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KELLNER: An iPhone 4S for all seasons

This is the kind of news that could give a GPS maker or a seller of small digital cameras “agita,” an Italian word for heartburn.

How about a pocket-sized device that can really and effectively take the place of a GPS or a small digital camera, and also works great as a phone, email device, text-message sender, music and video player, and Web surfer? Oh, and how about pricing it at $399 with a contract from one of three wireless carriers?

I speak of Apple’s iPhone 4S, released in October and received here recently for review. my test unit came with a stunning 64 gigabytes of storage, double the 32 GB of my “regular” iPhone 4, itself released about 16 months ago. you can buy an “unlocked” 64 GB iPhone 4S for $849, which is steep, but which frees you to use AT&T or any other GSM-based wireless carrier here and overseas, with or without a contract.

If Apple had done nothing else beyond doubling the storage on the device for the same cost, it would be a singular achievement well worth celebrating. but the firm added quite a bit more, including a dual-core processor for the phone, so let the cork-popping begin.

First, a word about Siri, the voice-activated software included with the 4S. Press a button and you can ask Siri a question: “What’s the weather going to be tomorrow?” Answers are generally fast and accurate, though there are some questions Siri can’t handle. Apple is calling this “beta” software, which means the program isn’t fully finished, that it will likely be tweaked and revised before a final version is released. but it is a tremendous addition to the phone, and one of the top reasons to get one.

About all that extra storage with the 64 GB model: as more and more applications are made available, we’re going to need more storage. I fully expect to see a one-terabyte smartphone at some point within my lifetime, probably within the next 10 years. For now, the 64 GB storage here is superb, expansive and wonderful. We’ll all find ways of filling it up, I’m sure.

One of those ways will likely be with the incredible high-res photos produced by the iPhone 4S’s eight-megapixel camera. I remember when, about 13 years ago, tech pioneer Philippe Kahn demonstrated a one-megapixel camera-in-a-phone; now we’re at a level that’s just stunning. The difference in photo quality between the iPhone 4 and the 4S is an order of magnitude. The new iOS 5 operating system for the iPhone – running on several generations of the device – allows “swipe” zooming when taking pictures; just pinch or expand two fingers on the screen to zoom out or in.

The camera – excuse me, the iPhone 4S – also shoots 1080p video, known to most of us as “high-def” video. That’s another plus, and perhaps another extra device no longer needed. Farewell, then, to the now-discontinued Flip video camera.

Now, there have been media reports about allegations of poor battery performance. I haven’t seen it yet, and, believe me, I’ve tried. The battery life on this review unit has been on a par with, if not a bit better than, the iPhone 4. in other words, I can go for a day or three without charging under “light” usage conditions. otherwise, as with my iPhone 4, I would charge the 4S at night and have it ready in the morning.

Even a nightly charge situation is better than any Android-based phone I’ve seen, where “battery drain” is a phrase one quickly learns.

This brings up another point: The iPhone 4S has the same form factor as the iPhone 4. if you’re stifling a yawn at that news, consider: There are tons of accessories for the iPhone 4 that’ll work with the 4S, including my PowerSkin battery pack/iPhone case ($69.99 at the company site), which doubles my phone’s power and which saved me on several overseas stops this year. in short, I can be productive and useful with the iPhone 4S and a bunch of extra items right now, instead of having to wait weeks or months for new gear to arrive.

Another very useful item: the ZeroChroma.com iPhone case/flip stand called the Teatro-S ($39.99). Set this up on an airplane tray table, plug in headphones, and you’re good to go with truly personalized in-flight entertainment.

Bottom line: The iPhone 4S is a great smartphone, a worthwhile upgrade, and is likely to be a coveted holiday item. Apple’s website says there’s a one- to two-week wait for shipment of phones ordered today, so a word to the shopping wise should be sufficient here.

• Email mkellner@washingtontimes.com.

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Apps Genius Corp Releases First Mobile App with Jersey Shore Star Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi

RED BANK, N.J., Nov 17, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) –Apps Genius Corp /quotes/zigman/5003062 APGS 0.00% , a creator of innovative social games and mobile applications, released “Snookify Me!,” its first mobile app developed on behalf of Jersey Shore breakout star and New York Times bestselling author Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi. the app allows users to “Snookify” pictures of themselves and their friends in a matter of seconds and post them to Facebook walls, email, or upload to a “Snooki” Gallery that allows other users to rate their “Snookify Me!” created pictures. Users of the app can choose from Snooki’s different hairstyles including Snooki’s famous “poof,” various clothing apparel, stylish sunglasses, flashy jewelry, and even tan themselves to look like the most popular of Jersey Shore’s cast members.

the “Snookify Me!” app costs only $1.99 to download and is available on both Google’s Android Market and Apple’s iTunes. Apps Genius’ “Snooki” apps information page is located at snookiapps.com . “Snookify Me!” is the first of up to eight social games and mobile applications for Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi that Apps Genius is under contract to create, develop, sell and distribute via an exclusive worldwide license with NEP Snooki Enterprises, LLC. Apps Genius is working to expand their Celebrity Entertainment Division and is vetting additional celebrities who are looking to monetize their brands through social media applications.

Screenshots of the “Snookify Me!” app are available at Google’s Android Market and Apple’s iTunes Store.

Snooki’s 5 top picks of user created “Snookify Me!” photos and the top 5 user-rated “Snookify Me!” photos can be seen at: snookifyme.appsgenius.com/top

a gallery of “Snookify Me!” photos can be seen at: snookifyme.appsgenius.com/gallery

the app was also unveiled at Snooki’s birthday bash on Nov. 12 at the Luxor in Las Vegas. to read the story published by Starz Life, please visit: starzlife.com/20111114/las-vegas-gets-snookified-at-snookis-birthday-bash-app-release-party/

“This app absolutely rocks!” said Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi. “My fans have been trying to get me to build apps for them to use. I have listened to all of you and I can’t wait for you to see the first of many that I have ideas for. I am getting a big kick out of seeing the Facebook postings of my “Snookified” friends!”

Adam Kotkin, CEO of Apps Genius, stated: “Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi and I worked into the wee hours of the morning last month to finalize the official version of “Snookify Me!” we designed it to be incredibly user-friendly, with lots of options, so that everyone can actually become “Snookified”–so to speak–on their phones. we are very confident that the fans and friends of “Snooki” are really going to enjoy playing with the app and sharing the images they are able to build. There are going to be so many “Snooki’s” on Facebook that Facebook will have to become “Snookified” itself!”

about Apps Genius Corp

Apps Genius Corp ( appsgenius.com ) develops markets, publishes and distributes social games and software applications that consumers can use on a variety of platforms. the platforms include social networks, wireless devices such as cellular phones and smartphones including the Apple iPhone(TM) and standalone websites. Our Entertainment Division focuses on leveraging the fan base of existing social media and entertainment brands to market apps and games developed. to date, we have released several applications including ‘Bed Bug Alert,’ an informational tool for the Apple iPhone(TM), ‘My Mad Millions,’ a game application for Facebook(TM), ‘Slap a Friend,’ a game application for the Apple iPhone(TM), ‘Bruisers,’ a game application for Facebook(TM), and ‘Crazy Dream’ Application for Facebook(TM). Apps Genius Corp’s goal is to develop and publish new titles on a recurring basis that are based on the same property and gamingplatform. Examples of this franchise approach are ‘My Mad Millions’ and ‘Rock the House,’ currently under development, which both utilize the same underlying platform. a core focus of our Social Gaming and Mobile Application development is to allow users and players to reach across different networks into a virtual application or gaming environment such as Facebook, MySpace, iPhone and Android and be able to play games and use applications from all users no matter what environment they are using the application in.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements about the future expectations of Apps Genius Corp, and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Apps Genius Corp intends that such forward-looking statements shall be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. since these statements involve certain risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, Apps Genius Corp’s actual results could differ materially from expected results.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery available: businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50076445&lang=en

SOURCE: Apps Genius Corp

Apps Genius Corp Adam Kotkin, 732-530-1267 or the Investor Relations Group Investor Relations: Adam Holdsworth, 212-825-3210 or Public Relations: Enrique Briz, 212-825-3210

EverydaySource.com’s Accessory Buying Guide for this Black Friday’s Most Wanted Gadgets

With all eyes on the biggest shopping days of the year, EverydaySource.com advises tech deal-hunters to dress up their Black Friday finds with bargain electronic accessories.

El Monte, CA (PRWEB) November 15, 2011

The Consumer Electronics Association predicts that electronics, especially wireless devices like tablets, cell phones, and eReaders, will make up two-thirds of all holiday spending this year. Cell phone accessories retailer EverydaySource.com is offering attractive discounts on gadget accessories to dress up the hottest tech gifts this Black Friday and Cyber Monday. further price cuts are in store exclusively for Facebook fans and email subscribers.

“Black Friday is the time for tech shoppers to splurge on the gadgets they’ve wanted all year,” said Jack Sheng, CEO of EverydaySource.com, “and we want to offer quality accessories to dress up their new gadgets without breaking the bank.”

2011 Hottest Gadgets 1) iPhone 4SWith a dual core A5 processor and Siri voice recognition software, the latest Apple release tops many wish lists this Black Friday. The iPhone 4S, available from AT&T, Verizon and Sprint, runs from $199 to $399.99. While no price drops are expected during the holidays, EverydaySource.com helps holiday shoppers stay on budget for iPhone 4S Accessories. iPhone 4S cases, with designs ranging from the practical to the fabulous, start at only $4.99.

2) iPad & iPad 2The iPad 2 is slimmer and faster than its predecessor and easily makes the list of the most wanted gadgets of 2011. Available with Wi-Fi and 3G options from AT&T and Verizon, iPad 2 models range in price from $499 to $829. EverydaySource.com offers an array of iPad accessories starting as low as $8.99. iPad leather cases with stands, screen protectors and TPU skin cases are some of this season’s best sellers.

3) Kindle FireFor $200 (less than half the price of many other tablets), the Kindle Fire lets users stream movies, surf the net and more on its touch-based colored display. The standard Kindle is now only $79. To help customers save even more, EverydaySource.com has Kindle Accessories compatible with all Kindle models from the Original Kindle to the Kindle Touch and the latest Kindle Fire.

4) HDTVs and monitorsBlack Friday is the perfect time for shoppers to finally splurge on a big LCD monitor for the home office or a big HDTV for the home theatre. The missing link? Quality HDMI cables to hook everything up. The truth about HDMI cables is that there is no difference between a $100 branded cable and a bargain version. EverydaySource.com offers quality HDMI cables for home theater and wireless devices starting as low as $9.

EverydaySource.com is currently the #3 globally ranked eBay seller with over 1.9 million positive feedbacks. Founded in 2000, EverydaySource.com offers high quality, affordably priced electronic accessories with a hassle free shopping experience and a 100% Money back Guarantee. with over 47,000 listings in 8 product categories, EverydaySource.com is a one stop shop for all accessories for cell phones, tablets, computers, MP3 players, video games, digital cameras, and home theaters.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: prweb.com/releases/prweb2011/11/prweb8965106.htm

Smartphone war: Google’s Android in 52 per cent of smartphones sold in Q3: Gartner

Google’s Android software is on many smarphones today. Photo: AFP

Since January, Google’s Android has worn the crown as the most widely used smartphone operating system worldwide.

But in the third quarter of the year (July through September), Android ran on an estimated 52.5 per cent of all smartphones sold, “more than doubling its market share from the third quarter of 2010”, according to a new study from the Gartner research firm.

There are dozens of Android smartphones from dozens of manufactures on just about every carrier and at every price point imaginable, it seems. And the growth of Android, so far, has no major obstacle in its way.

Advertisement: story continues below

“Android benefited from more mass-market offerings, a weaker competitive environment and the lack of exciting new products on alternative operating systems such as Windows Phone 7 and RIM,” said Roberta Cozza, Gartner’s principal research analyst, in a statement. ”Apple’s iOS market share suffered from delayed purchases as consumers waited for the new iPhone. Continued pressure is impacting RIM’s performance, and its smartphone share reached its lowest point so far in the US market, where it dropped to 10 per cent.”

The smartphone market grew 42 per cent year over year in the third quarter, with about 115.2 million handsets sold worldwide, Gartner said.

The overall mobile phone market grew by 5.6 per cent from a year ago with about 440.5 million phones sold, the study said, with smartphones making up 26 per cent of the overall market.

The third quarter marks the first time Android has taken more than 50 per cent of the smartphone market, Gartner said. in the second quarter of the year, Android accounted for 43.4 per cent of all smartphones sold, up from 17.2 per cent a year earlier, the firm said in an earlier study.

Apple’s iPhone sales were down slightly, according to Gartner’s data, with about 15 per cent of all smartphones sold last quarter being iPhones. in the third quarter of 2010, about 16.6 per cent of smartphones sold were iPhones, Gartner said.

Despite a market share drop, actual sales of the iPhone were up in the third quarter from 13.5 million in 2010 to 17.3 million in 2011, the study said. the firm projected that the iPhone’s sales, and possibly its market share, would increase in the final quarter of the year as consumers take to the latest iPhone 4S and the older iPhone 4 and 3GS have had price cuts.

Research in Motion’s BlackBerry smartphones lost market share in the third quarter to Android as well, dropping to 11 per cent from a 15.4 per cent slice in 2010, Gartner said. Actual sales, however, remained steady between the two quarters, with about 12.7 million BlackBerry phones sold in Q3 2011 and 12.5 million sold in Q3 2010, the study said.

LA Times

Apple Iphone 3g 16gb (at&t) 4.2.1 – Black

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Apple iPhone 3G 16GB (AT&T) 4.2.1 – Black!!!

you are bidding on a Black Apple iPhone 3G 16GB. this item has been thoroughly evaluated by our professionals here at AllTech, and has been determined to be fully functional. this item was owned and used previously by an individual. Product shows signs of heavy wear and frequent use. Cosmetic flaws may include scratches, scuffs, and/or dents, and the display may have clearly visible scratching or scuffing.

The main housing of the phone has sustained serious cosmetic damage.

Please note that we only ship to the continental U.S. (lower 48 states) – We do not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, nor internationally.

this is NOT the actual picture, but rather a stock photo of this item. Please refer to detailed description below for exact condition.

this item was previously owned but has been thoroughly tested. if this item includes a battery, it is a used battery, and we cannot guarantee battery life.

Product shows signs of heavy wear and frequent use. Cosmetic flaws may include scratches, scuffs, and/or dents, and the display may have clearly visible scratching or scuffing.

Numerous amounts of scratches and/or scuffs/nicks can be found over a majority of the housing.
There is an above normal amount of scratches on the display lens, some are easily visible.
The chrome bezel that surrounds the display lens has a heavy amount of scratches.
There are visible dust particles trapped beneath the display lens. Usually hard to notice it unless the screen is off.

this item has been professionally tested by our technicians in all areas and is guaranteed to be completely functional.

what Is Included:

Battery

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this Product Specification is for INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. For specific color, condition, and accessories please refer to listing information above.

General Product Type – with digital camera/digital player, Smartphone Service Provider – AT&T Width – 2.4 in Depth – 0.5 in Height – 4.6 in Weight – 4.7 ozCellular Technology – WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM Band – WCDMA (UMTS) / GSM 850/900/1800/1900 Antenna – Internal Polyphonic Ringer – Yes call Timer – Yes Conference call Capability – Yes Speakerphone – Yes Wireless Interface: IEEE 802.11g IEEE 802.11b Bluetooth 2.0 EDRCommunicator Features Operating system – OS X User Memory – 16 GBMessaging & Data Services Mobile Email – Yes Supported Email Protocols: POP3 IMAP4 GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) – Yes EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates For Global Evolution) – Yes Internet Browser – Yes HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) – Yes Messaging / Data Features: Microsoft Excel support PDF support Microsoft Word supportDigital Camera Sensor Resolution – 2 megapixelsOrganizer Calculator – BasicDisplay Type – LCD display Technology – TFT display Resolution – 320 x 480 pixels Diagonal Size – 3.5 in Color Support – Color display Illumination – Color, White Digital Player (Recorder) Supported Digital Audio Standards: MP3 AIFF Apple Lossless AAC WAVMemory Internal Shared Memory – Yes Flash Memory – 16 GBConnections Connector Type 1 x Headset jack – Mini-phone 3.5 mm 21612955

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Christmas 2011: Best tech gifts for your sister

Published on Nov 17, 2011

Christmas is a hectic time of year. Younger generations hurriedly work their way through the Argos catalogue. Young men and women wake up with a pounding headache on an almost daily basis. anyone above sixty sleeps once the presents have been opened.

Of course, this all assumes you’ve survived the actual build up to Christmas, which is arguably far worse. Braving town centres, carefully spending your pennies, picking presents – it’s all more testing than it should be.

Well, fear not, gadget lover! Here’s a selection of mobile and tablet-related gifts your sister, or any relations of the fairer sex, would probably love to own. maybe.

HTC RhymeIn our experience, a phone needs to be slightly more aesthetically pleasing to attract the average women, if there is such a thing. unless it’s Apple, white in colour, or a mixture of both, it’s probably going to struggle.

That was until the HTC Rhyme and its plum paintjob came along. This Android 2.3 device packs a 3.7-inch display, a fairly good camera and a plethora of extra accessories like matching headphones and a docking station.

It’s not the sort of phone the average tech-head would think twice about, but its combination of style and portability makes it a phone your sister might love to own. If we’re honest, we’re a bit partial to its purple ways ourselves.

Zikmu Parrot by Starck iPod / iPhone speaker dockWe were lucky enough to have the Zikmu Parrot Starck £1000 iPod dock for about a month, because these stylish floorstanders not only look rather splendid, they pack one hell of a punch, too.

Thanks to the combination of speakers they boast a 360 degree sound, which fills a room of any size nicely, and the downward facing larger speaker ensures you get a great balance between those heavy-hitting lows and the all-important mids and treble. It’s a nicely balanced sound, if your music is of reasonably quality. Tinny downloads will have their poor quality enhanced.

These speakers look fantastic, particularly in the red colour, which means they tick the looks box. Factor in good sound quality and their insane cost and it’s likely your sister will be incredibly grateful. Just expect the thumping bass to annoy your neighbours and anyone else who lives in the house.

Apple iPad 2It’s obvious most people would enjoy a free iPad, which makes it a great gift. It’s got access to more apps than you will ever need or use, the ability to play music, browse the internet, check emails and all without needing to lug about a heavy device.

Sure, a well-specced laptop would probably be better for work purposes, but for showing off around the Christmas tree it has few rivals. It’s not cheap, but once your sister is bored of it you can always ‘borrow’ it for your own use.

Nokia Lumia 800There are a few phones out there that both men and women can really appreciate and the Nokia Lumia 800 is one of them. Windows Phone is the best looking operating system on the market and the Lumia’s black, cyan or pink casing appeals to anyone with eyes.

The Lumia 800 is a very capable handset, too, and one that deals with social networking better than anything else, thanks to Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn integration combined with its ability to group people together in the People Hub.

The Lumia 800 is a phone anyone would appreciate, but considering it’s so easy to use, we think it’s one of the few smartphones we would recommend to anyone, regardless of gender, age and intelligence.

If your sister wants something that isn’t an iPhone, the Lumia 800 is definitely worth considering.

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Ditching the work-issued BlackBerry (Ask Maggie)

Corporate types are kissing their company-issued BlackBerry smartphones buh-bye. And ask Maggie is here to help the newly liberated choose a smartphone of their own.

Companies large and small are recognizing the benefits of allowing their employees to bring their own smartphones into work rather than issuing them devices. Additional on-device security features and productivity apps on GoogleAndroid, AppleiPhone, and Microsoft Windows Phone smartphones is making corporate IT departments more comfortable with opening the networks to other devices, too.

But with so many smartphones to choose from, where does a smartphone newbie begin? In this edition of ask Maggie I offer some advice.

I also offer some suggestions to another reader who loves his iPhone but misses his old physical keyboard on his BlackBerry.

Ask Maggie is an advice column that answers readers’ wireless and broadband questions. The column now appears twice a week on CNET offering readers a double dosage of ask Maggie’s advice. if you have a question, I’d love to hear from you. please send me an e-mail at maggie dot reardon at cbs dot com. And please put “Ask Maggie” in the subject header. you can also follow me on Facebook on my ask Maggie page.

Dear Maggie,So, an interesting question. My workplace is switching from an employer-provided BlackBerry to an Exchange Sync policy, where you bring your own smartphone, and the employer reimburses you for the data plan and line charge (but not the minutes). since I’ve had a work-provided BlackBerry (which I hate) for about six years, I’ve never needed a smartphone. instead, I’ve owned just a “dumb phone” that I use about 10 minutes a month. now, that I need a smartphone, I’m torn in about three different ways:

1. My only Apple purchase has been myiPad 2….AND I LOVE IT. (Hard for an old PC guy to say.)…

2. Windows Phone looks promising…but

3. The newest latest greatest Android (I rooted my Nook Color, but I found getting the apps to work on a regular basis was too time-consuming and I just gave in and purchased the iPad 2.)

I presently use Verizon, but DON’T have an ETF so I am free to switch carriers.

I’d love to know your thoughts.

Dear mark,You’ve just touched on a very important trend in the smartphone market. more and more companies, both large and small, are allowing their workers to bring their own devices to work with them. In fact, executives at IBM recently said that by the end of 2011 more than 100,000 of its employees will be supplying their own smartphones.

It makes sense. Employees are tired of carrying around two devices: one for work and one for play. And companies are tired of paying for these work devices.

So now that you’ve been liberated from your BlackBerry, which smartphone operating system should you choose? It’s impossible to say that one OS is simply better than the other. (I know some people will vehemently argue the benefits of one OS over another, but I have no allegiance to any of them.) And certainly there is not one phone that fits all consumers’ needs.

The OS and device that is right for you, really comes down to a personal preference. do you like the physical design of the product? Does it feel good in your hands? what kinds of apps or functionality do you expect? is it important to you that you can customize the device or do you prefer ease of use? these are all questions you should ask yourself when deciding on a new smartphone.

The technology is advancing so fast that features are changing all the time. So a device that you might love today, may seem outdated next month.

Google Android devices are generally more cutting-edge when it comes to hardware specifications (at least at the moment). they have larger screens, faster processors, and they’re the only phones operating on Verizon’s fast 4G LTE network. but there are multiple versions of the software, which can make dealing with apps an issue. And these phones are often buggy. I’ve gotten tons of e-mails from frustrated users who are annoyed that their Android phones make phantom phone calls, freeze up, or automatically go into airplane mode for no apparent reason.

Also, it’s difficult to know when a new version of the Android OS comes out if and when your device will get the software. And even if you do get the upgrade, sometimes it causes more problems than it’s worth.

But because Android is open-source, it also provides the most opportunity for customization. So if you like fiddling with your phone and might be frustrated by potential limits that a more closed software OS offers, then Android may be the platform for you.

Android is also a great choice if you already are using a lot of Google applications, like Gmail or Google calendar. The Google apps you may already be using are tightly integrated into the Android phone. I also think that Android offers the best map and turn-by-turn navigation in a smartphone.

Microsoft’s Windows Phone is the new kid on the block. as a Verizon customer, the first thing you’ll notice is there aren’t a lot of choices when it comes to Windows Phone yet. That will likely change next year. but for the moment, it looks like AT&T is the place to be for Windows Mobile devices. The carrier just announced two new devices from Samsung that look appealing. And it’s sure to get others later this year and in the new year. Windows Phone doesn’t yet operate on 4G LTE, but again this capability will likely be announced in phones coming in 2012.

The benefit of Windows Phone is that it’s an intuitive user interface. I quite like the “active” tiles that provide one-click access to apps like Facebook and Twitter. The new Mango Windows Phone 7.5 software has added a lot of new capability. And in terms of most functionality, the Windows Phone is on par with Android and Apple’s iOS.

For business users, I think Windows Phone is a good fit because of the tight integration with Microsoft Office. So it’s definitely a platform worth considering. but it’s still early days, so the app library is still evolving. You’ll likely find the most popular apps available, but some newer more obscure ones found on Android Market or in the Apple App Store may not be available just yet for Windows Phone.

And then there is Apple’s iPhone 4S, which is sure to be one of the most, if not the most, popular smartphones for the next couple of quarters. The device has already broken all previous sales records and it’s only been available for about a month.

Not much has changed on this version of the iPhone compared with the iPhone 4 model. There is a dual-core processor and an improved camera. And of course, the new Siri personal assistant app that uses voice recognition. In all honesty, Apple’s products are never at the top of the heap in terms of using cutting-edge components. but the way Apple packages it all together–from the industrial design of the hardware to the ease of use that goes into its software–make it a popular product for technophiles and smartphone newbies alike.

Based on the information you provided in your question, I can recommend the iPhone 4S to you without hesitation. you already love your iPad 2, so whether you want to admit it, you’re an Apple convert. as an iPad 2 owner, you’ll already be familiar with the iOS interface and using Apple’s App Store. And even though it’s not necessary to have your smartphone and tablet using the same OS, it certainly doesn’t hurt.

But I also get the sense from your question that you’re not entirely convinced that the iPhone 4S is the smartphone for you. So, my suggestion to you is that you sit down and really think about what is important to you.

Regardless of whether you buy a Google Android, Microsoft Windows Phone 7.5, or Apple iOS smartphone you will be able to do many of the same things that you expect from a smartphone. You’ll be able to check both personal and work e-mail, access social-networking sites, surf the Net, get location-based services, listen to music, watch videos, play games, and download loads of other apps.

Figuring out the right platform for you really depends on which of these activities is most important and whether you value ease of use over customization or top-of-the-line hardware over functionality.

So before you make a decision, check out some phones at a local carrier store, go to your local Verizon Wireless store or a Best buy mobile location and play around with the phones on display. see which ones feel better in your hand and which interfaces you like. And ask your friends and coworkers what kind of smartphone they like. (If they’re younger than 45, chances are they already have a smarpthone.)

If you decide to go with something other than the iPhone, figure out whether you want an Android or a Windows Phone and then start narrowing down your hardware choices. if you still can’t decide, write to me again with a couple of choices and I’ll offer my opinion again.

Good luck! I think you’re going to have some fun.

Dear Maggie, I love the column. I have an iPhone 4, and I like everything about the phone except typing on a virtual keyboard. It’s the one thing I miss about my old BlackBerry. are there any options for me to use a portable or foldable keyboard with the phone? if not I have to hope RIM can make a decent phone with BBX or I’m stuck tapping at glass!

Dear Anthony,I’m glad you like the column! you are not the only smarpthone subscriber out there who misses a physical keyboard. I hear this a lot from readers. And even though Apple has one of the better virtual keyboards on the market, it can still be annoying to type on glass rather than on actual keys.

Sometimes it's good to let things slide.

(Credit:Concord Keystone)

I’ve got some good news for you. For $49.99 you can buy the Concord Keystone Eco Slider case and turn your iPhone 4 into a smartphone with a real keyboard. The Slider case snaps onto your iPhone 4 and connects to the phone through Bluetooth. With a full phone charge, you can get about 30 hours of typing time, according to CNET blogger Amanda Kooser.

I haven’t tried this slide-out keyboard case, so I can’t vouch for how well it works. if you’re looking for phones that do have slider keyboards as part of the design, there are tons of Google Android phones with slide-out keyboards. AT&T, T-Mobile USA, and Verizon Wireless have a pretty decent selection of phones with keyboards.

Here’s a short list of Google Android phones that you might consider.

Verizon Wireless:

Samsung Stratosphere
Motorola Droid 3
Samsung Epic 4G

AT&T:

Samsung Captivate Slide
Samsung Double Time

T-Mobile USA:

HTC G2
HTC myTouch 4G Slide

The other option is to keep hoping and believing that RIM will soon get its act together and come out with some really great BlackBerry devices. The company has recently released some new devices that use the updated BlackBerry 7 OS, but BBX phones are still a ways off. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you and other BlackBerry fans.

PlugBug can charge MacBook and iPhone simultaneously

As much as I love traveling, I don’t like the fact that I have to bring many chargers for my numerous gadgets. I wish there’s a universal gadget for all of my Apple products. this PlugBug could be the answer to my prayers as it turns the MacBook charger into an iPhone charger.

The PlugBug can even charge the MacBook and iPhone at the same time from an electrical outlet. this means less cables and less clutter. the red PlugBug provides fast charging to the iPhone and iPad with 10 watts of power.

Making the PlugBug more of a winner is the fact that it also works as an international power converter. Meaning you can use it everywhere as it can ‘convert an international MacBook Power Adapter into a North American compatible adapter’ as described.

PlugBug Charger is available for $35.

Solar Charger

Solar charger is a type of equipment that can convert the solar energy into electrical energy that can be stored in the battery. Fashion News: cold room panels suppliers are in the First Place All over the World the storage battery can be any form of electrical storage devices, mainly are lead-acid batteries, lithium batteries, nickel metal hydride battery; the load might be a smart phone and other digital goods with a wide diversity. The Myths of walk in cooler and freezer You should know Solar charger has 5 highlight Light emitting diode which may be utilized for everyday lighting and emergency lighting! it has many excellent points like modest size, great compatibility, cost-effective, high capacity and lengthy life, suitable for business trip, tourism, long-distance travel, field operations and standby power for students also as emergency lighting. Guide for buyers: You’ll find 3 key points to judge regardless of whether a mobile phone solar charger is very good or not: First of all, service efficiency. Service Efficiency includes two aspects: the conversion efficiency of solar panels and the secondary conversion efficiency. Conversion efficiency of solar panels, as the name suggests, refers to the efficiency of light energy into electricity; also, the secondary conversion efficiency indicates the efficiency of storage battery after the light energy converted into electrical energy. Secondly, the storage battery’s top quality and capacity. the capacity of battery is normally 1.twice of your cell phone’s battery so that it can generate enough solar electricity for your cellular phone and charge your cell phone’s battery full. furthermore, the top quality of accumulator cell can be a key element to the solar charger’s service life. Thirdly, the control circuit and protection circuit. Now the cellphone solar charger products in the marketplace are really complex, some maybe with merely created protection circuit and control circuit inside, or in poor compatibility which may possibly quickly cause damage to the charge and cellular phone or shorten their service life. As a consequence, the control circuit and protection circuit design is vital. Smart Phone solar charger is only for emergency make use of; it’s not ideal to absolutely depend upon it to charge cell phones and other digital products; in case that you will need to get wholly charge of cellular phones, for average phones, the solar panels of solar charger is more than 0.7W. many good solar chargers have been launched on the market with characteristics like lightweight, water-resistant and flexible. the design is quite stylish, specifically for young people who desire to hear music and travel. There’s even a specifically designed solar charger for IPod and the Iphone users. Cautions: 1. Charging (directly on solar panel) about 8 hours with out inter-segment in bright light can fill the built-in battery. 2. Throughout summer, tend not to location the charger inside the automobile (temperature inside the car is too high), or the battery life will shorten three. Don’t charge with glass covered; the efficiency is poor. 4. To be sure charging in bright sunlight, the light is up in low light (Light1) can only represent light detected but not mean that it has been charging (for instance indoor light); so do not charge in low light. 5. Since when left the factory, every charger contains different electric quantity, so 1st charge and discharge time might be distinct, too. 6. Tend not to make use of caustic solution to clean the charger to steer clear of damage to the product. 7. Do not dispose of the product inside the fire in order not to cause an explosion. You can easily compare related products and select appropriate solar charger for our own. Saving energy and environment protection is everyone’s responsibility.