phones

Skype is one of the most widely used messaging and calling applications available on practically every current platform. Skype for iPhone is, as the name implies, the iOS port that works on iPhone and iPad. Available for free from iTunes or several download sites, including the publisher's, Skype installs and configures easily.

Skype lets you message or chat with anyone on your contacts list. You can also set up either audio or video conferences easily with Skype, as well as conference calls, by hitting a single button after choosing the contact. Calls over standard data networks, from one Skype … Read more

Quickoffice Pro for iPhone is an office productivity app that lets you work with most popular file formats on your iOS device. Quickoffice Pro is available through iTunes and other download sites. It installs easily. Quickoffice Pro is sold for $14.99, and there are versions specific to iPhone and iPad.

Quickoffice Pro was one of the first apps for the iPhone that supported all the popular Microsoft Office formats, and the software has continued to evolve and improve over the years. It consists of viewers and basic editors for document, presentation and spreadsheet files (so it opens and saves … Read more

Google updated its Gmail app for iOS this week. Version 2.0 of Gmail for iOS introduces a redesigned interface along with search predictions as you type, tighter integration with Google Calendar and Google+, and infinite inbox scrolling. The biggest feature it adds, however, is support for multiple accounts -- up to five, to be exact.

With version 1.0 of Gmail on the iPhone, you were able sign in and out of an account by scrolling to the bottom of your inbox. With version 2.0's infinitely scrolling inbox, you'll need to look elsewhere to sign in … Read more

Key chips for the iPhone and iPad are being made in the U.S. -- future U.S.-made Macs, as disclosed today, notwithstanding.

This year, CEO Tim Cook has been talking about U.S. manufacturing more than usual. Partly to counter Apple's largely make-it-in-China strategy but also because of U.S. manufacturing strengths.

The same essential points he made in a Bloomberg interview today he made back in May.

To wit: "It's not known well that the engine for the iPhone and iPad is made in the U.S., and many of these are also exported.... … Read more

There are countless ways to find free apps for your iPhone, iPod, or iPad. You can peruse the App Store. You can subscribe to a Twitter feed like 148Apps Now Free. Heck, you can even use an app; I continue to be a fan of Appsfire Deals, which serves up a huge helping of freebies every day, right on your iDevice.

But here's the thing. Sometimes you don't want a seemingly endless list of unknown apps to wade through. You want a personal recommendation, like from a friend who says, "Hey, I found a great freebie today, … Read more

Today's word that T-Mobile plans to sell Apple products in 2013 certainly sounds like great news to the iPhone and TMO faithful. The question remains, however, if the carrier can deal with the increased load Apple's uber-phone will put on its network. It's also unclear whether the latest iPhone 5, which boasts 4G LTE data access on other networks, will offer the same performance after joining T-Mobile's roster. … Read more

T-Mobile USA CEO John Legere is promising a "dramatically different" experience with the iPhone when it comes to his company next year.

Legere, speaking at an investor conference in Germany, was frustratingly light on details, but did confirm that T-Mobile would sell the iPhone. An earlier statement by parent Deutsche Telekom only said that Apple and T-Mobile would only bring out products next year -- a vague declaration of their partnership. Apple confirmed the deal but didn't add anything else.

For T-Mobile, getting the iPhone would fill the big gap in its portfolio. As the smallest national … Read more

T-Mobile USA and Apple have agreed to sell products together next year.

That's according to T-Mobile parent Deutsche Telekom, which disclosed the agreement in an investor update sent via press release.

"In addition, T-Mobile USA has entered into an agreement with Apple to bring products to market together in 2013," the statement said.

It remains unclear whether the agreement actually means the iPhone -- which isn't mentioned in the release. The deal could be limited to selling the iPad or iPad Mini.

But a deal for Apple to sell the iPhone through T-Mobile would make sense … Read more