The battle between Android and iOS seems like it has been raging for millennia, despite the fact that it is just a few years old. When people consider upgrading their existing smartphone or buying their first multifunctional handset, choosing between Android and iOS can be tough. To help clear the air, here is an overview of what you can expect from each platform.

Hardware
Apple is the company behind iOS and you will only find this platform on products which it produces itself. This includes the iPhone range, which features the 3GS, 4 and 4S. Because Apple controls the hardware and the software it can also control the user experience, so you know that you are going to get a consistent feature set, with only upgraded hardware making a difference between each iPhone iteration.

Android is an open source mobile platform and it is used by a large number of manufacturers on a diverse array of handsets. Samsung, Motorola, LG and HTC are just a few of the companies which produce smarpthones based on Android. The scalable nature of the software means that it can also be found on high end models like the Samsung Galaxy Nexus as well as more basic phones like the HTC Explorer.

Because of the difference in hardware and pricing for Android handsets you need to do your homework carefully to find a model which will suit your needs as well as your budget. In general an Apple handset is going to be more expensive than the Android equivalent, which might make your choice easier.

Interface
As mentioned above the level of control exacted over iOS by Apple means that each iPhone will have an almost identical user interface. You can move icons around in an order that suits your needs, but other than changing the lockscreen wallpaper this is about as much customisation as you are going to get. This is not a problem since iOS is very intuitive and easy to use, but some might want a little more freedom to tinker with their mobile experience.

Android steps up to the plate and knocks it out of the park in this respect, because the multi-homescreen setup afforded by the platform, coupled with its open source nature, enables users to manipulate their mobile in any way they see fit. Add to that the fact that manufacturers can add their own bespoke UIs on top of the vanilla Android interface and you have plenty of room for experimentation.

The downside comes down to a lack of consistency and cohesion. Some Android handsets will have a smooth, well optimised interface, while others will feel sluggish and a little more basic. This is the price you pay for paying a lower price.

Apps
Both the iOS App Store and the Android Market are packed with hundreds of thousands of applications and games which you can download and enjoy. There are proportionally more free apps available on Android, but iOS is generally seen as offering a higher quality of software.

This difference typifies the Android/iOS debate. If you want a polished but locked-down experience then Apple is the way to go. If freedom and some rough edges are more your bag then Google`s Android will be suitable, with Samsung contracts representing the best offers.

The mobile industry is growing at a substantial rate, and it’s in large part due to the growing mobile workforce. This new infographic from ClickSoftware explores how the world has gone mobile, why, and what the future may hold.

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Source: ClickSoftware

The use of Android and iOS devices has grown tremendously over the last few years, but have you ever wondered how secure they are? And is one more secure than the other? This new infographic by Veracode shows what you can and can’t do with your Android or iOS device, and how secure your information really is.

[Click here for full size image]

Source: Veracode

Giving a new cell phone as a gift for Christmas can be an exciting thing, as there are so many options. The gift can include an ordinary phone, a smart phone or an Android phone.

The Apple iPhone 4S is a fast performance, dual-core phone with an 8MP camera. It comes complete with the digital assistant, Siri, that can send emails, open apps, create reminders and take dictation on nothing less than a voice command. The iOS5 enables you to mirror the iPhone to an HDTV through iCloud syncing of your photos and Apple TV, docs and music. Choose the network that operates the best in your area. Prices are from $199 on contract.

The lightweight Motorola Droid RAZR is a 4G LTE in a very thin shell and a much-anticipated phone. It stands to reason when you consider that it comes with a 4.3″ Super AMOLED display and has a 7.1mm profile. Add to that the 1GB of RAM and 1.2GHz dual-core processor and you have a dream gadget. This phone also comes with an 8MP camera and a 1080p video recording benefit. This is an Android phone and good for on-the-go media lovers. It has an 1800mAh battery, ensuring a long battery life and a splashguard screen. The price is $299 on contract and $650 off contract.

Samsung Galaxy Nexus is also an Android phone and has a curved design plus a huge 4.65″ Super AMOLED screen. In contrast to the Motorola Droid RAZR, this is a big phone. The camera can take 1080p video and “single motion panoramic” photos. With the possibility that it will have NFC and Google Wallet you will be able to tap and pay at participating dealers that have the necessary readers. The expected price is $300.

As for the BlackBerry Bold 9900/9930, keyboard fans will appreciate the glass touch screen of this smart phone, a classic, traditional BlackBerry phone. As is the case with many other smart phones, the battery life is not great and you might have to recharge at some point through the day. You can access your email, Twitter account and Facebook but at a cost. The BBM feature remains the selling point for the BlackBerry phones. Prices are from $199 on contract and $549 without.

The HTC Radar is a Microsoft smart phone somewhere between an iPhone and an Android phone. It comes with a 3.8″ screen and 512MB. The search features are upgraded with a voice facility, so you can command the phone what to find. The cost is about $99 on contract and $549 without.

Whether you prefer smart phones or Android mobile phones, there certainly is an interesting selection to choose from this year.

Mobile technology is growing faster by the day and 2012 will be no different. The business website will go mobile in a big fashion and mobile website search engine optimization will become more critical. What this means is that your mobile website must be user-friendly. If it is not, you will lose ground.

Originally designed as scaled down versions of full websites, the mobile website is coming into its own. Mobile advertising will continue to grow and diversify. Already, SMS and MMS messages are in full use as are banner ads and mobile coupons. Mobile ad spending is expected to increase in 2012.

GPS based apps such as SCVNGR, Foursquare, Yelp and Facebook Places are becoming more and more popular. The advantages are twofold. Loyal customers are being rewarded with special offers and discounts and customers are sharing deals and sales with one another. More competition and growth is expected in this area. Video calling, already offered by Skype for Android smart phones, is going to gain widespread adoption. Free Wi-Fi has been around for a while and will expand in 2012. The availability of Wi-Fi brings new customers to businesses and is helping people to connect with brands.

QR codes are relatively new and its ability of turning a static piece into something fun and engaging is full of potential. You can, for example, use it to advertise an upcoming event. A person just scans your QR code and the event is loaded onto their iCalendar and voila, the advertising has been done.

The next thing to watch out for in 2012 is the advancing of mobile finances. Also called mobile commerce or m-commerce, retailers such as eBay and many financial institutions are piling up successes with their mobile apps. Square is a new tool which will allow you to accept credit card payments through a smart phone. Google Wallet`s tap and pay technology has also just hit the American market. It will expand to other countries and phones other than Android phones soon. 4G is here but it may take time to develop and will not be fully operational within the next year or so.

Blue Tooth is on its way to the health care industry. Cord and wires will be a thing of the past, as the doctor`s stethoscope will send signals to a screen nearby. GPS is also advancing. Traffic apps may be directly linked to traffic cameras and these apps will be able to send out updates to travelers to suggest alternative routes to their locations, for example.

Many more cool apps are on the up and up and your Blackberry mobiles will more than likely also surprise you with new technology.

Nearly every Android phone purchased – no matter how new or old – on the market today does not have the most recent version: 2.3.7. In fact, some are a full year behind the update schedule dictated by Google, which means security vulnerabilities are not being maintained, bugs are not being patched, and loopholes in your system are being left open. This infographic shows the 12 most vulnerable smart phones.

From church weddings and class discussions to movie theaters and intimate personal conversations with your partner, they’re all subjected to mobile phone interruptions. Are you one of those who fall into the snare of breaking some of the simplest mobile phone etiquette rules?

1. If Mobile Phones Have Eyes, They Can See Your Tonsils

It’s a common sight to see someone walking down the street having a conversation on their mobile phone. There’s nothing wrong with that. The problem arises when you start shouting in your phone. Well, perhaps the person on the other line has poor hearing. People may be aware of that but knowing when and where to have these loud conversations is important when having  good manners.

2. I Can’t Believe You Just Said That!

Some people enjoy a good in-depth political conversation. In a group of people you know, it’s cool to speak your mind. However, your views and opinions may negatively affect the person next to you without you even knowing it. You may be raging about the Democrats without knowing that your seatmate inside the train is a die-hard Obama fan. You need to consider where you are and who might be listening to your mobile phone conversation.

Also, you may want to think again talking about the crazy session you had the other day if you are inside the library. Your surroundings must always be taken into account especially if you are having political or religious conversations.

3. Will You Marry Me?… Oops, Wait, Someone’s Calling.

You know very well how this goes.  You are having a deep engaging conversation with someone. Then your mobile phone rings and you drop the conversation just to take the call. You chat about your new pet dog for fifteen minutes. You hang up and expect to pick up the conversation right where you left off.

Almost everyone carries a mobile phone with them anywhere they go which also means phone calls can come in at any time of the day. It’s time to have a bit of assessment on when you must take that call. This is particularly essential if you are in an in-depth conversation with someone.

4. Movies and Cell Phones are Not Meant For Each Other

You decided to have a break and take your boyfriend or girlfriend out for a fun date and watch a movie you have long been waiting to see. In the middle of the movie, the person in front of you starts texting on his mobile phone. How delightful is that film now? Just turn your mobile phone off and enjoy the movie. Pretty sure that everyone around you will be more contented for it.

5. The Right Place at the Right Time

Home, office, park, or walking the street can all be good places to have a chat about the NBA game. However, chatting on your mobile phone while falling in line for food can cause to slow the whole line down as you fumble for money while trying to keep the mobile phone to your ear. Consider other people’s time and ears.

Mobile phones are excellent at what they are intended to do. But because of lack of etiquette of others, these phones have also disturbed a number of places that were once sacred and peaceful. Keep those calls clean and safe and turn your phone off where appropriate.

Become the shining flare of mobile phone etiquette that other people could imitate.

Brothersoft.com has many interesting apps that are free to download. Some of the applications are designed to make communication easier with the device you use most for communicating: your cell phone.

Here are the top 5 apps we found at Brothersoft for your mobile device:

1. Stitcher

Stitcher is a leading mobile audio company that provides a revolutionary media service which allows audio content to be easily aggregated, organized and shared on mobile devices. They feature the most up-to-date and relevant content in business, sports, politics, entertainment, and current events from the media industry’s premier content providers. By focusing on the growing market for mobile content distribution, the company works to provide an innovative platform for listening to audio content on-the-go. Download Stitcher here.

2. eBuddy

eBuddy is a free web based messenger that enables you to chat with your MSN, Yahoo, Google Talk, MySpace, Facebook, ICQ and AIM buddies. No downloads required!

Whether you’re at home, school, at the library or at work, just go to eBuddy and login with your account to start chatting – it’s as easy as that! To use the web version of eBuddy, all you need is a Javascript enabled browser on your computer. You can access eBuddy from any computer or location and it even works behind a firewall. See eBuddy here.

3. PhotoMemo

Photomemo is the photo sharing service.

You can upload your photos taken with your mobile camera function, and just send it via Email.
It’s so simple. When you find something nice, take a photo with your mobile and upload to Photomemo. You can share it immediately with your friends anywhere, anytime. See Photomemo here.

4. Twalkin

Curious about what you can do with Twalkin? They make it simple to:

* Have a private chat with your closest friends
* Make a big announcement while your team or fans listen
* Hold a conference call with a select few speakers

To get started, all you need is a phone (landline, mobile, Skype, etc) and a free account with Twitter. Twalkin is an absolutely free service. You’ll pay for your phone service of course, but there won’t be any charges from Twalkin. Start Twalkin here.

5. OODesk

Access and share your data and web services from any connected device!

Access your workspace anytime, configure, customize and share it from any computer, PDA, phone connected to the network.

OOdisk Virtual Mesh permits to create your own network of always-connected device, your “Virtual Mesh”.
You will be able to access, sync and share the files stored on it from any other computer or mobile device through your favorite browser.

File content can be viewed, downloaded, or played (music, video…). Get OODesk here from Brothersoft.com.

Concept phones are a beautiful thing to behold.  While they aren’t always the most practical, nobody will argue on their coolness factor.  Here are our favorite 10 concept phones that have yet to hit the mainstream:

Eco Friendly Coke Phone

This concept phone for Nokia doesn’t have a battery.  Instead, it runs on Coca-cola.  If that isn’t environmentally friendly enough for you, the phone itself is also biodegradable:

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Earlier this year, we found a biodegradable phone that runs on Coke!

Transformer Phone

This phone certainly offers more than meets the eye:

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The video is a must see:

Nanotechnology Phone

The Nokia Morph gives us a glimpse into the potential future of nanotechnology.  Think spider silk and self-cleaning:

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See-Through Weather Phone

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Transparent Phone

Slick looking phone – just make sure you always wipe it down or you’ll see all the smudges:

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Phone Made out of Grass

This phone is 100% biodegradable and will turn into compost with 2 years:

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The Magic Stone

Walyou.com recently reported this concept phone that has an impressive look to it as well as a holographic display:

Snake Phone

BenQSiemens has an interesting take on a concept phone – being a flexible, snake-like phone:

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Kyocera Kinetic OLED Phone

Kyocera shows us an impressive foray into the concept phones market:

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Hidden Display Phone

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What’s your favorite concept phone? Let us know in the comments.

May 22, 1980 was the birth of one of the most notable video game icons of all time – Pac Man.  This year marks the 30th anniversary of our hungry yellow friend and we here at BigTime Wireless wanted to look at some of the popular trends around the web that are giving homage to this still-addicting game.

1 – Google

The famous Google Doodle even got a Pac Man face lift – for the first time ever it was even a playable game.  If you missed it, the game is still live:

[Source]

2 – Pac Man iPhone Covers

Geeky-Gadgets shows us some excellent handmade PacMan iPhone covers:

3 – The Annoying Orange

Rising YouTube star The Annoying Orange brings us a hilarious video:

4 – Pac Man Infographic

GraphJam gives us a humorous (and oh so true) chart on how you spend your time playing Pac Man:

[Source]

5 – The Official Pac Man Site

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And of course you can’t go wrong with the original.  Pacman.com has a wealth of info on their recent milestone.

6 – Pac Man in Spaaace!

Wow, the P-Man is showing up everywhere these days!

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7 – Pac Phone?

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According to Gizmodo, the folks at Quicksilver are toying around with an idea for a Pac Man style phone.  Can you believe it!  Cool?  Perhaps.  But what pocket do you keep that thing in?

30 years of Pac-goodness and still ticking, they just don’t make em like that anymore…