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By Bryan Gardiner How to Make that New Smartphone Actually Smart Your X-Mas wish came true! Santa wisely consulted one of our best-of-the-best lists and left you a shiny new smartphone under the tree. So, uh, now what? Here's a step-by-step guide to getting that bad boy up and running. Getting Started Out of the box, most smartphones aren't all that smart. In fact, many can be downright idiotic. Prepping your new pocket 'puter means some hand-holding, which also means slogging through a checklist of occasionally tedious (but necessary) steps. Don't worry, we're here to help. Remember, this device will be your constant companion for the next year or two. So you'll want to start the relationship off right. Pre-charging Tip Regardless of the specific smartphone you received for the holidays, the weakest link is likely its battery. Treating your Li-ion with respect will not only extend the life and usefulness of your new phone, but also boost its resale value—just in case you decide to dump to back on the market prematurely. Lucky for you, almost all the major manufacturers offer guidance here, including Palm, Apple, and BlackBerry. What they won't tell you, however, is that you must resist the urge to immediately charge your smartphone. Yup, let that 30-60 percent charge go down to zero before plugging in. Juicing up your smartphone in its half-charged state will make the battery components settle faster. That, in turn, will mean it won't be able to re-charge as efficiently in the future. Ideally, you should always wait for the battery to drain before recharging to maintain good health, but the occasional slip won't matter much. If you really want to understand these fickle little bricks, check out our Giz explains feature on why batteries die. Moving Your Data Contacts: Why no one has figured out how to make this process easier is beyond us. Anyhow, here are a few options for shuffling all your contacts to your new handset: • The easiest way is to simply have your carrier to do it. This option is particularly useful if you're upgrading on the same carrier. Stop by your local retail store and a service rep should be able to transfer them in a minute or two. Beware: If you're switching carriers, there may be a small fee associated with the contacts relocation. Be sure to ask. • If you have a GSM phone, you can also use its SIM card to make the transfer. These days almost every phone (smart or dumb) will have an option to 'write all contacts' to a SIM card. After you've done this, simply remove your old card and slide it into your new phone. Be sure to transfer all your contacts from the old SIM onto your new phone's memory, as you'll be taking the old SIM out again. This, of course, won't work for CDMA (SIM-less) carriers. Sorry, Verizon and Sprint customers. • You can also use Google Sync and a protocol called SyncML to make the transfer. Google Sync supports quite a few smartphones, including the iPhone, as well as ones from Nokia, Windows, and BlackBerry. Once it pulls all your old contacts into your Google account, you can go back to the cloud and make it rain contacts. Email: Depending the phone, e-mail can either be a tremendous pain in the ass or a breeze. You're first step is, again, consulting the manufacturers: Most, like Apple, Google, Palm and Microsoft, offer quick setup guides. Note that depending on the service provider and phone, Exchange and Gmail setups will be completely different. Here's a good rule of thumb to keep in mind during the process: use IMAP (not POP). This will keep your messages and their read/unread statuses in sync with your desktop clients. Because most of your e-mail downloading will be still be happening over 3G for now, you'll also want to set some limits. A 10 kb cap for individual message sizes is best. This can help boost the speed of your incoming messages. Calendars: Google Calendar users have it the easiest—particularly if they're using a new Android phone. By default, your calendars will automatically sync with your phone. The Pre 2 will do this too, while the iPhone needs to be configured with CalDav. Media and Syncing: A smartphone isn't designed to be a solitary device. You'll need to check in with home base (a desktop or laptop) now and again. That means you'll be dealing with a cadre of desktop software to transfer personal info, music, videos and photos. If you're a MobileMe customer, Apple takes care of syncing bookmarks, calendars, contacts for you over the air. Still, you'll need to download iTunes to use and active your phone. For BlackBerry users, you can download the BlackBerry Desktop Manager. Windows phone 6.5 and 7 users are best served by Windows Device Center. And if you're against using official software, Android and Palm phones (as well as Windows phones, iPhones and BlackBerrys) all play nice with doubleTwist, a cross-platform music player/media syncing app. Converting Video: Your 32GBs are crying for content. But you can't just copy all those torrented videos over to your smartphone. First you'll need to encode them with something like Handbrake. You're aiming for converting those files to 320x240 h.264 here. Most new smartphones will be able to play that back without a hitch. Apps? Apps. Apps! They can make or break a smartphone. So where do you go to find the essentials? There's no better place than Giz. But before diving into the downloads, we recommend you familiarize yourself with the affiliated app stores. Here's our comprehensive list and their respective advantages and disadvantages. Okay, now onto the apps! iPhone: Your first stop should be Gizmodo's Essential iPhone Apps Directory. It's a compendium of the best of the best, and everything else you need to make your iPhone into a mobile powerhouse. If you'd rather not pay for apps, we got you covered too. Check out our Essential Free Apps. Just be careful. Those free versions seem to be stealing your personal info without asking. We also do regular posts and weekly roundups, so be sure to check them out too. Android: Snag the Nexus S? You'll want to hit up our 10 Best Android Apps roundup. Keep yours eyes peeled for our monthly roundups too for the latest additions to the store. BlackBerry: Here, we defer to the specialists: CrackBerry not only does regular reviews, they even have their own app store. In many ways, it's even better than BlackBerry's official shop, which isn't really saying much. Palm: Palm doesn't exactly have a thriving app store. While it's a little dated, you can go through our Essential PalmOS roundup. Beyond that, PreCentral's official app reviews are fairly fantastic. Also worth checking out is their extensive homebrew app gallery, which has about as many decent apps in it as the official catalog. Windows Phone 7: First, peep our roundup of Windows Phone 7 Apps. Next, check out our list of seven essential apps. Done. OS Tricks and Tips Whether you're coming to your smartphone's operating system fresh or are a seasoned veteran, here are a few tips for getting the most out of your new device. iOS: Double-tap quick app switching, killing background apps, fiddling with the wallpaper—our pals at Lifehacker cover them all. Android: Gingerbread is here, y'all. Check out Google's Senior VP of Product Management, Jonathan Rosenberg's list of tips. They're good. WebOS: PreCentral has a nice basic list of WebOS tricks. And if you just snagged the Pre 2, check out Palm's own site. Windows Phone 7: Head over to Microsoft's site for the basics. Blackberry: You can either head over the BlackBerry's official tips and tricks site, or read through TechRadar's comprehensive list. The Accessories No smartphone is perfect. And frankly, it's easy to go overboard on accessories that make up for those inevitable faults. Resist that urge. Remember, you'll only be dumping more money into a device that you're ditching in two years (maybe less). That said, there are definitely some worthwhile investments you can make. Here's our list: A Case: Yes, they can ruin the cut of your smartphone's jib. But even with Gorilla Glass, liquid metal and all those other fancy materials, your new smartphone is heartbreakingly fragile. Put simply: You're going to want a case. You can go crazy if you want, but there's no need to spend much. Here's our list of sub-$5 cases that'll get the job done. The main thing to make sure of is that your device's corners are covered. It's the edge impacts that typically shatter the glass. We'll remind you here of the same thing we did last year: You're now stuck in a multi-thousand dollar contract with this one device, which itself costs hundreds of dollars to replace. So yeah, be careful. Headphones: If your phone wasn't your primary music player before, it is now. Step one: Throw out the headphones or headset it came with. Seriously, none of them are good. We love Bowers & Wilkins P5s if you want to pamper your ears a bit. If you'd rather go with something more discrete (and cheap), you can't beat a pair of Shures either. Just remember, a decent pair of earphones will cost you 100 bones or more—with the exception of maybe the MC5s. It'll be worth it as long as your digital music collection is up to the task. Storage: Most smartphones either come with internal or "expandable storage. If yours falls into the latter category, it likely means it's got an empty microSD slot somewhere. Rule of thumb: If your phone comes with less than 2GB of space and has said slot, you need to fill it. Go ahead and grab at least an 8GB microSD card. They can be found online for well under $20. Cables: Picking up a spare charging cable for your phone is never a bad idea. For most smartphones this is a simple mini/microUSB cable. For iPhones, it's an iPod dock connector. Trust us, you will lose them, and having a backup can be a life saving on road trips and in the office. Share this:

December 25th, 2010 Top Stories Everything Your New iPad Needs Right Now Gizmodo's Gift Guides for Last Minute Shoppers Giz Explains: How 3D Works Is a Gift Card a Good Gift? The Best 3DTVs More Stories on Gizmodo »

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Afternoon Edition. Sat 25 Dec 2010
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Flood fears as cyclone hits Queensland coast Flash flooding is expected to inundate far north Queensland after a category one cyclone crossed the coast this morning. Christmas call for peace from the Middle East Church leaders in Bethlehem have called for peace and reconciliation at the annual Christmas mass held at what is said to be the birthplace of Jesus. Diggers enjoy festive lunch 'with all the trimmings' Hundreds of Australian troops overseas are sharing in the Christmas spirit despite being away from home. Big freeze strands travellers across Europe Heavy snowfalls and freezing temperatures across Europe and the United Kingdom are causing Christmas heartache for thousands of stranded travellers. Woman allegedly killed partner with scissors A Northern Territory woman is spending Christmas behind bars, accused of killing her partner with a pair of scissors.
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A source of hope For many people across Australia, Christmas is a reminder of how things might have been; of disappointment and loss. Perhaps it brings into sharp relief the strained or shattered relationships that are part of life for so many. But the original Christmas story, now so obscured by clamouring consumerism, gaudy lights, and sentimentalised nativity scenes, still contains a message of profound hope. Stop the fear, not the boats What Australia needs most is a new policy to change the attitudes of Australians, not the practices of people smugglers. Will the finger be raised for Ponting at the MCG? With The Ashes series as well as a significant milestone in Ricky Ponting's career in the balance, all eyes are on the captain. The state, religion and the need for rational scrutiny When religion claims authority in the political sphere, it's totally justifiable that atheists and sceptics question the source of this authority. If religious organisations or their leaders claim to speak on behalf of a god, it's fair to ask whether the god concerned really makes the claims that are communicated on its behalf and why should its wishes by translated into laws. These questions are being asked more often, and so they should be. Committing to the true spirit of Christmas The money we give to help the less fortunate pales in comparison to the money we spend on ourselves at Christmas.
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Obama security catches driver fleeing police A man has been arrested after accidentally getting too close to the holiday home in Hawaii of United States president Barack Obama. Christmas call for peace from the Middle East Church leaders in Bethlehem have called for peace and reconciliation at the annual Christmas mass held at what is said to be the birthplace of Jesus. African leaders threaten force if Gbagbo clings to power West African leaders have warned the incumbent president of Ivory Coast, Laurent Gbagbo, that force will be used if he does not step down.
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Legal action considered over GM contamination Western Australia's organic farming community is rallying behind a grower whose property has been contaminated by genetically modified crops. Boffins make world's smallest Christmas card Scientists have produced what they believe is the world's smallest Christmas card. New measures to restrict GM crop contamination The government says it will consider introducing new measures to minimise cross-contamination of genetically modified crops.
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Swimmers warned about rising current South Australia's Emergency Service says higher water levels in the River Murray pose dangers for campers and swimmers. Residents 'kept in dark' over high lead levels Residents in WA's Mid West city of Geraldton are angry that it has taken so long to be told about high levels of lead being recorded in the air around the city's port. High lead levels in Geraldton investigated The State Government says it is not yet clear how long lead exports from Geraldton port will be suspended.
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By Audiogon.com What the Hell do You Buy an Audiophile for Christmas? Sound snobs are the easiest—and yet hardest—folks for whom to Christmas-shop. You know they want something audio-related, but you're probably not qualified to choose something. No problem. We've got this. Go Mono Before he became famous for giant wigs and homicide trials, legendary producer Phil Spector used to proclaim, "back to mono!" An interesting retro-trend is the re-release of old monaural (single-channel) recordings in digital formats. Many listeners find these recordings to possess a directness and vitality found in few stereo recordings. Noteworthy recent re-releases have included The Beatles mono set and the Dylan set "The Original Mono Recordings", featuring his first eight albums. Dylan completists may find The Wittmark Demos fascinating for its demo versions of 47 early songs. Wanna nerd out about mono? Check Audiogon's Forums. Hardware that's Easy to Buy Headphones can provide a huge step up from the ubiquitous earbuds, at reasonable cost. Grado offers the SR-60i, an improved version of a longtime favorite, for only $79. If your giftee already has a good set of cans, a headphone amp may be the next step to nirvana. Give them some really good Schiit. Schiit Audio, that is-makers of elegant, well-built, great-sounding 'phone amps, both solid-state and tube. Starting at $249, they're made in the US by veterans of hi-fi companies Sumo and Theta. Hooking up an iPod to a big stereo rig can highlight some of its shortcomings; bypassing the 'Pod's internal DAC (digital-to-analog converter) and using a higher-quality external DAC can drastically improve the sound. A good-sounding inexpensive DAC that's simple to use is the iStreamer from High Resolution Technologies; it's widely available at $199.95, and can be used with iPad or iPhone, as well. If the term "audiophile amplifier" brings to mind something the size of a Jetta, except costing more and producing more heat-well, you're mostly right. Virtue Audio, however, makes small, great-sounding amplifiers that fit in a lunchbox, but will still power a "real" stereo system. They start at $299. Too much money? This next gift won't fit in a lunchbox, but you can pay for it by skipping lunch for a week. Okay, maybe two weeks: Parts Express offers a pair of speakers and an amp for $58, and they're remarkably good. The perfect dorm-room or garage system without breaking the bank. Good luck in your shopping. And remember: when in doubt, save those receipts! Audiogon.com is the Web's high-end audio community, featuring forums, resources, and a kick-ass community. Gizmodo is super lucky to have such knowledgeable friends. Top photo courtesy of Flickr user william brawley Share this:

December 24th, 2010 Top Stories Gizmodo's Gift Guides for Last Minute Shoppers Giz Explains: How 3D Works Is a Gift Card a Good Gift? The Best 3DTVs How To Talk Your Way Into a Cheaper Cable Bill More Stories on Gizmodo »

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Christmas Getaway: $3 Gas, More Travelers... PLUS: Chorus Creates Harmonious Future for Boston's Children

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December 24, 2010

Christmas Getaway: $3 Gas, More Travelers Driving home for Christmas will cost more this year. More > Chorus Creates Harmonious Future for Boston's Children Children's choir is helping bridge racial divides. More > Thermoses to Undergo Extra Security at Airports, TSA Says Travelers toting thermoses and insulated beverage containers through the nation's airports today might face heightened security measures, according to the Transportation Security Administration....[continue] Indian Police Search for Four Suspected Terrorists in Mumbai A terror alert has been issued in Mumbai, India, where police are searching for four men suspected of entering the city with plans to carry out a terrorist attack. Indian police believe the men belong to Lashkar-e-Taiba...[continue] More From 'World News' > Pilot in Trouble With TSA Over YouTube Videos The Personal Side of Troops in America's Wars Road Trip Music for the Holidays Departing Members of Congress Speak Pilot Posts Video Showing Airport Security Flaws Terror Threat: Possible Holiday Attack Rahm Emanuel Cleared for Mayoral Run Sewage Spills, Sharks Greet Obama Bamboo Bikes Grow in Popularity Person of the Week: Garth Brooks to Help Heal Nashville With Benefit Concert

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