So many apps, so little time…

The top ten free apps on the App Store prove to be brilliant as you can find some of the best apps around for absolutely no damage to your wallet. You may find that some of the apps around are merely samples of the paid apps which have more features and full functionality – but there is no harm in trying first, right?

So, without further ado and the drum rolls at the ready, get your spanking new iPhone 3G S and its high performance graphics ready. Here are the top ten apps which are available on the App Store for free in reverse order:

10. Sexy Ladies, Hot Bikini Babes at Baberoo Babes Lite

Trust this to be in the list! It seems some naughty boys have been downloading quite a bit recently! This app has more than 500 different women on show with the opportunity to browse them by slide show or by thumbnails. (They are affectionately known as ‘babes’, in this app)

Arguably one of the most attractive features for some of this app is the opportunity to download the pictures of choice to the photo gallery for offline viewing.

9. 3D Rollercoaster Rush Free

Like mentioned earlier, games like these are normally teasers of the fully-functional apps which are available in the paid section. Technology sites are raving about this game and there are over 700 people who are currently testifying how great a game 3D Rollercoaster Rush is.

With the game trying to be more of an art, finding out the stunts which get the points in this game could be one of the most addictive features which there are to choose from.

8. Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs Scrat’s Skate Park

Currently at eight is a game trying to generate publicity in advance of the release of the latest Ice Age movie. The clever use of the accelerometer has made this game very popular with the tilting of the iPod or iPhone from left to right giving you to speed you need to build up points in the game. As for the reviews on iTunes though, so far it appears to be very disappointing as they are not shy of 2,000 measly one-star reviews.

7. Wild West Pinball

If you are looking for a quick fix for boredom, Wild West Pinball could be right up your alley. This game was a paid app until it was made free in advance of the new game from OOO Gameprom which is coming soon.

The convincing physics, easy controls and natural sounds of the game is what is making it very appealing throughout the App Store.

6. Most Addictive Game Free

Considering its rank in the free app top ten, they could be right. The simplistic idea of keeping a box in the centre of the screen from moving boxes surrounding it appears so simple until you try it and find yourself frustrated by the how addictive it is.

If you are feeling competitive (which after a few rounds of this game may be impossible to avoid), submitting your score to the online database to compare with other players can allow you to see how you are doing all in all.

5. How Smart Are You?

A very simple game, this app allows you to answer a few questions to determine your IQ and then the potential to put the total score on Facebook. Easy. Surely?

4. Chase the Dot

Chase The Dot has been enjoying a lot of success of late with people who have been experiencing extreme frustration at their lack of ability when it came to game play. It may be a simplistic idea – but it seems the principle of the game has had people scratching their heads in how hard it is.

Generally, the reviews seem to be indicating that it may be quite a fun game to play, but it isn’t necessarily one that you would go on to spend your hard-earned cash on.

3. Target Practice

It seems that reading reviews in advance of downloading an app could be an idea to consider. Target Practice is a game which seems pretty fun to play when you are reading through the application description – multiple levels, opportunity to shake to reload ammunition… it has all of the features in a shooting game that you would expect.

However, looking through the reviews and you see that not many people are too happy with how the game rolls. For example, as one user in particular eloquently put it: “It’s utter pants – wot a load of crap had more fun being constipated”. Nice.

2. Wimbledon 2009

A great app as we edge into the top two of our countdown of free apps on the App Store. The functionality of this app is very good, it is just a crying shame that the app will only be able to be used for two weeks before it is made completely redundant.

The first-ever app for Wimbledon, there are schedules of play, live score updates, news headlines and even on-demand video highlights available from the app, which is great if you want to keep up-to-date with Wimbledon as you are on the move.

1. Paper Toss

Using this app from Backflip Studios is like being in an authentic office – not only can crumple up paper and try to throw it in the bin whilst making the distance to the bin further and further away, but you can get verbal abuse from other office workers in the game – just like a real one!

There are many innovative apps which are at your disposal to try – and all for free! (Not bad in a recession, eh?) Even though some of them may end up to be really quite poor, giving them a try can’t hurt! Just remember that prices and the rank order of the top ten apps change from day to day. In addition, it may be a good idea to get the new 3.0 software before you invest in any app.

Reusing and recycling is becoming more and more common as society as a whole becomes more earth-conscious. Depending on where you live, you may even have to pay a hefty fine for not recycling!

Fortunately, giving back to the environment doesn’t have to be difficult or time consuming, especially when it comes to your electronics. In fact, doing so does more than just make your inner hippie happy. Living green also allows you to learn about advantages and deals you never would have discovered otherwise.

Intrigued? Here are some eco-friendly suggestions on how to buy, sell, and dispose your mobiles.

 
Recycle Your Phone

Do you go through several mobile phones a year while keeping up with the latest fads? Rather than leaving your unwanted mobiles to gather dust in your junk drawer, why not recycle them? There are lots of advantages to disposing of your phone this way.

Sadly, only a small percentage of mobile owners end up recycling their phones. For these reasons, companies such as Sony Ericsson, LG Electronics, Samsung, and several others are already working with recycling companies to help put unused phones to good use.

You can also find several recycling centers and drop off points located throughout the UK that are dedicated to recycling old mobile phones as well as other electronics.

Best of all, many manufacturers also offer cash, shopping vouchers, coupons, and other goodies in exchange for your old phone, allowing you to save a little green as well.

How does recycling your phone help Mother Earth?

For one, it helps keep phones out of landfills. What many don’t know is that the innards of many mobile phones can actually be quite harmful to the environment, especially the corrosive liquids found in batteries. Mobile phones are a bit like diapers and plastic shopping bags in that they last practically forever too.

That aside, when you consider the plastic, SIM cards, circuit boards, rubber, wiring, and other recyclable components found in many phones, it’s a shame to imagine all of that trapped under tons of moldering trash when it can be put to such good use.

The steps to recycling your phone are simple and don’t cost you a thing:

1. Before recycling your phone, transfer your emails, contact lists, photos, music, documents, text logs, and other information onto your new phone or your computer. Be sure to remove your memory cards and SIM cards so you can continue using them. Once everything is safely saved away, delete everything from your old phone.
2. Let the batteries run down completely. Once your phone has powered down, it’s ready to be recycled. Be sure to apply a strip of tape to the battery contacts on both the phone and on the ends of any loose batteries you include.
3. Don’t forget other recyclable accessories! Along with batteries, most recycling companies also accept chargers, headsets, mobile skins, headphones, obsolete memory cards, cables, and more.

As for packaging your phone, many phone manufacturers provide you with addressed recycling bags or envelopes to mail your phone to the desired location. However, if you plan to visit a recycling center instead, plastic bags, boxes, and large envelopes are good alternatives as well. These establishments are especially useful if you plan to recycle several phones at once.

Want to learn more? Check out these websites:

http://www.recycle-more.co.uk/nav/page1764.aspx?lang=_e http://www.recycleoldmobiles.co.uk/ http://www.recycling-guide.org.uk/mobiles.html

 
Sell Your Phone

If recycling isn’t your thing, you can make a bit of extra cash by selling your old phone. Doing so lets others get the most out of your old phone. For example, if your phone is in relatively good condition, many recycling companies will refurbish them, allowing others in need to get their hands on a much-needed mobile.

Additionally, websites such as Amazon, Ebay, and Craigslist allow you to safely sell your device. Preloved.com also provides a handy forum for you to advertise your phone for absolutely free.

 
Buy Used

Believe it or not, buying used mobile phones can result in you finding some truly amazing deals. This is especially ideal if you want a temporary, affordable phone to use while waiting for a particular brand to make its debut.

Don’t go into it thinking you’re at risk for getting shoddy electronics, however. Many times you’ll run across buyers who simply want to get rid of brand new extra phones that were received as gifts or prizes.

Buying used also allows you to get a wide variety of accessories for astonishing prices. This is perfect if you’d like to splurge on a few mobile skins to brighten up your phone or simply need a new headset or charger.

Best of all, you will be doing your part to give these phones and other goodies a second life as you put them to good use.

 
Keep an Eye Out for Recyclable Materials

Looking for a new phone? While browsing your store of choice, try taking a closer look at the box your phone comes in. These days manufacturers are doing everything they can to make a greener impression, and this includes using recycled cardboard and paper in their packaging. Some, such as LG Electronics, are even going so far as to use earth-friendly soy ink in their instruction manuals. Kooky!

Of course they’re not stopping there. Solar powered phones and energy efficient chargers are becoming more and more common as people become more energy conscious. Other green phones are emerging that are made from recycled plastic, rubber, and even biodegradable ingredients such as corn.

Buying from companies that promote such earth friendly methods of packaging and manufacturing, you are doing your part to ensure that mobile companies around the world continue to put the environment first when it comes to their electronic devices.

 
Check Your Manufacturer’s Policies

If you’re concerned about whether or not your mobile company of choice is making the right choices regarding the manufacture of their products, check their policies regarding the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment directive, an edict that is hilariously acronymed WEEE.

WEEE is a policy that manufacturers such as Sony Ericsson, Samsung, LG, and several others uphold to ensure that their mobiles are properly recycled. This allows for trace amounts of valuable elements such as silver to be reused, which saves companies the effort of mining them.

In addition to this, WEEE also regulates the amount of silicon plastic, zinc, nickel, steel, and harmful materials such as arsenic or mercury used to safe, reasonable levels. These materials are known for contaminating soil and water sources if not disposed of properly.

By following any one of these suggestions, you will be doing wonders for improving both your environment and those around you.

When you think about it, it’s amazing that you can do so much with so little effort—that by using products with recycled packaging, you can help eliminate waste, or by mailing off your unwanted mobile in its recycle bag, you can provide a family in need with a own phone.

Each day, more interesting green options are becoming available. Check them out today and see what you can do to do your part.

 
Sources: 1 2 3

Not known for their TV advertising campaigns, Virgin Media are taking steps to advertise their mobile arm for the first time in three years.

Virgin campaigns are usually glittered with celebrity appearances – the last advertising campaign that Virgin Mobile ran featured Pamela Anderson over three years ago in 2006.

The multi-million pound campaign is trying to get people to gauge an emotional connection with the advert by demonstrating the potential that mobile Internet can have on day-to-day life, including more music, games and communication with family and friends.

They are trying to push through the message that media available from stores on the mobile Internet network, like video clips and music, are a lot cheaper than most people think. Ashley Stockwell, who is the executive director of branding and marketing at Virgin Mobile’s parent company, Virgin Media, said the ad “really packs a punch”.

The 60-second commercial will be broadcast over five weeks from the launch of the campaign of June 24 and is to be accompanied by advertisements in other sectors like the press and outdoor advertising such as billboards. A large proportion of the campaign’s budget will go into the digital sector of online, which has been the focal point for Virgin Media’s advertising campaigns in recent years.

The advertisement for TV was created by the agency RKCR and is accompanied by the popular track “Into Dust” by the band Mazzy Star, with the potential for the song to develop into a cult song like “In The Air Tonight” by Phil Collins” a possibility.

These days, going green is all the rage. Environmentally friendly electronic goodies are popping up all over the place, from solar powered phones to energy saving chargers. The question remains, however: Are green phones worth the trouble?

It’s a common misconception that buying eco-friendly products means that you’re somehow getting less for your pound. Here are a few excellent products that allow you to be environmentally friendly without compromising quality or style.

Sony Ericsson Is Giving Back

Sony Ericsson boasts a number of green policies. Not only do they regulate the regular recycling of their mobile phones, but they also strive to use earth friendly materials in the manufacture of their phones, making them easier to recycle and break down for spare parts.

However, if you’re looking for high quality phones that are Mother Earth approved, Sony Ericsson has recently announced their latest contribution toward green electronics: The GreenHeart™ Portfolio.

This collection consists of two brand new phones: The C901 GreenHeart™ and the Naite. Included with the C901 is the MH300 GreenHeart™ headset, while the Naite boasts an EP300 GreenHeart™ charger, which helps enormously in your energy-saving endeavours.

All of these devices are made from recycled materials and styled up with vivid waterborne paints. The package also boasts minimal, recycled packaging. Rather than include a paper instruction booklet, they’ve installed an e-manual inside the phone instead.

There are a variety of green applications as well. For example, The C901 comes with a light sensor that aids in saving energy. You’ll also enjoy the WalkMate application, which helps you decide whether to walk or drive to any given location by determining how many steps you would have to take to get there.

The Naite is also interesting in that it includes the EcoMate, which has a variety of interesting applications, including a Carbon Footprint calculator. Its charger is also invaluable in saving energy.

Users will enjoy a plethora of other popular features as well.

A glimpse at the C901 GreenHeart™ reveals a 5.0 megapixel Cybershot camera with 16x digital zoom and a Xenon flash, a sophisticated media player with PlayNow™ and TrackID™, a fairly quick Bluetooth™ internet connection with Youtube™ and Google Maps™, and a 120 MB memory bank with additional memory card support.

You also get 9.5 hours of talk time, while standby is as much as 430 hours. Combine all this with a stylish casing painted in Ocean White with and you have a stylish, feature packed phone that can also shrink your carbon footprint.

And what of the Naite? This mobile comes in two colours: Vapour Silver and Ginger Red. 2.0 megapixel Cybershot camera, media player with Bluetooth™ stereo, Access Netfront™ browser with Google™ search, Bluetooth™ internet connectivity, are sure to please.

You also get 100MB of memory as well as a wealth of 3D games and other goodies. Talk time is up to 9 hours and 40 minutes, with 380 hours of standby.

With this in mind, it’s easy to see why environmentally conscious gadget lovers will be thrilled with what these phones have to offer.

Samsung Is Thinking Blue

Samsung fans will be overjoyed with their Blue Earth phone. One of the most striking features this phone possesses is its appearance. With all of the usual khaki or green colours associated with most earth friendly products, the Blue Earth, with its rounded shape and pretty azure hue, is a breath of fresh air.

When it comes to green devices, this phone is one of the most innovative of the market. Its casing is made largely recycled water bottles. Its enormous touchscreen can be set to ‘Eco Mode’, allowing you to save energy by lowering the screen’s brightness. You can also control the backlight and Bluetooth™ with this function.

Flip the phone over to reveal its huge solar panel. This by itself makes the phone ideal for users who don’t have the time to charge their phone or can’t find a place to plug in. The phone’s charger, incidentally, is energy efficient as well.

Like many green phones, Samsung has also included a handy pedometer as well as several other applications, such as the one that calculates how much CO2 you’ve minimised by walking.

Interested users will definitely want to keep an eye out for the Blue Earth. There are more details to come regarding the phone’s other features.

LG is Going Green

LG’s latest creation may not seem as snazzy as Samsung’s Blue Earth, but they’re doing their part. The as-of-yet unnamed handset revealed at the 2009 Mobile World Congress features a convenient solar powered battery cover. It’s been revealed that leaving the phone to charge in the sun for ten minutes can create enough energy to charge the phone for three minutes.

It was also revealed that they are in the process of manufacturing a solar panel that can be affixed to any LG phone, new or old, allowing you the opportunity to turn any LG phone into an eco-friendly one and stay powered up on the go at the same time.

What else is LG up to when it comes to the green agenda? The company revealed its new plans to reduce the usage of harmful substances in their mobiles, such as flame retardants, lead, mercury, and several others. They also plan to include more environmentally friendly packaging as well. Not only are they using recycled cardboard and paper without laminates, but their instruction manuals are also constructed from recycled paper and soy ink to promote easy biodegradability.

LG is showing a lot of potential with these proceedings. It’s certainly worth watching over the upcoming months as they continue to develop and augment their ideas.

Recycle Your Old Phones

Best of all, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, and LG Electronics all provide ways to recycle mobile phones, allowing you to put your old mobiles to good use should you purchase any of these green phones. Incidentally, all of the phones mentioned are designed and built with recycling in mind, allowing you to dispose of an unwanted green phone with zero guilt.

 
 
Sources http://www.lge.com/about/press_release/detail/21098_1.jhtml
http://www.66mobile.com/devices/sony-ericsson-c901-greenheart-and-naite-environmental-friendly-mobile-phones.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/mobile-phones/4641867/Mobile-World-Congress-Samsungs-solar-powered-phone.html

It has been confirmed that Nokia and Intel are to establish a business relationship which will target to better the platforms of the mobile phones of the future.

It seems that from a user interface perspective, the main focus is open source, with Linux being the software to be used on the platform being built, which will extend from the use of mobile telephony into other sectors like notebooks and Internet tablets. This has compounded the rumour which is circulating that Nokia may be expanding into the ever-crowded Netbook market.

The aim of the use of Linux with the more powerful processing power of the chipsets used is to provide new experiences when it comes to using mobile Internet and also when it comes to communication, with the emphasis on better graphics and a more streamlined integration of multimedia.

It seems that the relationship is to be long-standing, with Intel acquiring a licence to establish Nokia’s HSPA/3G connectivity into future products. By the sound of things, this marriage of two company’s expertise could mean business.

Some are in doubt as to whether the results will be seen in the immediate future, with Kai Öistämö of Nokia’s devices division having this to say: “We will explore new ideas in designs, materials and displays that will go far beyond devices and services on the market today.”

There are no doubts currently that this can only be good for the consumer, with more choice and an array of more reliable systems to come on the market. As for competitors, this could be the start of intriguing times as they wonder whether they are going to have to start playing catch up in the future.

In the days of exclusivity on networks, it can never hurt for a network to get a killer phone that only they can sell. O2 had the iPhone and now, it is Orange that has managed to obtain exclusivity rights to the Samsung S5600.

The phone’s objective is simple: to act as a hub for those who are mad on social-networking. It is to offer Windows Live and widgets for other websites on the go so that users can always stay in touch with their favourite online communities.

Mark Mitchinson, vice president of Samsung Mobile in the UK and Ireland said that the phone’s savvy design and ground-breaking user interface meant it had sensory appeal for the most image conscious of mobile users.

“The full Internet browsing capabilities [of the S5600] mean that they will never miss out on a status update or the latest photos again.”

Emphasis is mainly on the intuitive surface that the phone offers for users to personalise their home screens, but with a 3.2MP camera and the all-important expandable 8GB memory slot in play also, the phone has a lot to brag about.

Unsurprisingly, Orange is to launch this phone as part of a contract deal – 24 months at a rate of £20 each with the handset free in black, pink or white. What perhaps is one of the most interesting prospects is that the phone is available on pay-as-you-go simultaneously from the launch of the contract deal for a mere snip at £159.50.

Apple look to be continuing with their dominant streak in the smart phone market after the primed iPhone 3G S sold over one million units in the first few days of launch.

A rather excellent week for Apple was compounded by six million downloads of the latest software which is to accompany the release of the new model, the iPhone 3.0 software. The downloads have been taking part on all platforms across Apple’s current range, from the iPod Touch to the predecessor of the 3G S, the iPhone 3G.

The seven-digit sales in such a short amount of time come with the claims that the iPhone is most functional model released so far. With more powerful hardware that speeds up the use of the phone as well as a higher amount of storage and a new and improved battery life, it seems that more and more people are willing to pay for the improvements that the new model brings.

Combined with the software changes in the third version of the iPhone software, which include a search facility in the phone, a landscape keyboard and functions like cut, copy and paste, it could be said that the changes are relatively significant for a new release. However, there may be no denying that one of the most enticing features of the new iPhone 3G S is the sexy black model which is exclusive to the range and could possibly be the catalyst which is making sales flock in.

Review This object of techno-lust just got even better… and pricier Everyone knew that Apple was planning to unveil version 3.0 of the iPhone OS at its Worldwide Developer Conference this month. As expected, the new OS adds some long awaited features such as copy and paste , multimedia messaging (MMS) and the ability to tether your iPhone to a laptop computer so that the notebook can share the phone s 3G internet connection. Continued

Navigate your way through the mud Watching your favourite bands while standing in foot-deep mud is tricky enough. Luckily, Orange has designed a mobile phone application that could make this year s Glastonbury festival go slightly more smoothly for you. Continued

O2 cried foul The company behind a controversial new directory of private mobile phone numbers threatened O2 with legal action when it refused to provide its customers’ personal details, The Register has learned. Continued