A smart phone won’t get you too far without at least a few great apps, and Android’s no exception. As you customize your new phone to your liking, here are 25 of the best (and free!) Android apps to get you started
Gadgets
5 Personal Technologies that Survived Hurricane Sandy
Here are the personal digital media technologies that still worked at the height of the storm.
Finally, a Rocking Chair with an iPad Dock that Charges Your iPad While You Rock
Know what old-timey rocking chairs are missing? iPad docks. That’s about to come to an end thanks to the iRock.
How to Be a Frequent Smartphone Switcher
Want to have more than one smartphone at your disposal? Here’s how to swap SIM cards and keep costs down.
Review: iPad Mini, the First Small Tablet That’s an iPad
Apple’s new tablet is both a smaller, cheaper alternative to the big iPad and a larger, posher rival to 7-inch Android models.
Review: Barnes & Noble’s Nook HD Is Another Worthy $199 Tablet
The new Nook doesn’t have the most features, but it’s got a good screen in a featherweight package — and no ads.
Google Announces New Nexus Phone and Tablets
Although Hurricane Sandy wiped out Google’s big New York press-event plans, the company went ahead and announced its new Nexus phone and tablets anyway.
Now the Real Jony Ive Era Begins at Apple
An executive shuffling at Apple leaves its legendary industrial designer in charge of the whole interface experience.
Windows Phone 8: This Time for Sure?
Microsoft’s underdog of a mobile operating system was already really good. It looks even better now. But it’s still not clear how the company can translate that into market success.
Could We See Wireless Carriers Subsidize Tablets?
Carrier subsidization of tablets may need to play a key role if the tablet market is going to get to the point where 100 million are being shipped per quarter worldwide.
Samsung Chromebook: Not a Bad Laptop, but Definitely Feels like $250
Compromised as it is, it works pretty well — and for a $250 laptop, that’s no dubious distinction.
Review: Livescribe’s Smartpen Gets Wi-Fi, Embraces Evernote
The newest version of the unique pen makes it a lot easier to get notes, drawings and audio onto all your devices.