smartphones

Tutorials

• How to create custom notification tones in iOS 5

  Apple's latest iOS 5 operating system for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch devices went live last week and one of its new features is custom notification tones.

• Smartphone security: Keep your handset safe

  Once upon a time, a phone was just a phone: It simply made and received calls. The only security you worried about was if someone had picked up in the other room to listen in.

• BlackBerry 6: Wipe Your Smartphone, Restore Factory Settings

  Many reasons exist for why you might want or need to "security wipe" a BlackBerry, or completely erase all personal data stored on your handheld: You got a new smartphone and plan to retire the older device; you're trading in your existing BlackBerry for a new one from your wireless carrier; you and a friend are swapping devices; you loaded too many applications or media and just want to start over from scratch; etc.

• 7 smartphone disasters that could happen to you

  Like all technology, smartphones can be hugely useful. However, some of the time they provide opportunities for tech-tinged embarrassment. We tracked down seven of the most unfortunate mobile phone disaster tales we could find. The stories are fun to laugh at now, but most of them were anything but amusing when they actually occurred...

• How to restore an iPhone

  QUESTION I've bought a number of apps for my Apple iPhone via iTunes and the App Store. To avoid draining the battery by downloading apps directly to the handset, I'd like to connect my iPhone to my Windows XP PC using USB and transfer them over. However, when I connect the phone its icon doesn't appear on the desktop (although it does charge up). I've tried updating iTunes, restarting the PC and using a different USB port, all to no avail.

• 6 ways to type faster in Android

  Smartphones are meant to make our lives easier--or at least more connected to people we want to communicate with--so why does typing on them sometimes seem on a par with performing root canal surgery?

• Tips for your BlackBerry: Troubleshooting & Messenger

  Ahh the CrackBerry. How addictive they can be! If you are having some issues with your BlackBerry and want to get more out of the device's instant messenger service then read on. We've pulled together some articles to help you troubleshoot problems on the BlackBerry smartphone and also some advice on how to master BlackBerry Messenger.

• Thinking about buying an Android phone?

  A few things to keep in mind when looking at going for an Android device.

• BlackBerry Tips and Tricks

  Some tips and tricks for getting more out of your BlackBerry device. We've pulled together three articles that explain how to use email flags, how to transfer files and how to use the device as a tethered modem.

• How to secure your smartphone

  Making sure the data on your smartphone is secure is imperative for any individual and organisation. So we've pulled together a few articles to help you start thinking about smartphone security. We've got one each on the iPhone, BlackBerry and Android along with an article on securing smartphones on corporate networks.

• Add amazing new features to your phone and camera

  Your tech gear can do more than you think it can. Perhaps a device manufacturer has a particular user experience in mind. Or maybe you think you need a brand-new camera to get advanced shooting features. Don't worry--with a bit of time and care, you can get a lot mileage out of the goods you own.

• 14 ways to supercharge your smartphone

  Are you using your smartphone to its fullest? Probably not--smartphone owners typically push their devices up to only about half their potential. Here are 14 smartphone apps to help your Android handset, BlackBerry, or iPhone become all that it can be.

• How to fix anything

  Your PC will crash, your camera will break, your network will fail, and your printer will chew up paper.

• Manage music with Android

  Google Android is a great platform for mobile communications, but it's also designed from the ground up to offer a rich multimedia experience. Your Android device is jam-packed with features that let you manage and play your digital music in a variety of ways.

• Shoot, edit, and manage photos in Android

  Who needs to carry a camera if a smartphone is at hand? The Android operating system packs enough of photo functionality that it can often stand in for both a camera and a PC. Once you've learned how to harness your Android phone's photo power, capturing and sharing memorable moments will always be a snap.