Here's an interesting concept from designer Alexandros Stasinopoulos, a design exploration which takes Windows Phone's live tile interface and extends it out well beyond the screen. Kanavos is a bold design connecting the operating system UI outward to the phone itself, in the process probably dividing opinion like the grid lines themselves. More

With the arrival of fall, now may be a good time to start an active saving plan for future winter travel or holiday shopping. However, the nemesis of a planned out budget is the dreaded impulse spend on a sudden and irresistable sales. It's time to fight back and save for the big things you really need. With smart budgeting, some skimping, and apps like these that help you set money aside, you'll be on to bigger and better things in no time. More

Smartphones and tablets — as amazing and futuristic as these portable devices are, charging them remains as archaic as ever. Here at Apartment Therapy, we're always looking for ways to reduce cable clutter. Imagine never plugging in a portable device again… More

Commercial breaks, the waiting room or riding the Subway are all things that consume time but are too short to do anything really productive. A little gaming is a good way to burn a few minutes while easing a bit of stress in the process. Smartphones are capable of epic quests and immersive gameplay, but also have a great deal of choice when it comes to quick and simple games. Remember the next time you have a free moment in the day, you might want to pick-up and play. More

JBL PlayUp Wireless Speakers
• $149.00 (availability TBA)
• Nokia + JBL

I'm eagerly in anxious-wait mode for the next wave of smartphones, specifically the Windows Phone 8 powered Nokia Lumia 920. It may be a month or two before the 920 is available, but there's already a slew of accessories, one of my favorite being these colorful JBL PlayUp Portable Wireless Speakers for Nokia. The colorful and compact design just begs for bringing it along to a picnic or to the beach for 10 hours of Bluetooth near field communication playback. Bright yellow or Nokia blue, please!

Did you answer correctly? How quickly did you figure it out? A sudden kick to the cerebrum with a little bit of pressure is harsh, but it's a good wake up call to see how sharp your brain is. I've been toying with IQ tests all week and came to a harsh conclusion that I might need to bend the mind a little more into shape. So dust the cobwebs from your brain if you dare and try one of these IQ tester smartphone apps. If you want to know how well you did on my little test, the answer is after the break. More

Are wedding preparations making your head spin? My fiancée and I were facing the same issue. We were stuck under a mountain of reference books, bridal magazines and old clip outs she accumulated over the years wondering 'where do we start?' I decided to go digital, and after a bit of shopping we found a few apps to help us weave the pieces together. Here are a few that led us to water and are currently keeping us on track. More

Dining out is a great way to try new, expertly prepared food while absorbing a new atmosphere. But going out too much can get a little rough financially, and waiting for the check is an exercise in patience. Now that wallets and smartphones are slowly fusing together, the union serves to benefit frequent restaurant goers with not only savings but quicker and easier ways to pay. More

Pet owners are a special breed of people. Who else would drive out of their way for a dog grooming appointment or spend $30 on a cat bed that might never get used? I love my two cats dearly, but sometimes I need a little help organizing their paperwork and getting them to behave. After they were finished being distracted by some touch screen cat games, I found some apps that pet owners might find helpful. More

Back when we were kids, it felt like my Mum knew all the answers for whatever ailment I was suffering. Now that I'm older (and a little bit wiser), I still find myself asking her for remedies every now and then. Our health is the most important aspect of our lives and going to a medical professional is your best bet. However, sometimes going to the doctor's office armed with information beforehand can be beneficial to you and your health practitioner... More