Coming back to my topic, how would one get the best of N8 in landscape keyboard? Some of you must be thinking that peeping into the keyboard settings may help but this is not the case. Why? Well, because of the hidden setting, as I mentioned in the last paragraph.
Here, I have come up with couple of steps that might help with the N8:

• Launch notes and tap to create one.
• Move the device into landscape orientation, this helps in accessing the proper settings.
• Tap the 3 line key between the forward arrows and return key.
• Tap Input options via activate prediction.
• Again tap the 3 line key.
• Tap Input options via settings.
• In here tap to turn on word auto-completion, text correction level to high, and text correction mode to show suggestion.

Result:
Well, the QWERTY keyboard is relatively better by implementing the above-cited steps. It worked well with me; hope it does the same with you.

About The Author: Kate is a blogger by profession. She loves writing, reading and shopping. Recently she bought a pair of Music stands for her living area. These days she is busy writing an article on hybrid cars for her blog.

What Kind of Apps Are Not on the Market?

There are a variety of reasons why an app might not make it to the official market. Many developers test their brand new apps on tech-savvy Android forum users before going big time in the market. Some apps get pulled off of the market because they conflict with the Android Market’s terms and conditions (this doesn’t mean they are illegal). Some developers prefer not to deal with the Market and sell their app directly through alternative app stores or their own websites. Here’s just a short list of cool and useful apps that you won’t find in the market:

Swype: This app provides an alternate way of using your phone’s keyboard. Instead of tapping with your fingers, Swype lets you slide your fingers from key to key, using auto-completion technology to guess what word you want. Fans of Swype claim that this method allows for much faster typing and texting. Although Swype comes prepackaged on many phones, those that don’t have it will have to venture beyond the market to find it.

Rjdj: This is a cool one. Rjdj is an innovative music app that uses your phone’s microphone to craft “sonic experiences” that react to the natural noises and sounds around you. Walk through a quiet park and the soundscape will be mellow. Walk through a crowded street and the generated sounds will become more chaotic and complex. The effect of these interactive soundscapes is supposed to be meditative.

Bacon Reader: This is a mobile version of the popular social book marking site reddit.com, aka “the front page of the Internet.” It hasn’t made it to the Android Market because it’s technically still in the testing phase. It might never make it there due to stalls in its funding and development. Despite the setbacks, Bacon Reader has established a dedicated following among active Reddit users who appreciate its clean, user-friendly interface.

SpoofApp: This somewhat controversial app single-handedly revolutionized prank calling in the mobile era. SpoofApp allows you to disguise your number when it appears on someone else’s caller ID, change the tone of your voice, and record the call, ingredients which lead to maximum prank potential. This app was pulled from the Android Market for undisclosed reasons, but remains perfectly legal and can be downloaded directly from SpoofApp’s website.

How Do I Install an App Without the Android Market?

Installing non-market apps takes a very slight amount of technical know-how. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to get you through.

1. First, find the applications setting menu on your phone. You should see a tab that allows you to enable unknown sources. Your phone will now allow you to install non-market apps.
2. Next, you’ll need to briefly head to the Android Market and install an app installer app (a little redundant, I know). Some good ones are Easy Installer and AppInstaller. These apps will assist you in installing .apk files (the type of file Android Apps are housed in).Download your chosen app’s .apk file onto your computer and then transfer it onto your Android’s memory card.
3. Download your chosen app’s .apk file onto your computer and then transfer it onto your Android’s memory card.
4. Insert your memory card back into your phone and then open up your installation app. The .apk file should be easily identifiable on a menu. Just highlight it and hit “install” and it should start loading like any other app.

If you’re a true app fanatic, and want to get the most out of your Android, it’s worth it to look into non-market apps. You just might find something cool. An added bonus from discovering an amazing non-Market app is watching your friends go crazy trying to find how to download it. Enjoy!

But, for parents, Halloween means something more than just costumes and candy. For them, it is also a time of worry. Where are the kids trick-or-treating? Are they going to do anything unsafe? Is there candy they shouldn’t be eating? Doors they shouldn’t ring?

While it is impossible to fully assuage these fears without keeping your child locked safely away at home, a smartphone application released just in time for the holiday should give parents some peace of mind when letting their kids go out. Called Trick or Tracker, the app can be downloaded for free online and acts as a GPS communication device between parent and child. The app tracks the phone’s location and can be set up to coordinate with another smartphone that has also downloaded the app, thus allowing users to find people by name by using a predetermined security code.

Consequently, a child using Trick or Tracker can find out where they are on a map, send their location to their parent’s phone, or figure out where their parent is located. At the same time, the parent has the options of tracking and checking in with their child. Settings on the app allow for automatic updates to be sent at regular intervals.

For its basic communication tools and its ease of use, Trick or Tracker app can be used with children of all ages. With younger children who are trick-or-treating with their parents in tow, the app can act as a security blanket just in case any separation occurs. With older children, making them agree to use the app and let their parents check in could serve as a good prerequisite for being able to go out alone with friends. Either way, when your kids are running around at night, it’s good to know where they are.

The app can be downloaded at trickortracker.com.

Unimpressive battery life sits at the top of gripes against the latest iPhone. While the battery itself is technically an improvement over the one for the iPhone 4, the power demands take away any gains in terms of life. In fact, reviewers have concluded after intense evaluation that Apple has only made the “slightest capacity improvement” in their new device over it’s ancestor. According to them, a reasonable dose of Wi-Fi and conversation is enough to kill the iPhone 4S in about as much time as the original 4, and that 3G video play will drain it faster.

When news broke last year that Sprint customers would start getting the iPhone, support for the service reached a fever pitch. But the 4S’s potential is apparently barely being witnessed by Sprint customers angered over their provider’s infamously slow speeds. Sprint’s 3G network significantly lags behind their competitors, according to studies, and this clearly lends itself to the fact that iPhone users through Sprint are generally the most unhappy at the moment.

Once the opening hoopla dies down, the Siri app for the iPhone – introduced with the 4S – is certain to get an exorbitant amount of attention, but perhaps not in the way Apple would prefer. Currently the app only works effectively within the United States, which is alienating iPhone users in other countries right off the bat. Then, not only does the app only work if English, French, or German is spoken (Apple is busy adding more languages), it’s been alleged that heavy accents are incapable of being understood by the mobile personal assistant. Depending on how Android’s Google Translate improvements pan out, this may or may not be a lasting issue for Apple Inc.

While many problems abound the new iPhone, the positive feedback says something about the company’s handling of such issues. Before you know it, these big customer complaints will get fixed somehow. Remember when the original iPhone 4 couldn’t work unless you held it like a tissue? They were able to fix that within a few weeks. If you’re unsure about an iPhone purchase, cement that belief if you’re a Sprint customer. Otherwise, go ahead and consider getting one: the positives outweigh the negatives and they’ll be getting rid of the negatives before you know it.

The HTC ChaCha was released together with the HTC Salsa and it is one contemporary offering that is Facebook-dedicated handset. Manufacturers of mobile phones have embraced the fact that social networking has become a huge business, and most likely than not, the HTC ChaCha including the HTC Salsa will modify a significant quantity of units mainly because they wanted to assert the Facebook logo on their casing. If you compare the ChaCha with the HTC Salsa, it feels rather strange at the outset. There is a bend in the middle of the phone which is quite odd. The intention obviously is to improve the feel of the device in the hand. This can earn a positive HTC ChaCha review because it certainly serves the purpose but the odd bend in the middle of the phone still looks unusual.

With all the hype of social networking, the Facebook button is bound for success because in terms of suitability, this aspect is fresh and unique. For people who use their mobiles as much as they are connected to Facebook, marketing the HTC ChaCha will be effortless because on impulse it would be an easy sell. Additionally, Android tablet owners looking for a smart phone that is easy on the budget will find the HTC ChaCHa very interesting. Instead of spending money to buy a solid tablet for media use and spend additional cost for a decent Android phone for everyday use, it would be a good decision to just get an HTC ChaCha and relish the thought of using only one for dual purposes.

Each and every HTC ChaCha review agrees that the Facebook feature is one of the bestselling points of this outstanding device. Undoubtedly, the HTC ChaCha appeals to people who consider connecting to Facebook as part of their everyday activities. People who do a lot of text messaging and send emails on a day to day basis will surely love the HTC ChaCha as well. Because of the excellent QWERTY keyboard ChaCha is well-known for, typing becomes pleasurable. If connecting to Facebook, Twitter and other networking sites is already part of your daily routine, the HTC ChaCha is definitely the perfect gadget for you.

If you live outside of China, you need to put an effort to get one and as evident when you read any Sony Ericsson WT18i review, this phone is going to be sold only in China. It is the latest touch screen mobile phone from Sony Ericsson and soon to be released by the third quarter of this year. The company is pushing their touch screen mobile phones lately and they take pride in the WT18i. It is an Android OS based mobile phone and soon to be users will enjoy the excellent features of the phone.

The color options for the Sony Ericsson WT18i are black and white. Other interesting features of the Sony Ericsson WT18i are the SNS integration and Track ID recognition. It also has a built-in Walkman player and to bring your music experience to the next level, an MP4 player is also added.  If you are going to write a Sony Ericsson WT18i review, you will have nothing but high hopes for this phone. A number of Internet applications can also be found in this handset which includes YouTube, Google Talk, Google Search and Gmail. If you want to take high quality pictures, you can also use your Sony Ericsson WT18i with its 3.15 Mega pixel camera. You don’t have to worry about battery timing because Wt18i offers above average battery life which is another selling point of this phone.

Evidently in any Sony Ericsson WT18i review, the company wants to give its competitors a run for their money. They launched this Walkman smartphone not long after Sony Ericsson officially announced the emergence of Sony Ericsson W8. Their goal is to keep up with the competition and to continuously offer Sony Ericsson smartphones at their finest, thus the unveiling of the Sony Ericsson WT18i. It is very similar to the Sony Ericsson W8 with quite a few additions to the specifications. WT18i is the second smartphone with Android and multimedia Walkman brand from Sony Ericsson and it is priced at PKR: Rs.27, 500 or USD: $299.99. Based on the price, specifications and the look, the WT18i will more likely appeal to the young generation. Although it was announced that it will be sold in China, the worldwide version can possibly follow.

BlackBerry has long been considered one of the best smartphones for those text heroes who we all know and love. You know the ones: the guy who can crank out a London Times article from his mobile phone in a matter of seconds. The one who can rip off three pages about why her boyfriend dumped her this week to a dozen of her closest friends before the tea is done steeping. The one down the street who can’t seem to take his eyes and fingers off of his mobile phone while standing at the bus stop every morning.  And they all seem to be using the highly coveted BlackBerry phone. But why?

Although the QWERTY keyboard is incredibly innovative and is no doubt a text fan favourite, it’s all about the BBM.

The BlackBerry Messaging system, which has been around seemingly forever, has flown in the face of traditional texting capabilities for years, and it shows no signs of bucking their rebellious trend. At a time in the not so distant past when many mobile phone companies were charging exorbitant prices on texting, BlackBerry decided to let their users message one-another for free on an innovative new platform. As they were the first entry to the market with such an ambitious app, many fell in love, touting BlackBerry as the smartphone producer perfect for handling business needs while also finding ways to save customers money.

Fast forward to today and the BBM still has a host of loyal followers who border on fanaticism for their beloved messaging system. A steady stream of updates has kept BlackBerry’s messaging capabilities among some of the most advanced in the mobile industry, and new smartphone platforms, such as the Blackberry Torch 9800, have provided an even better user experience.

The most recent upgrade in the platform, BBM 6, boasts the ability to send messages in real time and see when your friends are typing, much like a G-Chat or a Skype function. It also allows you to group your friends into easy-to-navigate menus, share multimedia files up to 6 MB in size, and share information about your current activities such as what apps you are using. But probably the best new feature of the upgraded BBM 6 platform is the removal of the character restrictions previously seen. Instead of being limited to a set number of letters you can type at a time, much like those restrictions seen in typical texting, you can now type as much as you want and send it all in the same message.  This new version of the BBM is perfect for social media junkies as it allows you to text while you are actively using other apps, specifically social media apps such as Facebook, without having to leave and come back to your socializing later. What’s not to love?

So if you are a texting fiend and are looking for a better way to keep in touch with all of your chatty friends, look no further than the wide range of BlackBerry phones available, there really is no better option.

Despite the widespread release of high-end smartphones in the United States, the HTC has been able to make its presence and that is why AT&T has decided to expand. One of the latest handsets from the company is the HTC Freestyle. It may look just like any other Android phone but aside from being BREW-powered, the HTC Freestyle is one of AT&T’s front liners in their quick messaging devices. It has a touch screen and Sense UI display, but what really made it stand out is the midrange feature set and its minimalist interface.

The design is very stylish. Enough said. In terms of performance, it delivers quite competently so you wouldn’t mind missing other offerings like the accelerometer and Wi-Fi. If you see an HTC Freestyle review with low recommendation for this device, don’t lose hope on this mobile phone. You will still get to enjoy a quasi-smartphone experience even if there is no data plan. Because it is not a smartphone, it doesn’t have much of the impressive features common in most smartphones. But it offers practically everything that you ask for in a basic communication gadget. It has calendar, text and multimedia messaging, calculator and alarm clock. Bluetooth, an airplane mode, GPS, PC syncing and USB mass storage, instant messaging, an FM radio, and access to AT&T Mobile E-mail is also present. For other features, you can check out the AT&T’s AppCenter and see if you can download an equivalent app.

The HTC Freestyle does have the look of a smartphone and the touchscreen is a definitely a cool feature. It is the first device from AT&T to use Qualcomm’s new BREW MP platform. Compared to other smartphones like the iPhone 3GS and the HTC-inspired 4G Android smartphone, the price of HTC Freestyle is quite higher at $99 with contract. The package includes the HTC Freestyle phone, 1300mAh battery, wall charger with detachable micro USB cable, and user guides.

The phone looks heavy measuring at 4.2 inches tall by 2.2 inches wide by 0.49 inch deep but it is surprisingly light, weighing only 4.52 oz. The 3.2-inch display offers only a 480 x 320 pixel resolution but it’s more than enough amongst midrange devices available in the market.

Facebook and Twitter enthusiasts will have much appreciation with the Freestyle because of the addition of HTC’s Friend Stream feature. Friends’ updates from these social networking tools flow steadily. Other “very Android” features noticeable with the Freestyle are the navigation controls. They are large and tangible.

You won’t be disappointed if you have high hopes with this device and there are only few HTC Freestyle reviews that will state otherwise because from the design to the basic features and add-ons, it is obvious that HTC had given it all for the Freestyle. Despite the fact that its battery life is a bit weak and offers low-quality camera, the HTC Freestyle is satisfactory because it is well-equipped, lightweight and very user-friendly.

It was launched last February at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2011 in Barcelona. If you enjoy using Android smartphones, this addition to the ever growing Samsung Android family is probably what you’ve been waiting for. Galaxy S II is made of plastic material. Compared to its predecessor, this latest version is more compact which measures 8.5mm at its thinnest point and weighing 116g only. It also offers a much better feel in our hands. You have a better grip with this phone because of the rear battery cover that has a textured surface.

Just like any other high-end gadget, the Galaxy S II comes with a complete range of connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HSDPA, GPS, and DLNA. And just like other Samsung products, S II also has TouchWiz interface. As mentioned earlier, the Galaxy S II is a much improved successor to the original Samsung Galaxy S. It can now resize supported widgets so that home screens are customized better. Scrolling continuously the application pages is now possible so that going from the first page to the last can be done in a jiffy. Zooming in and out with the use of fingers on the display is now possible and the phone can also be tilted back and forth.

If you want to upgrade your Android handset, check out any Samsung Galaxy S II 4G review and you will be convinced that this is the best replacement. It is now retailing in Singapore at (SG) $998 or (US) $812. The phone is more elegantly designed, has a bigger screen that features a better imaging technology, and applies a fresher operating system and user interface. One of the greatest shortcomings of last year’s Galaxy S is that it was made entirely of plastic. Today, the Galaxy S II is still made of plastic but because it now has a more solid housing and modern design, it is more acceptable because it has developed sharper edges.

However, it is not without flaws and some of the few drawbacks include short battery life, thin back cover, and its Social Hub does not work well with Twitter. The Galaxy S II also has poor photo quality when there is low lighting and it has no specific key for turning on the camera.

At first glance, it seems that the Galaxy S II has no difference to its predecessor but overall, it is safe to say that this latest version is a much better phone. Performance-wise, it works extremely fast. When used with a network, connection and downloading are done fast and easy. The additional user-facing camera makes it even better too. But the application of the Qik’s software is a little frustrating because of certain inconsistencies. There is no reason you need not try the Galaxy S II 4G. It’s like having a fast network on your phone.

Purchase 2011 Verizon Phones now and enjoy optimum multitasking. Downloading movies will no longer take much of your time and you can now send and share videos and photos faster than ever. In this modern time and fast technology, almost everything is fast-paced. The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Network is being truthful when they claim that they can deliver it, fast and easy. No wonder two of the fastest mobile phones in the market today are 4G Verizon Phones. A lot of consumers purchase 2011 Verizon Phones not only because they have the fastest wireless network in the business today but most importantly, these high-end smartphones are manufactured by a trusted name in the industry.

Some of the most popular 4G devices today are from the batch of 2011 Verizon Phones. Purchase Samsung Droid Charge now and take pride in using the most powerful and the fastest Droid ever released. True to its potentials, the Samsung Droid Charge 4G comes as a complete package. With an impressive processor, the best mobile display technology, and a powerful multimedia feature set, the Samsung Droid Charge 4G is the real deal. The Droid uses 1 GHz Hummingbird processor by Samsung to deliver excellent compatibility and improved performance. Together with an Android 2.2 Froyo operating system, you will not have a problem handling any type of multimedia. The 4.33 Super AMOLED Plus technology touch screen of Samsung Droid Charge allows you to enjoy exquisite visuals and practically unlimited multimedia opportunities. Having 50% more micro pixels, it produces rich and vibrant display. Adobe Flash supports the multimedia activities of the Samsung Droid Charge so that you are guaranteed of high-quality movies, videos, web pages and games. The Samsung Droid Charge 4G is available at a price of $299.99 with new 2-year contract activation.

The HTC Thunderbolt 4G was the first Verizon 4G mobile phone to dominate the market. Although it has taken the backseat for quite some time now, some still prefer to purchast the HTC Thunderbolt 4G. It has the fastest data speeds of a mobile smartphone. The speed can be attributed to its 1 GHz Snapdragon processor. Its operating system, the Android 2.2 Froyo, is fully supported by Adobe Flash to allow users to enjoy excellent multimedia activity, web browsing, and gaming. The 4.33” LCD display of the Thunderbolt has multi-touch capabilities, light sensor, and proximity sensor and delivers the finest visuals. The HTC Thunderbolt 4G is a dual camera phone. The 8mp camera allows you to capture photos and 720p HD videos. The other front facing camera which is 1.3mp is used for video chatting. The price HTC Thunderbolt is $249. This is based on Verizon since this smartphone is part of Verizon’s 4G phones for 2011. However, there are authorized retailers that offer the HTC Thunderbolt at discounted prices.