Remember last year when smartphone fans around the world were anxiously living on rumors and tidbits about Apple’s new iPhone 5? It seemed as though every theory, story, and conjecture, no matter how far-fetched, was taken at face value and accepted as the truth.

But as we all know now, virtually all of the rumors failed to launch, so to speak, and Apple fans saw the reveal of the iPhone 4S in October 2011, instead.

Although it’s hard to believe, the Apple rumor mill has begun to crank out more stories about the next model of the iPhone. Some have already tagged it as the iPhone 5, while others believe Apple will throw another curve ball at the public and name it something else.

Most bets are on Apple naming its new product the “Next iPhone.”

One of the main weaknesses and complaints about the iPhone series are the glass backs – drop your iPhone and the fragile case shatters. But according to some sources within the industry, Apple may be incorporating a new material for its cases with something called Liquidmetal. More...

A phone is only as good as its ability to power on.  If it doesn't power on, it's no good!  But how do you tell whether or not a phone powers on?  This handy guide will light the way. More...

The hardest part for customers of BuyMyTronics is deciding what condition their phone is in.  It's a subject science, for sure!  What could be one persons "trashed piece of junk" could be another's "slightly used device."  This guide will help you figure out how to accurately rate your items. More...

By Frank Ling

It’s been about a month since the New iPad officially launched and the question, on some people’s minds, is whether it’s a good idea to buy it or not. Spending half a grand on an electronic device isn’t a small matter for most people, so we’ll try to clear the air and give you the lowdown to make this decision.

The critics love it

Consumer Reports, a non-profit organization dedicated to reviewing products of virtually every kind, gave the New iPad its highest rating for tablets and said it was “superb.” This high praise from Consumer Reports carries quite a bit of weight because it has a long history of being one of the hardest review organizations to please.

The New iPad’s new Retina display has earned a reputation for being the sharpest and most colorful among all tablets and is the primary reason for the enthusiasm surrounding the new device. Consumer Reports said it has set a new standard by which all other tablets would be judged by.

It’s only skin deep

If you place an iPad 2 next to a New iPad the two devices are virtually identical in physical appearance with the only giveaway being the newer tablet clocking in a few millimeters thicker.

But the exteriors of the New iPad and iPad 2 are where the similarities dramatically end. The New iPad sports a quad-core processor, a long-awaited upgrade to a better camera, improved overall performance, the highest display resolution in the industry, a remarkably long battery life in spite of its quad-core processor, and an entry level price that matches last year’s iPad 2 -- $499.

It’s a hot machine – literally

Early reports of the New iPad running hotter than its predecessor were well documented after its initial launch. Owners were concerned that the New iPad felt hot to the touch after using it under normal operating conditions.

Some tests were made by review websites and discovered that the New iPad achieved temperatures of up to 117 degrees Fahrenheit in certain parts of the device. Apple explained that this was well within the norm and that there was nothing to worry about.

Power and Wi-Fi issues

Another issue which surfaced about the New iPad was its inability to charge itself while plugged in and running graphic intensive apps such as video games. This “bug” was deemed a small matter by review sites.

Other owners reported that their New iPads had difficulty in locking onto a strong Wi-Fi signal. The Mac community reported that in some instances, resetting the network configuration helped.

To buy or not to buy

The individuals who will benefit the most in purchasing a New iPad are those who use their tablets primarily as a multimedia device to view movies or graphics. For present iPad 2 owners, the price for the upgrade can be softened by trading in their old devices for cash and using this against the purchase of the new tablet.

But not everyone demands the highest resolution for their tablets. With the advent of sub-$200 tables such as the Amazon Kindle Fire and Barnes and Nobles Nook Tablet, the field that was once unchallenged by Apple iPads is beginning to give way to this new breed of affordable tablets.

Bottom line: If you really want a New iPad, you’ll find a way.

Frank Ling is the SF Gadgets Examiner and has been a writer, professional photographer, video producer, video game QA trainer and video editor.

By Frank Ling

San Francisco, CA | It was a typical day in the city yesterday, a brisk 50 with the sun shining brightly in an almost cloudless blue sky that many native San Franciscans are used to, but is seen as an anomaly in other parts of the nation during this time of year. And Apple’s press conferences about the new iPad launch reflects this day nicely — bright and brisk.

This was the setting for the announcement of the new iPad at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts as Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, walked onto a stage that was adorned with purple backdrops and blue lighting. People packed in, anticipating the latest release, which would be the new iPad. Clever, right?  More...

By Frank Ling

As odd as it may sound to some tech-hounds, not everyone wants or needs a quad-core, Super-AMOLED, 4G LTE lightning-fast, fire-breathing mobile phone. Why? Because some people just want a dependable no-frills phone. Perhaps it’s contrary to logic, but low-tech can actually outperform high-tech when it comes to mobile phone value. For example, simple mobile phones start at prices as low as $29.99 (and even free sometimes) from wireless carriers with a two-year contract. 

If you don’t need Internet access, low-tech phones don’t require a mandatory subscription to monthly data plans that can cost an additional $360 or more per year for Internet connectivity. More...

Nick Bilton, the New York Times columnist, just let the world know via Twitter what it's been speculating for weeks: Apple is holding an event March 7 to talk iPad. More...

What is going to happen on March 7? Apple is going to come out and dazzle us with the latest and greatest iPad. Fans of Apple are going to line up for its release. Everybody (including us) is guessing what the iPad 3 will look, act and feel like. The speculation game is fun, and we all know we'll be clamoring for the next Apple tablet regardless of which features it ends up showcasing. 

But if you have an iPad 1 or 2, the upgrade-every-year game is expensive. That is until you take advantage of our promo iPad pricing, offering up to $400 for a used iPad — this price promo is good through March 31, 2012. That will pay for most of your iPad 3 upgrade. Of course, we'll also buy back used phones, other brand tablets and just about any handheld gadget you can imagine. 

Check out what your iPad is worth now (you can lock in pricing for 30 days). More...

We spend a little too much time on Twitter, but it does give us all the news we could ever want. Here's what we found in the last hour that piqued our interest. With a shout out to our tweeps who gave us the scoop. More...

By Frank Ling

Some of us know the feeling of being directionally challenged (getting lost) in an unfamiliar area (this is a great scenario for frustration and panic attacks). We need help. Since maps are as ancient as hieroglyphics, you'll need a GPS. 

For anyone looking to save time and frustration while traveling, owning one of these electronic marvels is the perfect solution. Just make sure you get the right one for your needs. It can be just as easy getting lost in the sea of GPS features than out on the road. More...

It's being widely reported (by Spacelab and a number of other sources) now that the tech geeks at Apple will hold a grand shindig on March 7 to annouce release the highly anticipated iPad 3. That means the actual release could be as soon as mid March. More...

By Chris Eckerdt

Nintendo first introduced the DS in 2004, and it has since become one of the most popular handheld gaming systems since the original GameBoy. Like Apple, when you have something revolutionary on your hands, you don't just stick with one, you improve and reinvent. The Nintendo DS now has five different iterations. Here's how to figure out which one you have: More...

By Frank Ling

Predicting the features of Apple's forecoming iPad 3 are as easy as guessing the weather. Everyone knows something's coming, but no one knows exactly what. Since the iPad 2 cornered approximately 70 percent of the market for tablet sales in 2011, it’s safe to say the release of the 3’s new features continues to dominate speculation.  

And we know you love some good gossip, so we’ve assembled some of the juiciest rumors about the iPad 3, set to be released this spring (iron clad prediction, right?). They seem to be the most credible, but no one ever really knows for sure unless an Apple employee gets drunk at a bar and leaves behind a prototype; we could only be so lucky. More...

By Frank Ling

There are enough apps to browse through on the iTunes store to kill more than a few hours of work productivity. Uh, not me of course, just some people I know. Apps are the lifeblood of our beloved iLife, and they do everything from help our everyday lives to entertain us endlessly. Don’t waste your time searching for the perfect app, though. These three apps will get you playing, watching and following with pleasure and style: More...

By Frank Ling

Are you looking for a smartphone that is a head-turner and is able to raise your pulse every time you use it? Are copycat-styled phones making you yawn? Do you want an Android phone that will totally knock you out? More...