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News recently broke that Caterham is soliciting new investment to carry on with its ambitions plans. However, thats not keeping the sports car builder from moving forward with new projects. Case in point is its latest creation: the limited edition Seven 250R Kamui Special Edition in honor of its F1 driver, Kamui Kobayashi.

As the name implies, the Seven 250R forms of the basis of the special edition with 123 horsepower and 120 pound-feet of torque from its 1.6-liter Ford Sigma four-cylinder engine, six-speed manual gearbox and limited-slip differential. While power may seem modest, Caterham claims that it can reach 62 miles per hour in 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 112 mph.

What makes the Kamui Edition special is what Caterham does with the cars already light body. The exterior is finished in high-gloss black paint with matte black stripe decals, and the front fenders use dark-green-lacquered carbon fiber in a shade like the teams F1 livery. Tiny nubs of carbon fiber replace the windshield as well, and the passenger seat is gone in favor of an aluminum tonneau cover. For safety, a roll hoop rises up over the drivers head.

Things are even sparser inside. The driver sits on a bare carbon fiber seat with "Kamui" embroidered on the head support. The dashboard is made from similar green carbon fiber like the fenders and also has the Kamui logo at the center of the gauges.

Caterham will build just 10 of the Kamui Special Edition models, a nod to his driver number, and they will only be sold in Japan at 6,000,000 yen ($58,822) each, plus tax. Hopefully, this special Seven will fare better than the underperforming F1 team. Scroll down for the full announcement.

If youre in the market to lease a brand new car, youre probably dreading the day-long negotiations, the feeling of uncertainty and dealing with smooth-talking salespeople. For the last month, my husband and I have been experiencing all of those stressful scenarios. With my husbands current lease ending in five months, we wanted to shop for prices earlier rather than later. Last time, we made the mistake of waiting until the lease was over and then felt rushed into deciding on a new car. Since my husband knew which specific car model he wanted, our focus was entirely on price.

To make sure youre comfortable with the price you end up paying for your leased car, try these five steps that worked for us:

Timing. You often hear people talking about the best time of year to get a car. The truth is that you can get an amazing deal all throughout the year with a few tips. If youre currently in a lease situation, make sure you start looking for a car soon because you will have more insight into pricing and wont feel rushed. If you walk into the dealership a few days before the end of the month, the salespeople and manager will be more flexible in giving you a great deal to meet their monthly goals. For example, we were offered $369 plus tax at the beginning of the month but got $349 plus tax at the end of the month for the exact same car.

Shop around. Sounds like a given, right? Youd be surprised how many people walk into a dealership and get so wrapped around those dealers fingers that they end up walking out with a new car at the first place they go to. Try to follow the three dealership rule. Make sure you go to at least three dealerships and work out the pricing so that you can compare. Being a good consumer is all about researching and comparing prices. Why pay more if you dont have too?

Scan your offers. Make sure you walk into a dealership with a fully-charged phone. Almost all dealers will come to you with a price sheet which outlines the price and your monthly payments, including taxes, along with the model and make of car. When you get some alone time, take a picture of it or use a scanning app on your phone to capture it. This can be your biggest bargaining tool when you go to other dealerships because once they see the numbers they will try to beat it.

Walk out. If youre not happy with the deal the dealership offers you, dont waste your time. Just stand up and walk out. When the dealership knows that you are not happy with the deal, they will either try to get the manager for a final attempt or a, "Sorry, we couldnt help you" exchange. Once you make the decision to walk out, be prepared for multiple follow-ups by the dealership. Since they know you already want the car, its an easier sell to work with you on your pricing rather trying to convince Joe-Shmoe whos just shopping around with five different makes in mind. They will try to negotiate via phone and email to get you the best price possible.

Try smaller leasing companies. After taking steps one though four, if you still dont have the right price for the car of your dreams, give a smaller leasing company a try. Theyre not a dealership. They work for you. They will do the haggling for you, kind of like real estate agents for the automotive industry. You tell them the make and model and price you would like to get for the car and off they go. Once they have a good price, they will come back to you and you just have to say "yes" or "no!"

Following these tips will help ensure you take out a lease that you feel good about, and that youre driving a car that you love.

Susan Yoo-Lee is the editor of Savings.com personal finance blog and founder of Mommas in the House blog.

Graduating from college and entering the "real world" can inflict total chaos on your life: Suddenly, you have to figure out how to feed yourself without the assistance of a 24-hour dining hall. Your closest friends, who used to be just a dorm room away, are now scattered across the country. Your parents are less willing to send checks upon request. On top of that, you have to start paying rent, find and keep a job and somehow convince yourself to start saving money for retirement, which is about four decades away.

Its overwhelming, but not insurmountable. These seven mistakes and their solutions are designed to help college graduates bypass common hiccups and take control of their financial lives:

1. Taking on too much debt -- or not enough. Too much debt can weigh down recent grads, forcing them to spend more money on interest and fees than on fun activities and other goals. Avoiding loans altogether, however, can hurt college grads. Sometimes, student loans for graduate school or a mortgage are good investments. Being responsible for credit accounts also allows 20-somethings to build their credit history, which is required if they want to take out a mortgage, auto loan or other type of loan in the future.

[See: 7 Tips to Help Millennials Save for Retirement .]

The solution: Build your credit history slowly and steadily by opening up accounts in your own name and paying them off on time.

2. Becoming victim to rapid lifestyle inflation. Youre a recent college grad, so that means you probably need a new car, new apartment, new sofa and a new ... Wait a minute. Not only do you not need all those things, you probably wont appreciate them much, either. A little theory called the "hedonic treadmill" explains why. We adapt all too quickly to improvements in our lifestyle. That 60-inch television you drooled over at Best Buy will soon start blending in with the rest of your furniture, along with your top-of-the-line coffee maker and pillow-top mattress.

The solution: Instead of using your first paycheck to make your new digs look like a sitcom set, spread out your purchases over time. Maybe you need a bed right away, but that embroidered duvet cover from Pottery Barn can wait.

3. Falling into bad money habits. Biweekly $20 happy hours, daily $15 lunches and nightly take-out are just a few of the bad habits that eat into new grads bank accounts. While the occasional lapse isnt a problem, repeatedly wasting money on a weekly basis for years will cost you, big time.

The solution: Learn to cook by enlisting the help of friends, family members or your favorite celebrity chef (via the Food Network). Cooking your meals can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars a year and turn your home into a popular destination for friends. Its a skill that lasts a lifetime.

[See: How to Manage Money in Your 20s .]

4. Waiting to save and invest. Sure, you dont feel like you have "extra" money yet, and youre still getting used to seeing your name on a paycheck. But that makes it the perfect time to start saving at least one-quarter of your income for future goals, including retirement. The first priority is to establish an emergency savings account with at least three months worth of expenses that can get you through any unexpected bumps, from unemployment to a car accident. Then, start saving for retirement. If your employer offers any type of 401(k) matching program, take advantage of it -- passing it up is like saying "no" to a pay increase. Then open an after-tax savings account for your other goals, from traveling to homeownership.

The solution: If saving any money seems daunting, start by funneling a modest 2 percent of your income into a high-yield savings account or money market fund. Then, slowly raise that percentage. Once you have your three-month emergency fund stored away, consider investing a portion of your longer-term savings in low-fee index funds and other, more aggressive investment vehicles.

5. Failing to negotiate for a higher salary. Even in this economy, employers expect some haggling over salary and benefits. In fact, doing so is a sign of professionalism that shows you, a recent college grad, understands how the working world works. A simple request after expressing enthusiasm and appreciation for the job offer can eventually lead to hundreds of thousands of dollars more in lifetime earnings. Linda Babcock, an economics professor at Carnegie Mellon University, calculates that not negotiating your first job offer can result in a loss of up to $1.5 million in lifetime earnings.

The solution: Practice your job offer conversation before receiving any potential offers so youre ready to land a better deal, and research your field ahead of time so you know what to expect. If the salary really is fixed, consider focusing on other benefits, which can be worth as much as a third of the salary but are often overlooked by job seekers. What are the health care benefits? Retirement account perks? Vacation days? Work-at-home flexibility? Decide whats important to you, and get ready for some professional haggling; it usually just takes one round of back-and-forth.

[See: 10 Ways to Upgrade Your Finances in 2014 .]

6. Thinking youre done studying. Sure, you have your degree, but unless you attended one of the few schools that teach personal finance, you probably know relatively little about how to build wealth. That makes the post-graduation period the ideal time to take matters into your own hands.

The solution: Look for ways to learn more about smart personal finance strategies. This doesnt have to be boring. Dozens of blogs, websites and books make learning about money fun, and many local community colleges and universities offer personal finance courses for local professionals. You might also want to consider forming a money club with friends, in which you meet up once a month to talk about your money questions, goals and research.

7. Getting buried in paperwork. Theres no avoiding the fact that being an adult comes with some secretarial duties. Suddenly, you have pay stubs, health insurance forms, tax documents and credit card statements to keep organized. Its easy to let them build up until you just want to shred the pile and toss it in the trash.

The solution: Take advantage of modern technology by going paperless whenever possible. Online accounts are easier to manage (and as a bonus, better for the environment). New websites such as shoeboxed.com keep your receipts organized online, which is especially helpful at tax time. Mint.com makes it easy to track your spending and establish a budget.

The bottom line: Add "getting on top of your finances" to the list of things to do after graduation day -- and try to make it at least as fun as cleaning out your dorm room.

• Finance
• Personal Budgeting

1. Chase Mobile (Free)

Chase Mobile lets customers manage their banking 24/7 from their phones. View accurate account balances and viewing history, transfer funds between both savings and checking accounts, and make quick deposits no matter where you are. Search for the nearest Chase bank branch and ATMS. Connect with Chase representatives while on the go.

2. PayPal (Free)

Sending money is easy with PayPal Android app. It has the same basic features as other banking platforms, which include checking your balance and transferring funds. Take pictures of a check and add it to your savings or checking accounts for free. The "Local" function lets users connect with local merchants and pay them with PayPal. Financial information you add into your profile will always be safe and secure. Store owners will get paid directly and will receive a free card reader.

3. Bank Of America Mobile Banking (Free)

Bank of America Bank of America will help customers with their banking needs. Users can take pictures of a check and deposit it into your designated account. Push notifications sends users Bank of America alerts on branch closing, new merger etc. Get cash back in your account when you use your debit or credit cards for various purchases. If you owe someone money, send money by using an email address or mobile number.

4. Mint.Com Personal Finance (Free)

Mint.com lets users keep track of all their personal finance account in one place. Track spending, create a budget, and save more. Categorize transactions and see charts and graphs that show where you’re spending your money. If you lose your Android device, or misplace it, you can deactivate it from your profile.

5. GEICO App (Free)

6. Discover Mobile (Free)

Manage your Discover credit card account using Discover Android app. View your account information, manage rewards, and send money. Easily send money using Money Messenger by PayPal and set up your Cash PIN to retrieve cash from ATMs. Refer friends to Discover and earn more rewards.

7. Google Finance

Finance for Android allows users to stream real-time quotes. The app synchronizes with your Google Finance portfolios, gives access to charts and view market and company news.

8. Google Wallet

Google Wallet keeps all of your credit and debit cards safe and secure. Users can use any credit card from Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover with the app. Make in-store purchases by tapping your phone. Payment information will be transmitted via NFC. Google Wallet has its own pin, so if you lose your phone, you can disable your mobile wallet.

9. USAA Mobile

10. E-Trade Mobile

Apple’s annual iPad updates look set to be pretty lean this year, with latest reports suggesting that while an iPad Air refresh is on the cards, no iPad Pro or iPad mini 3 will be released.


Although multiple rumours of a larger, iPad Pro have circulated in recent weeks, industry analysts have now suggested that Apple’s 2014 iPad collection will consist solely of an update to the 9.7-inch iPad Air.

Speaking in a note to investors, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has suggested that claims of an iPad Pro launch will not be fulfilled this year, with Apple unlikely to launch a 12.9-inch tablet to rival the CES introduced Samsung Galaxy Note Pro.

Claiming Apple will focus its development efforts elsewhere, Kuo offered a bit of wiggle room, stating: “Even if it (a larger iPad) does make an appearance this year, shipments will be low.”

Despite the success of the iPad mini, and subsequent iPad mini 2 which launched last November with a new Retina display in tow, it has been claimed that Apple will not launch a third-generation 7.9-inch tablet this year.

While consumers will have to make do with the iPad mini 2 for a further 12 months at least, serial Apple tipster Kuo has claimed the iPad Air will receive a specs bump this autumn.

Targeting two easy areas of improvement, the analyst has claimed that the iPad Air will be upgraded to a new A8 processor and introduce the TouchID fingerprint sensor incorporating home button found on the iPhone 5S.

According to Kuo’s insiders, Apple’s reduced tablet efforts are being forced by the company’s push to finalise Apple iWatch hardware and software for launch later in the year.

He added that “unless more aggressive promotions are launched,” a lack of new models will see annual iPad sales drop for the first time.

A free version of McAfees Mobile Security app for Android has hit Googles Play store.


Announced at MWC 2014, the move to offer McAfee Mobile Security for free is part of an intiative by its parent company, Intel, to "integrate security more deeply into the consumer experience." The plans to offer free mobile protection were unveiled by Intel CEO Brian Krzanich at CES 2014.

McAfees Mobile Security for iOS is already available for free, but its Android that particularly needs protection from online nasties. According to a report by NQ Mobile, Android malware accounted for 95% of all smartphone infections in 2012.

AV-Best

McAfee Mobile Security received a 100% detection score and was given a top ranking in recent independent testing by AV-Test. It features anti-theft, anti-virus, app protection, Web protection, call and SMS filtering functionality.

A new Wi-Fi Security feature alerts users to any risky or non-protected networks to which they may be connecting.

Additionally, a CaptureCam feature will take a picture of whoever is holding the device in the event of it being stolen and will send it to the owner, and an SOS feature can log the last location of the device before battery life expires if it is misplaced or stolen.

While much attention is being focused on the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S5 release date, latest reports have suggested Samsung is set to launch a new Windows Phone powered handset.

A red Google Nexus 5 release date has been tipped for next week as the repeatedly leaked handset gets set for a February 4 launch.

Are you obsessed with trying to make it to “inbox zero?” Are you tired of using the standard Mail app on iOS? Heres a list of email apps found on the app store that could satisfy your inbox OCD.

1. Mailbox

Since its beta release, Mailbox has been the most popular third-party email client on the iOS App Store.

Users can add up to five Gmail or Google app accounts to their Mailbox account. Swipe messages and them to archive or trash. Scan entire conversations, snooze emails, and get push notifications for new messages.

You can download Mailbox from the App Store here.

2. Boxer

Boxer is an email client developed by Taskbox. Similar to Mailbox, users can use swipe gestures to read through new messages. See who your emails are from with profile pictures shown in your inbox. Use “like” to acknowledge a friends message, and use "quick" replies to send common responses while on the go.

Boxer supports Exchange, Gmail, Yahoo, and iCloud.

You can purchase Boxer from the App Store here.

3. Gmail

With Googles official Gmail app, users can easily manage and organize their Gmail inbox. Get notified of new mail, see profile pictures as part of the conversation, and read email with threaded conversations.

Organize your mail by archiving, labeling, starring, delete, or report as spam. The new tab system has 5 different categories including primary, social, promotions, updates, and forums. Easily switch between 5 email account. If you dont like the new version, you can always switch back to the classic inbox.

You can download Gmail from the App Store here.

4. Yahoo Mail

Yahoo! Email is an email app developed by Yahoo! Instantly receive notifications for new messages. Scan messages in your inbox and swipe to delete, flag, move, mark as read and more. Attach photos while composing a new message, and preview photos at the top of the message. Auto complete email addresses when you type.

You can download Yahoo! Email from the App Store here.

5. Triage

If youre struggling to keep up with your email accounts inbox, you may want to check out Triage by Southgate Labs. When you login to your email account, new messages will appear as a stack of cards. Flick messages down to keep them in your inbox, or flick messages up to archive. Triage supports Gmail, iCloud Mail accounts, and Yahoo! Mail.

You can purchase Triage from the App Store here.

6. Dispatch

Dispatch is an email client app for iOS that makes it easy to organize, delegate, and archive your email.

Being a Mailbox competitor, Dispatch has its own unique benefits for those with inbox OCD. The app allows snippets, allows users to respond to emails with common responses, and even customize settings based on the account being used. There is great integration with other third-party apps 1Password, Due, Omifocus, Evernote, and more. For now, the app doesn’t feature push notifications or a unified inbox, which may be a dealbreaker for some.

You can purchase Dispatch from the App Store here.

7. Mail Pilot

Mail Pilot is an app that turns your inbox into a to-do-list. With Mail Pilot, new messages arrive in your inbox as incomplete. When you finish a task, mark the message as complete, and it will automatically be archived by Mail Pilot. Easily collect messages from multiple accounts at once, and manage newsletters, social media notifications, and upcoming events. Mail Pilot works with Gmail, iCloud, AOL, Yahoo, and other email service providers.

You can purchase Mail Pilot from the App Store here.

8. Group Email

Group Email is for users who frequently send...wait for it... group emails! This app makes it very simple to create distribution lists from your contacts, create and send email templates, and easily add photos, videos, and other files from cloud storage services such as Dropbox and SkyDrive.

You can purchase Group Email from the App Store here.

9. FindIt

Findit is a very simple file and email searching app that integrates with Gmail, Dropbox, and Google Drive.

Findit uses a very visual and minimal interface to search for items through filters. It can even search through several unique Gmail, Dropbox, and Drive accounts. Hopefully the developer will integrate with more services in future updates.

You can download FindIt from the App Store here.

10. OWA

If you have an MS Office 365 subscription, you have the benefit of downloading and using Microsoft’s OWA app, which brings all of the live panel goodness of Outlook on Windows Phone 8 to the iPhone. OWA for iPhone has all of the inbox and calendar features that are expected from Outlook. If you are an Outlook power user and an Office 365 subscriber, you can download OWA from the App Store here.

The LG G3 release date has been tipped for May 17, but we doubt this will be anywhere near the real launch.

Nokia Lumia 1020 was officially unveiled just last week and understandably caused quite a lot of excitement. Its the long awaited 41MP PureView Windows Phone-powered smartphone that had been in the rumorlands since Nokia 808 PureView came around.


Nokia Lumia 1020 will hit the USA on July 26 exclusively via AT&T. It will cost $300 with a two-year contract and the carriers pre-order campaign is going live tomorrow. Lumia 1020 will hit the shelves worldwide before the end of September.

Meanwhile, the retailer Negri Electronics is taking pre-orders for the unlocked version of the cameraphone. You can book your unit for $735.50, but there is no specific shipping date. We guess youll receive it shortly after the official premiere on AT&T.

Yesterday, we also saw the Lumia 1020 go on pre-orders in Germany, but users there will have to wait longer to get their units. The European version of the device that is supposed to launch by the end of Q3.

Europeans will also need to pay quite a lot more to own the Lumia 1020, with pre-orders going for the hefty €800 (we suspect final price will be a bit lower, though).

The vice-like grip of the iOS and Android operating systems is only getting tighter, according to new sales figures published late last week.


New data from Comscore, released on Friday, showed Android leading the way at the end of May 2013 with 52.4 per cent of all US sales, up from 51.7 per cent at the end of February.

iOS share of the US market rose 0.3 per cent to 39.2 percent during same time period.

Despite the launch of BlackBerrys new BB10 operating system and the best selection of Windows Phone 8 devices yet, both of those platforms saw their share fall to 4.8 and 3.0 per cent respectively.

Numbers dont lie

It was a similar story for hardware sales. Apples iPhone led the way with the 32.9 per cent, closely followed by Samsung which enjoyed a sizeable 1.7 per cent jump to 23 per cent of sales.

The next three, HTC, Motorola and LG all endured a fall in sales during the three month period, all of which remain under 10 per cent.

Samsungs continued rise will have been fuelled by the launch of its new flagship Galaxy S4 handset but, worryingly for HTC, its critically acclaimed HTC One release couldnt stem the the drop-off in its share.

There is, of course, hope for those competing operating systems and manufacturers, but until the numbers start going in the other direction, its difficult to be too positive. They have to start gaining at some point, right?

Later this year, iOS 8 could give new meaning to the phrase "an Apple a day keeps the doctor away," as the iPhone maker is reportedly focusing on health tracking technology.


Apple executives met with directors of the US Food and Drug Administration to discuss mobile medical applications last month, The New York Times discovered in the FDAs public calendar.

The talks involved high-level Apple employees, including Jeff Williams, senior vice president of operations, Bud Tribble, vice president of software technology, and Michael OReilly, a medical doctor in Apples government affairs department.

The FDA meeting details havent been disclosed, but combined with a report today about iOS 8, it suggests that Apple is going all-in with health monitoring in its next iOS update.

What is Healthbook?

Healthbook is supposed to be a pre-installed iOS 8 app that monitors and stores fitness metrics, according to unnamed sources who spoke to 9to5Mac.

Its interface is said to match Passbook, but instead of accumulating digital tickets and coupons, it calculates steps taken, calories burned, miles walked and weight loss.

These are pretty standard stat-tracking features that can be obtained from current wearables like the NikeFuel Band SE and Fitbit Force.

iWatch and Healthbook

The Healthbook report contains a "one more thing" style surprise when you factor in the unconfirmed iWatch, which is said to enhance this software with vital signs the iPhone is incapable of tracking.

Blood pressure, hydration levels, heart rate, and possibly glucose levels are additional metrics that could be introduced, according to 9to5Macs sources.

Were not sure how wearable can keep track of hydration outside of a user manually logging every drink consumed, but when it comes to glucose levels, Google found a way in its smart lens prototype.

Logging medication information is said to initiate helpful pill-taking reminders at scheduled times, a feature that could tie into the existing iOS 7 Reminders app.

iPhone 5S was just the beginning

Apples first foray into health monitoring came last year when it introduced iPhone 5S and its M7 coprocessor that could keep track of steps.

The company showed how Nike was integrating its Nike Fuel metric into the new phone and Fitbit has since expanded its app to use the M7 processor to log steps walked even without a Fitbit tracker.

Itll be interesting to see if Apple works with or against Nike in realizing its health monitoring ambitions.

Apple CEO Tim Cook is still on the sneaker companys board and Apple snagged at least Nike employee last year.

Either way, this blip on Apples radar last year could become the highlight of iOS 8 this fall if development of Healthbook gets into shape and joins the rumored iPhone 6 and iWatch in time.

Animal lovers naturally want to keep their companions healthy and happy, and technology gurus are answering the call. Pet-centric smartphone apps make it easy to have key information at your fingertips. Apps are alphabetically ordered.

AqDiary

Fish aquariums require a lot of maintenance to keep the water levels just right for the type of fish you have. AqDiary helps you keep track of tank maintenance and add reminders.

Platform: Android

Cost: Free

BringFido

Traveling with a pet is made easier with the BringFido app. You can find pet-friendly hotels, places to walk your pet, and all types of pet-friendly businesses in the areas you are visiting.

Platform: iOS

Cost: Free

DoggyDatez

DoggyDatez is a mobile social platform for dog owners and their dogs to make friends. The main idea is that you can "mark your territory" and see who else visits your spot. Youre also able to search for other DoggyDatez users by gender, age, dog gender, dog age and/or dog breed.

Available on iOS and Android.

iCam

If you want to see what your dog is up to in real-time, iCam is the app to get. You can watch your canine friend remotely, just to make sure everythings all right. This is especially useful if youre leaving your dog home for the first time, you recently moved or youre traveling.

Available on iOS and Android.

MapMyDogWalk

With MapMyDogwalk, you and your dog can get fit at the same time. You can log your walks, track your calories and map your favorite routes using GPS. The app also has sharing and geotagging features for photos and data.

Available on iOS and Android.

Pet Acoustics

Do you have a pet that needs soothing? Pet Acoustics has music that is made just for cats, dogs, and horses to help them relax when they are nervous or anxious. Great for car rides, going to the vet, thunderstorms, and more.

Platform: iOS

Cost: $1.99

Pet At Hand

Keep track of your pets’ information with the Pet At Hand series of apps for Windows phones. They cover any kind of pet and you can include a photo, birthday, foods, vets, expenses, and more. There are also Cat at Hand and Dog at Hand apps which are specific to those types of pets.

Platform: Windows Phone

Cost: Free; $2.99

Petfinder

All of the great stuff from the Petfinder website in an app. Search for pets that are looking to be adopted, find shelters and rescue groups, and read stories about pet adoptions.

Platform: iOS, Android

Cost: Free

Pet First Aid

Raising pets is fun, but its also a big responsibility, which means there can be some scares. If anything should happen to your dog, Pet First Aid helps you take the right steps to make sure hell be OK. Detailed videos and illustrations include restraint, muzzling, CPR, bandaging and more.

Available on iOS and Android.

Pet Minder Pro

Pet Minder Pro helps you keep track of your dogs actions, and its presented in an easy way so you can use it while interacting with your dog. By tapping custom buttons, youll never forget when you last gave your dog medicine, fed him, took him for a walk or took him to a play date. You can also track training phases for puppies, set up reminders and share information via notifications.

Available on Android.

Pet Names

The iPhone and Android pet-naming apps (Android, free; iPhone, free) are created by different companies but both will help you find the ideal name for cats, dogs, birds, gerbils and even turtles. Pet Names for iPhone allows you to browse by alphabetical listing, pet type or popularity; browse by list or at random for Android.

Pet Phone

The Pet Phone app lets you track your dogs health with ease. You can keep track of vet appointments, medications, allergies and food preferences for each of your pets, and the app can be synced with your calendar to get reminders.

Available on iOS.

Petoxins

Its tough, if not impossible, to know everything that is harmful to your dog. The Petoxins app from the ASPCA helps you out by having a impressive list of poisonous plants, and most of them you probably didnt know. For example, did you know that tulip bulbs are hazardous? Now you can keep similar vegetation out of your dogs reach.

Available on iOS.

Petsie Dog Breeds

Answering the question "What kind of dog is he?" isnt always easy, especially if your dog is a rescue or mix. As a tool, Petsie Dog Breeds can help you figure it out, but its also full of adorable photos and information. You can even use it as a fun social network by creating a profile for your dog.

Available on Android.

PupTox

Specifically for dog and cat owners, PupTox provides a list of over 250 items that can be toxic to your pet, with descriptions of how each item can cause harm.

Platform: iOS

Cost: $0.99

Tagg

Tagg is essentially a GPS attachment for your dogs collar, and because of its many features, it can give you peace of mind. The app will track your dogs activity and send you a message if he goes beyond the boundaries you set. Not only that, Tagg allows you to make sure your dog is getting enough exercise by measuring movement.

Available on iOS and Android.

Weather Puppy

Its useful to check the weather before you take your dog out for a walk, but Weather Puppy takes it to a new (and very cute) level. The app shows more than 100 dogs depending on the time and weather, and you can even add a pic of your own dog. Weather Puppy partners with non-profits and shelters across the U.S.

Available on iOS and coming soon on Android. In the meantime, a good Android alternative is Weather Dog.

The Google Nexus 8 has been tipped to launch later this year by upstream supply chain sources.

If youve recently updated your smartphone to Android 4.4.2 KitKat and have noticed some abnormally high battery drain youre not alone - but Google is on the case.


Apparently some Android handsets are seeing battery life diminish at a rate of knots after opening the camera application as a result of the phones CPU maxing out.

While Googles fix will be able to alleviate the problem on the likes of the Nexus 5 and Nexus 4, those rocking a HTC, Samsung or any other Android device with a UI skin will have to wait for the relevant manufacturer to address the issue separately.

Reboot, for now

Theres currently no time frame on Googles fix to roll out to handsets, but its expected to arrive as part of the Android 4.4.3 package - so keep your eyes peeled.

In the meantime a quick reboot of your device is said to provide a temporary solution to the excessive battery drain, but it wont fix the problem.

AT&T has announced its new upgrade plan called "AT&T Next". The latest program from the carrier allows you to purchase a brand new smartphone or a tablet once every 12 months.


The new device is available with no activation fee, no down payment, no upgrade fee or any financing fees. To be eligible for this offer you have to pay a monthly fee for 20 months and you will have the option to trade in the device once every 12 months. After trading in your old device, the installment cycle for your device ends and a new cycle for a period of 20 months begin.

The plan also allows you to opt out of upgrading and you can pay out the full 20 months fee that varies based on your smartphone or tablet model. Check out the source link below for more information on the terms and conditions.

Google is rolling out an update for its Chrome browser app on Android and iOS to make it more efficient on data, and to be able to translate foreign languages within web pages.

PC World has dropped the price of the Advent Vega Tegra Note 7 to £129.99 just in time for Christmas.

HTC has confirmed that its 2012 mid-range handset, the HTC One S, will not receive any further Android updates.


The highly-rared device, launched in April last year, will not get Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean or Key Lime Pie after that, and will be stuck on Android 4.1 for ever more.

The 15-month-old handset also wont receive the latest version of HTC Sense, although thatll be of far less significant to most who recently snapped up the device.

In a befuddling statement, the company said it understood some users disappointment, but for some reason thinks the amazing camera and Beats Audio experience already present on the device make up for it.

HTC said: "We can confirm that the HTC One S will not receive further Android OS updates and will remain on the current version of Android and HTC Sense. We realize this news will be met with disappointment by some, but our customers should feel confident that we have designed the HTC One S to be optimized with our amazing camera and audio experiences."

Perhaps something was lost in translation?

It is a somewhat surprising move from HTC as it seeks to win back some of the customers it has lost to the Samsung Galaxy range of smartphones.

Those thinking of buying a new handset from the company may think twice if they believe the device will become practically obsolete after only a year on sale.

In somewhat better news for those already rocking the newest HTC One handset, the company has started rolling out Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean in some international markets today. The latest word we had was that itd be arriving in the UK sometime this month.