The Best Games of 2011

The video game industry generates billions of dollars per year, which makes it as powerful an entertainment sector as movies and music. Video games, in its relatively short existence, have gone from a nerd hobby to a near-ubiquitous form of entertainment that has become as significant part of our digital lifestyles as smartphones and laptops.
These days, you can play video games on just about every device that can run an app. Home consoles and portables may immediately come to mind but you can also game on phones, tablets and, of course, on PCs—both as installed apps and inside Web browsers. The Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo 3DS, and Playstation Vita represent the traditional video game platform experience, but mobile devices have made big in roads into the gaming space.
Android, BlackBerry, iOS, and Windows Phone 7 all have respectable marketplaces that allow you to download games (which are typically priced between free and $15). The initial batch of mobile games was very casual in nature (Angry Birds, for example), but as the GPU power increased and designers learned the ins and outs of various handsets and tablets, more "core" titles (such as 9MM) have appeared.

	The Top 10 Best Sony PS3 Games
	The Top 10 Best Microsoft Xbox 360 Games
	The Top 10 Best Nintendo Wii Games
	The Top 10 Best Nintendo 3DS Games
	The Top 10 Best PC Games
	The 30 Best iPad Games
	The Top 10 Most Anticipated PS Vita Games
	The Best Free Android Games
	The Best Free Windows Phone 7 Games
	The 10 Best Free BlackBerry Games
	Get Your Games Here: The Best of Online Game Stores

In the hype surrounding new tablet, phone, console, and portable hardware and software launches, the PC is often overlooked as a viable gaming platform. PC gaming has a few advantages over console gaming. The first being that you have more control over your gaming experience; you can upgrade your CPU, GPU, RAM, and HDD at any time—you don't have to wait five years or more for console manufacturers to produce new hardware.
Although PC gaming carries the stigma of being an expensive hobby due to the cost of high-end gaming rigs from the likes of Alienware, you can very easily build a capable machine for $500. Plus, you can save some cash by purchasing titles online through services like the Editors' Choice award-winning Steam (Free, 4.5 stars), which offers mid-week and weekend sales ranging from 20 to 75 percent of regular prices. Steam also has larger, seasonal sales that include discounts on publishers' entire libraries or bundles of their top game.
Whether you're a PC, console, or mobile gamer, there are plenty of gaming options. Check out the links below which showcase the best titles in each category.
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Small Cameras, Big Zoom

These compact superzoom digital cameras can get you close to the action—and they'll slide right into your back pocket.


It used to be that if you wanted a long zoom lens, you had to tote a bulky camera. No longer: More and more manufacturers are packing serious zoom factor into cameras that you can carry in your back pocket. With all the options to choose from, though, there are a few things you should consider when you're looking for the right superzoom camera.
When it comes to lenses, it's not just the degree of optical zoom (12x or 14x, for example) you should look at. Focal length is a better indicator of how close to your subject the lens can actually take you. For example, Panasonic boasts 16x optical zoom in its $380 DMC-ZS10. But the focal length of the lens only reaches to 384mm. The $350 Canon PowerShot SX230 IS, on the other hand, has a 14x lens, but focal length is longer at 392mm.
Since these models have slightly larger bodies than standard compact point-and-shoot cameras, there's room for extra goodies inside. But you need to decide which extra features you need—and what you want to pay for. Take HD video, for one: All of the cameras here are capable of recording high-definition video, but only a few capture 1080p (1,920 by 1080) footage. The others record smaller-size videos (720p), but can ocassionaly have higher frame-rates (up to 60 per second).
A few of these cameras integrate GPS for geotagging your photos. Models like the Casio Exilim EX-H20G, Canon PowerShot SX230 HS, Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V, Fujifilm FinePix F600EXR, and Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 all include GPS. When you view your photos from those cameras in a program that supports geotagging, like Google's Picasa (4.5 stars), they'll be plotted on a map with location information, and you'll also see the direction in which each photo was taken. The DSC-HX7V also has some innovative in-camera software for reducing image noise, and a cool feature called iSweep Panorama that lets you swipe the camera up, down, left or right, while it fires multiple images and then stitches them together in a few seconds.
It's not all about fancy features, though. The Casio Exilim EX-ZR100 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V, both $300, are the least expensives model here. They're both able to pump out impressive photos. For some, that's the most important feature of all. For more, hit our Digital Cameras Product Guide for the latest camera reviews and The 10 Best Digital Cameras for the top-rated models.
Superzoom Cameras Featured in this Roundup:
Canon PowerShot Elph 510 HS

$349.99 direct
The Canon PowerShot Elph 510 HS is a very good choice if you want a lot of zoom (12x) from a small camera body, and you prefer a touch screen to physical controls. But poor low-light performance and a slow start-up time hold this compact superzoom back.
Canon PowerShot SX230 HS

$349.99 list
The Canon PowerShot SX230 HS is a top choice if you want a long 14x zoom lens, plus bonus features like GPS, in a camera that can fit in your pocket.
Casio Exilim EX-H20G

$349.99 list
If you're an avid traveler, you'll like the sharp photos, 10x zoom lens, and integrated GPS the Casio Exilim EX-H20G offers, but if you don't need to geotag your photos, you can get better performance for the price.
Casio Exilim EX-ZR100

$299.99 direct
The 12.5x-zoom Casio Exilim EX-ZR100 is a speed demon that shoots excellent photos and video, but its high price tag, and quirks with zooming and autofocus, hold it back somewhat.
Fujifilm FinePix F600EXR

$349.95 direct
The GPS-equipped Fujifilm Finepix F600EXR shows a lot of promise on paper, packing a long 15x zoom lens into a compact body. But the GPS doesn't work as well as we'd like, and images from this superzoom camera are very noisy in low light.
Nikon Coolpix S9100
 
$329.95 direct
The speedy-shooting Nikon S9100 delivers a big 18x optical zoom lens and a high-res LCD in a small, pocket-size package at a great price.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10

$379.99 directAn impressive set of specs including a 16x zoom lens, a high-quality touch screen, GPS, and 3D image capture, can’t compensate for the subpar image quality and low-light performance you get with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V

$299.99 direct
The compact 10x-zoom Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX7V packs in features and delivers impressive, low-noise images even at its highest ISO. But it falls a bit shy of its predecessor in terms of image sharpness.
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How Facebook Can Hurt Your Credit Rating

Analysis: Bank on it -- Financial institutions are checking social media profiles to identify credit risks. It's time to ditch those deadbeat friends.

You know those deadbeat friends of yours on Facebook? They could end up killing your credit score and costing you a loan. At the very least, your no-account pals could bump up your interest rate.
A chilling story in the New York Observer’ BetaBeat blog this week details the efforts of several online banks that plan to analyze your social media profiles to determine how big a credit risk you are. It’s yet more evidence that, unlike Las Vegas, what happens on Facebook doesn’t stay on Facebook – and could come back to bite you in unexpected and unpleasant ways.
How are banks going to use this information? First, they’re going to use your friends list to troll for future prospects. If you just took out a line of credit against the equity in your house, maybe your friends will too – assuming they’ve got any equity left.

• 'Likejacking' exploit fools Facebook users and friends
• 30 ways Twitter will get you in trouble

But that’s only the start. Per author Adrianne Jeffries:

…in the last year or so, financial institutions have started exploring ways to use data from Facebook, Twitter and other networks to round out an individual borrower’s risk profile—although most entrepreneurs working on the problem say the technology is three to five years away from mainstream adoption…
But there’s a nightmare scenario: if banks learn how to use social media, they could gather information they aren’t allowed to ask for on a credit application—including race, marital status and receipt of public assistance—or worse, to redline segments of the social graph.
In other words: choose your online friends wisely, for they may one day determine your APR.

It gets worse. Let’s say you fall a few months behind on your payments and you’ve decided to banish the bill collecting goons to voice mail. Hong Kong-based micro-lender Lenddo – which asks for your Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, Yahoo, and Windows Live logons when you sign up -- reserves the right to rat you out to all your friends. Per Lenddo’s FAQ:

As long as you don't fall behind on any Lenddo loan installments, you have complete control over your privacy settings and your information will only be shared with your permission. IF YOU FAIL TO REPAY, Lenddo MAINTAINS THE RIGHT TO NOTIFY YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY. [boldface caps in original]

Also, they’ll break your legs – but only your virtual ones. And then sell you virtual crutches to hobble around on.
The problems here are several. As Jeffries notes, banks may become privy to all kinds of information that’s really none of their business, and use that to determine your creditworthiness. There’s also the Faux Friend problem; these models appear to assume your Facebook friends are your actual friends. Some may be, others certainly are not. Why should anyone’s troubled financial past impact mine (or, vice versa), especially a stranger with whom I have shared nothing more than the occasional “Like”?
This is not what we signed up for when we all agreed to engage in this massive social media experiment. First it was employers and college recruiters who began to use our tweets and status updates against us. Then potential mates and cops. Now banks? Who will be next?
Of course, these are just online small fry you can safely avoid ever having to deal with. The big banks would never stoop to such measures. Right? Wrong. Per the Observer article, the companies involved in these schemes claim to have been approached by “the who’s who of banking,” who were keenly interested in their social media parsing algorithms.
Jeffries managed to get credit reporting agency Equifax to respond to her queries; their response was telling:

“Our corporate development professionals are very aware of the opportunities to enhance our proprietary data and partner with companies who add value to the accuracy of our reporting, which helps our customers make better decisions prior to lending.”

I translate that as “we’re looking carefully at this and are prepared to jump in with both feet when the time is right.”
Will you be legally required to give your bank access to your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn profiles when you need credit? Probably not. But they won’t be legally required to approve your loan, either.

this post from http://www.arotub.com/

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How To Get Windows 8 Features Now

 You don't have to wait until next year to see what Windows 8 has to offer. Use these tricks to update your operating system's look and feel right now.

Windows 8 will be the first Windows operating system since Windows 95 to drastically modify the user interface. Not only will we see a port of the Windows Phone 7 Metro UI, we'll also see support for multiple monitor setups, an immersive version of Internet Explorer, and touchscreen optimization.

Many of the improvements that Windows 8 will bring (for example, access to the Windows Store, native USB 3.0 support, "Refresh and Reset" features that simplify restoring your system to its factory default configuration, and Windows Live account integration) aren't available yet. Nevertheless, you can get the general look and feel of Windows 8 on your Windows 7 machine--including an approximation of the Metro UI, multiple monitor support, and the ribbon-style toolbar in Windows Explorer--right now. Here's how.

Duplicate the New Metro User Interface

One of the biggest changes we'll see in Windows 8 involves the user interface: Instead of retaining the regular desktop we're used to, Microsoft is importing the Windows Phone 7-esque Metro interface.
You can duplicate the general look of the Metro interface by installing an application called Mosaic. Mosaic doesn't integrate with your desktop, as Metro will, but it does let you have a Metro-style live-tile overlay.
Mosaic is easy to set up on a Windows 7 PC. To get the app, download the latest build from the Mosaic Project website. Extract the files from the zipped build folder, and double-click Mosaic to run the program. You may want to put a shortcut to this program on your desktop for quick future access.
Mosaic will initially open in full-screen mode with two tiles. To get out of full-screen mode, click the arrow in the upper right corner. Select Options from the small black menu that appears, and disable the Enable Fullscreen Mode option. While you're in this options menu, you can also configure Mosaic to display the Windows taskbar while you're in fullscreen mode, enable widget and startup animations, or even start Mosaic automatically when you start Windows.
Mosaic in the default configuration.
Currently, you can add several tiles to Mosaic to personalize it. To add tiles, first go to the Mosaic Store by clicking the Mosaic Store tile. At the Mosaic Store you can download tiles for future use--including Facebook, Gmail, Hotmail, and Twitter, as well as weather, clock, control panel, music, and picture tiles.
After downloading the tiles you want, you'll need to add them to the interface. To do this, click the arrow in the upper right corner and select Add. A list of the tiles you've downloaded will appear. Click a tile to add it; some tiles (such as email tiles and social networking tiles) may require configuring before they go live and start displaying up-to-date information.
In addition, you can pin programs and websites to Mosaic. To do this, click the arrow in the upper right and then click pin. Choose whether to pin a program or a website, and either find the program by using Windows Explorer or enter the website address. Tiles for programs will show the program icon; tiles for websites will show a snapshot of the front page.
Mosaic with Facebook integration.
To arrange tiles, just drag and drop them over the screen. They'll automatically snap to a grid when you drop them. To remove a tile, right-click it and then click Remove.
Even though Mosaic closely resembles Windows 8, it's a separate application. So if you have a window open and you click a Mosaic tile in the background, Mosaic will suddenly come to the front, just as any other application would.

Customize Multiple Monitors

With Windows 8, Microsoft finally makes life easier for people who use multiple monitors. Windows 8 will support desktop wallpapers that span more than one monitor (as well as supporting separate wallpapers for each monitor) and better taskbar handling.
The good news is that you can nab these Windows 8 features now, with the aid of a couple of third-party applications.
To get multiple-monitor desktop wallpaper (wallpaper that spans more than one monitor) or to use different wallpapers on each monitor, use a free application called DisplayFusion. First, download DisplayFusion from PCWorld's Downloads Library, or visit the DisplayFusion website and download the latest build available there. Once the download has finished, open the executable file and install the program. Be sure to check the box that asks you whether you want DisplayFusion to run when Windows starts.
DisplayFusion lets you set up wallpapers that span multiple monitors.
The paid version of DisplayFusion offers both multiple-monitor wallpaper support and taskbar handling, but the free version provides only multiple-monitor wallpaper support. Obviously, before you can set up your wallpaper, you must set up your multiple monitors.
To set up your multiple-monitor wallpaper, open DisplayFusion by right-clicking the icon in the taskbar and selecting Desktop Wallpaper from the menu. A window that displays all of your monitors side by side will open.
If you'd like one wallpaper to span all of your monitors, click the toggle labeled Span an image across all Monitors. To choose a single image to span across all monitors, open the Load From... menu and select My Computer. Find the image that you want to use, and open it.
If you'd like to have different wallpapers on each monitor, select the Use A Different Image For Each Monitor option. Click the monitor whose wallpaper you'd like to change (a red line will appear around the monitor you choose) and select the Load From… option. Find and select the picture you want to use it, then repeat the process for each additional monitor you want to customize with DisplayFusion.
DisplayFusion is a great way to get multiple-monitor wallpaper support at no charge. It's a generally noninvasive program, though you'll occasionally encounter pop-up windows prompting you to update to the latest build (if you choose not to update, nothing will happen). If you're interested in additional DisplayFusion options, such as multiple-monitor taskbar support or the ability to cycle through wallpapers automatically, you can upgrade to DisplayFusion Pro for $25.

Stretch the Windows Taskbar Across Multiple Monitors

Windows 8 will also introduce the ability to span the taskbar across multiple monitors, but ou can already extend your Windows taskbar across multiple monitors by using MultiMon software. Pick up the free MultiMon Taskbar from PCWorld's Downloads Library, or download the latest version from the MediaChance website. Once you've downloaded the program, open it; the program will automatically load an extra taskbar onto whichever monitor Windows recognizes as your second screen. To customize your taskbar, first right-click the Properties menu in the MultiMon taskbar; from there, you can choose to auto-hide the taskbar, insert a caption button, use the Ctrl-Alt-arrow keys to move left and right, and add a multitext clipboard. Another option is to add a taskbar to your third monitor, if you happen to be hardcore enough to need three monitors.
Extend your Taskbar across multiple monitors with MultiMon.
Unfortunately, MultiMon Free isn't nearly as robust as the paid version, MultiMon Taskbar Pro, which costs $28. MultiMon Taskbar Pro 3.5 includes Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 themes, but the free version just looks like your basic gray taskbar. Ultimately, if you really want to blend your taskbar with a modern Windows interface, you probably should pay $28 for the Pro version of MultiMon.
Note: The free version of MultiMon automatically adds a second taskbar to your second monitor, and it can add a third taskbar to the your third monitor. The monitors are not switchable, however, which can pose a problem if you want the monitor you designated as secondary to host your main taskbar.

Steal Windows 8 Explorer's New Ribbon Interface

In Windows 8, Microsoft will replace the toolbar in Windows Explorer with a Microsoft Office-style "ribbon." The ribbon, which was introduced in Microsoft Office 2007, is a strip of options that changes depending on what you're doing. Not everyone likes the ribbon toolbar, but it looks as though it's here to stay.
Better Explorer is an alternative to Windows Explorer that uses the new Ribbon UI
If you like the ribbon, you can get it in your Windows Explorer now by using a different file manager. Try BExplorer (or "Better Explorer"), an alternate file management program that you can use instead of Windows Explorer. To do so, download the latest version of Better Explorer from the Better Explorer website. Once you agree to the legal Terms and Conditions, you'll be able to run the necessary executable file directly from the website.
Thankfully, BExplorer requires virtually no setup. Once you've installed the program (it will automatically install a pinned shortcut in your Start Menu), you can use BExplorer instead of Windows Explorer to open files, by opening a file from the BExplorer Start Menu shortcut (instead of using My Computer).
BExplorer's latest build features a ribbon interface. At the moment there are three ribbon tabs: File, Home, and View. In the Home ribbon, you can perform basic operations such as copying and moving files, deleting and renaming files, selecting all, and opening your favorites folder.
Clicking the View tab will bring up a ribbon with a new set of options--most of them extremely useful ways to view the files differently. For example, you can easily instruct the program on how to display the files (as Extra Large Icons, Large Icons, Medium Icons, or something else). You can also sort the items in a folder easily by using the sort options. Finally, you can show and hide items, see filename extensions, and show hidden items with one quick click.
Though many people dislike the ribbon-style toolbar in Microsoft Office, it's a significant improvement on file management. With BExplorer's ribbon toolbar, sorting and viewing files, selecting and movinge files, and organizing folders are all much easier.
Handy though it is, BExplorer isn't integrated into Windows as fully is Windows Explorer is. For example, unless you explicitly open a file using BExplorer, your files will revert by default to opening with Windows Explorer. But even though BExplorer isn't a viable replacement for Windows Explorer in everyday use, it serves as a convenient alternative if you happen to be doing a lot of work in an "Explorer"--such as organizing folders or looking for something.

Windows 8, Right Now

If you're not satisfied with these UI tweaks, you can get as close as possible to Windows 8 by downloading the publicly available Windows 8 Developer Build from Microsoft's website. The developer build is not stable, and it doesn't have all of the UI enhancements we're looking forward to in Windows 8. Microsoft warns that the current build is the pre-beta version of Windows 8 and cannot be installed--so if you're not a developer and you don't have an extra Windows 7 computer lying around, you may want to sate your curiosity with these UI tweaks and wait until the official beta is released. For more instructions, read "How to Download and Install Windows 8 on a New Partition" and "How to Download and Install Windows 8 Into a Virtual Machine."

this post from www.arotub.com

 

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How to Buy a Cell Phone

Here's what you need to know to get the cell phone and service plan that are right for you.

Few tools of modern technology have become as prevalent as the cell phone, which allows you to be in touch (almost) all the time, (almost) anywhere. And you can do more than just talk--today's phones let you send and receive email and text messages, surf the Web, and play music and videos. Sifting through the sea of service plans and handsets can be difficult, but we'll walk you through what you need to know to get the phone and service plan that are right for you.

If you don't have to own the latest and greatest smartphone, there’s no time like the present to buy a new one. From the newest iPhone to an Android superphone to a business-friendly Windows Phone, you can find the right phone for you. Before you hit the stores, however, do a bit of research and read our guide so that you'll know exactly what to look for.
Features to Consider: What should you look for when you're shopping for a new phone?
Picking the Right Plan and Choosing the Right Carrier: Deciding on a plan and carrier is a daunting process, but we have some useful tips.
Shopping Tips: Arm yourself with knowledge before checking stores.

 

Features to Consider

When you're shopping for a phone, you can do some simple hands-on tests in the store to make sure that the handset has everything you need.
Call quality: What good is a phone if it can't make calls? Some of the most simple, bare-bones "feature" phones offer the best call quality--and on the flip side, some fancy smartphones offer dismal calling. When evaluating phones, be sure to make a few test calls. In PCWorld's hands-on tests, we generally make some calls in a quiet room and several calls in a noisy environment. You might not be able to replicate such tests indoors, but try your best. Take note of static, tinny voices, or any interference. Ask the person on the other end of the line if they can hear a disruptive amount of background noise.
Design: Your choices range from phones with large touchscreens to slider-style handsets with full-QWERTY keyboards. Whichever type of phone you select, check its ergonomics. Is it comfortable to hold against your ear, and can you hear callers without constant adjustment? Can you use the phone with one hand? Consider hands-free use: Can you comfortably hold the phone to your ear by scrunching your neck and shoulder? Can it fit comfortably in your pocket or bag? You also want to make sure the phone is durable enough to handle some roughing up. A solidly built phone should be able to withstand getting banged around in a handbag or pocket, as well as a bit of moisture and a short-range drop. You should think about investing in a case or display protector, as well--especially if you’re accident-prone.
Operating system: If you're looking to do more than make calls and send text messages with your phone, consider the platform on which it runs. The mobile operating system you choose will greatly affect the capabilities of your phone. The most popular platforms are Google's Android (found on multiple devices), iOS (found only on iPhone models), BlackBerry OS (found on BlackBerrys of various designs), and Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7. Each has its advantages and disadvantages; you should definitely familiarize yourself with all of the platforms before settling on one.
Display: If you intend do a lot of Web browsing or movie streaming, make sure that the screen is up to snuff. Is it big enough for you to take full advantage of the phone's features? If you're going to surf the Web or edit office documents on your phone, a screen that measures less than 3 inches diagonally will feel cramped.
Consider the screen's resolution: The higher the resolution, the better the screen will look--an important factor if you plan to use your phone to watch videos or view photos.
AMOLED displays perform well in sunlight, but many people think they make colors look oversaturated. qHD displays (whose resolution is one-quarter of a full-HD 1080p frame and three-quarters of a 720p frame) generally look the best in video playback and games.
Being able to take control of the screen's contrast and backlight settings can also be important, as phones have noticeable differences in their default display settings. If your phone allows you to adjust contrast and brightness, you can make text and graphics more easily viewable in well-lit places, and you can also save battery life in a pinch.
4G support and availability: After a lot of buzz, the next generation of wireless networks, 4G, has arrived. The two main technologies are WiMax and Long Term Evolution. Though Sprint’s network currently uses WiMax, the carrier will begin deployment of an LTE network at the end of 2011 and will release LTE devices in mid-2012. 4G's faster download speeds significantly improve streaming video, and allow features such as videoconferencing and network gaming.
If you decide to buy a 4G phone, first confirm that your area has coverage. Verizon currently offers 4G coverage in 175 U.S. cities (check the carrier's coverage map). Sprint has a complete coverage map of its WiMax network, too. AT&T has launched 4G LTE in 15 cities, and plans to reach 70 million people by the end of 2011.
Currently AT&T and T-Mobile are promoting their HSPA+ networks--which essentially use a more advanced version of 3G protocols--as being capable of achieving 4G-like speeds. If you’re looking into buying a 4G phone on AT&T, confirm whether it supports an LTE network or an HSPA+ network. Generally a 4G LTE phone will have faster data speeds, but it may also have limited coverage. We have seen “4G-like” speeds on HSPA+ phones.
Cameras: If you intend to take a lot of photos with your phone, you'll definitely want to pay attention to the camera specs. For mid- to high-level smartphones, 5 megapixels is now pretty much the standard. Some phones ship with 8- or 12-megapixel cameras, but a higher megapixel count doesn't necessarily mean a better camera. Verify that the phone camera you're interested in has a flash--dual-LED or Xenon flashes work the best--or else any pictures you attempt to take indoors or at night will come out looking like blurry messes. Try to take a few pictures in the store to get a good idea of the camera's photo quality.
Most cell phone cameras also have video-capture capabilities; some high-end phones can even capture high-definition 1080p video. If video is your thing, make sure that the OS provides an easy way to upload your videos to services such as Facebook or YouTube.
Many modern smartphones have front-facing cameras. These are mostly good for making video calls; but some camera apps, such as photo-booth apps, use the front-facing camera too.
Processor speed: We’ve heard a lot of buzz about phones that use dual-core processors, but such power is really not necessary for the average user. Unless you’re doing a lot of app multitasking or playing games with 3D graphics, you’ll probably be fine with a 1GHz processor. Aside from the processor speed, other factors--such as the version of software your phone is running (Android 2.3 is faster than Android 2.2, for instance) and the speed of your network--contribute to speedy, fluid phone performance.
Battery life: There’s no easy way to predict how long a phone’s battery will last. In our PCWorld Labs tests and our hands-on evaluations, we’ve found that 4G phones have a shorter battery life than 3G phones do. Ultimately, however, it depends on how much you use your phone. You can download task killers or battery-management apps that may alleviate some of the drainage. You can also buy a case with a built-in wireless charger, or carry around an extra battery for your phone. For a complete guide to extending your phone’s battery life, check out our "How to Boost Your Smartphone Battery Life" article package.

Picking the Right Plan

While shopping for a new plan, be completely realistic about how you will use your phone. The national phone plans that the major carriers offer will let you send and receive calls anywhere in the United States (and even in parts of Canada) at no extra charge. You may be able to sign up for a local or regional plan that limits the areas where you can originate a call and still pull from your monthly pool of minutes; this option might be worth considering if you use your phone for local calls exclusively. If you have a world phone and plan to use it in other countries, choose service with international roaming.
As you're selecting a plan, it's best to overestimate the number of minutes you'll be using for every sent and received call. Because one carrier's definition of off-peak may be different from another's, ask the carrier to specify the times for its peak, off-peak, and weekend hours.
You should also take into account your data usage (for email, video, connected apps, and Web browsing) when picking your cell phone plan. Most carriers bundle voice and data plans together. Customers on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon are capped at how much data they can use before extra charges kick in. Sprint is the last U.S. wireless network to offer new customers an unlimited data plan.

Choosing the Right Carrier

Tired of your current carrier, or shopping for your first smartphone ever? Choosing a carrier is a daunting task. Most likely you've heard of the Big Four: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. You'll also encounter smaller, regional carriers such as Cellular One and U.S. Cellular, as well as prepaid carriers like Boost Mobile, Cricket Wireless, and MetroPCS.
Before you start examining plans, find out whether you can get solid coverage in your city, town, or area. Ask your neighbors about the carrier they use, and whether they have reliable service. If you don’t have good coverage in your home, you’ll be in for a frustrating two years. You should also check the coverage for any other areas where you spend a lot of time, such as your office or a friend's or relative’s house.
Customer service is another factor to consider. Every year, PCWorld polls readers on carrier service and support. In last year’s Reliability and Service survey, T-Mobile excelled in phone support. According to the survey, T-Mobile's average hold time was 4.6 minutes--significantly lower than the others, which had times ranging from 5.2 minutes (AT&T) to 6.1 minutes (Verizon).
And 84 percent of T-Mobile customers reported that they were satisfied with the voice-call reliability of the carrier's network, second only to Verizon's 86.7 percent.
If you’re not into the idea of signing up for a two-year contract with a carrier, try a prepaid plan. These days you can find full-featured Android or BlackBerry smartphones with prepaid plans that offer unlimited minutes, text messages, and data, plans that cost less than half of what the equivalent ones would cost with AT&T or Verizon. For more information, check out our comparison of prepaid plans, as well as some reviews of smartphones available for a prepaid plan.

Shopping Tips

You can purchase a new phone directly from a carrier store; if you're not sure what to buy, however, we recommend going to a third-party retailer. Best Buy, RadioShack, Target, and even Walmart sell phones, as well as carrier plans. A big advantage of buying a phone or a tablet from a third-party seller is that you have dozens of phones from multiple carriers at your disposal. If your contract is up and you're trying to choose between the iPhone 4 (AT&T) and the T-Mobile MyTouch 4G, for instance, you can compare the two phones side by side in the store. You can't do the same at a carrier store, because those phones are on different networks.
If you're considering buying a phone as a gift, definitely consult with the recipient before you go shopping--and although it will ruin the surprise, you'll probably want to bring them along on your shopping trip. We recommend getting as much hands-on time as possible with multiple phones before settling on one.
When dealing with store representatives, ask them to be as straightforward as possible. Tell them exactly what you're looking for, and what kind of phone or plan will fit your requirements. If you're completely unsure, ask the representatives what phone they use, or which phones impressed them this year. Don't let them jump into a sales spiel, or else you'll end up spending way too much time in the store. And remember, they're human beings too, and they're working during the holiday rush--be courteous, and you'll receive the same treatment in return.

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 this article from  www.pcworld.com

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