These are two high end smartphones that have very little in common.    Watch the video to see just how different and which one you’ll want to be carrying around in your pocket.

And if you’re really interested in delving into the differences between the operating systems themselves, I highly recommend watching my Ice Cream Sandwich vs iOS 5 video.

If you have an iPhone and you’re having a hard time managing your money, or maybe you just want an application that can get you back on your feet.  If you feel as if you’re falling into that never ending money pit, maybe a few of these iPhone applications can help!  Trust me, I’ve been in a bad money situation before and I was willing to do anything to get myself back to the positive side, rather than in the red.

I wanted to point out a few, cool applications that you can download on your iPhone if you’re looking for ways to not only manage your money, but save at the same time.

#1 Mint – I love Mint and not only because you can use it online, but you can use it on your phone.  If you’re unfamiliar with this service, you really should get to know it!  It’s a fantastic way to budget your finances on a monthly basis.  You will give Mint your banking information, credit card info and more.  In a secure way, it will pull your data and show you exactly what you’re spending your money on.

#2 Billminder – We all get bills when we get on our own.  This is just a way of life!  This app makes life easier as it’s going to remind you when a bill is coming up.  Yes, I’m sure you forgot about that water bill coming up, but with this application, it’s going to remind you a few days ahead of time before that bill comes.

#3 Paypal – Most of us have Paypal nowadays and it’s a great way to send money to just about anyone within seconds.  If you have a Paypal account, you can not only access your account information on your phone, you can also send your money to a friend, neighbor or any relative that has an account.  In fact, you can also bump your phones together to send money instantly!  Throw in a Paypal debit card and you can use that money right away.

#4 Banking Applications – This is a generic one but check with your bank to see if they have an iPhone application.  Most of your bigger named banks such as Bank of America, Chase and more all have applications that you can use for free.  With the app, you can check your balance, transfer funds, pay bills and with some, you can even deposit your checks.  This is a great way to avoid going to the bank if you’re finding that it’s a pain to go to.

#5 Loan Calculator Pro – There are a few of these applications out there but I like the PRO version because it enables you to know what you’re going to pay over the life of a loan.  For example, if you want to get a car loan at 5%, you can see exactly what’s going to go to interest and what’s going to go to principal.  This is a great application to kick you in the butt to pay your loan off rather fast.

#6 CostCutter – This is a cool application that allows you to cut expenses on a monthly basis.  You will input your monthly expenses, you tell it what you want to save, and it will give recommendations.  It’s a really cool way to cut corners on your budget to help you save!

1. Encrypt Your Backup Information

Set your preferences to encrypt the information downloaded to your computer during sync. Though the information remains unencrypted on the device itself, the logged backup will be unreadable to those attempting to ascertain private information or past whereabouts.

2. Encrypt Your Device

Many smartphones offer data encryption options for the device itself. This prevents information from being intercepted and accessed during transmission. Check with your provider to determine if this is an option for your device.

3. Set Location Services to “OFF” Mode

iPhone and Android devices both have options to knowingly transmit location data. In the setup of Droid phones, users can opt out of transmitting information to Google. iPhone users can select to turn off location services at any time via the setup menu. However, turning off location mode has its drawbacks. Apps and maps that access the users locale to provide pertinent info and tips become virtually moot.

4. Beware of Apps

Just like a computer, a smartphone is vulnerable to viruses and malware that can easily be downloaded in the form of applications, links and ringtones. Check what others are saying before downloading via reviews and ratings. Also be wary of opening spam emails or providing apps with access to location or your contact information.

5. Use Anti-Virus Software

Downloading a TRUSTED application to guard against malware and viruses adds an extra layer of protection against malicious programs attempting to gain location, contact info and private data.

6. Keep Your Phone With You

No one wants to lose their phone, but many casually leave their phone lying about the office, on tables in restaurants and generally in spots others can access. With your smartphone in hand, anyone has access to your past whereabouts in addition to all the other information you carry with you. If your phone is stolen, call your provider immediately to disconnect service and see if they have the ability to “wipe,” or erase all its information.

7. Password Protect Your Device

Setting a complex password is the easiest way to protect your information. In the event your phone does fall into someone else’s hands you will have an extra layer of protection against their access to your data.

8. Surf Safely

Similar to on personal computers, beware the sites your visiting and the data trail you are leaving. Clear browser history and cache regularly and do not visit questionably secure sites.

9. Purchase in a Privacy Filter

We often access our information in public without thinking of the ramifications. Simply a thin shield that prevents your information from being seen from the side or at angle, privacy filters can protect you from the prying eyes of those nearby when sending an email or checking a bank balance on the bus.

10. Keep Sensitive Information On Your Home Computer

Hopefully you’ve taken the necessary steps to keep information on your home computer or laptop safeguarded. Refraining from transmitting highly-sensitive information and files to and from your smartphone ensures one less place to worry about its security.

Despite all of the controversy and anxiety surrounding privacy concerns, you can still use these methods to stay safe while enjoying your gadgets.

Congress is now demanding answers.  Specifically Republican Edward Markey has asked Apple to convey more specific information on the data collection to ensure that the iPhone “doesn’t become an iTrack.”  Further, Senator Al Franken wrote to Steve Jobs demanding details on Apple’s conduct.

The first question that comes to mind is why both companies would be interested in tracking consumers’ locations?  Many think such conduct will contribute to the companies building giant databases.  In turn, these databases may help both companies get into the $2.9 billion location-based services market.  Research firm Gartner Inc has predicted that in 2014, the location-based services market is expected to grow into an $8.3 billion market.  Considering these large numbers, it does make sense that the companies would strive to tap into this largely profitable market.

Since the tracking reports released earlier this week, Google and Apple have not released any specific statements.  Many await how both companies will respond and defend their careless conduct.

Here are some thoughts that come to my mind.  Many people voluntarily release information regarding their whereabouts via Facebook or Twitter updates.  So these same people cannot complain about their phones tracking their location information when they themselves voluntarily divulge the information on the Internet.  After all, their actions allow people to track them, just as their phones are doing.

The larger issue here is that Google and Apple failed to inform customers of this tracking capability, and did not obtain consent from customers.  If they had, there would be no issue made of it today.  These are two large companies who can probably afford top-notch lawyers to be their general counsel.  Why then did no one pay attention to the “inform and consent” issue?  Was it consciously ignored?  We would hope that both companies would always strive to behave ethically and not consciously ignore such a huge issue, but then again ethics and business do not always mix.

Alongside informing consumers and acquiring their consent, both companies should have provided an “opt-out” option, where consumers can opt-out of being tracked.  Not only would this have made consumers happy, but it would have shielded the companies from any potential litigation.  Why such approaches were not thought of is simply shocking.

However, I doubt that iPhone and Android sales will suffer due to the tracking news.  Wherever you go, people are hooked onto their smart phones and cannot imagine their lives without them.  Now, there is just a heightened awareness of the vast capabilities of these small devices.

Most likely, both companies may face a class action lawsuit in the near future.    Many people own iPhones and Androids, and are objecting to the invasive conduct by both companies.  However, each individual bringing about a lawsuit for invasion of privacy and any resulting harm is not likely.  However, once a class action commences, adding members to the group will not be difficult.  Further, it is obvious that a lawsuit against deep-pocket corporations such as Apple or Google will likely result in some form of favorable recovery for each individual, without any single person doing a great deal of work.  Therefore, people are likely to corroborate and file a class action against these two large corporations.

If it can be proven that both companies have collected, stored, and disclosed consumer location information without obtaining written consent, it is not likely that they will be pardoned in a court of law.  Although paying a settlement to each member of the suit will not be a huge burden to both billion dollar companies, nor will it likely decrease product sales, it may affect the credibility of both companies.  People may force themselves to think twice, research, and truly inquire about an Apple or Google product before taking it home.

Neha Sareen is a regular contributor to LegalMatch and the LegalMatch Law Blog.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dZOK2ZzydA

So what do you think? Which one do you like better? Let me hear about it in the comments.

In their typical grand spectical style, Apple announced their much anticipated iPad 2 today.

In a lot of ways, this is an incremental upgrade, not some giant leap forward in terms of technology.

In short, it’s lighter, has a longer battery life, thinner, has cameras, is faster, and has a few more nifty touches than the original iPad – oh yeah, and you can get it in white!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqxjpCwf1co

What’s New

The Apple iPad 2 - Now Available in White

It Has 2 Cameras & Does Facetime

One of the biggest complaints about the original iPad was the complete lack of cameras.  the new iPad 2 now has two cameras, a rear camera that can record 720p HD videos and a front facing VGA camera for use with Facetime.  Apple also introduced a new App called Photo Booth today for the iPad.

New Sensors

To make gaming on the iPad 2 better, Apple added a 3-axis gyroscope to the mix.  There’s also a digital compass now.

Faster

While some were speculating that the iPad 2 might feature some new fangled quad core processor, that turns out not to be the case.  It actually features a dual core 1GHZ Apple A5 processor – what most people were predicting.  Still, it’s a pretty beefy upgrade and should keep the iPad 2 nice and responsive no matter what app you’re running.

More RAM

Probably the most needed upgrade was more memory.  While it didn’t get the full gig of RAM that most were hoping for the 512MB in the unit make it feel snappy and responsive even when using memory intensive applications.

Two Colors – Black & White

While the white iPhone 4 never materialized Apple has managed to make the return to white products as the white iPad 2 will be available on launch day.  You can still get it in black if you prefer – the choice is yours.

It’s Thinner & Lighter

The iPad 2 must have had a good personal trainer, showing up at the press conference 33% thinner and 16% lighter.  It’s now thinner than the iPhone 4 and the Wifi version weighs a mere 1.33 lbs (603 grams)

Smart Covers

I have to admit that Apple manages to get a person excited about little things.  Remember those PC vs Mac commercials where they made a big deal out of the fact that Macs had magnetic power adapters.  It’s one of those nice little touches you wouldn’t think to ask for but definitely want once you know it exists.

That’s how I view Smartcovers.

I really didn’t understand what the big deal was until I saw the demo video on Apple.com.

Here’s Apple’s demo of the product.   Even though I’m not a big fan of putting a cover on something that looks so nice, these things are pretty nifty and it’s actually pretty useful for a variety of tasks.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbl_6DmzO4g

What Didn’t Change

Screen Size & Resolution

There were plenty of rumors that the iPad 2 would have this amazing new retina display resolution.  That isn’t the case.  The iPad 2 has the exact same screen size and resolution of the original iPad.

Battery Life

While this isn’t necessarily surprising, it’s still impressive that Apple managed to keep the battery life the same while making the iPad 2 faster and lighter.  You’ll still get 10 hours of battery life.

Price

In what is a pleasant surprise, the iPad 2 is the same price as the original iPad was – starting at $499 for the 16GB Wifi model – and the original iPad is coming down in price by $100 to start at $399.

Storage Space

Just like the original, the new iPad 2 comes in three storage flavors – 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB.

Connectivity

No 4G/LTE connectivity here – you’ll have to settle for Wifi and 3G only at least until the iPad 3 comes out.   It will work with both AT&T or Verizon (both antennas are built into the same 3G model so you can always switch providers). Also, just like the previous version, GPS (assisted GPS chip) is only available on the 3G model.

Conclusion

Like we said, there really wasn’t anything unexpected or super amazing about this particular update to the iPad.  It’s a nice upgrade to be sure and should help Apple to continue dominating the tablet market – the only surprising thing is that there really wasn’t anything all the surprising in todays announcements – all of these upgrades were in line with expectations.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1JRO-kHMXo

What’s The Same?

Let’s start with what’s not different.  Apple is using the same page for all the specs for both phones which means that just about everything is the same.  Same 1GHZ processor, same retina display, same gyroscope, same Apple App Store, same Facetime, and so on.  If you loved the iPhone 4 but didn’t want to sign up for AT&T, this phone will work pretty much the same from a user standpoint.

CDMA / GSM

The biggest differences between the two phones is that Verizon’s iPhone 4 has a CDMA antenna and AT&T’s iPhone 4 has a GSM antenna.

From the end user standpoint (that’s you), there really isn’t a big difference.  Just two things.  1) With the Verizon iPhone 4, you won’t be able to do global roaming as most other countries use GSM technology so when you take that next trip to Italy, you’ll be S.O.L. if you want to make a phone call.    2)  GSM is able to handle both phone calls and data at the same time so you could, for example, look up directions a hotel while on a phone call.   With Verizon’s CDMA network, if you take a phone call while you’re online, your phone will disconnect it’s Internet connection.  I’ve never found it to be a big deal, but it’s something you should know if you’re considering the switch from AT&T to Verizon.

Three things that remain to be seen are if the call quality will be any better on Verizon’s iPhone 4 and if Verizon’s network can handle the influx of traffic that having the iPhone 4 will deliver.  Verizon has been bragging for years about their robust and rock solid network so this will put it to the test though it will likely be at list 6 months to a year before we really know the answer to that question.  The third question will be if the Verizon version can do a little better about not dropping calls all the damn time.  My brother lives in Minneapolis and hates his iPhone because while it can do data stuff just fine, it drops calls like they’re hot.

Connectivity

Do you remember how AT&T is constantly reminding us that they have the fastest 3G network – that’s actually true… theoretically.  The theoretical max of AT&T’s network is 7.2 mbps vs 3.1 mbps for Verizon’s network.  However, AT&T’s network is so overloaded in many areas that Verizon slaps its ass and calls is sally seven ways ’til Sunday.   However, if you’re in an area with good AT&T coverage, then Verizon will actually be slower.

What Neither iPhone 4 Is

People had been speculating that Verizon’s iPhone 4 would get 4G/LTE technology – it didn’t. This is still a standard 4G phone.

Also, the mythical white iPhone 4 has yet to make an appearance.

To Buy Or Not To Buy

If you’re currently a Verizon customer and you’re thinking about getting the iPhone 4, I’d recommend you wait.  Wait until the next version of the iPhone comes out this summer.  My guess is that it’ll be released for Verizon and AT&T at the same time so as not to give anyone the advantage.

To Switch Or Not To Switch

If you’re currently on AT&T and thinking about switching to Verizon, I’d actually recommend you’d wait until the next version of the iPhone comes out.   Your termination fee will be less (or none if you’re on a one year contract) plus cell phones get out of date and obsolete pretty quickly and while the iPhone 4 is still powerful today, it won’t be two years from now.

Switching From Android

If you’re currently an Android user and you’re thinking about jumping ship to Apple, be sure to read my iOS vs Android comparison post.  You’ll have access to a lot more apps with Apple, but also keep in mind that most apps cost money on the iPhone while most apps are free on Android.  If you have a flagship model (like a Droid) phone, then it’s really a matter of preference.  Tech savvy people tend to prefer Android while the young and hip crowd tends to favor iOS.   It’s up to you.  Both are excellent mobile operating systems and at this point you should be in good shape no matter which way you choose.

What do you think, will you be lining up to get the Verizon iPhone 4 or making the switch on February 10th (or February 3rd if you’re already a Verizon customer)?

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eIvDi7nKZY

Display

The iPhone 4 has a much smaller screen at just 3.5 inches, but has a much higher resolution.  The iPhone 4 screen really does look tiny when sitting next to a Droid X with its 4.3 inch screen but the “retina display” on the iPhone 4 looks a lot better and is brighter.

Processor

Both phones have blazing fast 1GHZ processors though the iPhone 4 uses Apple’s own A4 processor while the Droid X uses a Texas Instruments OMAP processor.   It’s tough to say which is truly faster, but both pack plenty of power for running all your favorite apps.

Storage / Memory

Both phones have 512 MB of RAM.  The Droid X comes with 24GB of storage space and is expandable to 40GB.  The iPhone 4 comes in two versions, a 16GB and 32GB version, though neither is user upgradeable.

Battery

Battery life on both phones is excellent.  I’ll admit I was surprised that the Droid X does as well as it does considering the monsterous 4.3″ screen, but it actually outperforms the iPhone 4 though both should last you through the day and you shouldn’t need to keep your charger in your pocket unless you’re using the GPS navigation or watching movies all day long.

Camera

From a specs comparison, the Droid X has the better camera with its 8MP dual LED flash camera, but in real world testing, the iPhone 4 with its 5MP single LED flash camera performs better though both are very close.  The iPhone 4 also features a front facing camera for using video chat via Facetime while the Droid X has no such functionality.

Operating System

The iPhone 4 runs Apple’s own iOS (formerly iPhone  OS) while the Droid X runs Google Android 2.2

Network

The Droid X is a Verizon exclusive while the iPhone 4 is an AT&T exclusive.

Price

Droid X $200 w/ 2 yr contract
iPhone 4 16GB Verision $200 w/ 2 yr contract ($300 for 32GB version)

Other

Both phones have a few extra features you simply can’t find on the other.  For example, the Droid X has HDMI out, can function as a mobile hotspot for up to 5 devices and supports Flash 10.1 for playing videos and multi-media websites.

The iPhone 4 has a built in gyroscope making it a vastly superior device if you like to play games on your phone and the seamless integration with iTunes is great for music buffs.

Overall Winner

I’m not going to declare a winner as both phones have their strong points so pick the one you like the best.  Go to both the AT&T store and Verizon store before making your decision and play around with one – that should help you make the decision.

However, lately it seems like more and more evidence is mounting that Verizon will indeed be getting the iPhone in the early parts of 2011.

As far as evidence goes, the first comes from a report from Bloomberg saying that Verizon would be releasing and iPhone in January of 2011.  Most of the time reports come from bloggers, not credible news sources.

Now it’s looking like there’s some physical evidence that these devices could become a reality with a recent report saying Apple has ordered millions of CDMA chips from Qualcomm.   CDMA is the technology used by Verizon Wireless (and Sprint) while the current iPhone 4 and all models before it have relied on GSM technology which is the technology used by AT&T (and T-Mobile and the rest of the world).

It’s far from a sure thing and I wouldn’t hold my breath or start waiting in line at your Verizon store for the iPhone 4 to make an appearance but it sure seems like there a little more to this story than just a rumor.

If I learn any new evidence, I’ll be sure to post it here for you.

Update August 16th:  Here’s a new report that seems to hint that the iPhone 4 may be ready for field testing on Verizon.

Update October 12th: The only thing that would give us more proof that a Verizon iPhone is coming this January (or March) is an official announcement from Steve Jobs himself.  Here is a New York Times and a Wall Street Journal article announcing the forthcoming Verizon iPhone.  Looks like it’ll be the iPhone 4 and will not support 4G/LTE networks.    It also looks like the sixth generation iPhone will be the first to support 4G/LTE (not fifth generation which comes out June 2011)

The iPhone 4 Coming To Verizon Soon??? Yes... January 2011

Update 7/23: The white iPhone 4 is proving to be a bit of unicorn (i.e. it doesn’t exist) – Apple is now saying that it has been delayed again although now they’re being quite vague about when it will ship saying only that it will ship sometime later this year.   While speculation is running rampant as to why with folks claiming that they’re having production issues and others saying that they want to fix the antenna issue before shipping them.  No matter the reason though, it’s a disappointing day for those anxiously awaiting the mythical white iPhone 4.

White iPhone 4