As we move into the hotter months of the year, many of us are making preparations for vacations to distant lands. Smartphones can not only come in handy for taking pictures or listening to music, but also make the trip run smoother and enhance your vacation. The most important thing to consider is to turn off the radio signal to avoid unnecessary international texts, calls and data costs. With that in mind, here are 6 apps you can safely use only while on vacation. More

Technology has opened up avenues for the creative at heart to construct and share multiple mediums of entertainment and culture. We live in an age where making music doesn't require a recording studio, and entire albums can be constructed on computers that fit in the palm of your hand. More

We all have our personal desktop browser preference, like Firefox or Chrome, because they fit us best, whether it's because of aesthetics, speed or the features they offer. There are similar reasons to exercise the power of choice when it comes to smartphone browsers. Some maximize screen size to get the most out of every pixel, while others chew on web code with the greatest appetite to deliver content faster. Alternate browsers for smartphones can reap many benefits and can make mobile surfing enjoyable rather than a last resort. More

If you've been in love with Instagram for the past year like I have, you may want to check out Viddy, a video application available for the iPhone, iPod Touch and Apple iPad (Android and Windows Phone versions supposedly coming soon). Designed with the snapshot philosophy in mind, users can capture 15 second snippets of video, apply a stylizing filter, add music, then upload your mini-movie moment to a social network... More

When we think about technology beyond the year 2000, we think of flying cars and holodecks. Although we don't need a license to fly for our daily commute quite yet, technology like augmented reality is here and accessible in the latest smartphones. To some it sounds gimmicky or unrefined but the truth is augmented reality has made leaps and bounds to become a formidable tool for daily life. Here are 12 apps that offer a glimpse of your smartphones hidden potential. More

The cool air against the skin, wind gently blowing through the hair, and the smell of fresh cut grass on a warm, sunny day are all reasons to get outside for a run, not to mention the cardio-health benefits, and the opportunity to escape the barriers of my 4 apartment walls. The smartphone is my jogging companion, bringing my playlist and recording my progress. Loading up the right fitness app can be a helpful motivator too... More

They say that knowing is half the battle. If you were asked to make a list of all the CDs you own, would you be able to do it? Having a home inventory is not only helpful for insurance purposes, it's useful to maintain control over how much we own to avoid double purchases. The process of logging everything into a database also helps to reassess each and every item to sell or donate. Smartphones are perfect for the job, from reading barcodes to logging information. These 6 inventory apps are definitely ones you can count on. More

Here at Apartment Therapy we try to find ways to blend appealing design into our lives, including those available via smartphone. With a dock or a budget stand that blank screen, much like a blank canvas has a lot of potential. Here are 6 desktop companion apps to add a little flair to your workspace. More

Baris Eris got his lucky hands on the smartphone I've got pegged as my next upgrade, the Nokia Lumia 900. Apparently Baris isn't just a Windows Phone fan, but also a bit of LEGO-maniac, building himself a custom docking station with our favorite toy building blocks, complete with a charging feature with built-in micro USB... More

When it comes to battery life in smartphones, there are many elements involved. Wallpaper, themes, networks, apps, Bluetooth and screen brightness are some of the main offenders that add up to a large chunk of energy consumption. Keeping your handset well maintained inside and out will increase its lifespan as well as the resale value. It goes without saying that continuous battery mismanagement can lead to a delapidated charge as time progresses. Here are 6 apps that will help your smartphone last all day and retain a longer charge.
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