Guest Post: Top Smartphones of 2011

Guest post by Chris Pentago. Find Chris on Twitter and Google+.

With every passing year, mobile phones become more advanced. With the current smartphone craze, a newer and more powerful device is always right around the corner. As the year begins to wind down, we take a look at the best new mobile phones available.

Motorola Droid RAZR

The Droid RAZR represents a merging of two of the most iconic brands in the history of mobile phones. Many will recall Motorola's 2004 RAZR, the thinnest phone of its era. The Droid RAZR follows in its footsteps, measuring an incredibly thin 7.1 millimeters.The Droid RAZR runs Android 3.0 Gingerbread and is powered by the latest hardware. It has specs that tech fans drool over. The device features a 4.3 Super AMOLED Advanced display and dual-core processor. The phone also has a front-facing camera for video chat, and can shoot HD video. On top of all of this, Motorola coated the Droid RAZR with Kevlar and a splash guard, making the Droid RAZR resistant to spills.

Samsung Galaxy S2

 The international version of the Galaxy S2 has been available for some time overseas, but it just recently made its way to US carriers. The specs vary between carrier, but the theme remains the same: A massive screen that's around 4.5 inches, a dual-core processor, front and back cameras, and a thin build that's extremely sleek. The phone runs Android 3.0 with Samsung's TouchWiz skin and custom widgets, making the experience of using the device just a bit more friendly for the casual crowd. For anyone who's not on Verizon and can't get the Droid RAZR, the Galaxy S2 is their best bet for a thin phone with a beautiful screen and slim build.

Google and Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Google and Samsung have teamed up once more for the latest Nexus device from Google. The Galaxy Nexus sports the features everyone would expect, such as a dual-core processor and front-facing and rear-facing cameras. A few things set it apart from the rest, though. For starters, it has a 4.6" Super AMOLED screen capable of displaying HD video. It has what Google calls a contour display, meaning the screen is slightly curved allowing for easier use. Perhaps most importantly, it is the first device to run what Google calls Ice Cream Sandwich, otherwise known as Android 4.0. Android 4.0 features an overhauled user experience that is faster and sleeker, and requires no physical buttons on the device. Because of this, the Galaxy Nexus is going to be on the cutting edge of both hardware and software.

Apple iPhone 4S


The latest iPhone continues to help set the standard when it comes to ease of use, speed and form factor. The device builds on the beautiful design standards established by the iPhone 4 but throws a faster, dual-core processor into the mix along with a much improved camera. The iPhone 4S also includes Apple's proprietary voice recognition software, Siri. Siri lets users operate the device with their voices instead of fingers. Those looking for a reliable and simple smartphone experience can't go wrong with the iPhone 4S.

There are new mobile phones being released constantly. None will last forever before the next great thing comes out, however, these devices are among those with specs that will last for the long haul. All of these devices are available now or will be by the end of November, making them a great pick for the holiday season. Which one would you pick? Tell us in the comments below.

Steve Jobs' Biography is Out

So much has happened as far as Steve Jobs news in the past few months. First, the much talked-about news about his resignation as CEO of Apple, and later, unfortunately, the news about his death. Now, although we no longer have the amazing visionary that was Steve Jobs, we do have many of his secrets that he revealed in his official biography, entitled, simply, Steve Jobs.

This 656 page biography, written by biographer Walter Isaacson, opens a window into Steve's mind, as Isaacson conducted over forty interviews with Jobs, up until his death. Issacson also interviewed more than 100 other family members, friends, colleagues, and even adversaries, to try to bring out the entire story.

Walter Issacson is also the author of Einstein: His Life and Universe and Benjamin Franklin: An American Life, so he seems to be an experienced enough biographer for this book.

The book is available on Amazon.com as a Kindle book, in hardcover, and even in CD and Audible.com audio-book versions. It's also available on iBooks, Barnes and Noble Nook, and many other e-Book and paper book retailers.

Guest Post: Caring For your Smartphone

Guest post by Vanessa Burke

When you're ready to make the commitment to your first smartphone, it's a good idea to learn how to care for it properly to make your investment last as long as possible. Smartphones like the Galaxy S2 cell phone, for instance, may be crafted of different material than you're used to which can require a different type of care than a standard phone. 

Many cell phones are housed in traditional metal casings, but some like the Galaxy S2 are made of a more cost-effecient plastic, chosen for its light weight and thin size. Because of this difference in design, these phones require additional measures to keep them free from damage. Here are some tips to help ensure your phone lasts a long time and keeps looking good while you have it. 

Use a case or belt clip to prevent scratches and scuffs. While the material used for cell phones is much more resilient than it may look, it's still a good idea to protect the surface by placing your phone in a case or keeping it secure on your belt. Dropping it in a purse, or carrying it in a pocket along with keys, nail clippers, a knife and other gadgets, can cause unnecessary damage and mar the housing. 

To clean your smartphone, use a soft lint-free cloth like you would use to clean your eyeglasses. Never use household cleaners or harsh cleansers as they can scratch your phone. Instead, spritz some distilled water on your cloth, not directly on the phone, and gently wipe away the dirt. Use a Q-tip to get into the crevices and isopropyl alcohol, if needed, for the keyboard or casing. 

Guard your phone as you would your computer, your iPod, or any other device that can be easily damaged. Tossing it around, frequently dropping it, or abusing it in other ways can shorten the life of your phone and damage it beyond repair. 

Remember the Geico commercial that shows a Humphrey Bogart wannabe who asks the question, "Can switching to Geico really save you 15 percent or more on car insurance?" The actor then asks, "Do people use smartphones to do dumb things?" And of course, since the answer is yes, we see three guys who look like idiots doing just that in a variety of ways. 

While we can laugh at the commercial, there is a lesson to be learned. Be smart about protecting your smartphone. Protect it like you would any other investment you've made. 

iPhone 4S + More

Apple recently hosted a keynote announcement , announcing its new iPhone, as well as a few minor updates to the iPod line.

Siri on the iPhone 4S

iPhone 4S:


Although some were expecting a completely new and redesigned iPhone 5, Apple will probably wait for 2012 to announce the iPhone 5. Until then, we will have to live with the more minor updates of the new iPhone 4S.

The 4S keeps the same beautiful and elegant design as the iPhone 4, but now comes packed with the same Apple A5 processor found in the iPad 2. This new chip allows for a much snappier experience, along with the ability to carry out more powerful tasks on the iPhone. Although the 4S has a much more powerful processor, battery life is still great, with up to eight hours of talk time on a single charge.

Another major update in the iPhone 4S is the camera. The iPhone 4's camera was always known as a great one, especially for a cell phone camera. The 4S's camera is even greater than its predecessor, with an 8 megapixel sensor, as well as many other improvements to the picture quality. The camera can also now provide 1080p video recording.

The iPhone 4S will also come pre-loaded with Apple's newest mobile operating system, iOS 5. Click here for an overview of iOS 5.

The most talked about feature on the new iPhone 4S is most probably Siri. In April of 2010, Apple bought the voice-command recognition company Siri. Apple is now integrating Siri into it's newest iPhone. To activate Siri, one just holds down the home button on the iPhone, and the Siri window pops up. Users can ask Siri almost anything, and it will answer. It can be used to schedule tasks, play music, dictate emails, look up facts, and much more.

The new iPhone 4S will cost $199 with a two year contract, and will be available on AT&T, Verizon, and now Sprint.

iPods:

The iPod Nano

There really weren't many major updates to the iPod line. The two devices they changed slightly are the iPod Nano, and the iPod Touch.

The Nano has a few new features, including a new, simpler user interface, a built in sensor for exercising right out of the box, and many new clock face options. The Nano's price was lowered to $129 for the 8GB model, and $149 for the 16GB model. The Nano keeps it's same design.

The iPod Touch also got a price decrease, starting now at $199 for 8GB, and is now available in white.

Steve Jobs: 1955-2011

Steve Jobs, former CEO and founder of Apple Inc., has passed away earlier today. Steve was the spark of the success of Apple, and the one who changed the technology industry for all of us. Rest in peace, Steve Jobs.

Read about Steve on Wikipedia, and hear what president Barack Obama said about the great visionary.