Free Spanish Language Learning Apps for iPhone and iPad

Learning Spanish has never been easier for users of the iPhone, iPad,and iPod technology. Spanish language learning apps come in all sizes and prices. But the best price is free. All can be found in the iTunes store.

24/7 Spanish Tutor

The application 24/7 Tutor describes itself as a “mobile language lab.” And indeed, the program, if lacking a bit in glamour and glitzy graphics, is interactive, utilizing native speaker audio, flashcard format, an interactive puzzle game, and quizzes.

The 24/7 program is divided into thematic categories, giving users flexibility in designing their courses of study. Progress monitors help the learner to track progress. An optional feature called “Priority Mode” narrows the focus of study to those words and phrases that prove to be more challenging to the individual. A more complex version, Spanish 101, by 24/7 Tutor is available in the iTunes store for a reasonable fee.

Learn Spanish Levels l & ll with Bueno, Entonces

Developed by General Linguistics, the Bueno Entonces app uses a “spicy” TV show format to entertain while teaching. Bueno, entonces was designed with the idea of helping students go beyond memorization and learn to think in Spanish. What it is not intended is to be a formal study guide for vocabulary and grammar.

Fast paced, Bueno, entonces may prove to be a bit challenging for the very beginner. However, this app provides opportunity for self-pacing through repetition. The user will need earphones or a private location for study as the video format can be quite distracting to others.

Learn Spanish with Busuu.com

The popular and fast growing online language learning community Busuu.com released a free Spanish language learning app for the iPhone. While is it not optimized for the iPad as of this writing, it is usable in that format.

The Learn Spanish with Busuu.com app boasts a catalog of over 3,000 words and phrases with lessons designed for a variety of progress levels from beginner to advanced intermediate. The audio that accompanies the bright graphics is provided by native speakers. Twenty complete units are included in the free version; users have the option to purchase extended content.

Free Spanish Essentials by AccelaStudy

The Free Spanish Essentials app, available only in the iPhone format at this writing, is basically a vocabulary builder application. Utilizing a native speaker audio, the program offers a flashcard format with quizzes and a progress monitor.

This app can help the learner extend vocabulary, but is essentially a gateway product to AccelaStudy’s more complete fee-based Spanish/English app.

Basic Spanish for Dummies

At ninety-nine cents, the Basic Spanish for Dummies app is as good as free. However, it is only available in iPhone format. Designed for the beginner, this application utilizes flashcards, videos, and grammar and pronunciation basics to get the learner started.

Spanish Word of the Day Apps

There are a variety of Spanish word of the day type apps available for iPhone. Most are free, others are less than a dollar. Some focus on general words, other are specific to verbs. These apps also vary in whether or not they provide an audio version of the word, and whether or not the app requires a network connection.

Dominican Spanish Word of the Day specializes in the dialect found specifically on that island nation. To preview the wide variety of Spanish word of the day apps, enter the search term “Spanish word of the day” in the iTunes search box.

Learning Spanish on the go has never been easier. No one learning application will provide the user with everything needed to become proficient in a new language. But accessing a variety of Spanish language apps can keep the language learner entertained and provide instruction anytime, anywhere in a variety of teaching formats.

¡Buena suerte!

For more alternative ideas for learning Spanish check out “Learn Spanish with Twitter,” “Learn Spanish Christmas Greetings and Words,” and “Romantic Movies Improve Spanish Language Skills.”

Tips for Reducing Data Usage on Your iPhone 4

Here are a number of tips to help you make sure that you do not exceed your data allotment on your iPhone 4.

iPhone Data Plan and Limitations

Those who have signed new AT&T contracts to receive the subsidized iPhone 4 will find that there are some very new features in the contract. The main point in the new two year AT&T contract is that there are restrictions for data usage, and in these situations you will have to limit your data use otherwise you will have to pay extensive fees. What this means in a practical sense is that you must limit the amount of data that comes and goes from your iPhone over the 3G network, which is not something that previous iPhone users have had to worry about. With this in mind it is important to find ways to reduce your iPhone’s data use without eliminating the great features, apps, and internet functions that have made the iPhone the major step forward that it is. Here are some tips for reducing the iPhone data use so as to not exceed the limits of your iPhone’s data plan.

iPhone Wi-Fi!

The first, and most important, move you must take is to use Wi-Fi whenever possible. The iPhone has always been great when used with Wi-Fi, but since the 3G network is possible everywhere you go in an unrestricted way there was no reason to centralize around Wi-Fi networks. Now there is. In all cases where you are stationary make sure to connect to an available Wi-Fi network, especially when you are at home or the office. Try to regulate any iPhone 3G usage to emergencies or important uses, such as for iPhone maps or brief email checks.

Limit The App Store

Downloading apps from the App Store, or even media from iTunes, should be eliminated completely from the 3G network. Downloading software content through the 3G network will take up a huge amount of your iPhone’s data limits, and you could even use up your entire data limits after a few downloads. This is a good idea even for those on old iPhone contracts as it tends to take a long period of time and there are limits on the size and type of files that can be downloaded over the 3G network. Instead, focus in on downloading and installing apps directly from your computer’s iTunes or through the iPhone’s Wi-Fi connection.

Turn Off Push Notifications

Push notifications are used by a whole number of iPhone apps to "push" information that may come in as a message on your iPhone. For example, if you have your Facebook iPhone app with push notification enabled, you will get text messages giving you notifications based contact you have through this social networking tool. All of these require constant connections and will take up quite a bit of information, so make sure to switch these push notifications off. Try to make sure that all of your iPhone apps only update and connect to the internet if initiated by you and not on their own.

Eliminate Certain iPhone Apps

Some iPhone apps have been developed to go around previously expensive phone call and text message costs. These "free text messages" apps and features like Skype were major steps forward, but Apple and AT&T have effectively killed them with the new data limitations. What this means is that is will remain cheaper to use the standard iPhone communication features that things like Skype, so save Skype for your home computer.

Kindle Fire 2 Release Date Rumors: Will Amazon Announce New Tablet in September 2012?

Those Kindle Fire 2 release date rumors are heating up as the Christmas holiday shopping season is approaching rapidly. The latest reports indicate that the new Kindle could be announced in mid-July by Amazon, along with Apple’s iPhone 5 release date and plenty of other tech goodies. According to the Bangkok Post, there is a major announcement coming from Apple on September 12th, which will probably be its new iPhone. However, they are also expected to reveal the 7-inch mini iPad, which should be heavy competition for the Kindle Fire and Google Nexus 7. With that in mind, they say of Amazon: “Which brings us to Amazon’s own announcements, with an expected update to the Kindle Fire, launched a year ago. Its new version should be slimmer and lighter, with improved screen definition.” Not only will it need to be those things, but also faster and ready to do battle with the likes of a smaller iPad, and the already hot Nexus 7. Amazon was expected to unveil the device by some in late July. It’s now early August with nothing yet, and that is probably a sign that Amazon wants this new version of the Kindle Fire to be prepared for the competition. It’s a fierce battle in the small tablet PC world, so Amazon will need to “Fire” on all cylinders if it wants to sell units this holiday shopping season. Do you think Amazon will announce the new Kindle Fire 2 release date this month, or not until September?

Untethered unlock/Jailbreak iOS 5.1.1 & 5.1 iPhone 4S, 4, 3Gs, iPad 2 and New iPad 3 today using new software, includes Cydia

Miami, Florida (PRWEB) May 23, 2012

iphone4sjailbreak reveals their new tool to Untethered Unlock/Jailbreak iOS 5.1.1 & 5.1 iPhone 4S, 4, 3Gs, iPad 2 and New iPad 3 . Once the jailbreak and unlock for iOS 5.1.1 is complete the iPhone/iPad will have the Cydia application installed. Cydia is a software application for iOS that enables a user to find and install software packages (including apps, interface customizations, and system extensions) on a jailbroken iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. Cydia is the main independent third-party digital distribution platform for software on iOS.

iPhone4sJailbreak were formed in mid 2010 and have successfully jailbroken over 300,000 iPhones worldwide. This is unparalleled by any other service provider in the industry. They have achieved this by combining a very simple solution with a fantastic customer service department that is available 24/7 through many forms of contact, including telephone.

The iPhone itself is packed with a wide assortment of features and functions, but it is typically only available on expensive price plans and predetermined networks. This has created anger within the jailbreak iPhone community, as it is believed that the customer should have the freedom to choose their own price plan or network provider.

The Untethered Unlock/Jailbreak iOS 5.1.1 & 5.1 iPhone 4S, 4, 3Gs, iPad 2 and New iPad 3 untethered software comes with a full 30 day money back guarantee, lifetime updates and most important of all, lifetime support. If one should require first class service at an affordable price, there is only one simple choice that has to be made.

The iPhone 4s Jailbreak software guarantees extreme ease of use. Along with the product is an illustrated guide that shows how to unlock an iPhone. The whole process takes approximately 5 minutes.

John from the United States, enthuses about iPhone4sJailbreak.com, "Many thanks for your support. Bought my iPhone from the apple store, brought it home, downloaded your software and had my SIM working in minutes. Your software is fantastic and very user friendly and i have recommended it to many friends already".

This software has been downloaded by over 250,000 customers located in over 145 countries. To further ensure customers of its products usability, iphone4sjailbreak offers a 100% full money back guarantee on all orders. Customers dissatisfied with the product will be given a full refund, no questions asked.

What are iPhone apps, how do they work and how can they work for us?

In most regards, apps work pretty much like any other program. You can launch them by simply choosing their icon from the list on your phone. Once launched, however, you will begin to see the ways in which iPhone apps separate themselves from many of the programs you may already have on your computer or other smartphone.

Some apps offer the exact functions you would expect and probably already enjoy in other formats. Spreadsheet, typing and email clients are abundant on the iPhone and performance is typically more limited by the size of the screen than by any CPU or RAM limitations. Web surfing and instant messaging can also be handled by the app of your choice and there are many options for both product categories.

Due to the iPhone’s microphone, tilt sensors and touch screen, there are many apps that offer experiences that simply cannot be matched by any other device. One particular app, called Ocarina, makes brilliant use of the touch and microphone sensor on the iPhone. An ocarina is a flute like instrument that is played by blowing air and covering sound holes. On the iPhone, the sound holes are mimicked on the touch screen, and the microphone is able to sense air being blown at it. The result is a digital representation of an Ocarina that has seen great success in both sales and critical reception. Further illustrating the abilities of the iPhone, the Ocarina app also offers a feature where players can listen in on gameplay sessions from fellow Ocarina owners around the world. This kind of community experience has really changed people’s perceptions of iPhone apps and serves as an example of what the technology is capable of.

Whatever your need may be, there is likely an app that can help you address it. That said, many of the best iPhone apps are merely for entertainment and serve little actual purpose. There exists an app that visually simulates a broken screen on your iPhone. Why anyone would want such an app is questionable, but the value of having the option is very appealing to many iPhone owners. There is also an app that can identify any song playing on the radio simply by holding your iPhone up to a speaker.

If you are so inclined, you could head over to Apple’s iPhone app store and, within minutes be: giving yourself a breathalyzer test, waving a virtual lighter in the air, reading an e-book, playing a Sudoku puzzle, enjoying a game of Pac-Man, charting the route for your next car trip, purchasing airplane tickets or even watching your family pet through your home surveillance system.

We see that apps can not only make our lives easier, but can make our iPhone experience much richer and our travel through life all the more interesting. There are many thousands of iPhone apps, and more are being created and released every single day. With the only obvious limitation in these apps being the imaginations of the developers, it will take only time to see how apps will continue to shape our world and enhance our digital lifestyle.

iPhone 5 Release Date Rumors & News: Specs and Features Update for 2012 iOS 6 Apple Smartphone

As the iPhone 5 release date looms, rumors of expected features and specs have become very popular with Apple enthusiasts of late. Consumers don’t actually know what the 6th generation Apple smartphone will be like, but iPhone lovers have been fast at work on concept designs with mock-up specs and features. Are they trying to give the folks at Apple some tips?

The 2012 WWDC is just around the corner, and Apple is expected to unveil some new technology, most likely iOS 6, and possibly the new Macbook Pro. Though possible, it is doubtful fans will be finding out when the new iPhone 5 release date will be, but Apple has been known to surprise their fans before.

If Apple is planning to show off their new smartphone at the WWDC, one of the rumored features improvements is expected to be a multi-point focus for an upgraded rear-facing camera. According to a recent article the multi-point focus camera will allow users to “select multiple points of focus by way of the touchscreen, which would be processed in order to produce stunning photos of unrivalled quality.”

Which brings up another rumor which says Apple will need a better processor in the new iPhone over what’s been used earlier models. Does this mean the elusive quad-core A6 processor is finally going to make its way to an Apple smartphone?

What do you think is in store for the iPhone 5 release date? Are you going to be buying a new smartphone this year? If so, will it be the next Apple model? Or are you looking for an Android smartphone like the HTC One X, or the Samsung Galaxy S3?

NavFree GPS Live Australia & New Zealand: Free Turn-by-Turn Navigation

LONDON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Navigating the roads of Australia & New Zealand, just got easier with today’s launch of NavFree GPS Live. From Navmii, a publisher of GPS location-based applications, NavFree is the top free navigation product for iPhone and iPad.

NavFree GPS Live Australia & New Zealand does everything you would expect from expensive in-car GPS/satellite navigation. Users can search for an address, point-of-interest, or Google search for a location and be instantly routed with full voiced directions. NavFree Australia & New Zealand will re-route automatically if you take a wrong turn, provide information on the journey distance and estimated time of arrival.

Since all maps are stored on the phone, NavFree will still route you to your destination even if mobile network coverage is lost.

Peter Atalla, CEO of Navmii said: “NavFree has been a huge success in the UK and the USA, with more than a million downloads driving a vibrant and active user community, which is improving map data with local knowledge on a daily basis. Now Australia & New Zealand can also enjoy fully featured mobile satellite navigation at no cost.”

Community driven regular monthly map updates are completely free of charge. New social features allow users to instantly share their position via SMS, Email, Twitter and Facebook.

Users will also be able to add enhanced features such as speed cameras, local petrol prices and traffic information to NavFree Australia & New Zealand by purchasing these services within the app.

To get NavFree GPS Live Australia & New Zealand visit itunes.apple

Notes for Editors

  • Compatible with iPhone 3G, 3GS, iPhone 4 and iPad 1 & 2.
  • Voice directions and menus in local language.
  • Available for the UK & Republic of Ireland, United States, Australia & New Zealand.
  • Price: free download from iTunes store
  • User Manual and more information available at www.navmii.com.
  • For the latest FAQ’s and customer support please visit our customer forums at www.forum.navmii.com

How to Unlock 4.2.1 Firmware on iPhone 3G, 3GS and iPhone 4

With DEV Team releasing the new unlocking mechanism known as ultra-recycle, you can now jailbreak and unlock a 4.2.1 firmware based iPhone 3G, 3GS and 4. This tutorial will allow you to jailbreak and unlock your 4.2.1 firmware based iPhone 3G, 3GS and iPhone 4 with 06.15 baseband. Read more…

Unlock your iPhone

With DEV Team releasing the new unlocking mechanism known as ultra-recycle, you can now jailbreak and unlock a 4.2.1 firmware based iPhone 3G, 3GS and 4. This tutorial will allow you to jailbreak and unlock your 4.2.1 firmware based iPhone with 06.15 baseband. After you complete the steps below, you will be able to use your iPhone with any service provider.

Note: Before you follow this tutorial, make sure that your iPhone is jailbroken and is on one of the following basebands: 06.15, 05.11.07, 04.26.08, # or # Why is a jailbroken iPhone required? Because, only jailbroken iPhone can have the Cydia application installed. Jailbreaking and unlocking are two different process and there exists a wide difference between the two. For more facts on how unlocking works and what is the difference between unlocking and jailbreaking an iPhone, read the tutorial below.

The Unexplained Truth – How Does iPhone Unlocking Work?

If you have not jailbroken your iPhone yet, then follow the tutorial here.

How to Jailbreak iPhone 3G, 3GS and iPhone 4

To locate the baseband version of your iPhone, follow this tutorial:

Find iPhone baseband version

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: T-Mobile users should turn off the 3G feature, before unlocking their iPhone. Tap the Cydia icon present on your iPhone SpringBoard to launch the Cydia application.

Step 2: A Cydia application screen will appear. On the bottom of the application area, you will find a Manage icon. Tap on the Manage icon to proceed further.

Step 3: On the Manage screen, tap on Sources and then tap the ‘Edit‘ button located on the top right corner. Now, tap on the ‘Add’ button located on the top left corner to add a new source. Enter this as the url repo666.ultrasnOw and tap ‘Add Source’ button to continue.

Once the source has been verified and added tap the ‘Return to Cydia’ button.

Step 4: Now, tap ‘Done’ button located on the top right corner and select the url that you just added.

Step 5: You will now be navigated to the ultrasnOw repository, where you can find the ultrasnOw application. Select the application and tap ‘Install’ button located on the top right corner. Tap ‘Confirm’ button to confirm the installation of the application.

Your iPhone will restart, once the installation is complete.

Step 6: Your iPhone is now unlocked. You can now use any SIM card with your iPhone.

Thanks to DEV Team for their efforts and dedication in helping us to provide the jailbreak and unlock mechanism.

Unlocking iPhone Unsupported Basebands

In order to unlock iPhone 4 with unsupported basebands like 01.59.00, 02.10.04, 03.10.01, 4.10 or 4.10.1, you need to use Gevey Turbo Sim. To purchase one, visit this link: Gevey SIM PRO.

Images Credit

Apple iPhone screenshots by Apple Inc. Cydia application screenshots by Cydia

The Apple iPhone 4GS Software Update And What Has Gone Wrong

Apple has just released a new update for the iOS, which Apple recommends that all users should upgrade to. The latest version introduced is 4.3.3 and will also probably be the same version that people will use in the Apple iPhone 4GS. The update however currently is for the iPhone4, iPad2, the touch and iPhone 3GS. This latest update mostly address the bug found in Apple’s location tracking software which for some weird reason saved the locations in a cache each time iTues was being synced.

However, for people who are thinking of updating here is a rundown of what the latest iOS 4.3.3 contains:

  • Smaller overall cache size
  • The issue with iTunes sync is solved
  • It also solves the problem of deleting the whole cache when you turn off Location Services

The easiest way for users to update to the current version of iOS is to do it via iTunes, this is also probably how the latest iPhone4GS will also update its OS. However, the next major update which is iOS 5.0 will encrypt the cache so that no one can access it apart from authorized users.

The iOS 4.3.3 unfortunately does not fix the famous unthethered jailbreak

Despite what everyone has been thinking, assuming and hoping the latest update does not fix the unthethered jailbreak hack which can be used to hack the iPhone 4GS. This has now been confirmed by the iPhone Dev Team. With things like this going on it would seem as though Apple is being run by an unprofessional team of programmers who do not seem to notice the media frenzy surrounding iPhone hacks. However, hackers will need to update their iPhone jailbreak apps in order to support it.

People who are using a jailbroken version of Apple iPhone 4GS will probably need to download a new or freshly updated jailbreak software from redsn0w in order to be able to update their iOS to 4.3.3. With the latest release the good news for jailbreakers is that the update does not address jailbreaks and they can get away with a fresh update but this time the jailbreak is very well tethered and this means that the jailbreak software needs to be run each time iOS is rebooted. The latest jailbreak has also be released to sync with the update of to 4.3.3. so all you’ve got to do is to download it.

So what will iPhone 4GS be running?

There is speculation that the latest release will be running iOS 5.0 but if not then it will certainly be running 4.3.3. at the very least. The only problem with this is that people will be able to easily jailbreak their latest devices without much issue which spells bad news for Apple. However, if it runs iOS 5.0 then it means that hackers will need to find another way to jailbreak their devices since it will be a completely revamped version of the OS.

How to Sync the Motorola DROID 4 with Microsoft Outlook

PORTLAND, Ore.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–CompanionLink® Software provides two-way synchronization of contacts, calendar, tasks and memos between popular CRM databases and the new Motorola® DROID™ 4 from Verizon®. CompanionLink offers both direct and over-the-air sync with DROID 4 for Microsoft® Outlook®, Sage ACT!, Palm® Desktop, IBM® Lotus Notes, Novell® GroupWise, and Highrise® and other applications.

The DROID 4 is ideal for business users with its powerful processor, 4G LTE speeds, large display, slim form factor, and slide-out QWERTY keyboard. It marries a thin profile akin to the recently released DROID RAZR™ with the physical keyboard that productivity seekers know and love. Despite this business-friendly feature set, however, the DROID 4 lacks built-in functionality to sync with CRM and contact managers like Microsoft Outlook.

CompanionLink offers four ways to sync Outlook with Motorola DROID 4 – direct USB sync, local Wi-Fi sync, a secure hosted wireless sync service, and wireless sync via Google®. To help you make the right choice, CompanionLink’s website recommends the best sync option for your specific setup.

CompanionLink for Outlook sells for $49.95. A 14-day free trial is available online. CompanionLink offers free email and telephone support, free updates and a 90-day money-back guarantee on all products. Learn more at www.companionlink.com/phones/moto-droid.html.

About CompanionLink Software

CompanionLink® Software, Inc. is a pioneering developer of data synchronization solutions for mobile phones and CRM software and services. They also develop a business-class CRM app called DejaOffice® for Android™, iPhone®, and iPad® devices. For over 15 years, CompanionLink has helped mobilize information across devices, computers, applications, and web-based services. For more information, please visit www.companionlink.com or www.dejaoffice.com. To watch a video explaining CompanionLink, visit www.companionlink.com/videos.

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