Attention folks! The Chronic-Dev Team and iPhone Dev Teams have collaborated to come out with Absinthe 2.0, the untethered jailbreak for the latest iOS 5.1.1 firmware. Absinthe 2.0 can jailbreak all iOS devices except the global version of the new iPad and the iPad 2,4 (32nm chip), which will soon be supported as well.

Note: This jailbreak supports firmware 5.1.1 ONLY

Absinthe 2.0 supports these devices right now:

• iPad 1, iPad 2 (WiFi, GSM, CDMA), iPad 3 (Wi-Fi, GSM, CDMA)
• iPhone 46, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS
• iPod Touch 4G, iPod Touch 3G

How to Jailbreak iOS 5.1.1 with Absinthe 2.0

Absinthe 2.0 is one of the easiest jailbreaks ever. But I’d still warn you about the risk of jailbreaking. Unless you understand completely about all the risks involved, it is better to stay away. Others can read on.

1. Make a backup of your device in iTunes by right clicking on your device name under the ‘Devices’ menu and click ‘Back Up’.

2. Once your backup is complete return to your device and go to Settings –> General –> Reset –> Erase all Content and Settings. This will make the jailbreak process much faster.

3. Download Absinthe 2.0 (links given below).

4. Open Absinthe 2.0 and be sure you are still connected via USB cable to your computer.

5. Click ‘Jailbreak’ and wait. Be patient and do not disconnect your device.

5. Once jailbroken, return to iTunes and restore your backup from earlier. Right click on your device name under the ‘Devices’ menu in the left panel of iTunes and click ‘Restore from Back Up’ then select the latest backup you created before.

Download Absinthe 2.0

Download Absinthe 2.0 MacOSX (10.5, 10.6, 10.7)

Download Absinthe 2.0 Windows (XP/Vista/Win7)

Download Absinthe 2.0 Linux (x86/x86_64)

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And this brings us to our topic, which is Thunderbolt vs. USB 3.0. Many of you out there have heard of them and most likely have used them in the past or at this very moment.

Thunderbolt vs USB 3.0

What is Thunderbolt?

USB 3.0 needs no introduction. Even if you haven’t yet used it, you are very familiar with its predecessors: USB 1.1 and USB 2.0. These connection standards have been around for quite some time now and they connect just about any device to your computer. But what about Thunderbolt?

Well, Thunderbolt, just like USB, is a technology that allows users to connect devices to computers. Unlike USB, Thunderbolt offers much higher speeds for data transfer (up to 2 times faster than USB 3.0 and theoretically, 10 times faster) and it offers a better solution for charging devices such as smartphones or tablets, due to its 10 watts of power pumped. The battle between which of these standards is best is fought on more than one front.

Speed

The first one is speed. And here is where Thunderbolt shows what it can do. With a maximum speed of 10 Gbps, it’s more than double that of the USB 3.0 which can go up to 5 Gbps. Also, as I mentioned earlier, Thunderbolt offers better results for charging devices, because it can pump more power into them in the same time, compared to USB 3.0 who can give only 7 watts of power.

Costs

At this point, Thunderbolt looks like the winner, but when it comes to cost, the tides change in favor of the USB 3.0. Thunderbolt cables have circuits integrated in the connector and it uses dual multiplex copper wires to achieve 10 Gbps speeds both towards and from devices at the same time. And all of these are expensive, but by how much? Well, about 10 times more expensive. If the average USB 3.0 cable is about $4 – $5 for a 2 meter cable, the same 2 meter Thunderbolt cable costs about $49.

Also, devices that work on USB are cheaper. Think of the fact that an external storage solution working on USB 3.0 is about $100 (depending on the manufacturer and amount of space), while on the other hand, an external storage solution that works on Thunderbolt, like the Promise Pegasus R6, costs up to $1500 and it’s limited only to Mac users.

You can see that it’s quite a difference between these prices, and for now, USB 3.0 looks like it is the winner. We’ll have to see if Intel will implement alongside USB 3.0 SATA 3, in their new line of processors. The Ivy Bridge can accommodate the two other technologies, maybe the next one will have Thunderbolt installed natively.

Backwards Connectivity, Consumer Base

USB 3.0 is widely spread around the world, and it’s being used by thousands of devices. Although Mac users do not have access to USB 3.0 (only 2.0 is available for Mac users), USB is backwards compatible and so, any USB 2.0 device can work on USB 3.0 ports and vice versa. Thunderbolt, on the other hand, is available only for Mac users and it’s based on the Mini DisplayPort and it is backwards compatible only with that standard.

It can also be used in video and audio playback and in some external storage devices. But there are not nearly as many devices working on Thunderbolt than USB 3.0, and so, users might prefer USB 3.0 because of the number of devices that use this connection standard. This battle is far from over. We have to wait until Intel will provide support for Windows users and when the costs of Thunderbolt will be comparable to that of the USB 3.0.

Although this innovative technology promises much, at the moment it needs more support from device manufacturers to extend its reach from Apple displays to many others. And also, because of the high speeds that it supports, some might argue that its performance will be bottlenecked by other devices, such as SATA 3 devices. Or who knows, maybe Intel will give the Thunderbolt technology to AMD, so they can extend their client list.

USB 3.0 vs Thunderbolt: Comparison Table

Analysts say that these connection protocols will coexist for a period, and when Intel will provide support for Windows users and will cut back on the costs of the Thunderbolt Chipset and connectors, it might convince device manufacturers to produce Thunderbolt enabled devices. This will make Thunderbolt available for the public, and only then it might pose a danger to USB 3.0, but for now, we can even assume that it could fold into darkness like FireWire and other protocols before it. Take a look at the table below if you’re still not sure what to choose.

[small comparison table credit]: Computer World

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Android’s Fragmentation Problem

Newer versions just end up adding more and more features to the plate but some of the older phones can’t handle them because their hardware isn’t advanced enough to do so. So, that’s why your friend with a HTC Incredible will be able to run certain apps while you and your T-Mobile G1 will be left out on dry land.

And more evidence is building up to support the fragmentation story. OpenSignalMaps has been borrowing user data from the people who have downloaded the app and has revised the numbers to find the following: out of the 681,900 devices registered 3,997 of them were distinct devices.

“We’ve looked at model, brand, API level (i.e. the version of Android) and screen size and we’ve tried to present this in the clearest form we can,”

the company’s statement said. The dominant model in the charts OpenSignalMaps have provided is the year old Samsung Galaxy S II (we are curious to see how will Samsung Galaxy S3 perform) which has already sold 20 million units (should be more by now), followed by its perdecessor, Samsung Galaxy S. The HTC Desire HD, HTC Desire, HTC Desire S and Samsung Galaxy Ace are also pretty well represented. Judging by the figures Samsung own 40% of the Android market, followed by HTC.

Different Android Versions Divide the Handset Market

The charts also showcase what is the most popular Android version to date. 55.4% of all smartphones use Android version 2.3 Gingerbread and not the latest Ice Cream Sandwich. Yes, users have the mobility and power of choice, they can choose different forms, specification or producer and they, in the beginning, might feel their choice is not limited but this diversity also leads to a great market fragmentation.

Especially since a lot of the users don’t even own high-end devices. Actually, their devices weren’t considered high-end a few years ago. That’s because a lot of Android users opt for the average subscription plan. Indeed, the carriers might benefit from this, but the overall mobile market is not and the users are not, either. The fragmentation also negatively affects performance and availability of certain applications in the Play Store and not only.

Is this Strategy Profitable for Google?

Recently, Google has received quite a steady amount of criticism for leaving Android out in the cold unattended and even one of the Google CEO Larry Page seems to have given up hope on the matter, stating that he is not sure Android is so important to the overall Google business plan. Obviously, this is quite a debatable subject, since the same Larry Page said that the Google-Motorola deal has been done especially to protect Android. Therefore, does it makes sense to invest $12.5 billion in something that’s not profitable? I think not.

Users of Android have reported a numbers of serious issues and registered tons of complaints but so far, Google has preferred to brush them under the carpet. The most annoying problem with green robot are the apps. If you are an Apple customer, things are easy, you just go to the App shop, download what you need, install them, end of story. Android devotees will say that Apple’s problem it that it doesn’t allow you to exist the ecosystem and they are right.

But you won’t have the same easy option if you decide to app with Google. Navigating in the Google Play store takes the skills of a patiently and brilliant mouse trapped in a complicated maze. Tablet users are advised to use Tablified Market in order to detect apps specially designed for Android tablets. Not to mention that everybody that imagines himself developer for a day can create an app and then uploading for download on the Play Store.

Apple vs Google – Closed Ecosystem vs Global Coverage

Aren’t security issues an important part of the Google strategy, the same company who has created the most secure social network to date, Google Plus+? Even when users magically stumbled upon an interesting act, another problem crushed up their dreams: the impossibility of downloading it. It comes down to what carrier you are subscribed too. Take Google Wallet for example; if you are not a Sprint customer, then maybe you should rethink your decision.

Also, in the tablet department, apps are rare like aliens after Roswell. In the Apple campsite, things are so much different and that constitutes one of the major advantages the iPad holds over any Android tablet, whatsoever. For some reason, developers are skittish about designing apps for Android. It might have to do with the fact that Android utilizes Java and that is not something everyone is comfortable with.

Android Fragmentation: Google’s Tactic for Mass Adoption?

But that’s not the real problem. Willing Android developers would have to take up the challenge of creating an app for thousand different devices. That sounds like Sisyphus at work. What can be done in these circumstances? Not so much, actually. It is practically impossible for Google to control every type of Android smartphones and tablets that goes off to the market, but this doesn’t mean all is lost.

Google might try and rethink its strategy and enforce some hardware standards so things don’t get so out of hand. This would make the jobs easier for developers as well and the guessing regarding which app works on which device will be eliminated. Or, maybe Android’s fragmentation is exactly what Google had in mind. To offer a professional, open-source mobile OS and to cash in from its huge adoption, regardless of its global ramble…

Google promised to keep Android free for at least 5 more years. This got us all thinking – couldn’t Google decide to favor its own, Motorola devices in front of other Android-packed handsets? Google isn’t the sole owner of Android, and surely, this move would be evil. What do you think – Android fragmentation is a problem or a well-thought plan?

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This offers the advantage of faster connections and also better signal. CDMA is used in a number of countries so far, and so, smartphones that use this technology are in limited number, and especially Android devices. This is due to the fact that Google has stopped offering support for CDMA in Android, because Android is an open-source software, and for CDMA smartphones to work, they need special programming for every carrier.

10 Best CDMA Android Smartphones

While most of us are not affected by this, there are those who use CDMA and will have to wait longer for their mobile carriers to release new smartphones that work over CDMA networks. Android devices that use CDMA are available, and some are quite good, so you can benefit from a better signal technology and also top of the line smartphone technology. Here is a quick list of Android smartphones that use CDMA networks:

10. Samsung Galaxy Pop i559

Although a bit outdated, the Samsung Galaxy Pop proves to be a great and cheap Android CDMA smartphone. It’s powered by Android 2.3 and it features a 3.15 MP camera and a 3.14” screen. Yes, it does not have the features of the other smartphones, but it gets the job done and it provides you with all the features of other smartphones at a fraction of the price.

9. Samsung Repp

This mid level phone is a great example of a CDMA smartphone. Featuring a 800MHz processor, 3.2” screen and a 3 MP camera, Samsung Repp is a great smartphone for those who want the productivity of a smartphone in a little package. Although it might not be as good as its bigger brothers, it certainly gets the job done and can please just about anyone.

8. Samsung Galaxy CDMA i500

With 1GHz processor and a 5MPx camera, the Samsung Galaxy CDMA is a great Android CDMA smartphone that provides you with all the features you need and all the productivity of smartphones. Also, with its 1500 mAh battery, it can keep you going a long time.

7. Motorola Milestone XT800

This tiny smartphone is a versatile Android CDMA smartphone. Although, do not expect it to work great in games, due to its tiny 500MHz. But it makes up for it with its 5MPx camera and a good 3.7” display. Also, it supports up to 32GB of memory via the integrated SD card slot. A great Android smartphone for those who want to use CDMA networks.

6. Samsung Galaxy Ace Duos I589

The Samsung Galaxy Ace Duos is probably one of the best balanced Android CDMA smartphones. It comes with a 800 MHz Scorpion processor, 3.5” TFT display and a 3.15 MPx camera. This phone has everything you need and it has lots of power for a mid-level smartphone. Also, its an Android Dual Sim Phone, so that is quite handy.

5. HTC A6262 Hero Unlocked CDMA

HTC Hero might not be CDMA ready off the shelf, but with a bit of work, you can use it over CDMA networks. ROM developers have put at your disposal tons of custom ROM’s that will help you use CDMA networks like Verizon Wireless, Sprint and others. Although it might not be the most powerful smartphone here, HTC Hero might suit the needs of anyone who is not into too much gaming or running powerful apps. With a processor of 528 MHz and 288 MB of RAM memory, the HTC Hero will do all work a decent smartphone will, and you can enjoy all the features without burning a hole in your pocket.

4. HTC EVO Design 4G

HTC EVO Design 4G is one of the best smartphones in this top. Puting at its users disposal lots of power to accomplish just about any task. Featuring a 1.2 GHz processor, 768MB of RAM memory and a 5MPx camera capable of shooting 720p video. A great smartphone and an excellent choice for anyone looking for a Android CDMA smartphone that really packs a punch.

3. Samsung Google Nexus S 4G

The Google Nexus S 4G is one of the best Android CDMA smartphones out there. With top of the line performance and a gorgeous design, this phone could satisfy even the most power hungry person out there. Also, the Nexus S 4G outperforms the Nexus S, and the added benefit of CDMA support makes it a great smartphone to have. Featuring a generous 4” Super AMOLED screen, 16GB of internal memory and 1GHz processor, it has plenty of power to run just about anything on it.

2. HTC Desire (CDMA)

HTC has become a well respected name in the mobile technology industry. This is due to the fact that they produce quality smartphones and employ the latest technology available. The HTC Desire CDMA is a great example of this technology put to great use. Packing a 1GHz Qualcomm processor, a generous 3.7” screen and a 5MPx camera, the HTC Desire is a great idea for a Android CDMA smartphone.

1. Samsung-Google Galaxy Nexus i9250 Unlocked

Until recently, this was the flagship droid in Android’s camp. The Galaxy Nexus is one of the best, if not the best Android CDMA smartphone to date (until the CDMA version of the Samsung Galaxy S III hits the market). Although this smartphone does not come with CDMA support from the get go, developers are endlessly trying to customize ROM’s to suit CDMA networks, and as for now, there are plenty that work fine.

There you are, our top of the best Android CDMA smartphones. Also, I would like to mention that the new Samsung Galaxy S III will most likely come in a CDMA version, only time will tell. but until then, you can enjoy some of these Android CDMA smartphones.

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Battery Life: Prominent Issue of Smartphones

There have not been improvements one a wide scale to make the batteries last longer. Some of use hope that fuel cells will provide the needed solution. It would seem that the manufacturers of the other components have invested in making them more energy efficient, and therefore making devices last longer. Intel has released the new 22nm chip, the Ivy Bridge that is up to 20% more energy efficient than the previous generations, Samsung has released the mighty Galaxy S III with wireless charging capabilities, but even so, these so called “mobile” devices are not truly mobile, having to be recharged daily.

Why smartphones drain the battery so quickly? The question that everyone thinks of has a pretty easy answer: the components that these devices have installed on them, the components that make them smartphones. The screen is in most cases the biggest power drainer of all. Even with Super AMOLED and other such technologies, this component is still the biggest power drainer of all. Also, processors and memory are big power drainers. Wi-Fi is another great example of power drainers that runs your smartphone dry. And yes, your iPhone also needs apps and tips for a better battery life.

Tips to Improve Android’s Battery Life

If you wish to increase the battery life of your Android smartphone, there are a few tricks you can try. However, these will not make your phone last a big period of time, but they will give you a few hours of extra battery life, and in smartphone standards, that is quite a lot.

• Keep your screen on automatic brightness. Knowing that the screen is the biggest battery consumer, keeping it a bit more dim than at full capacity will give you some extra battery life. Although it won’t look as good, it will make it last longer.
• Use Data Connection (3G connection) instead of Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is a big power drain, so keeping it turned off more will give you more battery. It uses a different antenna and so, it will consume more power, unlike the 3G connection that uses the same antenna as the phone’s signal. It’s quite understandable that using one less component will result in less power drain. Also, if you do not use Bluetooth or GPS, it’s better to turn them off. Although they are not big battery consumers and GPS works only when using an app that requires it such as Google Maps, it adds up.
• Do not use vibrating alerts. The vibrate function on any phone is provided by a tiny motor that turns and vibrates your phone. This motor consumes lots of power and if you can just stick with audio alerts, it will give you some increase in battery longevity.
• Close background apps. Apps run in background after you close them. This feature allows the phone to quickly load them when you access them again. But these apps running in background consume memory, and therefore power. And this takes us to the main reason for this tutorial. Using task managers and power savers that cut off functions of the smartphone will give you a boost in battery efficiency.
• Do not use Live Wallpapers. But try using black backgrounds. Because of the way the LED screen works, when a black image is on the screen, the tiny LEDs are turned off, thus conserving power.

10 Apps to Save Battery on Android

There are lots of such apps available on the Google Play Store. Some work better than others, but if you keep in mind the tips above, then you can make your Android smartphone last longer than ever.

 10. Battery saver – Dolphin add-on

This Android battery saver is one of the best I have ever used. It comes as a add-on to Dolphin Browser and it gives you complete control of the power options of your Android smartphone. You can chose from a preset list of battery saver profiles or create your own profile and select what apps or services your device can run.

9. Battery Calibration

If you think your battery runs out faster than it should, the reason might be that it’s miscalibrated and it shows you a false value. To resolve this issue you might want to re-calibrate your battery. This will ensure you that it shows the actual level of the charge. And from here, you can start saving battery and make your device last longer.

8. Battery Saver

Battery saver is a great app that allows you to better put to use the power saving features of your Android smartphone. Set up a sleeping schedule for your device and it will save power and make your device last longer than ever.

7. Advanced Task Manager

Task killers give you control over the apps that run in the background of your Android smartphone. By closing these apps, you can extend the battery life of the smartphone. Also, you can set auto-kill option and the app will kill the apps whenever they open.

6. Battery Calibration

Another Battery Calibrator that lets you take control of your battery and make it show the real value of the charge. Although, keep in mind it is recommended that you use this app after a fresh flashing of a ROM and it also needs root permissions because it changes the batterystats.bin file.

5. Battery Widget

A simple widget that allows you view the state of your battery via a simple 1×1 widget. Also, it allows you to control GPS, Bluetooth Wi-Fi and Screen Options. The first step in trying to make your Android device more power friendly.

4. Battery Dr saver

Adjust all the power options for your Android smartphone with just one app. Battery Dr saver allows you to adjust screen timeout and brightness, turn off or on functions for longer battery life and it also provides a great task killer for those unwanted apps that just won’t close.

3. Advanced Task Killer

One of the best Task Managers that allows you to kill tasks and therefore save battery life. The auto-kill option gives you control of what apps run in background and it takes on the task of killing them so that you don’t have to stop them every time they start.

2. Super aTool Box-cache battery

As the name suggest, this app accomplishes what any other app cannot. It combines all the options of your device and it lays them at your fingertips. With its impressive list of features it can be truly called one of the best apps that allow you increase the battery life of your Android smartphone.

1. JuiceDefender

This complete toolbox offers you top of the line control over all the aspects of your Android smartphone and it allows you to set up your device in order to consume less power and keep your battery drain in check.

3 Other Apps

Also, I have used these apps with great success I might add. I was very pleased with the results. You might want to take a look at them.

• Easy Battery Saver
• Battery Monitor Widget
• GO Power Master (requires Go Launcher installed)

I have used these apps, in combination with the tips I provided and I have saw a result. However, do not expect miracles to happen. In some cases, depending on how much I used my smartphone, I had an increase in battery efficiency of up to 5 hours, which is about 25%. Of course, it might seem just a little improvement, but I must admit I felt the difference. And you will too.

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Remember GroupShot? That magical app which blew our mind few months back. The developers behind GroupShot are back with another app for iPhone, which they call StillShot.

StillShot might not be as magical as GroupShot, but it is incredibly useful. How often you have felt sad for missing that perfect moment while clicking a photo? How often have you gone to take a picture and realized your iPhone was still in video mode? Well, you don’t need to fret anymore, as StillShot comes to your rescue in all these scenarios. StillShot helps you create high quality photos from any video on your iPhone.

With StillShot, you can dissect a video, frame-by-frame, choose the single frame which captures that perfect moment and save it as a full resolution photo! For example, on an iPhone 4s, you can save the pic at 1080p (1920*1080px).

Much like GroupShot, StillShot scores with its ease of use. All you need to do is fire up the app, choose the video, wait for a second for the app to dissect the frames and save the best frame as a photo. Customary features like sharing the photo on Facebook & Twitter are available as well.

Over the last week, I’ve used StillShot extensively during IPL cricket matches. For fast moving sporting actions, StillShot was a boon as I didn’t have to worry about capturing a shaky picture of my favorite cricketers and just had to shoot the video, and let StillShot do the rest for me!

At $0.99, StillShot is a dollar well spent and a must-have weapon in your arsenal of iPhone photography apps.

Download StillShot

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A solution might be a wireless charger, such as the one found in the Samsung Galaxy S III, or solar cells powering the devices when subjected to direct sunlight. These could greatly enhance the battery efficiency of these devices, but until such technologies are implemented, we will just have to make due with what we have at our disposal.

Tips to Make iPhone’s Battery Last Longer

Of course, the same tips apply to the iPhone as to the Android devices:

• Turn off Wi-Fi, or use 3G networks when possible. And if you don’t need an internet connection, stick only to 2G networks.
• Turn off Bluetooth. It might not consume much energy, but it adds up.
• Set the screen to auto brightness, because, as you know, the screen is the biggest battery hog of all.
• Turn off GPS, even though it is not used when in idle mode, when you launch an app that uses location services it will start running and consume battery.
• Even buy a iPhone case that has a battery extension. Although it might cost you the slim look of your iOS jewel, it will increase its battery life.
• Also, a good way to enhance your iPhone’s battery life is to use airplane mode more often. Especially in low coverage areas. Because when the phone searches for a network it uses enormous amounts of power. Also, at night you could use this feature and it will conserve some power, making your device last longer.
• Turn off the Equalizer. In your music player, the EQ forces the rendering of sound in a particular way (depending on what you set your EQ to). This consumes power because the phone is trying to give off more bass or treble instead of the flat sound.
• Also, if you have multiple email accounts, set your phone to check them less often. It will not connect to any servers and it will not give off any notifications. This will help you save some battery.
• Quit background apps. Despite Apple’s claim that suspended apps consume just a minimum of power, if you have lots of apps in suspend mode, it will add up to serious drain. Close those apps and you will see an immediate effect on your battery.

On its own, neither of these tips will make miracles with your battery life, but if you find a middle way, to make use of some of them, it will result in some visible battery saving. Although it will not make your iPhone last a week, a few hours of extra up time will be noticeable.

Top 5 iPhone Battery Saving Apps

But what is the most accessible option of all? The one where you still retain the functionality of your device and still get some extra juice out of your device. The answer lies with iPhone battery saving apps. These range from task killers, to battery calibrators to simple tools that allow you to quickly turn on or off certain features that you are not using, resulting in an increase in battery life.

5. Battery LED!

The first step in making your iPhone’s battery last longer is to know exactly how much time you have until it runs out. Battery LED! gives you exactly that information in a great looking way. It provides you with information about how much time the battery will last while gaming, internet browsing, listening to music and so on.

4. BatterySense by Philips Consumer Lifestyle

A great looking app with a wonderful and intuitive interface that lets you know how much time does your iPhone have until it runs dry. Also, BatterySense allows you to save battery by turning off services such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G, notifications and others. A great tool to have that allows you to take control of your iPhone’s battery.

3. Battery Doctor Pro – Max Your Battery Life

Battery Doctor Pro makes other battery saving apps for iPhone look obsolete. It gives you very detailed and accurate information about your battery drain and your battery’s health and also, a process monitor that allows you to see exactly which service is draining your iPhone dry.

2. Battery God

Battery God gives you detailed information on just how much power each service of your iPhone costumes, and with these customized and very detailed results you can take the necessary precautions to make your iPhone’s battery last longer.

1. Battery Life Pro – All-IN-1

Control your battery drain from one app that gives you detailed information about every service on your iPhone. You know just how much power a particular service consumes and it gives you the necessary information on how to maximize the use of your battery.

Although the battery saving options of the iPhone are not as easy as those for Android device, where you have more apps that can actually take control of your smartphone’s power drain, they will give you a helping hand in making your device more power efficient.

These are the main tips and apps that will help in your battle against battery drain. Try them out and let us know what you think of them. Also, if you know a few other tricks to make your iPhone’s battery last longer, tell us about them in the comment section.

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Video Card Buying Guide

But buying a new Graphics Card (or Video Card) can prove to be a daunting task. If you ever searched the market, then you know what it is I’m talking about: alphanumeric names that don’t make sense to anyone except the techno savvy and the enthusiasts. Specs that blow you away and keep on going page after page.

In this tutorial I’ll try to give all this gibberish some sense, and give you a helping hand when buying a video card. To choose the best one that suits your needs without burning a hole in your pocket (and we all know how expensive these babies can get). First of all, you must understand that those numbers don’t fully reflect the potential of a video card, so don’t get impressed by the fancy names you might see.

Video Memory Doesn’t Mean Performance

A very important aspect that you need to know is that memory is not everything! Video card manufacturers expect consumers to buy the video cards that have the biggest memory, so you will see some video cards that go up to 4 GB RAM. However, it is important not to have too little memory, but everything in the range of 1GB of GDDR5 memory is more than enough.

Be careful also to the type of memory: GDDR2, GDDR3 or GDDR5. GDDR5 is the best out there, so look for a video card that has this type of memory. The GPU (graphics processing unit) is probably the most important part of the video card. So when buying a new video card look towards a new processor, something from the latest technology. This will ensure you that your card will work great for at least two years.

DirectX Version – Cartoons or Realism?

The DirectX driver is another important aspect, look for cards that offer support for the latest DX version (now it’s DirectX 11), anything lower than that will render your graphics at lower quality and realism. Bandwidth is again an important aspect. Measured in Gb/s, look for something that has as much as possible. So the bigger the bandwidth, the better. Also, tightly bound with this is the pixel fill ratio and texture fill rate.

These values also have to be as big as possible. Keep an eye out for compatibility, so look at your motherboard and see what PCI Express slot you have and get your video card accordingly. There are PCI Express 2.0, 2.1 or 3.0 nowadays. Older AGP slots are rarely found and the technology has been abandoned.

Integrated or Dedicated Video?

Some might argue that processors such as the new Intel Ivy Bridge, the Sandy Bridge or the AMD Fusion now have integrated graphics and therefore, there is no need for aftermarket video cards. But these integrated chips do not offer the performance that dedicated video cards, not by a long shot.These are not developed for gaming purposes or for rendering, and so, they are not a substitute for a proper video card.

What Video Card Do I Need?

After understanding all the things you will see when browsing for a video card, the next step is to figure out the purpose of your video card. If you are looking for something that will give you performance in gaming, then there are lots of cards with excellent specs. These are not cheap, for that extra performance you will have to pay a few $$. A decent card will start at the $200 mark and it can go up to $1000+ for those who are really enthusiasts. Also, multiple card setups are good. B

oth ATI and nVidia offer these solutions: ATI calls it CrossfireX and nVidia calls it SLI. These technologies allow you to pair up two or more identical video cards for a boost in performance. But keep in mind that they have to be identical for it to work. For rendering big amounts of graphics you might need more than these cards can offer. nVidia has the Quadro series dedicated to rendering, so look for those if you are into rendering. For other purposes, like internet browsing and multimedia, lower end cards or even newer models of integrated chips will get the job done.

Budget for a Graphics Card 

But remember to keep an eye out for budget. Try to find the perfect balance between how much performance you need and how far are you willing to go for that performance. After you figure these out, you will be in front of the task of choosing the model. There are hundreds if not thousands of video card models out there, so choose wisely.

To help you make the best choice, refer to your best friend: the Internet. Search for benchmark results on different games or dedicated softwares such as 3DMark or Heaven Benchmark and see which are the best video cards. When you find a few models that suit your needs, then go and read reviews on them. Look at tests on YouTube. These tests and reviews will help you choose the best video card for you.

Same Performance, Different Brand!

If you are wondering what manufacturer to go with, know this: the different names you see in the shop (Asus, Gainward, Gigabyte etc) all offer basically the same product. There are minor changes from card to card, except cooling system, OC or different values for frequencies. But, in fact, under the hood, there is a stock ATI (AMD) or nVidia chip. The choice between nVidia and ATI is yours.

Today’s video cards offer almost the same performance. Do not get me wrong, they are not the same, but the level of performance is just about the same. I, myself am an nVidia fan, but there are ATI cards that offer the same performance, and when gaming, the difference between two equal cards, one from ATI and one from nVidia is hardly (if at all) noticeable. So forget about phrases like: “nVidia is the best video card manufacturer!”. It’s simply not true, they both offer great products, almost equally good.

© Raju PP for Technically Personal!, 2012. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this material in your news aggregator, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact us, so we can take legal action immediately. If you are on Twitter you can follow me @rajupp! | Permalink |

How Real is a Gaming Console from Apple?

There’s no Apple gaming console on the market and the Cupertino company seems to be suffering from that and may plan to remedy that. Is Apple planning to muscle its way into the game world? Well, it’s not actually a gaming console, per se. It’s more like a refocused old gadget with an extra improvement attached to it. Reliable sources from Cult of Mac claim that a new TV set will be launched during the year to come that will come packed with a new Apple Kinect-like video game console.

The new system will be motion based and will rely on touch gestures to be controlled. Of course, users will be able to enjoy the full capabilities of a touch screen remote control capable on syncing with the TV. Apple is also said to be thinking of teaming with major game developer Valve for this project, so the odds seem pretty promising right now. Or do they?

Bandai Pippin, Apple’s Failed Gaming Console

Apple failing? This doesn’t seem like a valid statement, yet the story is true. And you’ll be surprised to know that there are many other failed Apple products, as well. Long ago, before the existence of the iPhone or iPod was even envisioned, Apple might have made a few mistakes. Meet the Bandai Pippin, launched by producer Bandai back in 1995. The idea behind the console was to ensure that users will get their hands on a device aimed mostly at playing games.

So what happened? The bulky design might have contributed to Pippin’s failure, but the price was probably what axed the project from the start. The console sold in Japan for almost $600 while competitors like the N64 were sold at that time for $199. Also, Pippin’s processor – a Motorola 603PowerPC , was already three years old, ancient in tech terms – when the device was released. That basically meant that CD ROM games took about three minutes to load. An instant turn off.

Will it be Risky or Profitable for Apple?

Even so, Apple is not an entity to be discouraged easily and maybe the passing of 17 years has tought Club Cupertino some valuable lessons. Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter is pretty convinced that Apple will be launching a game console by 2013. According to him, Apple is following a very well thought out plan to ensure the transformation of the Apple TV into an entertainment and Internet hub. The idea is that Apple is trying out these experimental ideas on iPod Touch and iPhone users first.

“If they can get enough iPod users to download games, it’s a natural that they can ultimately convince a large number of these users to buy a game-enabled Apple TV. “

What Has Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo to Say About This?

He envisions a release date for 2012 or 2013. Thus, Microsoft, one of the toughest competitors the tech behemoth will have to face, is given quite some decent head start. Keep in mind that back in the 1990, decent realistic in-sync gaming experience was something belonging only to the spheres of dreams. But the Xbox live changed all that in so many wonderful ways. Xbox brought friends list to the table and the ability to play games with your existing friends but also make new friends throughout different games.

The console also offers the possibility of monitoring your achievements and we have to admit they are a big part of the whole Xbox Live experience and why people are so addicted to it. At the moment there are 40 million users who have signed up for an online Xbox Live account. Also, Kinect sales have reached 18 million units in the first part of 2012. So, is Apple ready to take on this success?

A Huge Apple Audience is Waiting for This

Apparently, they are more than willing. Apart from that, it holds an impressive record that might suggest that this time around, things will look very bright for them. We don’t yet have official data as to how many iOS devices has been sold until now (if there is, do let us know!), but the most accurate data I could found indicates that at the end of 2011, there was a number of 320 million sold iDevices. By now, we should be reaching 400 million iDevices, and by the end of 2012, beginning of 2013, I can suppose that it will reach half a billion.

You know what that means, right? An army of Apple lovers, users that are loyal to products made by Apple. It would be interesting to know how many people own just one Apple product or more. An interesting study reveals that half of US homes own an Apple product.  9%-13% of them own 2 to 5 Apple products. Now, I wonder, those that have bought one Apple product, will they not be tempted to buy another one? Let’s say you’ve bought the iPhone, will you not need the new iPad,  to be able to see movies on a big screen or to play let your kids play entertaining, challenging mobile apps?

Or, will you not be tempted to get yourself a beautiful iMac tempted by its imposing design and reputation? Not to mention the versatile laptops from Apple?Like it or not, chances are that once you’ve bought an Apple product, you’ll buy another one. If you’ve bought the iPhone 4S, then you’re going to want the iPhone 5, or the new iPhone. Then, you’ll have to sell it, add some more money and get the next one. Thus, you’ll be caught in the neverending circle of Apple products.

That brings us to an eventual gaming console from Apple. We already have enough gaming consoles out there and the most important ones are:

• PlayStation
• Xbox
• Wii

Each of them has something specific and we can all agree that these are well-made, successful products. One would think that an Apple gaming console will lose the battle even before it started. Gaming consoles sales have been slowing down in the past years but there doesn’t seem to be a stable trend in that direction. Why didn’t Apple’s first gaming console succeed? Obviously, it has its technical flaws, but what Apple didn’t have back then was this huge number of loyal customers and this incredible free buzz generated for them.

Apple’s Gaming Console and Apple TV – The Last Products?

Quite soon, Apple might be valued at $1, 000 billion, and that sounds really, really huge. At this anvergure, I highly doubt the fact that Apple will screw up. Even if we considered the iPhone 4S mundane, sales for it didn’t decline. Even if Apple decided not to name the third-generation iPad 3 but the new iPad, sales didn’t decline. Even if there are issues with the new iPad, or past products, such as the iPhone 4 and antennagate, people continue to buy Apple’s product. So what does that mean, people? Is Apple going to be and remain the biggest company every, a superhero company or their evolution will eventually cool off?

I think that a well-thought gaming console from Apple would further increase and enhance the reputation that Apple has, but they have to think about it really, really well. They are going to target a totally different field in consumer technology and that could cost them dear if they will make mistakes. They’ve got all it takes – tons of cash, lots of very, very smart and talented people, a good supply chain. They just don’t have to hurry. The world is still waiting for the new iPhone or the iPhone 5 and I am sure that Apple is busy with that these days.

A gaming console and a complete Apple TV is what remains for them to make, probably, the most consolidated ecosystem in the tech world. But they have to be careful and not to besmirch the huge success the iPhone, iPod and iPad have brought. They have to build on that, they have to learn things from that success and take things one by one. One question remains, though, after such a long scenario – if they are planning to release a gaming console, why would the promote the iPad as a gaming gear?

Could an Improved iPad be The Mysterious Gaming Console?

Or, to make the matter even simpler – isn’t Apple actually trying to destroy the gaming industry with the iPad and to introduce a new concept – tablet gaming? Think about it, in 5 years or so, it’s inevitable that tablets by then will have bigger processing and graphical power. Will they be able to conceive a new gaming field by making a super iPad or they will continue to modestly improve it, year by year?

And there are already voices that suggest Apple won’t release a box gaming console and when you think about it, it’s kinda not Apple-like. But if the gaming console will have an absolutely stunning design, then it will be Apple-like, right? I don’t know what Apple is going to do, but whatever their decision will be, I think Apple lovers need and want a console designed for games and only for that (that’s how I feel, at least). Your move, Cook.

© Raju PP for Technically Personal!, 2012. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this material in your news aggregator, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact us, so we can take legal action immediately. If you are on Twitter you can follow me @rajupp! | Permalink |

10 iPhone Apps for 2012 London Olympic Games

New bus lines, new underground and train station, all in preparation of this impressive event. Even so, the most help you will get if you go to London this summer will most likely be from your trusted smartphone. But for it to give all the information you need and to guide you to where the action is taking place, you will need a few apps: Olympic Games Apps. If you own an iPhone, then the following list will be of great use to you. These apps will help you navigate the streets of London and give you full time coverage of London’s Summer Olympics.

10. London-2012

If you want to be first in line for the London Olympics in 2012, then London-2012 is the app that will tell you just how much time you still have to wait, to the second. The simplicity of this app is its main feature, displaying a countdown timer for those who are impatient and a trivia quiz about the Olympic Games to keep you occupied until the Summer Olympics start.

9. London Free WiFi

“If in London, search for free WiFi”! London Free WiFi is a great app for finding cafes and restaurants that offer free wifi and it stores their location on your device so you can access them offline. Also, you have the possibility to use the GPS feature to find free WiFi hotspots near you or search by neighborhood or zip code to find them in other parts of London. A great app to have with you to avoid roaming charges or slow Internet connections.

8. London Guide – mTrip

A complete travel guide of London where you can find just about any information you like. The app offers its users awesome features such as full offline capabilities, search for stores, cafes, restaurants, hotels and so on, track via GPS your location and it gives you information on how to get to your destination via Underground or by foot. Also, you can use the augmented reality feature to information in real time about places you visit. An app you cannot travel without in London!

7. Public Transport London

Public Transport London, formerly known as BUS – London Edition just got a complete makeover. Now you have all means of public transportation in London in just one app. From buses to tubes to river, all TFL stations and public transportation stops ready to give you the best route possible. Also, you can now track your location and get instant information on where you have to change buses or transportation method. Also, by using the GPS receiver and bird’s eye view on bing maps, you can see in real time where you are and where you are going.

6. iLondon 2012

One of the most complete apps available for the Olympic Games of 2012 is iLondon 2012. This app will give you complete coverage for the duration of the Summer Olympics and a great deal of information available in a few seconds. Look for country rankings, number of medals, news feeds, athletes or calendar, anything you need in one little app. Also, with the latest update, now you can view detailed high resolution graphs on The New iPad.

5. Around The Rings – Olympic News

With over 20 years experience in giving the world sports news, Around The Rings is one of the best ways to get the freshest information about the Olympic Games. Using this app, you will benefit from most accurate information possible, directly from the scene of the most important events presented in the Olympics.

4. London 2012 – Olympic Games

Get a personalized calendar with only the events that interest you in just a few seconds, using London 2012 – Olympic Games. In just two easy steps (1. Download the app, 2. Make your selection) you have a complete events list based on your preferences (gender, venue, event type, sport etc) imported to your personal calendar, so you won’t miss a single event during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

3. London 2012

London 2012 provides users with great features to help them get the best information about the Olympic Games. With maps and GPS tracking to give directions to where the events are held, live newsfeed and all sorts of other useful information at your fingertips, you can’t leave home without this app! A definite must have!

2. 2012 Summer Games London Offline

A simple and user friendly interface that offers you a vast amount of information about the Summer Olympics and Paralympics games with 5 easy to read and easy to navigate tabs, all of this completely offline. Also, this app offers you a countdown to the Olympic Games start, key facts about each sport played, maps to the locations where each sport will be played and much more.

1. 2012 London Games

A countdown to the start of the Olympic Games and a complete coverage with news and all sorts of information at your fingertips. This is what the 2012 London Games app has waiting for its users. Get instant information about any event you like and much more. A great app to have at the Summer Olympics of 2012!

All you have to do now is pack your bags and charge your iPhone and you are all set to visit London for the summer. If you’re an Android owner, we have some Summer Olympics apps for you! Go and cheer for your nation’s team and do your part in helping them bring home the gold medal. Oh, and by the way, don’t forget your charger!

© Raju PP for Technically Personal!, 2012. This Feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this material in your news aggregator, the site you are looking at is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact us, so we can take legal action immediately. If you are on Twitter you can follow me @rajupp! | Permalink |