Widgets are a great way to get information like news and weather, check social networks like Facebook and Twitter, or access apps without having to open them. You can simply look at your screen to get a quick update.

The types of widgets available on your Android phone will vary by the type of phone (Samsung, HTC, Motorola, LG, etc.) and the apps you’ve downloaded. The process that is used to add apps can also vary a bit, but generally speaking, here’s how it’s done:

1. Find an open space on one of your homescreens.
2. Hold down on the open space until the menu “Add to Home screen” pops up.
3. Select “Widgets”
4. Choose the widget you want to install from the list.
5. If you press down on the widget until it wiggles, you’ll be able to move it around the screen, to a different screen, or drop it in the trash can at the bottom of the screen to remove it.

Here’s a short video I put together so you can see how widgets are added, moved and removed from the home screen.

One such tip is how to close apps that are running in the background.

When Apple implemented multi-tasking, it meant that your apps are never really closed. It’s possible that you could have many apps running in the background that are slowing your iPhone down and making it sluggish. Here’s how to fix the problem:

1. Double-click the iPhone “Home” button.
2. A panel will pop-up. Sliding left/right will show all the apps that are open/running on your iPhone.
3. To close one or more apps, pick any app and hold it until the icons start doing the “wiggle-dance” and a minus-icon appears in the upper left corner.
4. Click the minus icon for every app that you would like to close. Keep in mind that you will not get notifications from apps that are closed, so be careful closing things like your Calendar, Mail, or Alarm Clock service.

If you’re more of a visual person, I put together a short video that shows you how to perform the above steps on your iPhone.

The first app I’m highlighting is Shazam (AppStore link – Android Market link).

Shazam is the best music identification and discovery app out there. The way it operates is simple. You start the app, “Touch to Shazam”, and point your phone toward the source of the music. Shazam does the rest. It listens to the tune and then tells you the name of the song and the artist.

I’ve found it particularly useful for identifying songs in television shows, television ads, YouTube videos, or public places like restaurants and the gym. In fact, anywhere you hear music, you can “Shazam” to identify it.

For the most part, Shazam just works. It does struggle on live performances, which they warn you about up front, but it has also struggled for me on some obscure songs, particularly instrumental music. I would say I’ve had about an 80% success rate using the app, which is pretty amazing when you consider how it works.

Occasionally, I use Shazam to identify a song I can’t remember the name of, but more often I use it to identify songs I’ve never heard. It’s helped me to find new music and new artists that I’ve since added to my permanent MP3 collection.

In addition, like most apps these days, Shazam has a social component where you can share tagged songs with friends and see what they are tagging. I haven’t used the social features, so I can’t comment on how useful they are. It also keeps a chart of the most tagged songs by users (see image above right).

So whether you are music-obsessed or just a casual listener, you’ll find Shazam a great app to enhance your overall music listening experience. Best of all, since the app is free, you can’t go wrong. Download it using the links above and give it a try. You’ll be amazed!

In part 2 of the series, I’ll share my favorite music streaming service. In the meantime, feel free to share your most amazing Shazam moment in the comments.

So, if you use your smartphone a lot, here are some simple tips courtesy of phoneArena.com on how you can lessen the impact of cellphone radiation:

1. Talk less – the less you use your phone, the less radiation you’re exposed to.
2. No pockets – jackets, purses & backpacks keep phones further from the body.
3. Wait to connect – radiation emitted is higher while trying to connect a call.
4. Avoid use in low coverage areas – phones use more power, and thus emit higher levels of radiation when connecting to weak signals.
5. Text more – keeps the phone away from your body and reduces connection time.
6. Keep away from kids – children are more vulnerable to radiation due to thinner skulls and developing brains – limit their use.

Click here to view the whole article that explains the basics behind cellphone radiation and provides a gallery complete with nine tips – the six above plus three more.

Again, I’m not at all suggesting we panic and give up our smartphones. It’s just that a little common sense can help reduce the amount of cellphone radiation we subject ourselves to on a daily basis, which can only be a good thing over the long run.

One other change this month, I’m going to kill the “budget phone” category. There are plenty of options if you’re trying to save a few dollars, but I wouldn’t recommend them. You’re making an investment, so I would make sure you are choosing a device that will last through your 2-year contract and possibly even a bit beyond. A budget phone will struggle to survive whereas the top of the line phones won’t. Plus, if you do a little price comparison shopping, you’ll find that the top of line devices are not that much more expensive than the budget devices. In many cases, the difference may be less than $100, which is less than $5/month when spread across 2 years.

Finally, remember to choose your carrier first, and do you homework on pricing by reviewing the online outlets. See our January Buyer’s Guide for more details on the PSAs.


Best overall phone
DROID RAZR MAXX by Motorola
This was a tough call, as I am partial to the “Google Experience” Nexus line of devices. However, there have been reports of call quality and connectivity issues with the Galaxy Nexus that makes the RAZR MAXX the best overall choice. Along with the right mix of hardware, software and quality, it packs a redesigned battery that gives it the best battery life of any 4G phone on Verizon, while still maintaining a svelte profile. Unfortunately, Verizon is the only carrier offering the RAXR MAXX, but hopefully Motorola will bring variants to the other carriers later this year.


Verizon Wireless
Best phone: DROID RAZR MAXX by Motorola
Yes, the best overall phone is the best phone on Verizon.

Runner-up: Galaxy Nexus by Samsung
OK, so it may not be the best, but it’s worth consideration, particularly if you like having the latest and greatest. The Galaxy Nexus is still the only device that is officially running the latest Android operating system, Ice Cream Sandwich. As a current Nexus One owner, I can attest to the fact that using a Nexus device does have its benefits – the best being regular Android operating system updates. So if that’s important (which it is to me), you may find the Nexus more appealing than the RAZR.


AT&T Wireless
Best phone: Apple iPhone 4S
There’s a reason why Apple is raking in cash left and right, the iPhone is a great device. While I don’t recommend it on Verizon due to the lack of 4G connectivity, there’s no such limitation on AT&T’s network.

Runner-up: Samsung Galaxy S II (Skyrocket)
If you don’t like the limitations Apple places on the iPhone, or just don’t feel comfortable within the confines of their walled garden, then the Samsung Galaxy S II is the device for you. Even though Samsung released the device nearly a year ago, it can still hold its own in the market. By the way, if AT&T’s 4G LTE network is available in your area, I’d highly recommend picking up the “Skyrocket” version of the device.


Sprint
Best phone: Samsung Galaxy S II (Epic 4G Touch)
In the battle between the Galaxy S II and the iPhone, I give the Galaxy S II the edge on Sprint based on its 4G capabilities.

Runner-up: Apple iPhone 4S
Until Sprint gets more aggressive building out their 4G network, the iPhone is a good choice. Either way, whether you choose the iPhone or the Galaxy S II, you won’t be disappointed.


T-mobile
Best phone: Samsung Galaxy S II
I know – shocking!

Runner-up: HTC Amaze 4G
If you’re looking for an alternative to Samsung, or if you are a fan of HTC’s Sense interface, then you should pick up the Amaze.


As always, if you have questions about any devices, feel as though I left one out, or have personal experience with any of devices that you’d like to share, sound off in the comments.

For real estate agents, I break the question into two parts – work use and personal use.

For work
A tablet is a great investment for work, provided you do the following with it:

1. Get the 3G data plan
   Yes, it may be $30 (or more) per month, but you’ll need it at listing presentations, during showings with clients, and at open houses.
2. Get your listings presentation on it
   Paper is so yesterday. Flipping through your listing presentation on a tablet presents a strong image to the prospect, especially when you’re able to bring up a current competitive market analysis (CMA) and neighborhood statistics.
3. Set it up for showing appointments
   Make sure you have the key search apps like Realtor.com, Zillow, your local MLS site/app (if available), and your website, if it works well and looks good on a tablet. There’s nothing like handing your tablet to your client in the car and letting them search a neighborhood while your driving them around.
4. Set it up for basic productivity tasks
   Make sure you setup your tablet to get your email and put some basic productivity apps on there as well – things like Evernote for general note taking and Remember the Milk for task management are a couple of examples.

Unfortunately, a tablet won’t completely replace your laptop, but it’s a great companion device that you can use as both a productivity and a differentiation tool. Don’t look at it as an expense, it’s an investment which you should treat as such. If having a tablet gets you one additional deal a year, it’s will pay for the $500 investment many times over.

By the way, the iPad 2 is the best tablet out there due to the volume of apps available and overall user interface. If you prefer the Android experience, or just don’t like Apple, then the Samsung Galaxy Tab is your best alternative.

For personal
I don’t recommend tablets for personal use. They are a “tweener” device meaning anything you can do on a tablet can be done using your phone or laptop, which you already own. While not as chic, a laptop is a better investment as it is way more versatile.

Now, as with any recommendation, there are a few exceptions where a tablet may make sense:

1. You are a voracious content consumer
   If over 90% of your time on a laptop is spent surfing the web, watching videos, reading books, and doing very light email work, then a tablet can be used as a replacement.
2. You have a drink at the local Starbucks named after you
   If you spend all of your time on the internet away from your home or office, like at the local coffee shop, then a tablet may be a better choice than a laptop due to the 3G capabilities if you can’t find a Wi-fi network to connect to.
3. You like having an on-call babysitter
   I’m not going to get into my views on child-raising or whether technology is good or bad for kids, but let’s just say that a combination of the right videos and games can keep a young child occupied for a long time. I know some who have found it quite useful for long car rides and air travel, and I’ll just leave it at that.

If you can personally justify a tablet using one of the above scenarios, I would highly recommend the Kindle Fire. It’s much cheaper than the iPad and is designed specifically for consuming content. It has an extensive library of books and video readily available, and while the number of available apps is smaller than the iPad, it has the essentials, and the library is growing rapidly. We did a short review of the Kindle Fire a few months ago.

In Summary
I don’t disagree that tablets are the future of computing, but therein lies the keyword – future. Tablets are not ready to replace our laptops. They still need to get more powerful, offer better input methods like natural voice commands, and have more tablet specific software available.

Until that day comes, a tablet is a great investment for work when setup right, and an expensive toy when purchased exclusively for personal use.

Why did you decide to become a real estate agent?
I’ve always had an interest in real estate. My interest was so obvious, that my friends, family and neighbors would always ask me for my opinion about properties and what I thought they might be worth. Finally, I decided to take the initiative and get into the business. I’ve had my real estate license for almost 8 years now.

What do you like about it?
This may sound a little cliché, but I truly love putting people in homes, especially first time home buyers. I just love the excitement of helping them choose the right property, guiding them through the process, and handing over the house keys to them.

Do you have an area within real estate that you specialize in?
No, not really. I like to work on all types of transactions, whether it’s working with buyers, with sellers, or on challenging deals.

How do you use technology in your business?
I use technology to create an unfair advantage and look for tools that are unconventional. Tools such as miniListings, which has helped me get 3-4 new clients over the last year, and an electronic flyer service that I use to market my properties to other agents in the area. I also do a lot of internet marketing on Craigslist, backpage, and Facebook. The key is to choose the tools and stay consistent. You don’t need to spend hours on them every day. I regularly spend a few minutes every day, which might add up to a couple of hours per week.

Speaking of technology, what mobile phone do you use?
I switched from a BlackBerry to an HTC Thunderbolt last year, which was a huge improvement. I really love the Thunderbolt.

What would you say you use your phone for most: calls text, emails, internet?
These devices are amazing because you can do almost anything with them, and they’re more than just phones. They’re like small computers. It’s incredible to have the internet right there and always available when you need to look something up or to access information while on the go.

I also use my phone for emails and text messaging, but I prefer to interact with my clients direct, either in person or over the phone. Text messages and emails can get too casual, where direct contact allows me to develop a stronger relationship with my clients.

Do you have a favorite app?
My favorite app is the eKey application for lockboxes. I would often forget my lockbox key at home or at the office. Now, I don’t need to worry about leaving my key anywhere, it’s always with me.

What do you like about miniListings and how do you promote it?
Simply put, miniListings makes me current and different. I promote it on Facebook, Twitter and on my yard signs. As I mentioned before, I’ve acquired multiple new clients through it.

Why would you recommend miniListings to other agents?
miniListings sets you apart from other agents and differentiates you from the crowd. It reinforces the impression that you are a professional, that you’re up-to-date with the latest technology, and that you have it together and know what you are doing.

Before we go, what is one piece of advice that you would share with other agents?
It’s important that you maintain a balance between work and home. I make it a point to keep up with my kids and to not miss any of their events. The way I look at it, there are only so many games or recitals that my kids will play in, and I want to be there for all of them.

Life only happens once, make the most of it.

Davin receives a Top Production Award for his hard work and dedication

It was a pleasure speaking with Davin, and I’d like to thank him for spending the time to participate in this month’s agent spotlight. While you may think that the tagline on his website, “Exceptional Service Every Time”, is a cliché, I don’t. During our discussion, his desire and passion to provide his clients with outstanding service was clearly evident. It was obvious not only in what he said, but in how he said it and, more importantly, what he does. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with Davin and helping him find ways to use miniListings to continue to provide service to his clients that is a cut above.

You can learn more about Davin through his website at http://www.davinemmons.com, and to see his miniListings application in action, go to http://davinsmobile.com using the web browser on your mobile phone.

I had heard a lot about two apps, Remember The Milk and Astrid. Remember The Milk has been around for a while, so it was a pretty safe choice.  Astrid was receiving a lot of positive press on the tech blog circuit lately, so I figured it was worth a try.





Features
Both services share some common features.

1. Like most mobile apps these days, there is a web/desktop component and an accompanying mobile app that syncs with the desktop.
2. Both allow you to sort your tasks into lists (work, play, custom), assign priorities and assign due dates.
3. You can use the apps to collaborate and share tasks and task lists with others.
4. You can add notes to a task when you enter it, as you’re working on it, or when you finish it so you can keep track of status.
5. Both offer plenty of syncing choices with other services like Google Tasks or Microsoft Outlook.

Astrid
I started using Astrid first. After creating an account and moving my paper-based to-do list over, I was off and running. The tool sends you a daily email reminder of tasks that are due, and it was easy to see items that were due today. I found this key for me as it kept me focused on the tasks at hand and didn’t clutter my day thinking about my overall list of things to do for the week/month/forever. As I completed tasks, I could check things off the list and see them disappear from the screen, always a good feeling.

However, I got frustrated with Astrid because its interface was a little too simple. I needed more ways to filter tasks, such as tasks completed in the last week. I also found the web interface a bit too slow, awkward, and a bit buggy. The mobile app actually worked better than the desktop interface, but I spend a lot of time working on my laptop, so the robustness of the web interface is more important than the mobile interface.


Remember The Milk
After a couple of weeks, I decided to transition to Remember The Milk. The most painful part was transferring the task lists from one tool to the other. Once the transition was made, it was pretty easy learning the tool as many features are similar. However, Remember The Milk has a couple of cool features that I’ve found quite useful. First was an “Overview” feature. It is a pre-determined filter of tasks due today, tomorrow and those that are overdue. You can also create a weekly planner that you can print to carry around with you, but why do that when you can download the app! I also like the ability to create custom filters, which enable me to be even more efficient managing my task list.

On the mobile side, I like the Remember The Milk interface better, even though I don’t use it that much. It’s simple to get to all the key task lists like Today, Tomorrow and This Week, and you can always get to your more detailed lists if necessary.


Overall
I found that both apps helped me with my focus and productivity. Instead of having a long list of tasks in front of me on paper, the screen only shows what needs done today. Plus, it’s way more efficient to schedule tasks and move things around. I get a better idea of how busy certain days are going to be and can schedule future tasks accordingly.

In the end, Remember The Milk was the clear winner of the two, and the one I’ve decided to continue using. The desktop interface is more polished,easier to navigate, runs faster, and is more reliable. I also liked being able to develop custom filters (like tasks completed in the last week) as well as the interface and organization of the mobile app better.

One feature I would like to see both tools add is an “in progress” feature that would carry a task you’ve started over from day-to-day but not mark it done. This feature comes in handy when working on tasks that span longer time periods, or if you contact someone and are awaiting a response. It’s not a deal breaker, and I’ve figured out a work around in the meantime.


While choosing any task manager should be a personal choice, I would recommend that you start by using Remember The Milk. It’s more feature rich and has the tools necessary for serious task tracking and the ability to grow if you’re new to the to-do list scene. Astrid is good because it is simpler, which might fit your task management style better, but it’s too simple for me.

How about you, have you used a task management system? Which one, and what do you like about it? I’d be interested to hear your experience in the comments.

For the past year, I’ve been recommending that people move away from BlackBerry, and my recommendation isn’t changing in 2012. If you’re still using a BlackBerry, or considering one, it’s time to switch. Here’s why:

1. BlackBerry is losing market share rapidly
The latest numbers from the analysts are in, and they are not pretty. In the last year, market share has fallen from the 25% range to well under 10%. The graphic below from NPD (via this GigaOM article) shows just how bad it has gotten (another compilation of numbers from comScore via Techcrunch shows the same).

Why does this matter if you’re a BlackBerry user?

It means there will be less people developing software, apps and accessories for BlackBerry phones. People are going to build for the platforms that are big, growing and/or have future promise. BlackBerry has none of these.

2. BlackBerry’s long-term strategy is in disarray
BlackBerry has gone over a year since its last major phone release, the BlackBerry Torch. Originally, they were supposed to bring several new handsets to market in early 2012 that would feature the latest BlackBerry 10 operating system. This number was reduced to 3 that would be delivered by the end of 2012. The latest rumor has it that only one will be released, the BlackBerry London.

Not only is BlackBerry losing new users, but it’s letting down its loyal users by not bringing new hardware and software to market in a timely fashion.

3. There may not be an exit path
Of all the reasons, this could be the most troubling. RIM is losing market share so quickly that it may fade away rather than become an acquisition target. Recent rumors indicate that potential suitors like Microsoft are shying away, having chosen their dance partner in Nokia. Google has chosen Motorola. Apple doesn’t need them.

The only out may be a company with enterprise roots like Lenovo, Dell, or HP, which should be hesitant to put money into another flailing mobile OS after the Palm/webOS debacle.


To summarize, I divide people into three groups at office meetings. There’s the iPhone users, the Android users, and those waiting for their contract to expire so they can change to iPhone or Android. If you haven’t changed yet, no matter what you may think, you don’t know what you’re missing. The apps, the usability of the web, the design of the hardware, the productivity improvements. These are just a few of the reasons that you won’t look back.

As a former BlackBerry addict, this is a hard post for me to write. I didn’t think I’d ever be telling people to avoid BlackBerry, but the time has come.

Trust me – make the move and switch away. I did two years ago. You won’t regret it.

• Remember to choose your carrier before your phone. Having the greatest phone in the world isn’t great if it can’t make or receive calls where you use it most. I’ve put together a helpful list of guidelines for choosing a carrier here.
• After picking out your phone, check online outlets such as Amazon Wireless or Wirefly. They’re pricing is generally much better than what you get at the retail outlets. The downside is in person support and setup, so if you feel you’ll need that, you may want to pay the extra money in the store for peace of mind.

Now that the PSAs are out of the way, here’s the first guide of the New Year!


Best overall phone
Galaxy Nexus by Samsung
The Nexus is the latest in the seemingly endless stream of  ”best-ever” Android devices. While its specs won’t necessarily blow you away, the Android 4.0 software will. It’s the latest “Google Experience” phone which means it doesn’t haven’t any customization and will be the first device to get Android software updates. That fact alone makes it worth a second look, as I wrote here last month. Right now, Verizon Wireless is the only carrier that is offering it subsidized on contract, but you can get an unlocked GSM version (for AT&T and T-mobile) from a number of online retailers.


Verizon Wireless
Best phone: Galaxy Nexus by Samsung
The best overall phone is the best phone available on Verizon.

Runner-up: DROID RAZR by Motorola
Thin is in, and you’ll be hard pressed to find a thinner handset than the RAZR. Apple fans may opt for an iPhone 4S instead, but I can’t recommend any device on Verizon that doesn’t have 4G LTE support. I mean, you’re paying for it with your service, why not have a phone that can use it!

Budget phone (<$100): Thunderbolt by HTC
If you must save a few bucks, I’d go with the Thunderbolt. It was a great device when it was released early last year, and it can still hold its own with the big boys thanks to its 4G support.


AT&T Wireless
Best phone: iPhone 4S
I’ll give the nod to the iPhone 4S based on overall software polish, but the Samsung Galaxy S II is a worthy challenger.

Runner-up: Samsung Galaxy S II
If the iPhone is not your thing, you won’t be disappointed with the Galaxy S II. You also may want to consider the Skyrocket version, which is the first phone with AT&T 4G LTE capability. Since AT&T’s LTE network is still in its infancy, this version of the device may or may not be available in your local store.

Budget phone (<$100): Apple iPhone4
The iPhone4 is still a great phone, especially when you can get it for under $100. The Siri voice recognition app and an improved camera are the only items you’ll be missing if you choose it over the iPhone 4S.


Sprint
Best phone: Samsung Galaxy S II (Epic 4G Touch)
The Galaxy S II gets the edge on Sprint because of 4G support.

Runner-up: iPhone 4S
Another close call with the Galaxy S II, and by now, you should get the picture – whether you choose the Galaxy S II or the iPhone 4S, you won’t be disappointed.

Budget phone (<$100): Nexus S 4G from Google
Even though it’s been out for a year, the Nexus S is still a good choice – mainly because it was last year’s “Google Experience” phone which means it will be one of the few existing Android devices that will get updated to Android 4.0.


T-mobile
Best phone: Samsung Galaxy S II
No surprise here. It’s near the top of every carrier list for a reason.

Runner-up: HTC Amaze 4G
HTC does a great job with the styling of their phones, I’m just not a big fan of their Sense UI. If Sense doesn’t bother you (or you like it), you should give the Amaze serious consideration.

Budget phone (<$100): Samsung Exhibit II 4G
If there’s one thing that T-mobile does well, it’s budget phones. The Exhibit II may not be the best phone out there, but at only $30 on contract, it’s worth a look if you’re trying to save some money.


As always, if you have questions about any devices, feel as though I left one out, or have personal experience with any of devices that you’d like to share, sound off in the comments.