When Android was first starting to gain it’s popularity they lacked the number of apps to sustain a thriving mobile OS experience.  However the rise in usage has motivated developers to create apps on Android as well.  There are also more Android users currently downloading apps because of that fact that app developers might get more sales via Android.  The end result as seen bellow is a thriving Android app store and the data specifically for smartphones indicates a rise to over 700K apps apposed to only 600K in the iTunes store specifically designed for the iPhone.  Its important to note that Apple screens their app submissions much more then the Google Play and Android.  Some of Androids apps don’t actually work as well as many in the iTunes store because Apple scrutinizes each individual submission to make sure it stacks up their ideals.  However Android is growing and gaining traction as one of the largest app stores against their arch-rival, iTunes.

It’s also interesting to note that most smartphone users are from the age of 25 to 34.  The rest of the distribution is fairly even with the exception of 13-17 year old teenagers which only take up 6.3% if the handset by age pie.   This does seem interesting but the most likely culprit of this is the price to own a smartphone is not affordable for many teenagers that have school expenses and other interests.  This may be a little skewed due to the fact that the parents are the ones buying their teenagers the plan, and this the stats may be a little less.  However it does seem to indicate that teenagers are not the largest group of people using smartphones.  This is some interesting news for sure!

There is also some startling and highly informative data seen below.  A special thanks to Coupon Audit for helping us collect and design this informative infographic.

Feel free to use this infographic on your blog, website, or other places.  Please give credit to Coupon Audit (provides Finish Line coupon code) and Vault Feed when using the info graphic elsewhere.

So what do you think?  Leave your comments below:

Nokia C3

This model is slightly unusual in that it features a full four-line QWERTY keyboard, as did some of the earlier Nokia 6800 series handsets. This makes typing texts and online social messages far easier than with a touchscreen. It is touted as an entry-level social networking and messaging smartphone, similar to the style of Blackberry handsets.

The C3 weighs in at 114g and featuring a two-megapixel camera, built-in Wi-Fi, 2.4-inch screen and an internal memory of 55 MB. Whilst it features 2G connectivity, it does not support 3G. This handset has a Nokia BL-5J 1320 mAh battery and features a sturdy metal back plate.

This is a well-crafted and functional phone for a very reasonable price. If affordability and durability are among your criteria, this should certainly be one of the handsets you look at. This sturdy model will have decent resale value if you decide to sell your Nokia C3 handset later down the line when you next upgrade.

Samsung Galaxy Ace 2

Samsung has introduced the Galaxy Ace 2 as a successor to the hugely successful Galaxy Ace. The updated tech specs include 3G connectivity, in-built memory capacity of 4 GB and 768 Mb of RAM. The Ace 2 also features Android 2.3 Gingerbread, a five-megapixel camera with a flash, dual standby SIM (GSM + CDMA) and a 480 x 800 pixel, 3.8 inch display.

This affordable smartphone weighs only 122g and includes most of the features of its more expensive relatives. The 800mhz dual-core processor provides a vast improvement on the performance of the preceding Galaxy Ace.

It may not be quite as durable or affordable as the Nokia model but it has more going on inside. The Galaxy Ace 2 provides something for everyone in a neat package, including a camera, games, media, internet connectivity and more.

LG Optimus L3

This is another budget smartphone running on Android and takes its design inspiration from LG’s more expensive models. But does the performance match up?

This palm-sized mobile is one of the most attractive low-priced Android phones out there. The dimensions are 102mm x 61.6mm x 11.7mm and weighing in at only 110g, it is the lightest of the three phones examined here.

The model features a 3.2 inch screen with 320 x 240 pixel resolution, a fast internet browser, a three-megapixel camera and 1540 mAh battery. As for the operating system, the L3 uses its own Optimus UI 2.0 Lite in conjunction with Android Gingerbread, a combination which does not become bloated and slow.

Of these three attractive prospects in the lower end of the smartphone market, choose the Nokia C3 if you’re purely looking for affordability and durability (with a nifty keyboard). If you want more processing power, you should check out the Samsung Galaxy Ace 2. And don’t overlook the LG Optimus L3 if it is style points you’re looking to score.

If you have more money, you can buy an iPhone from Apple.  If you don’t have a huge budget, one of the above phones are a great choice!

Below are the screen response time.  Bigger numbers indicate slower response times.  Smaller numbers are better!  Numbers are in MS, (milliseconds).

As you can see the iPhone 5 is nearly 2X as fast as its competitors.  This is something you don’t actually realize when you take a first look at the galaxy S4.  Yes the S4 is fast and has a nice look and feel to it, however the iPhone’s digitizer is able to compute your finger’s location faster and more accurately!

The moto-X is very slow as seen above with (MART) at 123 vs the iPhone 5 at only 55.  You can also see to our surprise that the iPhone 4 which is fairly old actually comes in faster then the Galaxy S4 which people say is better.  iPhone 4 at 85, and Galaxy S4 at 114.  This comes to a surprise given that the iPhone 4 is 3+ years old already!

The video below shows the way these specifications are calculated.  

As you can see in the test, iPhones truly to have a faster screen!  Its easy to look at the fancy exterior given to the galaxy S4 without actually looking at the specs.  As you see here, the iPhone 4 which is much older, still outperformed its galaxy S4 competitor, right from the past!

The iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 truly are benchmarked as better devices worthy of praise.  Especially when you see reports like this!  What do you think?

Also read the posts below on Apple’s Touch ID.  

• Touch ID Hands On Review
• A Cat Can Use Touch ID (Paw-ID)
• Touch ID Works When Your Sleeping!
• What Others Are Saying About Touch ID on iPhone 5S
• Only Live Fingers Work With Touch ID, not Severed limbs!
• New iPad’s May Have Touch ID (Leaked Photos!)

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Update:  We we’re the first to have a live video mirror of the event via YouTube accounts: Publishize, and VaultFeed.com  See the video bellow:

It’s tasteless, sad, and a absolute degradation of internal character for Microsoft to do this.  My thoughts have changed towards Microsoft.  

They have made these videos to seem “real” by using people that look just like Steve Jobs and Johnny Ives.  Then they attempt to pitch the iPhone 5S and 5C in a funny way.  These ads just recently posted by the (WindowsPhone) youtube channel seem to be Microsoft’s ongoing attempt to degrade, destroy, erode, and dismantle Apples fan base and true believers.

Watch the videos below and you will soon see that Microsoft doesn’t have any other motive other then to destroy Apple and its following.  Will Apple be suing Microsoft in the coming months?  Possibly and possibly not.  We will keep you updated!  Now watch the video below:

UPDATE: MICROSOFT JUST REMOVED THE VIDEOS – YOU CAN SEE A COPY BELLOW:

Also check out the other iPhone 5S news below:

The videos bellow can be seen, however were removed by Microsoft because they resized how dumb they were being!

This next video seen bellow makes fun of Apples “polycarbonate” and their use of that word.

This next video makes fun of Apple’s term and use of “innovative materials” within their announcement videos.

Again Microsoft seen bellow making fun of the term “the phone for everyone” showing similar tasteless behavior.

Since Apple came out with the awesome new fingerprint sensor, Microsoft had to also make a video poking fun at that also.

The stunning ability to take pictures on the iPhone with the 8 mega pixel camera also gets drowned by another sad video by Microsoft.  What is Microsoft even trying to do?

My Final Thoughts:

Honestly why?  Why would Microsoft have to tear someone else down in a tasteless way bring themselves up?  Why can’t companies just make something truly better for the sake of making better products?   We recently say how Microsoft is copying SIRI by making CORTANA.  Why?  Why does Microsoft copy others and then make fun of them for no reason?

It seems to me like Microsoft is doing everything the WRONG way.  They bought Nokia for 7.1B, and then don’t even want to use their long-lasting name.  They aim to copy Siri with another girl name Cortana.  And now they make a bunch of videos striking fun at Apple.  The truth is that Apple is getting a LOT of publicity.  They get sued more then ANY other company in terms of copyright’s and they get heckled by every company under the sun.

Come on people?  Just because someone innovated in the first place and made something truly “awesome” doesn’t mean you should degrade and swindle your way to the top. It’s a ugly way to be successful as a company.  It leaves a sad legacy.  Take a chill pill Microsoft!

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This lens is NOT a lens that attaches to the iPhone’s camera.  It is a separate camera which attaches to the camera or can sit on a tripod and you control and view it remotely on your iPhone.  Its a great concept and it has already hit Amazon.  You might not like the price, but if your in the mood for priceless pictures, it might be a good purchase!

Buy It Here:

• Amazon $249 Sony Lens.
• Amazon $498 Sony Lens.

As you can see, its a nice lens, but its going to cost you!  Nearly more then your smartphone itself!  These images and credit goes to GigaOM.

You will be able to get this on September 27 when it is officially ready to ship.  These lenses will create some of the best quality pictures you will ever see as Sony boasts their iPhone lens accessory the QX10 and QX100.

As you can see it simply clips on your device and then you download the iPhone or Android app and continue to use it as a separate camera altogether, but attached to your device via Wi-Fi or NFC technology.

You can take self portraits or use it as an external camera.  Its a neat way to take pictures in higher quality!  Your pictures will be around 3-4 MB in size and the quality will be much better then your normal iPhone or Android Camera.

The lens is everything, not the mega pixels or camera.  Its the lens itself that makes the camera and this Sony lens boasts to take the best pictures ever!

(source GigaOM)

Microsoft Buys Nokia For $7.1 Billion Then Brands It As Microsoft? – Many of us have seen Nokia throughout the years as it was the first company to originally make cell phones.  They were some of the first cell phones and smartphone ever made.  Microsoft has pushed its Microsoft MOBILE OS onto many of the Nokia phones as we have seen in the most recent past.  We also have seen the video of the new LUMIA 1020 NOKIA.

Nokia was recently purchased as reported today for a staggering $7.1 Billion.  This isn’t that huge of a number compared to Skype which was purchased for 8.5 Billion some time ago.

This comes as somewhat of a surprise, however since Microsoft was in fact working so closely with Nokia, it only seems right that they bought it!  However this is where it really gets interesting. 

Nokia is going to be removed and called the “Microsoft phone.”  No more “Nokia” is what it seems.  This the biggest surprise as we all remember Nokia from a long tim ago being the first and one of the best phones to hit the world earlier in the phone-boom of year 2000+.  This seems unlikely, however it was confirmer by RedmondPie just today that Nokia no longer will be branding most of their phones as “Nokia” anymore.  Instead they will be called “Microsoft.”

This could really get interesting fast for Nokia and Microsoft as this move may not be the best.  I personally believe that this could be a huge mistake.  Nokia has a long following and brand name equity throughout the life of its company.  Its sad that Microsoft is removing the name Nokia from the cell phone choices we have.  I honestly think that this choice could place their large purchase at an odds end.

Come on Microsoft!  You paid 7.1 Billion to remove the name “Nokia” for your own name “Microsoft?  It doesn’t make sense!  

Microsoft may reconsider as we all hope they will, however in the meantime it will be interesting to see how these two companies develop as the merger acquisition continues to unveil.

The new Nokia Lumia will be called “Microsoft Lumia” or something similar as reported by RedmondPie.

Keep updated by following us for more “Tech” related news and tips!

(Source: Nokia)

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If you use a carrier based smartphone, its about time you read this post!  You may find yourself wanting to purchase an iPhone, or a different smartphone, however if its used, you will want to check the ESN and the EMEI number to make sure that it is “clean.”  What I mean by that, is that the phone you are purchasing is off the account with its carrier and able to be used with your new number.  This is NOT the same term as “Unlocked.”  Even if a phone is unlocked, it can be blocked in the U.S. and other locations if the EMEI is bad.  Its important to check both prior to any third-party cell phone purchase.  If you buy it new, you won’t have to worry about this if your purchasing it from a reputable company!

(Also Read:  Completely Delete Yourself From The Internet)

(Also Read:  How To Check Apple iPhone Warranty)

(Also Read:  iPhone Unlock Check Via IMEI)

First locate your settings app and navigate to the “About” section for iPhone, or the “advanced” section or “phone information” section of the device if its android and blackberry.  Some versions are different.  Then simply locate the numbers starting with “A10000xxxxxxxxxx”  If it is Verizon / Sprint, or other CDMA.  If it is GSM, all you need to do is check the EMEI blacklist on the CheckEsnFree.com.  Find the EMEI in your GSM iPhone by pressing into the phone keypad: *#06#.  If you need to check the EMEI, all you have to do in most cases to check the number is hit *#06#.  This will then give you the number that you will input to CheckEsnFree.com.

If you need more help finding the number on the iPhone, you can go here:  Apple Support Document.

After you have located the ESN or EMEI numbers you just need to head on over to CheckEsnFree.com.  Then you will need to select your appropriate carrier from the list of carriers.  In my case I chose SPRINT US, because that is my current carrier.  THen I entered my ESN number which started like this A10000xxxxxxx.  Then it tells you if it is clear and good to go!

Never buy another smartphone, iPhone, or other device without knowing FOR SURE if it is not blacklisted, or on another account.  This could save you a lot of time, money, and hassle!

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For More Tech News On iPhones And Other Tech!  Click Image Bellow!

Even though this is an awesome idea, I’m slightly critical on how its going to work.  First off, this “tile” must be attached to things for it to be used.  And if someone is really going to steal something they will remove the tile because everyone will know about it by that time (If in fact the “tile” makes its popularity).  The idea of being able to track your things is really cool, but why not make little GPS modules that you can actually track the exact location of?  I feel this would be a whole lot more useful!  What if not everyone has the tile app and what if for some reason you are not in “distance” with the tile.

The main issue I can identify with this “tile” device is that it needs to be within distance to be seen on the device.  It makes it hard to find your item if you have to be within a few feed to see it.  I can see that it would be helpful if your trying to find keys on your house or something, but as a way to recover a stolen item, or as a way to track a vehicle or similar uses where you can actually “track” its true “location”, it sucks!  Great idea, but I would buy it if it was a little bit different.

If the “tile” could track the exact location at any time it would be a HUGE hit.  I would buy something like that even if it cost $50+ dollars or even more!  Insurance companies would also buy them from you to track cars being insured in high-risk theft regions.  There are countless ways that something like this could be improved, however the limited distance of this “tile’ tracker and the limited market share of people actually wanting something that can only track things within your house makes it not a worthy buy!

I love the idea of crowd-sorcing-location but how will it really work?  Many times we get all skeptical about things we haven’t seen and I understand that.  The issue is that Apple actually has an app “find my iPhone” which is an excellent app which you can see the currant location of ALL devices that are connected to your MAC iCloud account.  This technology is already a lot farther in advancement then the “tile”.  I feel like the “tile” and its app is like taking something awesome and making it old again.  Isn’t there a way to triangulate somehow and make a tile that can be seen on an actual map without the “need” of people crowd-sourcing it’s location?  I know there is a way!  In the currant the tile kinda sucks.. sadly to say.  I love new ideas but this one.. is a little over hyped i’d say…

When Steve Jobs demanded that the computer needed “Type-Face” and fonts, people thought it couldn’t happen, and they thought it was crazy!  But the truth is that it was VERY necessary.  Like this, I believe that if people think its not possible, it can be possible!  The “tile” app can be much more then it really is!

I hope the tile team makes a team effort at changing the way we locate things in an even more genius way!  For now, I won’t be buying any tiles.  its worthless unless I can see it on a map!

(source: 9to5mac, Tile)

Watch the video bellow so you know what this is!

200 people were entered into this study.  Each of the participants was able to us iPhone apps and then not use any iPhone apps for 4 days.  The results are very interesting as it shows how much we really do rely on our iPhones and smartphones in our everyday lives!  It also shows a possible addiction trend since the rise of the smartphone!

eBay challenged these participants to really see how life is without apps.  Its very interesting that over 1/3 of ALL of the participants couldn’t actually make it through the 4 days.  They couldn’t handle the loss of not having their iPhone.  This truly shows an addiction!

As seen bellow the most common us sages of your iPhone are as follows:

• Social networking with iPhone apps.

• Photo sharing via apps and networks

• Navigation and GPS functionality.

• Daily weather apps.

Most people as you can read and see bellow felt utterly powerless and lost without their iPhone and apps.  This also is another strong indicator that your smartphone is in fact addicting!  The other facts are in the image bellow.

Should smartphone usage really be this deeply addicting in our daily lives?  I personally feel that this addiction could be ruining our society IQ and making it slightly harder for our lives to continue in more normal ways.  Before we lived fine, but after we can’t live without it?  Isn’t this a bad thing?

Summary:

This info graphic re-uncovers the understated fact that out iPhones and smartphones are addicting though the pas we use daily.  We can’t do anything without them!  What if someone too away our iPhones?  Our smartphones?  And our computers what would happen?  Chaos might actually happen!  What do you think?

(source: eBay)

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Apple and Samsung gets made fun of by Nokia In this commercial – With all the companies competing for the smartphone ground as #1, Nokia has resorted to poking fun at the Apple iPhone.  Its actually an excellent commercial by Nokia!  Nokia also poked some fun at Samsung as you see a few Samsung’s in the video being portrayed as “not good enough.”  This commercial is one of a few that we hear make fun of Apple and Samsung.  Weather the actual use of the Lumia 1020 will render better then the iPhone is yet to be decided.  People dont use their iPhones ONLY for pictures so honestly Id rather have a iPhone which preforms the basic functions I need Ie: Talk/Text/Web.  The camera a IS important but im not sure if its really enough to buy a phone all because of the camera lone.  Nokia is trying hard though.

You will get a laugh out of this video pitched towards Apple and also Samsung:

We will see how many actual buyers will make the “switch” only because of the camera feature is apparently “better”, however one thing is for sure, Nokia is doing a good job marketing this certain aspect!

Apple doesn’t necessarily poke fun at any specific brand, however after Samsung and Nokia release many of these “poking fun” videos, we will see how Apple will respond in their next ad.

Apple is notorious for letting its consumers “want” it’s products instead of convincing them by a compelling video or add putting others down.  I believe that Apple will continue to win if they keep this up.  It never pays to put others down even if they might be others.  Just be good, and be the best and you will be known as the best!  Nokia is trying hard to gain the market share with smartphones, but tis going to take more then a better camera to win the competition, instead Nokia needs to highlight the other innovative features if the model actually has such innovation.  This improvement in Nokia’s marketing scheme could bring them higher then Apple.  Im sure Nokia will have other ads coming soon that will touch on the other features but a camera is not enough.  If it was Id just go out and buy a camera and it doest cost me a fee every month to use! (lol)

(source: Nokia)