iPhone and iPad Tips: Top Free Must-have Utilities for iPhone 5 and iPad mini

Life of every iPhone and iPad user has been influenced by those iOS devices more or less! The App Store offer users much fun and convenience with its apps! In order to have fun with or take full use of iPhone and iPad, we should own some necessary or useful app or software for our iOS devices! However, it is difficult to find out these kinds of utilities especially those free ones online! Now we have rounded up some awesome and simple-to-use free utilities for iPhone and iPad from the Internet for your reference, wishing to help you save time and trouble!

Find My iPhone

All users of iPhone, iPad and iPod touch should install it into their devices! As we all know, it is developed and suggested by Apple. All of us are likely to lose our iPhone or iPad. If it happened, we would want to know where they are and were certainly worried about the safety of our data. So this is what Find My iPhone are designed for. We can find out where our iPhone or iPad are on the map by installing this app in another iOS device. What’s more, we can remotely lock our lost devices or even delete our data.

Free Wi-Fi Finder

Any smartphone and tablet swallow a great amount of network data, and so do iPhone and iPad! Naturally, we should get something to help us to find out free Wi-Fi Internet hotspots. This Free Wi-Fi Finder can search out Over 145,000 Free locations using your iPhone’s GPS. We can search by “near me”, geographic regions and location type (Cafe, Library, etc.). Of course, it is free version; another paid version will offer us more amazing functions!

iTransfer

Different from Android devices, our iOS devices can’t show as a readable disk on computer. If we want to transfer files between iPhone, iPad and PC, we have to use iTunes. However, our disappointment to iTunes is that we are not allowed to transfer movies, music and photos from iPhone to computer, especially those music and photos downloaded from website or friends! So that is why we mention Leawo iTransfer here. The iTransfer is a great alternative to iTunes and can help us to make up the disadvantage of iTunes. It can transfer not only movies, music and photos but also PDF files, apps and eBooks between iOS devices and PC! 

In addition, great news is that the iTransfer is free as a giveaway on November 12, 2012 limited! Even though the developer often carries free giveaway activities for Leawo iTransfer, this time is different before and anyone can get great discount on other iPhone and iPad converters from now on to November 22.

Keeper® Password & Data Vault

If we save some important information that we don’t want others to have access to in our iPhone, iPad and Mac, This kind of app is what we should own! Keeper stores our passwords and private information with a simple but military-grade encryption way. We can back up online and Syncs to All Your Devices. With Keeper, we can access our private info anywhere and anytime and securely protect important data from Hackers and rogue programs! Of course, you may find more paid safety app on the market!

Battery Doctor

The battery life is one of key features that we concern for mobile smart devices! Any new battery can only power our iPhone, iPad or other devices in 2 years at most. Apart from knowing some tips to saving battery life, it is great choice to install Battery Doctor for our iPhone and iPad. It can help us get real-time power consumption rankings, shut down those applications which consume phone power and battery life will be more lasting.

The Weather Channel

In last blog we suggest the Living Earth among top traveling apps. Similar to Living Earth, the Weather Channel can offer us real-time weather information worldwide. Based on the support of 200+ meteorologists, along with its patented ultra-local TruPoint(sm) weather technology, it provides us with full screen, customizable weather maps and allows us to plan our day, week, or even the next hour with the great weather tool!

Top iPhone and iPad Traveling apps We Can't Miss

Traveling means a great holiday for those who love nature and life, but is ordinary for those businessmen! Whatever, travel involves traffic, weather, accommodation, daily diet and even scene sighting! Nowadays there are a lot of mobile apps available for our phones and tablets. Some of great apps actually help much people save time and trouble in those places far from home! Today let’s share some great and necessary iOS traveling apps for those iPhone 5 and iPad mini users out out of home!
 

Flight+

This iOS app can help you track all flights worldwide in real-time and display them all in one unique interface. You can track detailed real-time flight info,no matter departure and arrival time, information about gate,airline,airport and aircraft. What’ more, its alert can help remember every flight you concern. In other words, with the help of this app, you won’t miss any your flight  and sometimes receive your friends at the airport in time! It has free and paid version for iPhone and iPad! Its paid version will certainly give you more wonderful services!

Living Earth- clock&Weather

It is a most beautiful and stunning clock and weather apps! it features HD live 3D simulation of our planet. You can get real-time global weather map, forecasts and world clock for cities around the world, and track hurricanes and tropical storms. It is optimized for the Retina display of iPhone and iPad 4. Last year, it was ever rated as a Top 10 iPhone and iPad app in 2011 by Apple New York Times. during our holiday or business travel, it would be better to install Living Earth into iPhone, iPad even iPod touch!

  

Wi-Fi Finder

when you travel, how to quickly and easily find Wi-Fi will be an important issues since International data rates can be crushing out of your country. Wi-Fi Finder can track over 200,000 both free and paid hotspots in 135 countries, and tell you exactly where the closest Wi-Fi hotspot is and how to get there!

Currency Converter

We need local money when traveling, so it is necessary to know the currency rate! This iPhone and iPad app converts exchange rates for over 180 currencies and 4 metals in a simple interface! And the rates are daily updated based on information supplied by leading market data contributors. But it is more important to know details where you can see buy and sell rates for both currencies. The app also can help you solve this problem!

SpeechTrans French English Translator with Voice Recognition

It is impossible to know all main languages worldwide. But we can communicate with those people whose mother language is different from yours with the help of translator app! We all know the free Google translator but most of time it is full of grammar mistakes! This French English Translator can translate out what you need! It supports Text to Speech translations and record function for your voice! BTW, it is fast and accurate!

Google Earth

Wherever we go, it is better to own a navigation app or device in hand in case of losing way!Undoubted, Google Earth is the most amazing Nav app worldwide. Based on its up-to-date Map data , you can browse layers including roads, borders, places, photos and more in almost any place around the world! Its new service “tour guide” even helps you easily discover exciting new places to explore.

Hotels.com

Everyone on the way need accommodation! If you don’t camp and have no friends in a new place, finding a hotel will be a key thing when you are traveling. This iPhone and iPad app is developed by Hotels.com. With this app, you can search and book 150,000+ hotels throughout 200 countries, and even get lots of last minute deals in the new feature ”Tonight’s Local Deals”. In addition, all bookings made on the Hotels.com app will count towards your WelcomeRewards account, and you will be rewarded for one free night after booking 10!

Yelp

If you go to a new city even in your home city, you sometime feel trouble to find some restaurants especially those popular and special food! Now with Yelp, you can easily search out places to eat,drink, shop and rest! The new version of Yelp not only help find nearby bars, restaurants, cafes and more, but also allow you to find great Deals, browse a restaurant's menu along with photos and reviews, and even make reservations! It is a necessary partner for your iPhone and iPad when we travel out of home!

Urbanspoon

This is another great app searching for food! Just shake your iPhone and the Urbanspoon slot machine will suggest a restaurant and you can follow GPS to get there! Of course, like Yelp, you can find out great new places to eat. And make a RESERVATION.

Of course, these are basic and necessary apps for users of iOS devices around the world. When you travel to some place, you still can find out more local and detailed apps for your iPhone and iPad!

NBA 2012-2013 - Best Free NBA Apps for iPhone and iPad

The NBA 2012-2013 Season has already begun! As a Basketball fans, it is time for us to enjoy all breathtaking moments the new season of NBA brings! As you predict, which team will win the Champions, Heat, Laker or others? Who knows! However, the first and key thing NBA fans should do is to keep up the scheduls and news in NBA 2012-2013! When we away from the TV or not at the ballpark, we should insure some great mobile apps in hands to keep us up and share the fun. So we recommend the following NBA apps for iPhone and iPad users, which are best and free!
 

2013 NBA GAME TIME

NBA GAME TIME is the official mobile app of the NBA and has been installed by many NBA fans! With the NBA iPhone/iPad app, Users can get 50+ new video clips per day and also latest photos, scores and stats! What’ more, this NBA app offers access to live and on-demand games of the 2012-13 NBA Regular Season and Playoffs through League Pass. The NBA LEAGUE PASS is additional service and can be purchased within this NBA app!

NBA Game Time 2012-13

Are you remember the NBA Game Time 2011-12? Now the new version for the season 2012-2013 with iPhone and iPad is coming back! Why it is special? Sprint Customer Exclusive! NBA Game Time from Sprint brings you FREE unlimited live coverage of every NBA game, exclusive access to live NBA games on the Sprint TV ESPN channel and free access to NBA Game Time Plus with live radio broadcasts, game video alerts and more. All FREE with an Unlimited data plan from Sprint. In addition, iPhone and iPad users can be notified when a game gets exciting at crunch time and follow the social interaction of each game as it happens with Twitter streams.

NBC Sports Talk

It is not a iPhone/iPad app exclusive for NBA but for Sports, and from NBC! With the ProBasketballTalk platform in NBC Sports Talk, NBA fans can gain the latest news, rumors and analysis for NBA 2012-2013, in a concise and entertaining manner, while you're on the go. Besides, it gives access content offline wherever you are, and of course you can share articles with friends via Facebook or Twitter.

Yahoo! Fantasy Basketball

If you can't live without Fantasy Basketball, this NBA iPhone/iPad app from Yahoo is another great choice to get real-time live scores, matchups, player news and stats. 

In addition, you can free download the following NBA Team Logo wallpapers for your iPhone:

Western NBA Teams Logo Wallpapers for iPhone 5 

Eastern NBA Teams Logo HD Wallpapers for iPhone 5

iPad Mini VS Google Nexus 7 VS Amazon Kindle Fire HD – Which is the Best 7-inch Tablet?

With the introduction of the iPad Mini Tuesday, Apple hastens its goal of getting its products in every consumer's hands and also leaves buyers of small tablets with more choices. To dominate larger tablet market and fight its rivals down, the 7.9-inch iPad Mini retails for as low as $329 and is thinner and lighter, even adding 4G support. While, it is too soon to say that the iPad mini could win the tablet war as the previous iPad. As we know, several 7-inch Android-based tablets are so hot and have already occupied the market in advance, such as Google's Nexus 7, Amazon Kindle Fire HD and Barnes & Noble's Nook HD. If you want to pick up a 7-inch tablet for pocket, which one you would pay your money for? Let's continue the discussion from specs and services to compare iPad Mini, Nexus 7 and Amazon Kindle Fire HD.

Review based and beyond the specs

The iPad mini will go on sale on the Nov.2, and Apple will accept orders from the Oct. 26. But both the Google Nexus 7 and the 7-inch Kindle Fire HD are already on sale. It is very obvious that Apple iPad Mini is relatively expensive than the other 7-inch tablets those all starts the price at $199. Will customers of small tablets leave iPad Mini away concerning about the price? No! Certainly existing Apple fans will gravitate toward it. What iPad Mini brings to users is also perfect experience!

Even though the screen resolution of iPad Mini lacks Apple's crystal clarity and is lower than its rivals, it is even more prominent with the same 1024-by-768 resolution as iPad 2. Because that iPad Mini reduces the width of the bezels on two sides of the display and rethink the software behind it to make sure giving you the maximum amount of screen in the minimum amount of space. In addition, the entire package of iPad Mini weighs a slight 308 grams - making it lighter than its rivals.

The iPad Mini's A5 dual-core processor running at 1GHz could easily fall to the Nexus 7's quad-core CPU. Of course, but we can't deny that Apple's A5 is powerful and power-efficient which makes everything you do feel smooth and natural. And without testing we still don't know how performance stacks up.

What should be mentioned is that iPad Mini offers a cellular option of 4G LTE connectivity. In other words, without access to Wi-Fi, you can enjoy the ultrafast cellular network connections around the world — including LTE7 and other advanced wireless networks such as HSPA, HSPA+, and DC-HSDPA. It is a great advantage comparing Nexus 7 and Amazon Kindle Fire HD, and will certainly help flood the market.

It is still hard to say which wins. After all, there are different demands for each product and the lower price of Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD. Furthermore, the Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire HD already target slightly different audiences from the beginning. The former lures gamers, multimedia enthusiasts, and Android fans looking for the "pure" Jelly Bean experience. The Fire HD is a steal for Amazon Prime members looking to maximize their Amazon membership while keeping tablet costs low, memory high, and the screen mighty.

Related blogs:

iPad 4 VS iPad 3: How Does iPad 4 Replace Its Brother iPad 3?

Microsoft Surface RT VS iPad 3: Another Cruel War in the Tablet Maket 

Amazon Kindle Fire HD VS Google Nexus 7: Which Is Your Own Taste?

iPad 4 VS iPad 3: How Does iPad 4 Replace Its Brother iPad 3?

iPad Mini is really arrive, but as a little surprise, Apple also launched the fourth-generation iPad called "iPad with Retina display". Breaking their traditional annual product cycles and with the new ipad 3 hitting the market just in March of this year, the unveiling of the iPad 4 makes users of its old brother peeved. However, will the iPad 4 completely replace the new ipad 3 from now on and won't iPad 3 be worth your money? Here we are going to find the answer by comparing the key spec of both ipad. 

Display

The iPad 4 comes with the familiar 2048-by-1536 pixel resolution and 9.7-inch Apple Retina display. Unlike the iPhone 5's 326ppi, Both the new iPad 3 and the iPad 4 feature with the same 264ppi Retina display,which is strong enough to lead the tablet market.in addition, the new device comes in black and white and has no readily noticeable design changes.


CPU

This update of processor will be the main difference between both iPad and the main selling point of the iPad 4.The new iPad 4 ships with the A6X processor, doubling the current CPU and graphics power of the A5X available in the new iPad 3. 

 

OS

Undoubtedly, the iPad 4 is powered by the Apple's latest operating system, iOS 6. Even though the iPad 3 launched with iOS 5.1 but now is also upgradeable to iOS 6.


Price

The fourth-generation tablet starts at $499 with 16GB of storage which is same to iPad 3. As before, $100 will be added to that price for every 16GB in additional storage. The top-of-the-line 64GB iPad with LTE will retail for $829.


Others: Battery life, LTE, Connector

Both iPad have 10 hours of battery life and expanded LTE support, but the iPad 4 has a Wi-Fi plus Cellular version. That means the iPad 4 could be used in the U.K and other places around the world while the iPad 3 couldn't. in addition,the iPad 4 features the new 8-pin Lightning connector which was first announced on the iPhone 5 and is 80 percent smaller and more durable than iPad 3's original 30-pin one.

Based on the above specs, we can find out the the iPad 4 is just one little updated version of iPad 3 and most specs and price of both iPad are same. So the owners of iPad 3 don't need to complain to the Apple and their iPad 3 are still latest and greatest!

Apple's fourth-generation iPad will be available for pre-order on Friday. The Wi-Fi-only model will be available on November 2. The version equipped with LTE will come into market a couple more weeks later.

 Related articles:

iPad Mini VS Google Nexus 7 VS Amazon Kindle Fire HD – Which is the Best 7-inch Tablet?

Microsoft Surface RT VS iPad 3: Another Cruel War in the Tablet Maket

The Latest Rumors Roundup about iPad Mini

The Apple's October 23 event is coming soon several hours later. As Apple states "we've got a little more to show you", it is widely believed to unveil the smaller iPad, iPad mini, and maybe more such as new Macs. The rumors about iPad mini have showed that iPad mini will feature 7.85-inch display and internal specs resembling those of an iPad 2. However you must want to know much latest details and Here is a last-minute review at the latest rumors before today'event!

iPad Mini display

As for the screen on the smaller iPad, it is expected to be a 7.85-inch display, which would be slightly larger than the Kindle Fire and Nexus 7 and smaller than the new iPad. But are there any evidences? Yes, Gumdrop sent Wired three "Drop Tech Series" iPad mini cases Monday.

Gumdrop's case shows that it is unlike the third-generation iPad, and the case has spaces for speaker grates on either side of the area where the Lightning dock connector would be positioned. Besides, it features buttons for a volume rocker on the right side of the device and a headphone jack on the upper left, like the current iPad; and a homescreen button centered on the bottom.

Many analyses suggest that it would have the retina display of the latest iPad and iPhone.

iPad Mini Specs

The iPad mini is also expected to have the A5 chip that powers the iPad 2 rather than the A6 chip in Apple's latest iPhone 5. But to help keep the cost of the iPad Mini down, it would feature with on-board memory of 8 GB, which would immediately compete with the Amazon Kindle Fire and Google Nexus 7. In addition, many resources indicate that the iPad mini will come in 8GB, 16GB, 32GB and 64GB versions, with the option of Wi-Fi only and 3G/4G also thrown into the mix.

iPad Mini Price

This would be an all-important attribute for the iPad mini's success moving forward and fighting down the Nexus 7 and Amazon Kindle Fire. So the iPad Mini price would be competitive against its super-cheap competition and possibly is between $200 and $300 with different capacity and Connectivity like WiFi, 3G and LTE versions

iPad Mini Materials

The respected Apple blogger John Gruber thinks that Apple may even call the new tablet the iPad Air. As we all expect, the new iPad is expected to be designed around a central point — lightness.

iPad Mini Release Date

Actually the iPad Mini release date is still a big unknown, as Apple has not given any indication that it is working on a smaller form of its popular tablet. The November date seems the most likely, giving Apple ample time to get the iPad mini launch right, which is still at the 'whispers' stage. The scuttlebutt is that Apple will be releasing the newest iPad the Friday after its release event.

Others

Since Adobe Flash Player is not supported by iPad Mini, will new alternative apps created by Apple as rumors tell? If so, it would be available to allow users to play Flash movie on iPad Mini freely. And Microsoft also has released its Windows 8 Surface, would Apple create more unknown great features in the iOS 6 for the iPad Mini to compete with Microsoft? For example, if we want to play Microsoft PowerPoint on iPad Mini, we don't need to convert PPT to Keynote first or use third-party apps like Quickoffice Pro and Documents To Go. Last event, Apple developed its Map service to displace the Google Map. Let's wait and see at the Apple's event today!


Finally, if the Apple event today really is to show off the iPad Mini and the most details coincide with the rumors above, we are lucky and looking forward to the new competition in the tablet market!

Related articles:

Microsoft Surface RT VS iPad 3: Another Cruel War in the Tablet Maket

What We Have Known for the Rumored iPad Mini

Amazon Kindle Fire HD VS Google Nexus 7: Which Is Your Own Taste?

What We Have Known for the Rumored iPad Mini and Next Google Nexus Smartphone Next Week!

Luckily we have seen that so many smartphones and tablets have been unveiled together before October, phones like iPhone 5, Nokia Lumia 920, HTC 8X and tablets such as Kindle Fire HD, Nook book and Microsoft Surface and so on. But we are consumers and we hope we own more choices and get the best product at less price. Naturally we are still looking forward to more eye-catching smart products! So let’s have a review of the rumored phones and tablets we are waiting for and what we expect from them! 

iPad mini

It is a fact that most Apple fans were disappointed for the Apple Event last month. Almost every detail of Apple's latest phone had been thoroughly leaked before the reveal, making it a somewhat less exciting event than in the past. While the smaller iPad, iPad mini, which has been rumored for several months by much of the world, hadn’t appeared.

However, it may be really happening. Apple will hold an event on October 23rd to announce the long-rumored, smaller iPad. As we know, Apple feels threatened by the Kindle Fire and Nexus 7 and of course wants to put the hurt on Microsoft's Surface.

What we possibly have known:

Releasing time: October 23rd
Display: 7.85-inch with 1024 x 768 screen and the same 163 ppi of the pre-Retina  display
Price: about $200
Others: Apple's 32nm dual-core A5 processor, Lightning dock connector, Front and rear cameras and Ultra-thin design.

Next Google Nexus smartphone: LG Nexus 4

Rumors say that Google is planning to release a new Nexus smartphone at Google’s event at the end of the month. Generally speaking, the Nexus devices are used to showcase the latest version of Android. The HTC Nexus One introduced Android 2.1 in January 2010. The Samsung Nexus S introduced Android 2.3 in December 2010. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus introduced Android 4.0 in November 2011. Each Nexus phone has held “flagship” status. So if Google is really going to release the latest version of Android 4.2, the next Google Nexus Phone will be unveiled at the same time.

There are many resource confirming that LG will finally get its own Nexus smartphone based on its recently unveiled flagship Optimus G. But Google and LG haven't yet come up with a name for the product. 

What we have known about the next Google Nexus Phone:
(Similar to the LG Optimus G, a modified version)

1. Android 4.2
2. Qualcomm's Snapdragon quad-core processor
3. RAM with 2 gigabytes, no microSD slot and only 8GB to 16GB of internal storage
4. 1,280x768 True-High Definition IPS display with an 8-megapixel camera.

However, instead of partnering with a single handset manufacturer to launch a single flagship Nexus phone, Google could release as many as five Nexus-branded smartphones. "We challenge all our partners that want to work with us on a Nexus product to push the envelope," a director of Android Partner Engineering for Google said to CNET!