I am delighted to welcome Brian Mongold aka @FiveFreeApps as a guest with a great compilation of iPad tips and tricks.  If you haven’t come across Brian before then be sure to pay an early visit to his amazing FiveFreeApps blog for some excellent articles on Apps, Technology, Entertainment and more!

So you finally got your hands on an iPad. As you open the box, you’ll find the iPad, a USB cable and a power adapter. Wait, where is the instruction manual? You’ll quickly realize there isn’t one included. Don’t worry, we have you covered. The iPad is a sexy little device and by using some of the tips below, you’re going to love it even more.

1. AirPlay

If you have either an Apple TV or AirPlay Speakers, you’re going to love AirPlay. AirPlay provides the ability to stream music, pictures and videos from your iPad to your Apple TV or your music to your AirPlay Speakers. This is amazingly smooth technology that I can’t get enough of. While watching a movie or listening to your music on your iOS device, tap the screen and click the small button at the bottom right hand corner that looks like a TV. You can then switch the source from iPad to Apple TV from the button then watch as it magically appears on your Apple TV connected big screen TV.

2. Autofill in Safari

You typically visit many of the same sites when browsing, which is why this tip is very useful. Within Safari, you can tell Safari to import the data from your contacts and fill in the form based on the data or previously stored user names and passwords. To setup, click on Safari, Settings and slide the switcher to Auto-Fill. To have it fill in forms from your contact’s data, slide the switcher to Use Contact Info, and then select the contact.

3. Genius Recommendations

Want another cool way to find some great apps? By launching the App Store app, you’ll find a Genius Tab at the bottom of the screen. What this handy tool does is suggest popular apps based on those you already have installed.

4. Grab Screenshots

If you ever wanted to take a snapshot of your iPad screen, it’s very simple to do. Simply tap the power button (top) and Home button for about a half a second. The image is then stored in your Photo library.

5. Folders

Introduced in iOS 4.2, folders provide an amazing organizational tool for your device. Simply hold down an App icon until it starts to wiggle, then drag it with your finger on top another app you’d like to make a folder with. This creates a folder with a default name. You can then rename the folder.

6. Tweak Your App Settings

Many apps you download contains settings you can modify to customize and enhance your experience. Click Settings, then click the app to find a list of modifications you can tweak. For example, one of my favorite apps AppAdvice lets you filter to view only iPad articles or only iPhone articles, gives you the ability to shake to refresh, setup a login to Instapaper and more. Many apps have a variety of settings, which can improve your experience.

7. Screen Orientation Lock

This is a bit hidden with the iOS 4.2 update. If you want to lock your screen orientation, double-click your home button until the toolbar of running apps appears at the bottom of your screen. Then swipe your finger to the right and you’ll find the orientation button. Click to lock or unlock the orientation.

8. Fixing an Improperly Working App

When an app is just not functioning correctly, all hope isn’t lost. I recommend trying these steps to resolve.

a.     Double-tap your Home button to reveal your running apps. Find the app, then press and hold until it starts wiggling. Then press the minus button to shut down the app. You can then find the app on your screen and launch it again. If that doesn’t fix the issue, try the next step.

b.     Hold down the power button (top of the iPad) until the red arrow with the slide to power off option appears. Slide the red arrow with your finger to shut down the iPad. Then press the power button again to turn the device on and launch the app again. If that doesn’t work, try the next step.

c.     If a and b fail, try uninstalling the app by holding it’s icon until it wiggles, then press the minus button to uninstall. You can then download the app again from the App Store.

9. Lock your iPad

Click Settings, General and Passcode Lock, then Turn Passcode Lock On. You’ll then be prompted to type in a four digit password.

10. Add Webpage Shortcuts to Your Homepage

Having shortcuts to your favorite sites can save you some time. In fact, I have many shortcuts saved on my iPad that I’ve added to my folders. Within Safari, tap the + icon in Safari then tap Add to Home Screen.

Have you tried any of the tips mentioned above? Let me know what you think and be sure to share your personal favorites with us.

Many thanks to Brian for a super compilation to help us all get the best out of our iPad.

ARE YOU AN IPHONE USER? CHECK OUT OUR FREE DOWNLOAD

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* All screen shots supplied by Brian Mongold

I am delighted to welcome back Courtney Bishop with her compilation of some of the best alternative uses for your smartphone. Courtney has previously  been a guest with articles about college life and gadgets for students.  If you would like to find out more about Courtney you can follow her on Twitter @cbishopBG.

Why not download this excellent Free Android Guide while you are here!

“These Are The Droids You’re Looking For: An Android Guide“

Download Your Free Copy Now!

This guide will help you become acquainted with Android devices and teach you tricks that can make them even better than they already are.

If you’ve recently decided to go with the newest Android phone in the smartphone arena, you’re probably busy discovering all the ways that this phone can make your life easier. Check out this list of little-known ways that you can get the most out of your new phone:

1. Remote Control

If you enjoy viewing videos on your computer with the popular VLC Media Viewer, install the VLC Remote to use your phone as a remote control device. Because the VLC Remote automatically detects activity on the VLC Media Viewer, it only works while the media player is active on the host machine.

2. Futuristic Security

The Biowallet app provides the ultimate security when it comes to your personal information. Choose from iris scanning or signature verification to unlock anything stored under the Biowallet’s watch.

3. Bargain Shopping

Once you install the Android Scan app, a simple barcode is your key to the ultimate inside information on the best deals in town. It makes comparison shopping simple and even allows you to complete online purchases directly from your phone.

4. Get Dressed

With the MyCloset app, you can store pictures of your clothing items online and manage your wardrobe using your phone. During your spare time, you can plan outfits for the next day or the next week.

5. Satisfy Your Inner Karaoke Star

With the TuneWiki Android app, you can sing along to the lyrics that scroll across the screen of this popular music player. It also allows real-time sharing of your favorite tunes with your friends so that you can have a sing-along.

6. Catch Up on Your Reading

While everyone knows that they can listen to their favorite music, watch cool new videos, and surf the net from their new ‘Droid, but did you know that you can also read your favorite books? With the Laputa Book Reader, you can save the money you were planning to spend on a new e-book reader. Laputa allows users to carry an entire library right on their favorite smartphone.

7. Create a Masterpiece

Install the Android version of the popular Adobe Photoshop Express program or the Sketchbook app to add a little style to your phone. Both of these apps can satisfy your inner artist by allowing you to color outside the lines.

8. Play God

With the Pocket God game for the Android, you can control the lives of the tribesmen who live within the screen of your phone. Feed them, manipulate the weather, or toss them in the volcano depending on your mood.

9. Build Your Own App

Use the SDK kit to build your own customized app. It works with all the Android’s features including the touch screen, GPS, 3D Graphics, and accelerometer.

10. Avoid Speeding Tickets

Android offers a speed camera detector app called EZCam. It’s a GPS-based app that will give you spoken warnings when speed cameras are approaching – saving you time and money for having that lead foot.

With the amazing variety of useful, and not so useful, apps available for the Android, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.

Many thanks To Courtney for her compilation.  Please do let us know which are your favourite Android apps.

*The Free Android Guide is supplied by TradePub.com and a payment may be made to The Top 10 Blog for any downloads.

I am grateful to Sunil Jain for this highly topical post to round the year off and to help you celebrate New Year. You can find out more about what Sunil gets up to by following him on Twitter @gupshupblog and by visiting the entertaining and informative Tech18.com Blog.

Hello friends, it’s almost the end of the year 2010 and you would have planned for the New Year 2011 party bash with your friends, but have you ever thought how you can celebrate New Year using your Android phones? ;), yes you heard it right, today I am going to list the Top 10 Android Applications which will help you to celebrate New Year in a more wonderful and cheerful way.

1. 2011 New Year Wallpapers

Now celebrate your New Year with exciting wallpapers provided by this application. Using this application you can share and download all the New Year 2011 Wallpapers for free.

This application also has various categories other than New Year 2011, even after you finish celebrating New Year, you can still use this application to share and download various wallpapers of other categories.

Download “2011 New Years Wallpapers” by scanning the below QR code from your Android device.

2. New Year Fireworks

Now enjoy your New Year by launching fireworks on your Android device by tapping on the screen with various options as shown below.

Download “New Year Fireworks” by scanning the below QR code from your Android device.

3. Animated Greeting e-Cards

This application allows you to send animated greetings to your friends. It also allows scheduling of greetings and the greetings are received by your friends through their mail.

Download “Animated Greeting Cards” by scanning the below QR code from your Android device.

4. An Ideal New Year Resolution

This application suggests to you a New Year Resolution based on a quiz consisting of 10 questions and these questions are based on your personality.  Although this application looks funny it still can be trusted ;).

Download “An Ideal New Year Resolution” by scanning the below QR code from your Android device.

5. New Year Tidbits

This application provides some of the amazing facts about “New Year”, which you would like to know and also allows you to share these facts.

Download “New Year Tidbits” by scanning the below QR code from your Android device.

6. Christmas Wishes

This application was one of the most widely used applications during Christmas and so as now, because it also has 40+ New Year messages which will really amaze your friends.

Download “Christmas Wishes” by scanning the below QR code from your Android device.

7. Times Square Official Ball App

Now witness the New Year celebrations at TIMES SQUARE using your Android device. It includes the live streaming videos and photos which you would love to see.

Download “Times Square Official Ball App” by scanning the below QR code from your Android device.

8. New Year Greeting

Using this application you send your friends New Year Greetings via mail with your own customized Title/Subject for the mail.

Download “New Year Greeting” by scanning the below QR code from your Android device.

9. Toast

Now Toast using your Android device and on every clink it shows a different New Year’s quote.

Download “Toast” by scanning the below QR code from your Android device.

10. New Year Wishes

This is a simple and quick to use application which let’s you send New Year 2011 wishes via text message.

Download “New Year Wishes” by scanning the below QR code from your Android device.

So what do you think, how would you like to celebrate your New Year using your Android device, if you still aren’t using Android phones then you can have a small read about the 10 Awesome Android Features that iPhone4 and iOS4 lack.

Thanks for reading and last but not least
“HAPPY NEW YEAR ”

Twicca

Top 10 Cydia Apps

Another Guest post from Tito Salgado

Check out his great iTito Themes Blog iPhone, iPod, iPad Themes and App Reviews

For Jailbroken iPhones Only

MyWi –  The best app to share your iPhone’s internet connection.

Screen Recorder – Record your homescreen and add voice while recording.

OpenSSH – The best and easy way to connect your iPhone to your PC or Mac.

iWipeCache – Delete any cache left by themes on your iPhone.

SBRotator Toggle – The best app that allows rotation of your homescreen and use landscape support on your iPhone.

FontSwap -  Change the font styles of your iPhone.

dTunes – An alternative app to iTunes for iPhone .

Rock – This app is very fast and more reliable then Cydia, You can also download Themes and Apps.

Backgrounder and ProSwitcher – The best way to allow multitasking on your iPhone.

SBSettings – The fastest way to toggle your settings on your iPhone.

Thanks to Tito for taking the time to compile this list!