approved for use by US service personnel.

Fast growth

The approval of Samsung phones was the first step of a strategy that would let soldiers use many different types of devices, both smartphones and tablets, during their tours of duty, said DoD spokesman Lt Col Damien Pickart.

The approval would not necessarily result in orders for gadgets, he said, but meant different groups within the DoD could now buy the devices most appropriate to their needs.

The US DoD has about 600,000 smartphone users, said Col Pickart, about 470,000 of whom were using Blackberry handsets. The remainder was split between people using both Google Android and Apple phones in a series of trials to assess whether the devices could be used securely.

According to one report on Federal News Radio, the approval of other handset makers is part of a US DoD plan to more than double the number of secure mobile devices used by its armed forces by 2014. Alongside this will be built a secure system to manage all these devices and their associated app stores. Commercial bids to provide this are currently being assessed.

Blackberry handsets dominate within the US military because, before now, it was the only make to meet the Department's stringent security demands.

Samsung phones were among the first to win approval because of work done on a hardened version of the Android operating system called Knox that also met those security requirements. Gadgets that run Apple's iOS 6 operating system as well as other Android phones are currently undergoing testing by the Defense Information Systems Agency and are expected to be approved by the end of the month.

At the same time Samsung won approval, Blackberry 10 smartphones and Playbook tablets were also ruled safe to use on military networks.

www.tell-me-first.com

Apple shares fall 12% on growth fears

 

Apple Inc.

Apple shares have tumbled 12% as investors fret over whether the company could lose its dominance in the smartphone market.

About $50bn (£32bn) was wiped off Apple's value after the biggest daily drop in the firm's stock in four years.

Flat profits and record quarterly revenue of $55bn were not enough to overcome disappointment over sales of the company's new iPhone 5.

Analysts said the firm was in danger of becoming a victim of its own success.

Earlier, shares in some of Apple's key Asian suppliers also fell.

LG, which provides displays for Apple products, fell 3.1%, and Hon Hai, which assembles iPhones and iPads, dropped 3.2%.

at the same time Nokia are in profit and Samsung at now the  biggest phone manufacture in the world.

www.easyappsbisiness.com

Samsung's Galaxy S3 beats Apple's iPhone in Q3 sales

 

Samsung Galaxy S3's best-selling position is likely to be short-lived

South Korean electronics firm Samsung's Galaxy S3 has outsold Apple's iPhone 4S for the first time, becoming the world's best-selling smartphone, says research firm Strategy Analytics.

Samsung sold 18 million models, compared with Apple's 16.2 million sales, in the third quarter of 2012.

The Galaxy S3 "has proven wildly popular with consumers and operators," said Strategy Analytics' Neil Mawston.

However, Apple's new iPhone 5 is widely expected to reclaim the top sales spot.

Strong Galaxy smartphone sales helped Samsung report record profits in the three months to September. Net profit was 6.5tn won ($5.9bn; £3.7bn), up 91% from a year earlier.

But analysts say that one reason Samsung's phone was able to wrest the top sales spot from Apple's iPhone 4 was because many customers were waiting for the iPhone 5, which was launched during the third quarter.

The Apple iPhone 5 has already got off to a solid start and "we expect the new iPhone 5 to out-ship Samsung's Galaxy S3 in the coming fourth quarter", said Neil Mawston.

"Apple should soon reclaim the title of the world's most popular smartphone model," he added.

Legal struggle

Samsung and its rival Apple have been locked in a series of ongoing legal battles over patent infringement claims in various countries.

In October, sales bans in the US on Samsung's Galaxy Nexus phone and its Galaxy 10.1 tablet computer were lifted, in a blow to Apple.

Meanwhile, earlier this year, a US court awarded Apple $1.05bn (£652m) in damages, after ruling several of its software and design technologies had been infringed by Samsung.

Samsung has challenged that verdict and called for a retrial.

Analysts say that given the tremendous growth potential of the sector, the two firms' legal battle is likely to continue.

iPhone 5 up for UK pre-order: Will you be buying?

 

Phone 5 up for UK pre-order: Will you be buying?

The iPhone 5 is on sale a week today, but if you really want to be sure of landing one on day one, you don’t need to queue – pre-orders on several UK networks have opened already. Will you be getting one?

While EE and O2 are all keeping their cards close to their chest when it comes to iPhone 5 pricing, Three, Vodafone, Orange and T-Mobile UK have all put the iPhone 5 in all its flavours up for pre-order already.

Prices on contract at Orange and T-Mobile are almost identical, as you’d expect since they’re owned by the same company: the 16GB model starts at £109.99 on a £36 per month two year contract with 1GB of data.

Vodafone meanwhile has a slightly cheaper offer if you’re prepared to use less data on the go. You can get a 16GB iPhone 5 for £25 per month on a two year contract by paying £249 on contract. For the unlimited text and call package with 1GB of data though, you’re looking at £37 per month for £99 upfront.

Want one? You’d better act fast. Over in the US, pre-orders for the iPhone 5 have sold out in just a few short hours.

Will you be getting an iPhone 5? Is it Android all the way for you? Let’s hear where you stand in the comments.

Samsung to fix Galaxy S3 search function removal mistake

 

 

Samsung has admitted it made a mistake in releasing a software update that removed a search function from international versions of its flagship smartphone.

The "stability update" disabled the Galaxy S3's ability to search the web, contacts, apps and other on-device material through a single interface.

The move had been thought to be linked to Apple's claim that the innovation infringed one of its US patents.

Samsung said a fix was imminent.

"The most recent software upgrade for the Galaxy S3 in the UK included the inadvertent removal of the universal search function," it said in a statement.

"Samsung will provide the correct software upgrade within the next few days."

Patent dispute

Users who downloaded the update had not been warned that it would remove the advanced search function when the software was installed on GT-i9300 (S3) models available in the UK and other places outside the US.

It appears the firm meant only to prevent some US models from being able to use a Google-powered search tool to show information sourced from within the phone's memory in its results.

Apple has claimed the technology infringed its patent to a unified search interface which it uses in its Siri app to collate results from a range of sources.

The iPhone maker has launched a lawsuit over the matter in the US and had briefly secured a sales ban of another Samsung handset - the Galaxy Nexus - on the basis that the inclusion of the feature threatened "irreparable harm".

A Washington-based court will review the case on 20 August.

Apple's Ridiculous Patent

 

Apple's Ridiculous Patent

As if you needed more evidence that the US patent system is broken Apple has just been awarded one of the most ridiculous patents ever. The title? “Method for providing human input to a computer”

Here’s the Abstract from the filing:

The invention provides a method for providing human input to a computer which allows a user to interact with a display connected to the computer. The method includes the steps of placing a first target on a first portion of the user’s body, using an electro-optical sensing means, sensing data related to the location of the first target and data related to the location of a second portion of the user’s body, the first and second portions of the user’s body being movable relative to each other, providing an output of the electro-optical sensing means to the input of the computer, determining the location of the first target and the location of the second portion of the user’s body, and varying the output of the computer to the display based upon the determined locations for contemporaneous viewing by the user.

It gets better; the patent claims …

1. The invention can provide a 3, 4, and 5 dimensional touch screen or graphics tablet. In other words, the x,y location of the touch, the force or depth of the touch, and the vector direction of the touch (2 angles).

Of course, there’s no actual demonstration of this “5D” system and like so many modern patents this one amounts to a hand-waving (literally) exercise more along the lines of “what if” than anything concrete. Those issues aside, where’s the novelty?

I wonder how this patent will stand up to challenges and, should Apple try to exert what has become its intellectual property, how well might they fare in court?

it’s a mad mad mad mad world and getting madder

Apple iPhone 5: 4-inch display rumours gather pace

 

Anyone familiar with the Apple rumour industry – and it is very much an entire industry – will be all too familiar with the claims and supposed leaks that are starting to emerge as we inch closer to the announcement of another new iPhone.

And year after year, one of the most popular rumours is that Apple is going to increase the iPhone’s screen size to counter the ever-growing ranks of large-screened Android rivals around.

So it’ll be little surprise to see whispers of an iPhone screen size jump building yet again ahead of the iPhone 5’s expected arrival in the autumn.

The Wall Street Journal claims that a number of independent (but unnamed) sources are swearing blind that Apple has committed to “at least” a 4-inch display, with Reuters having since come out and said its own sources are saying the same thing. Which could of course mean they’re the same sources, but we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt for the time being.

The WSJ reckons Apple has already placed panel orders with a range of suppliers, including LG Display, Sharp and Japan Display, in anticipation of the massive tide of orders likely to accompany the launch of its latest handset in a few months’ time.

However, convincing as the latest claims may be, barely six weeks have passed since similarly believable rumours were doing the rounds that Apple was planning to stick with the 3.5-inch display size that has served it so well until now, while other rumours from around the same time spoke of a 4.6-inch display.

They can’t all be right, obviously, and given the sometimes highly creative nature of Apple rumours, they could all in fact be wrong. We suspect the argument is only going to be settled once and for all when the iPhone 5 actually launches. As for exactly when that’s going to happen, well that’s a whole new discussion.

www.tell-me-first.com

Samsung Galaxy v Apple iPhone - the smartphone duopoly

 

The excitement has been mounting for weeks. Fans have speculated about the precise specifications of the device, the company behind it has been doing everything it can to preserve the mystery and build up the anticipation. Yes, Samsung has learned quite a lot from Apple about the art of hype.

I've been to several major gadget launches - the original iPhone, Sony's PlayStation 3, Microsoft's Xbox Kinect - and last night's unveiling of the Galaxy S3 smartphone in London's Earl's Court may well have been the most over the top and extravagant yet. In the cavernous halls where everyone from Pink Floyd to Madonna has strutted their stuff, thousands gathered to see a rectangular slab of plastic and metal.

Why? Because only one smartphone has challenged - perhaps surpassed - the iPhone in terms of sales, technology and consumer appeal. And the latest version will undoubtedly set the standard for Apple and the rest of the industry to try to match.

For all the extravagant talk of a device which allows you to "live the life extraordinary", the latest Galaxy looks at first sight like any other modern touchscreen phone. It does have a bigger sharper screen than its predecessor, and some clever touches. There's a voice recognition function which seemed in the demo to do everything that Apple's Siri does and more, there's eye-tracking technology which means that the phone goes to sleep when you stop looking at it, and there's NFC (Near Field Communication) built in, allowing users to simply tap each other's phones to share content.

But at its heart is the latest Ice Cream Sandwich version of the Android operating system - and that's on plenty of other impressive phones from the likes of HTC, LG and Sony. Why the new Galaxy matters is that the previous models have established it in consumer minds as the number one Android phone - and in this business, it's increasingly apparent that the winner takes all.

www.tell-me-fitst.com

Top 5 dual-core smartphones of 2011

 

 

When the curtain closes on a gadget-filled year, 2011 will be remembered as the year that smartphones stepped up and delivered more power, better graphics and more features than inside Mary Poppins’ handbag.

With that in mind, in no particular order, we felt it was time to look back on some of the best dual-core smartphones of 2011. Here are our picks.

Apple iPhone 4S

OK, so it’s not quite the iPhone 5 that many Apple fans were hoping for, but it’s still quicker, and more feature filled than its predecessor. It comes with Apple’s dual-core A5 chip that Apple claims delivers twice the power and up to seven times faster graphics than the iPhone 4. Launching apps, games and browsing the web is noticeably quicker without having a drain on battery life. The addition of voice assistant Siri, a better eight-megapixel camera with 1080p high definition video recording and Apple’s iCloud cloud storage service makes the iPhone 4S a phone to beat.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus is a high-class performer packing a dual-core 1.2GHz processor. That means everything boots up and runs quicker than they would on non-dual-core smartphones, even when running multiple apps. Meanwhile the new Android Ice Cream Sandwich operating system makes the Nexus a pleasure to use. A new feature will even let you unlock the Galaxy Nexus by recognising your face. Like the iPhone 4S, it too records 1080p HD video.

Motorola Atrix

Shown-off at the start of the year, the Motorola Atrix may be forgotten by some, but this is one powerful smartphone that claimed to put the power of a PC in users pockets. It could be used with optional docks that enhanced its talents. It features a full Mozilla Firefox browser, Flash, and is adept at creating and editing documents on the go. Other features such as fingerprint recognition, faster web browsing and widgets made it one of the year’s best.

Samsung Galaxy SII

As feature sets go, the Samsung Galaxy S II is one of the smartphones of the year. On top of its dual-core processor, it features 16GB of memory built in, with capacity to upgrade to twice that. An eight-megapixel camera takes some great photos. If you’re not shy, a front-facing camera takes care of video calls. It also records full 1080p high definition, which look fantastic on the Galaxy S II’s 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display.

HTC Sensation XE

The HTC Sensation XE is a bit of an upgrade to the earlier released original Sensation, launched earlier in the year. It packs a punch, and features a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, and comes bundled with Beats Audio headphones that deliver some serious bass. Those looking for a top-notch phone perfect for browsing the web, watching videos and listening to music won’t find many better.

Apple iPad 3: What we’d like to see



Next year looks set to be a corker for tablets. In 2012 we could see the launch of the Amazon Kindle Fire in the UK, a new Microsoft tablet with WIndows 8 and of course, the Apple iPad 3. Join us after the break to find out the features we’d like to see on the Apple iPad 3.

Apple’s iPad 2 delivered on many of the upgrades fans wanted, but not quite all of them. Will the iPad 3 deliver? Here are a few things we’d like to see in the Apple iPad 3.

Retina display or equivalent 
Many believed that the Apple iPad 2 would be getting the patented best-in-class Retina Display that graced the iPhone 4. It didn’t. However Apple’s multi-touch capacitive screen is in need of an upgrade and a Retina Display or equivalent is a must.


A Better camera 
OK, so using the iPad 2 camera to take photos may draw glancing looks, but if it’s going to be there, it may as well be as spiffy as possible. Photo quality isn’t the best, especially at coping with indoor lighting. The iPad 2 does better with video. It can record in high definition at 720p, but we’d like to see the iPad 3 record in 1080p high definition – the same as the iPhone 4S. 




SD card slot 
Currently Apple mobile devices do not have an SD card slot. To get around this Apple stock a Camera Connection kit that lets users plug in an SD card reader and USB dongle. But if the Apple iPad 3 is to be the best standalone device it could be, there needs to be removable storage.

Apple A6 processor
Apple is said to be working on an A6 quad-core processor due for launch in Spring 2012. If ready in time, it would be a tremendous boost to the Apple iPad 3 and ensure that it would be more than a vanity upgrade. Webpages, applications and games will load much quicker, and really take the iPad 3 on par with laptops in terms of speed.

Siri voice integration 
This one looks a cert. Voice assistant Siri was one of the iPhone 4S’ flagship features, and we see no reason why Siri won’t appear on the Apple iPad 3. The iPad 3 has gained in popularity as a device to take to work, so the addition of Siri to create reminders, set alarms and organise one’s calendar sounds completely possible.

What else would you like to see in the Apple iPad 3? Let us know in the comments section below

What we want to see in the Apple iPhone 5



As the year comes to an end it’s time to get excited about what’s in store for gadget fans in 2012. One of 2012‘s most-anticipated gadgets is the rumoured Apple iPhone 5 – the potential successor to the iPhone 4S. Read on to find out more.

The Apple 4S will take a lot of topping, but it can be done. Here’s a selection of the features we want to see in the Apple iPhone 5.

A new form factor with a stronger buildThere’s no doubting that the iPhone 4S is a gorgeous bit of kit, but despite a more industrial design that has been in place since the iPhone 4 not a lot has changed. Apple has some of the best designers around, so it would be cracking to see an iPhone 5 that stands out from the crowd. It should also be tougher. Just one drop on a concrete floor is enough to make the glass case iPhone 4S shatter.

Faster processorThanks to the Apple A5 processor the iPhone 4S is one of the quickest smartphones around. However the next iPhone could be even nippier. Reports say that Apple has already begun work on a more powerful A6 quad-core processor, which we hope is ready by the time iPhone 5 rocks into town.

New ways to use SiriIt’s easy to be skeptical about Apple voice assistant Siri. After all, not everybody wants to speak to their phone. More dedicated Siri apps might help convince gadget fans of its worth, however. Just recently the clever Scribblenauts Remix game received an update letting players use their voice to play. We want to see more like this from Apple’s own apps to show us what Siri can really do.

SD card storageYou can get an iPhone 4S with up to 64GB of memory built-in. The addition of SD card support would up that further without the need to rely on Apple’s iCloud storage service for extra room. 


What else do you want to see in the Apple iPhone 5?

The best Apple iPhone 4S apps of 2011

 

 

Apple’s iPhone 4S is the latest Apple iPhone upgrade, bringing with it new features such as its voice assistant Siri, an eight-megapixel camera and 1080i video recording. Download apps and the iPhone 4S becomes even more fun. With that in mind we’ve picked out some of the best iPhone 4S apps of 2011.

Galaxy on Fire 2 HD Galaxy on Fire 2 HD is a souped up version of the iOS space shooter optimised for the iPhone 4S and iPad 2. Galaxy on Fire boasts over 10 explosion-filled hours of gameplay in a 3D universe spanning over 20 star systems. It’s a blast.

Instagram 
One of the good things about the iPhone upgrade is a better camera. With 8 megapixels to play with camera apps such as Instagram are given a new lease of life. Those rose-tinted Instagram photos look positively rosier.

Find My FriendsFind My Friends makes it easy to locate friends and family with your iPhone 4S. All you need to do is send a friend or family member a request to see their location and have them accept. A temporary sharing location can be activated on days visiting friends to let them know if you’ll make it on time, or to let them see that you’ve made it home safely.

iMovie 
iMovie has always been around, but if you own an Apple iPhone 4S, iMovie is even better by the 1080i video recording skills of the latest iPhone. As usual, owners can add sound effects, photos and trim the length of clips in just a few swipes of the finger, before sharing via YouTube.

Real Racing 2Real Racing 2 is one of the best racing games for iPhone 4S, if not the best. It features updated graphics especially for the iPhone 4S and over 10 hours of racing gameplay, 16-player online races and 15 locations to race in.

Modern CombatLike console versions, first-person games done correctly on mobile phones are good fun to play. Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation is one of them. It can be played with more than one player over 13 missions full of memorable scenes of action. Multiplayer mode is played out by 12 players across six exclusive maps. As iPhone 4S games go this is a complete package.

Cards 
This brand new app lets iPhone 4S owners create and send greeting cards with personalised greetings, photos and text to paste to pre-made cards that can be ordered from the app. Cards can be sent to anywhere in the world. Simply place your order and enter your Apple ID password.

Infinity Blade 2The most highly-rated game on the iPhone finally gets a sequel. And guess what? It’s even better, with new environments, three new combat styles and the fun gameplay fans remember. A must-have game for the iPhone 4S.

Shazam 
Shazam isn’t a new app by any means by it’s still one of the most handy to have around. It’s a music discovery app that tells you the name of any piece of music playing in the vicinity, the artist and album.

My Xbox LIVE
The My Xbox LIVE app has finally reached iOS devices. If you own an Xbox 360 and regularly play games over Xbox LIVE, you need this app. It lets you view and customise your avatar, check your Xbox Achievements and those of your friends. You’ll can even send messages to those on your Xbox LIVE friend list.

Top 5 Apple accessories every Apple fan would love by

 

Whether you own an Apple iPhone 4S, an iPad 2 or a MacBook Pro there are plenty of accessories you can buy for each. What’s more, with Christmas just around the corner, you’ve just enough time to get them on your list for Santa. Check out the Top 5 Apple accessories every Apple fan would love!

From keyboard docks to earphones, we’ve selected five accessories for Apple gadgets any Apple fan would love to receive. Read on for our top five Apple accessory picks and potential stocking filler ideas for the Apple fan.

Apple iPad keyboard dock

If you’ve got an Apple iPad you’ll find typing on its screen takes some getting used to. Thankfully you can buy a keyboard attachment that docks onto the bottom of the iPad – keeping it upright while allowing you to type away. The official keyboard docks are very compact, are made from aluminium, and have low profile keys. It’s also small enough to pop in your bag with your iPad 2.

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air

OK, so we’re using the term ‘accessory’ loosely here, but if you already own an iPhone or iPod Touch, the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air is one of the best pieces of kit for getting the most from your iTunes music collection. It looks and sounds fantastic. The latest model features AirPlay, letting you stream music from any Apple computer to the Zeppelin Air to fill up the room with sound. 



SoundMagic E10

Apple’s portable range of gadgets are well made, have some great features and are capable of delivering top-notch sound. But only if you’ve got a decent pair of earphones. The standard Apple earphones that come bundled do a job, but aren’t of the best quality. For fantastic-sounding earphones without the high cost check out the SoundMagic’s E10 earphones are the best in its class. They cost just £35 but to do the job of earphones up to three times the cost.

iPad Smart Cover

Got an Apple iPad 2? If so, these iPad Smart Covers are very good for protecting your tablet without the unnecessary bulk that usually comes with covers. A clever design neatly folds against the iPad 2 to protect its screen. The Smart cover even doubles up as a keyboard stand that folds into an upright position for comfortable typing.

Apple Magic Mouse

For Apple MacBooks and and the iMac Apple’s Magic Mouse is a wonderful accessory that uses the same multi-touch technology you’ll find in the iPhone. Apple’s Magic Mouse introduced the first range of multi-touch mouse that you don’t need to move to scroll through pages. It combines the same functionality of a two-button mouse without the buttons.

Got a favourite Apple accessory you’ve added to your Christmas list? Let us know about it in the Comments below.

Gadget of the year 2011

 

Gadget of the year 2011

 

2011 has been a fantastic year when it comes to new gadgets, with some truly epic technology making an appearance for the first time. From the Samsung Galaxy S II, to the Apple iPhone 4S, we’ve been rounding up the very best toys for our Gadget of the Year 2011 poll. Read on to find out more.

We’ve seen thousands of great announcements in the past 11 months, and it’s now time to vote on the best. We’ve gathered ten of the greatest devices from the past year – check out all the videos below, and vote to have your say in the Gadget of the Year 2011.

Nintendo 3DS With 3D technology making a bigger splash than any other year, Nintendo chose 2011 to launch its new Nintendo 3DS games console. With the ability to play games in 3D, it’s a great bit of kit.

OnLive With OnLive, there’s no need to own a gaming console, no need to spend money on a gaming PC, and you’ll be able to play some fantastic new titles online, via your TV, at great prices.

Apple iPhone 4S The Apple iPhone 4S may be evolution rather than revolution, but it boasts some great new features. We’re particularly fond of Siri, and it really is the more comprehensive and easy to use voice recognition software yet.

Virgin Media TiVo Finally, a TV on demand service that can take on the might of Sky+. Sure, it doesn’t offer quite the same choice when it comes to live TV, but the electronic programming guide is more comprehensive, you can record an extra channel simultaneously, and it has a better choice of programmes to watch on demand.

Sony HDR-TD10E With 3D TVs now making a widespread appearance on the market, the Sony HDR-TD10E lets you take full advantage, with this tiny camera recording high-definition video in 3D.

Samsung Galaxy S II The Samsung Galaxy S II is one of the first smartphones to truly compete with the Apple iPhone 4, and in many ways it’s the better handset. Can it win your vote for Gadget of the Year 2011, however?

Apple iPad 2 Apple revolutionised the tablet market with the iPad, and the Apple iPad 2 has taken things a step further. Smaller, lighter, faster, it’s still the best all-round tablet on the market, although devices like the Asus EeePad Transformer come close.

Samsung 8000 Series 3D TV Samsung offers a fantastic range of high-definition TVs, and the Samsung 8000 series is no exception. This stylish choice offers both high-definition and 3D, so it will still be up to date for years to come.

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air The Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin has become an iconic gadget over the past couple of years, with the latest version – the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Air – offering an additional handy feature – the ability to stream music from your iPhone without needing to dock it.

Nike+ Sports Watch powered by TomTom Work off any Christmas excess with the Nike+ Sports Watch, which uses TomTom technology to work out exactly what you’re up to and how many calories you’re burning. Check out the video to find out more.

Top 5 Apple iPhone apps to save and make you cash

 

Top 5 Apple iPhone apps to save and make you cash

 

In the run up to the holiday season when costs often run higher than earnings, it often pays to play a little clever and a little savvie with your wallet. Here we look at the top five apps for your iPhone that not only save you money but also give you the chance to make a little more!

Thanks to the wonders of super-fast 3G smartphones there are now more ways to save on the move by downloading free applications to help you save money and locate the best offers. Here are five iPhone apps to help save cash, and even make some yourself.

Appsmart

Appsmart is a clever app in that it helps you locate even more useful apps at lower prices. Once downloaded, Appsmart will alert users to any new apps on your want list drop in price. Users can discover these either by diving into Appsmart, or activating the push notifications alerting you to apps that are temporarily free, saving you money on that £6 game you’ve had eyes on. It may not sound like much now, but over time the savings add up to more than a bit of loose change.

eBay for iPhone

Whether you’re buying that gift you can’t get anywhere else or selling your unwanted tech, eBay is great for saving money and making a quick pound or two. eBay for iPhone makes maintaining auctions easy on the go. Menus display notifications on those watching, bidding and enquiring about your items. Search for bargains is also made simple by browsing the latest lists by category. A saved searches feature lets you revisit items for later without having to make a note of them. With thousands of users selling, you’re sure to save money on a hidden Christmas bargain not to be found on the high street.

musicMagpie

musicMagpie is aimed at those hoping to free up space and make some cash while doing so by selling old unwanted CDs, DVDs and games. The app makes it easier to sell your old stuff by scanning barcodes of items using your iPhone. Users simply register on the app, scan the items, and receiver an instant offer for their goods. A free courier service will pick the items up. Making money from your old stuff couldn’t be easier.

Quidco


Quidco is a moneysaving app with a difference where users actually make money by checking into shops. Quidco helps you to discover deals on the go. A Nearby Deals feature displays the nearest shops and amenities promoting the latest wallet-rescuing offers including the latest 2 for 1 restaurant deals. Some will reward you with cash once you check in. So for example you’ll receive around 25p for checking in to Debenhams, or Carphone Warehouse. By the end of a hard days Christmas shopping you’ll at least have enough to afford a much needed snack afterwards.

Voucher Codes

Voucher Codes is a formidable tool in any iPhone owners moneysaving armoury. The free to download and use app is updated daily with the latest vouchers, many of which cannot be found anywhere else for offers on tech, food, games, clothing and plenty more. And because it’s update regularly, you’ll always spot something new to save money on.

Apple iPhone 4S battery issues - is your iPhone affected?

 

Apple iPhone 4S battery issues - is your iPhone affected?

 

The Apple iPhone 4S may not be the revolution we were hoping for, but it’s still one of the best smartphones currently on the market. That said, some handsets do appear to be suffering from a big problem – battery life – with users making countless complaints. Join us after the cut to find out more.

The Apple iPhone 4S is a fantastic smartphone. The screen is excellent, the camera is impressive and it’s more than fast enough for any task.

This all comes at a price, however, with loads of users complaining of woefully short battery lives. Thankfully, it doesn’t appear to be a hardware issue, with iPhone 4 owners who’ve made the upgrade to iOS 5 also complaining of poor battery life.

Over the past week or two, users have been complaining that when fully charged, they’ve been unable to get a working day of use from their iPhones, rendering the handset pretty useless if there’s nowhere to recharge during the day.

If left without a fix, the issue would get even worse during the next year, as batteries will inevitably degrade when being charged two or three times a day, every day.

Complaints have also been made about handsets that get painfully hot during use.

We’re hopeful that a firmware update will do the trick, helping users with both the Apple iPhone 4S and the Apple iPhone 4. As it stands, Apple has responded by replacing some handsets at Apple Stores, although this seems a bit extreme.

We’d also like to point out that millions of iPhone 4S users have been unaffected by the problems.

Next-gen Apple iPhone could launch in September

This year could be a big one for Apple – we’re already waiting for the launch of OS X Lion later today, along with a refreshed Apple MacBook Air range, and it looks like the company could now have a launch date for its Apple iPhone 5 (or 4S, depending on what they call it).

The Apple iPhone 4 is already one of the best handsets on the market, but it’s faced some seriously tough opposition recently from the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S II. It may not have to put up a fight for much longer though, with the introduction of the Apple iPhone 5 as early as September.

Apple’s Peter Oppenheimer – the Chief Financial Officer – pointed out that sales of the iPhone during the last quarter of the year would be affected by “a future product transition” during September, hinting at the new model of iPhone.

Whether it’s an all-new iPhone 5, or just an updated version of the 4 – the iPhone 4S – remains to be seen, however. Would you buy an iPhone 4S? Or will you wait for an all new design? Leave a comment and let us know.