Pandora: A Top Smartphone App

Cell phones apps are becoming more popular with the release of each new smartphone. Making our the organization of our lives more efficient, keeping us up to date with the latest news and events; apps, free or paid, are just another reason why cell phones have become such an important part of our world today.

The new Pandora app, evolved from Pandora radio is another one of those reasons we appreciate new and amazing applications for our smartphones. In making the top ten most used smartphone app list, knowing the history behind the new app is a great way in which to benefit and respect it even more.

Pandora first started a few short years ago as a Music Genome Project. This mathematical algorithm created by both Will Glaser and Tim Westergren was brought to Pandora Radio (currently on MSN) in 2000. The idea would be to create pods of music in which to categorize. Then, each song was given a list of characteristics that would put them within these pods.

In this, Pandora could offer suggestions of songs and artists that somebody who liked a similar pod might also like. This gives the listener the ability to not only listen to their favorite tracks and artists but would also introduce new tracks and artists to the listener, intermittently. Listeners choose to create stations based on their favorite artists. They can choose a multitude of stations and flip back and forth between them all. Whether your phone goes down and needs iPhone repair, or if it is temporarily out of commission due to faulty service, your choices remain within Pandora's software. Pandora also allows for skipping of tracks as well as pausing tracks as the user chooses.

In only mid 2010 Pandora had over seven hundred thousand tracks on file, including that of variant artists. Over forty-five million users had subscribed to Pandora and were using the system. In now being used as an application on smartphones and features phones alike, Pandora has reached a new level.

The best part of having Pandora as an application on your cellular phone is that it is completely free for the first forty hours of music each month. If a user wants to continue service after their forty hours within a month, this can be established with a small fee of under one United States dollar.

The application has proven itself worthy by allowing for the system to suggest new artists and music, but also allowing the listener to accept or reject the suggested preferences. To make life even easier, links to purchase songs that the listener wants to listen to again and again are obtained on the Pandora website or Pandora app.

Whether you're on a long road trip or jumping from place to place with your headphones on, the Pandora app let's you listen to what you want to listen to. With no charge for the first forty minutes each month, why not try the Pandora app on your smartphone today?

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5 Best Android Dual Core Smartphones

The most famous feature of smartphones is the installation of applications, and you yourself can add and manage the applications according to your preference. Here are some of the latest and probably the best Android Dual Core Smartphones around:

1. LG G2x

Also known as the Optimus 2x, the G2x is definitely one of those to be considered when looking for an Android smartphone. It is a power gadget with its 1GHz dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor. T-Mobile's Gx2 is equipped with a 4-inch LCD screen with WVGA resolution. It also has an 8-megapixel rear facing camera that has a 1080p video capture and 3D video, on top of a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera. Other features include Bluetooth support, 8GB on-board storage and HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface). It is run by a 1500 mAh battery. The downside is that it does not support 4G.

2. DROID X2

DROID X2 is Verizon's first phone with a dual core 1GHZ processor. It is the successor of DROID X which is in itself a powerful phone. It has a 4.3-inch display which is fascinatingly scratch-resistant and anti-reflective. It also has an 8 megapixel camera that can shoot full HD 1080p video. Important features of this smartphone are its Enterprise-ready security and IT-grade policies which allow your phone to be used for work and play. When it comes to Mobile Hotspot Capability, DROID X2 allows its users to share his/her 3G connection with up to 5 devices that are Wi-Fi ready. It's also easy to type messages or emails in this phone thanks to its virtual QWERTY keyboard which uses SWYPE technology. Although powered by Android 2.2, reports say that DROID X2 operating system will be updated to Android 2.3

3. Motorola Atrix 4G

This super phone which is the flagship Android device on AT&T brags its amazing specifications including a 1 GHz dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, a 4-inch high-resolution display and a long battery life with its 1930 mAh battery. It has 2 cameras: one is a rear-facing camera with 720p HD video capture and the other one is a front-facing VGA camera. It has 1GB of RAM and 15 GB of on-board storage. Among its other features include Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) and HDMI. It's also good to know that it has recently been upgraded to HSUPA speeds.

4. HTC EVO 3D

Though its exact release date hasn't been announced yet, a lot are probably waiting to get hold of this WiMax-enabled phone. It is said to be the successor of the HTC EVO 4G. It's going to flaunt a 4.3-inch qHD display which is about the same size as its predecessor, but with a higher resolution. True to its name, it will be able to display glasses-free 3D content. It will be Sprint's first WiMax handset with a dual-core processor as it will be powered by a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon dual-core processor.. An interesting feature would be the HTC Sense 3.0 which is said to provide new home screens and applications and easy Twitter and Facebook integration with its Friend Stream.

5. Samsung Galaxy S II

This phone will most likely stand out and would probably give iPhone a run for its money. The Samsung Galaxy S II is run on a dual-core 1.2GHz processor. It has 1GB RAM and a built-in storage of 16 GB. The Samsung Galaxy S II flaunts a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED display which is probably the best display on any device to date. It has an 8-megapixel rear facing camera and a 1.3-megapixel front facing one. Though its design is reminiscent of the ever popular iPhone 4, its amazing specifications could spell the difference.

Some of these amazing gadgets, however, are not available just yet. When they hit the market though, it can be expected that the sales of these smartphones will shoot up.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6304900

5 Tips For Securing Your Smartphone

With the continued increase in the uptake of Smartphones you should consider the security issues. Smartphones are like mini computers. They have the ability to hold data which is accessible via email, a cloud based web app or some sort of internal or external memory storage.

Smartphones are valuable and you need to consider what would happen should your mobile device fall into the wrong hands. Here are five tips on how you can secure your Smartphone

Tip 1: Use Password Protection

It is easy to set password protection on your phone. It is most likely under your phones security settings. If you cannot find the option check online or your phone's manual to see how to enable this. Most people password protect their computer but do not feel the need to for a mobile device however this is the first security step you should take.

Tip 2: Remotely Wipe Phone Data

After you have secured your mobile phone with a password or pass code you may still want to further protect the data stored on your phone with remote wipe. Remote wipe will wipe the data on your phone and restore all the factory settings. This is not something you would want to do unless you are certain you have lost your phone.

In order to set up remote wipe if you have an iPhone you will need to sign up for a paid account with MobileMe. Then you must set up your phone to enable the wipe should you need it. Android phones running 2.2 have remote wipe built in, but you will also need Exchange. Because remote wipe using Exchange can only be done by an administrator of Exchange a better option would be to use the Mobile Defense app. It's a free app from the Android Marketplace which will allow you to perform the wipe from the Mobile Defense website.

If your phones uses Windows 7 phones it can be remote wiped using Outlook Web Access.

Tip 3: Do Not Save Sensitive Data

If you use your phone to access your internet banking or log in to all your favourite sites do not set your Smartphone to auto-remember passwords. Should your phone get lost or be picked up by someone else your account can be easily accessed.

Many people have their home and address stored on their phone this information could be used fraudulently if your phone was lost or stolen. However using a password or remote wipe tools, as described above, you can prevent your details being leaked.

Tip 4: Watch What You Click

Smartphones like computers can be affected by malware, computer viruses and phishing scams. If you receive a suspicious email or SMS do not click on any links, just as like you would on your computer. Phishing scams can be used to steal your passwords and important information and are often very cleverly disguised as being from your bank.

Tip 5: Be Careful What You Install

If you download or install a new app make sure it is from a trusted source. The benefit of Smartphones is that there are thousands of applications and games available to extend their functionality. Only use official app stores otherwise you may find some malicious code injected into your app which will pass a virus onto your phone.

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Best Upcoming Smartphones 2011

For the past two years, clearly the best-selling tech item around the world became the smartphone, the device that conveniently places the Internet in your pocket. This week, it has been announced that Research In Motion shipped 14.2 million BlackBerry in the quarter ending in September 2010, narrowly beating Apple's iPhone sales. These are huge numbers for smartphones sales.

The best way to shop around for a smartphone is firstly, to select a carrier with adequate coverage and a price plan that fits your needs. However, if you're going firstly to select the best smartphone, you should start by selecting its operating system (OS).

Right now, you have five Operating Systems (in the United States):

• BlackBerry's OS by Research in Motion (RIM);


• HP's web OS;


• Apple's IOS, the software for the iPhone;


• Google's Android; and


• Microsoft's Windows Phone 7;

1) Concerning BlackBerries, while carriers such as Sprint and AT&T already sell smartphones running RIM's upgraded BlackBerry 6 software, others (e.g. T-Mobile and Verizon) still have to make such adjustment. Anyway, BlackBerry 6 won't probably be around for long, as RIM will be using a newer operating system on its coming tablet computer, in early 2011.

2) HP's web-OS just got a major update, however the current lineup is badly due for a replacement, and apparently HP's upcoming smartphone (i.e. Verizon-first Pre 2) doesn't look like it will count as such. Web-OS also badly trails other operating systems in its selection of apps, though it remains better off than Windows Phone 7.

3) Apple's i-OS does multimedia, calendar and contacts organization and Web browsing better than all the others smartphones. It also has the widest selection of add-on apps. Its FaceTime video-calling software is excellent in terms of ease of use and reach on other smartphones. But the iPhone runs only on AT&T, right now. That carrier also locks every iPhone sold in the US against transfer to other services, limiting you to expensive roaming plans while you travel abroad. And the major drawback with the iPhone is its phone service, particularly the issue of dropped calls.

4) Android OS's major strength is its diversity, because every major US carrier offers an Android smartphone which has led to a good selection of hardware designs and prices as low as $0.01. And the choice of Android apps might be limited, but fortunately it is not subject to the sort of freaky control Apple exercises over its App Store.

5) Windows Phone 7 to some extent is an unfinished product: it is a decent Web smartphone with weak apps. And Windows Phone 7 smartphones are overpriced for what they do. And their current limited availability is a serious drawback: only T-Mobile and AT&T sell Windows Phone 7 smartphones, but other carriers should join them by mid-2011.

Obviously, smartphones running Microsoft's older Windows Mobile software should not even be considered in your shopping requirements, in 2011.

After you select the operating system, then you should choose a carrier that will offer you coverage and a flexible price plan. Right now, your best choice for mobile-broadband coverage are with Verizon and Sprint (2nd choice). AT&T and T-Mobile are distant competitors. Why? Let me give you an example: in 2009, AT&T refused to allow iPhone users to make Skype calls over AT&T's 3G wireless network. In 2010, AT&T eventually relented. However, Verizon Wireless offers more than twenty smartphones that are compatible with Skype, and about half of them sold with Skype's mobile app already on the smartphone.

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10 Best Smartphones With Excellent Camera Functionality

The camera feature is undoubtedly, one of the must-haves in any Smartphone. With phones like Nokia N8 coming with enviable camera features, it sure sounds death-knell for some of the digital camera brands. In the Smartphone, the camera is one of the most important value-additions, where you can quickly take a picture and upload it on a social networking site for friends to see and comment. Let us look at some of the best camera phones in the business: 

Nokia N8: Nokia N8 gives you the chance to knock your digital camera away with an enviable 12 mega pixel camera and HD video recording. To elaborate, the 12 megapixel autofocus camera comes with xenon flash and 720p at the rate 25fps video recording. The camera features include a huge 1.83" camera sensor, mechanical shutter, ND filter, geo-tagging, face detection.

Sony Xperia x10 camera: The Sony Xperia x10 is impressive, to say the least. Buy it for its amazing camera functionality which features a 8 MP autofocus camera with LED, capable of taking pictures at 3264x2448 pixels. The other features include Touch focus, image stabilization, geo-tagging, face and smile detection. It is also capable of video recording with WVGA at 30 frames per second.

Samsung w880 AMOLED Sadly, this one is available to South Korean market only, but the camera feature is magnificent. The primary camera is 12 megapixel wonder 4000 x 3000 pixels with 3x optical zoom and LED flash. It can shoot videos at 720p at the rate of 30fps. The secondary camera serves as a video call camera.

HTC Desire HD: HTC Desire HD has an 8 megapixel camera to click pictures at 3264x2448 pixels with autofocus. There is dual-led Flash, geo-tagging and face detection as well. It shoots videos at 720 frames per second.

Motorola Milestone XT720: This amazing Smartphone has its camera as its USP. It features 8MP camera with 3264x2448 pixel pictures with Xenon flash and autofocus. The other features include geo-tagging, face detection and image stabilization. Video recording is at 720p at the rate of24 frames per second.

HTC 7 Mozart: HTC Mozart is a good 8 megapixel camera phone clicking pictures of 3264x2448 pixels, with autofocus and Xenon Flash. Apart from geo-tagging and face detection, it can record videos at 720 frames per second.

Nokia C7: Nokia C7, the phone built with the solid Symbian^3 OS comes in with an 8 MP camera at 3264x2448 pixels, with fixed focus and dual-LED Flash. There are added features like geo-tagging as well as face detection. The video recording is 720p at the rate of 25 frames per second.


HTC Evo 4G: Though not a GSM phone, HTC Evo 4G made for Sprint has a very good camera that clicks pictures at 8 MP with dual-LED and autofocus. The images being clicked are at 3264x2448 pixels with geo-tagging feature. There is a secondary camera that is 1.3 MP while the video recording is at 720p.


Motorola Droid X: Motorola Droid X has an 8 megapixel camera with 266x2450 pixels, autofocus and dual-LED flash. There are other usual features like geo-tagging, face detection and enhanced image stabilization. The video recording is 720p at 24 frames per second.


Samsung I8520 Galaxy Beam: The beautiful Samsung I8520 Galaxy Beam has an 8MP camera with autofocus and LED Flash. The pictures clicked are of 3264x2448 pixels. There are features like face detection, smile detection, blink detection and geo-tagging. The video shooting feature is good at 720p at the rate of 30fps. There is also a secondary VGA camera.


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The Best Smartphone for Business

You might think that upgrading to a smart phone is a good idea, but finding the right gadget that will meet your specific business needs requirements can be challenging. It is important to do sufficient research to avoid ending up with an expensive smart phone that doesn't contain the features you need. This article will give you the lowdown on how to find the best smart phone for business.

Application Requirements

Basically, you have six main smart phone platforms to choose from: iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Windows Mobile, Palm OS, and Nokia 60. Do some research on the strengths and weaknesses of these applications to determine which one best fits the requirements of your business. Take a look at the existing infrastructure in your office. "Do you need the phone to work with Microsoft Exchange, or Lotus Notes, or have the ability to attach Microsoft Office documents?" Smart phone experts recommend prioritizing functions because it lets you maximize the features of the smart phone.

Keypad Considerations

Smart phones come in all shapes, sizes, and designs. If you mostly rely on your phone for word processing, get a QWERTY-based keypad. This will make data input more efficient. Standard phones are good for general use but not for mobile workers. Also, consider your personal preference when it comes to choosing the type of keyboard. Some people prefer soft keyboards similar to those found in iPhones while others prefer tactile keyboards in BlackBerry.

Location Factors

Your location can dictate what type of phone you should buy. A lot of phone manufacturers tie up with certain carriers and this can limit your choice. In addition, if you often travel to Europe, getting a GSM-phone that works overseas may be a better choice than a North American-centric CDMA-based mobile gadget.

Recommended Phones for Business

• BlackBerry Curve - lightweight and small, this QWERTY-based BlackBerry phone is ideal for road warriors. It has a built-in 2-megapixel camera, media player for music, photos, and videos, as well as GPS navigation system. The phone works in more than 200 countries.

• MOTO Q 9th Smart Phone - this Windows-powered device is a good choice for most executives because it supports document creation, its editing, and viewing. The mobile phone also features Bluetooth Stereo, microSD memory card expansion, and fast 3D connectivity.

• LG Voyager - if you're looking for a phone that provides excellent value for money, the LG Voyager is a good choice. It has a high-resolution touch screen similar to the iPhone but it contains an additional tactile feedback. One downside to the Voyager is that it does not have built-in Wi-Fi; instead, it has high-speed 3D connectivity.

One of the biggest mistakes some people make is buying smart phones for the "brag factor". It is more important to buy a phone you need than something you want because your decision affects your business communication capabilities. Although it would be great to own the latest and coolest gadgets in the market, you should prioritize function over fashion. You won't regret it.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6291084

The Samsung Galaxy S2 Beats The HTC Sensation To The Title Of Best Smartphone

A number of top end handsets that feature the very latest dual core processors have either recently been launched or are due for launch over the coming weeks. Typically these models are not only top end with regards to their speed but all of the other features that they boast maintain this top quality. Amongst these new handsets are two models which grab your attention and quite rightly so. The Samsung Galaxy S2 is the newest offering from Samsung and follows on from the original Galaxy S model which was not only highly acclaimed but also one of the best selling handsets of 2010. Can its replacement model surpass the dizzy heights achieved by the original handset? The second model that stands out is the Sensation from HTC, the new flagship handset from a brand that has quickly established itself at the forefront of smartphone technology. So if you are looking for a top end handset, which of these two models should you opt for?

The centre piece of both handsets are the 1.2Ghz dual core processors that they both sport, enabling not only lightning quick operation but also impressive multi tasking. Look beyond these chips however and there are numerous other features that do vary slightly from one another. RAM is an area often overlooked by many prospective phone customers simply because they do not understand its significance. RAM stands for random access memory and is often referred to simply as memory. This is used for the short term storage of data and usually the bigger the RAM capacity then the faster the phone will operate. Taking this into consideration the fact that the S2 sports 1GB of RAM compared to the Sensations 768MB gives the Samsung handset a head start and also ensures that together with the great processor you will struggle to find a faster device on the market.

Although the Samsung Galaxy S2 and the HTC Sensation both offer the same size 4.3 inch display there are slight differences in the actual technology on offer. Despite the HTC offering a higher resolution at 540 x 960 rather than 480 x 800, Samsungs decision to use Super AMOLED rather than Super LCD panels means material appears in more detail, not to mention that the phone achieves better viewing angles. One area where the Samsung is streets ahead is that it supports NFC. NFC stands for "Near Field Communication" and is a new method of paying for items via your mobile handset. Your phone has your debit card details stored and when passed in close proximity to a sensor payments can be made directly from your phone. This really is the future and gives this handset a huge advantage over the HTC.

There is no doubt that if you owned either of these phones you would not be disappointed, but if you want to make a considered decision on which handset is better then it seems that the Samsung Galaxy S2 comes out top in many departments.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6222670