Best iPhone games ever

1. Asphalt 8 Airborne

The Asphalt games really push Apple’s hardware to its limit – packing lovely looking visuals along with stellar gameplay. The latest addition, Airborne, takes the graphics to another level, while also adding some fun additions to the gameplay. Your car can now soar through the air, swirling and twisting as it goes – like something out of SSX.

Price: 69p | Download Asphalt 8 Airborne

2. Call of Duty: Strike Team

Seamlessly blending typical COD first person action with strategic third person gameplay, Strike Team offers a different take on a Call of Duty game. There’s a full single-player campaign and a leader board driven survival mode, both taking place across various locations throughout the world. Visuals are impressive and the third person perspective feels great to control on the touchscreen.

Price: £4.99 | Download Call of Duty: Strike Team

3. 2K Drive

While the iOS App Store is crammed full of racing titles, 2K Drive looks to ditch the predictable arcade style and go for something a whole lot more true to life. Handling is smooth and realistic, cars can be tweaked and upgraded and the graphics definitely deserve to be labelled ‘console quality’.

Price: £4.99 | Download 2K Drive

4. Tetris Blitz

A twist on the classic game, Tetris Blitz adds in a two minute time limit, ensuring each round is a feverish mix of tapping and guiding blocks into place. A variety of power-ups add more excitement and online leaderboards make for some fierce competition.

Free | Download Tetris Blitz

5. Dots

Dots is super simple – all you have to do is join up coloured circles, yet it is very addictive and you’ll be constantly trying to improve on your high score. It looks great too, with a distinctive style that’ll fit well with iOS7. Games don’t get much simpler, and more fun, than this.

Free | Download Dots

6. First Touch Soccer 2014

Packing a huge amount of features, including a manager mode, over 180 teams and a nifty ultra-realistic First Touch mechanic, this is a great footy game to kick off the season with.

Free | Download First Touch Soccer 2014

7. Madden NFL 25

EA has gone all freemium for iOS games, with the latest Madden game requiring no initial payment, yet prepare for constant badgering about topping-up your energy with In App Purchases. This issue aside, the graphics have been greatly improved, Ultimate Team is a fun mode and the controls are easy to use.

Free | Download Madden NFL 25

8. Mirror's Edge

Designed with visual intensity in mind, this game will utilise the power of the iPhone 5 and harness it for a fantastic gaming experience. Run, jump and climb in HD quality. Get lost in a free-runners dream, and don’t look down.

Price: £0.69 | Download Mirror's Edge iPhone app

9. Real Racing 3

With realtime reflections and graphics that wouldn’t look out of place on a home console, Real Racing 3 is stunning proof of the real power of the iPhone 5. It also features “Time-shift multiplayer”, which means you can challenge a friend one day, and then race their ghost the next.

Price: Free | Download Real Racing 3 iPhone app

10. Angry Birds Star Wars

We've lost track at how many spin-offs there have been, but it's hard to ignore one when the Force is on board to shift a few million more downloads. Jedi-cloak wearing fouls use lightsabres, forcefields and the odd laser gun to blast through Empire-themed constructions housing green pigs. A lot of the birds have been designed to look like the film's most iconic characters and some of the levels are even based around scenes from the original films to ensure this is no half baked merging of two huge franchises.

Price: £0.69 | Download Angry Birds Star Wars

Top 5 camera phones

Camera phones today feature advanced optics, complex image sensors and a whole lot of new technology running inside them that can easily give some serious competition to any dedicated camera. With megapixels now reaching the 13 megapixel range today digital cameras are having a tough time selling in the numbers that they used to earlier. So while there is a wide variety of camera phones out there that offer near professional imaging quality, here we have shortlisted the top 5 best ever camera phones available in the market today. So read on to find out which you would like to have as your pocket powerhouse.

1. The new Apple iPhone 5
                   
The new Apple iPhone 5 is lighter, thinner and faster compared to its predecessor model, the iPhone 4S. In short, it is in every sense better and improved overall. Featuring a bigger 4 inch Retina display, the iPhone 5 features a new design and packs a faster Apple A6 mobile processor inside. The iPhone 5's 4 inch Retina display comes with 1136 x 640 pixel resolution having 326 pixels per inch density. This Retina display is based on IPS panel technology and supports multi-touch. It also comes with finger-resistant oleophobic coating on the display.
The new iPhone 5 is 18 per cent thinner and 20 per cent lighter compared to the iPhone 4S. Sporting a new design, the iPhone 5 is 7.6 mm thin and weighs a mere 112 grams. Inside the chassis, it packs a new Apple A6 quad core mobile processor comprising of ARM Cortex A15 core architecture.
Apple has used the new iSight camera that features an 8 megapixel image sensor, which is 25 per cent smaller than the iPhone 4S's sensor. Apple has also introduced Panorama mode, which will allow the user to capture images in up to 28 megapixel resolution.
Apple has added three high-density microphones for enhanced video recording in full 1080p HD video resolution. The front facing camera has been bumped to 1.2 megapixel and now it can offer 720p HD video resolution for Apple's FaceTime video chat feature. Now users can engage FaceTime even over cellular networks as it was limited only to WiFi networks previously.

2.  Nokia Lumia 920



Nokia has used the same unibody polycarbonate design as its previous generation of Lumia devices, which was nicely accepted by consumers globally on the Lumia 920. Inside, Nokia Lumia 920 runs the Microsoft Windows Phone 8 mobile operating system with bundled Nokia apps such as Maps, Music, City Lens and more. 
Nokia has implemented PureMotion HD+ on the 4.5 inch LCD ClearBlack display with the default resolution being 720 x 1280 pixel. The phone is slightly curved at the edges. Nokia has used a dual core 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Krait mobile process with an Adreno 225 grahics chip, as well as 1 GB RAM and 32 GB on-board storage. Since there is no microSD card slot, the only way one can get more storage is by using cloud services.
Nokia has managed to implement PureView camera imaging technology in the Lumia 920. This flagship Windows Phone 8 device features an 8.7 megapixel camera with f/2.0 aperture and Carl Zeiss optics. A dual LED powered flash promises better luminance in low light conditions. Nokia has added optical image stabilization technique that makes it stand out from the crowd, and it has placed the camera assembly on a shock absorbing movable platform inside the unibody polycarbonate chassis. So whenever the user attempts image capture or video recording with a slight shake of hands, there is minimal blurriness in the resultant image or video.

3. The Sony Xperia Z 



The Sony Xperia Z is a perfect mix of Sony's cutting edge technologies with its superior design. Xperia Z is water and dust proof with Ingress Protection 57 certification, which also allows the device to shoot videos and images underwater. It can be submerged in water for up to 1 meter depth for up to 30 minutes without damaging the device at all.
Its 13 megapixel camera at the back features "Exmor RS for mobile", which offers best imagery on the go. The Sony Xperia Z features HDR for both photos and film, and superior auto mode automatically activates HDR and noise reduction when needed.
It features a 5 inch display with full HD Triluminos technology display for better visuals. The phone is powered by a 1.5 GHz quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor. To supplement this configuration it gets 2 GB of RAM and Android Jelly Bean operating system.
The device features 16 GB of onboard storage along with an expandable memory card slot for additional memory.

4. The HTC One



The HTC One features a 4.7 inch Super LCD 3 display with full 1080p HD resolution. The display has pixel density of 469 ppi and Gorilla Glass for added protection against scratches. HTC One has an anodized aluminum unibody. Inside its 9.3 mm thick chassis, One comes with a quad core 1.7 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 APQ8064T mobile processor and 2 GB RAM. HTC One offers 32 GB onboard storage but there is no memory card slot.
The most talked-about feature of the phone is HTC Zoe, which is a new image gallery with image editor inside. By default, the HTC One packs a 4 megapixel camera with Ultrapixel technique to capture high quality images with more clarity and less possible noise. The Ultrapixel camera also enables a plethora of features such as 360 degree panorama, high dynamic range, burst mode, time sequencing, and even object removal.
The smartphone comes with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean with HTC Sense 5.0 user interface that brings a new home screen feature called BlinkFeed. This feature basically collates all the news, web feeds and social network updates to the home screen. HTC One has stereo speakers in its front and comes loaded with Beats Audio amplifiers that deliver high fidelity sound.

5. Samsung Galaxy S4

Samsung Galaxy S4 is the first Android smartphone to feature an eight core Exynos 5 Octa 5410mobile processor clocked at 1.6 GHz and the new PowerVR SGX544MP3 graphics chip. It has 2 GB RAM and comes in a 16 GB storage variant.

The Galaxy S4 features a 5 inch full HD Super Amoled display, built using Corning Gorilla Glass 3 technology. It is just 7.9 mm thick and is still slimmer than the 8.6 mm thick Galaxy SIII. In terms of weight, S4 measures 130 grams compared to the Galaxy S III, which weighs 133 grams.

At the back, Samsung Galaxy S4 has a 13 megapixel camera with LED flash, autofocus and zero shutter lag features. This camera is capable of recording full HD videos and clicking high quality images. There is also a front facing camera capable of clicking high quality self portraits and video.
For connectivity, the Galaxy S4 has high speed WiFi support, Bluetooth 4.0 and infrared LED for remote control. The Samsung Galaxy S4 runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean with a layer of the latest Nature UX as part of TouchWiz UI.

MUST NEEDED 10 BEST GADGETS

#10 Apple TV

Apple TV gives you access to everything you want to see and hear — blockbuster movies, TV shows, your music and photos, even live sports — right on your TV. You can even access purchased TV shows and photos.

#9 Kindle 2

This e-book uses wireless connectivity to enable users to shop for, download, browse, and read e-books, newspapers, magazines, blogs, and other digital media.

#8 Tivo

TiVo the world's first Smart DVR. It brings the best entertainment from cable and the web together in one place, with one remote and one simple search across everything. The result? A truly Brilliant TV experience that only TiVo can deliver.

#7 Apple MacBook or MacBook Air

The new MacBook Air is faster and more powerful than before, yet it's still incredibly thin and light. It's everything a notebook should be. And more.

#6 Flip Camcorder

Shoot and share all your favorite memories as they happen with the sleek and fun to use Flip Video Camcorders. Capture high quality videos anytime.

#5 Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS

The Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS System combines form and function. This combination running partner and personal trainer is designed for athletes of all levels. It features a high-sensitivity GPS receiver, new courses feature, and robust ANT wireless heart rate monitor for optimal performance. The GPS tracks your every move and the heart device monitors your heart rate, speed, distance, pace and calories burned so you can train smarter, more effectively.

#4 Dr Dre Heaphones

Experience music the way the artist wants you to. Beats high definition headphones are precision engineered to reveal the full sound of today's digital music including the most sonically demanding rock, hip hop and R&B. With advanced speaker design, powered amplification, and active noise canceling, Beats delivers all the power, clarity, and deep bass today's top artists and producers want you to hear.

#3 Logitech Harmony One

The color touch screen and sculpted buttons, organized into logical zones with backlighting, give you easy, one-touch access to your home entertainment – even in the dark. Just one press and you're watching a DVD or your favorite TV channel. It's rechargeable so you won't need to worry about buying new batteries. With support for more than 5,000 brands, you can control home entertainment devices that you own today or will buy tomorrow.

#2 iPhone

An iPhone can function as a video camera, a camera phone, a portable media player, and an Internet client with email and web browsing capabilities, can send texts and receive visual voicemail, and has both Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity.

#1 iPad 2

The iPad 2 is the second generation of the iPad. It serves primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games and web content, and is available in black or white.

Best Apps of the Week

It was an interesting week in mobile with Samsung officially showing off its Galaxy Gear smartwatch. It’s easy to get wrapped up in announcements like this as they appear to move technology forward, or at least in a somewhat new direction. But even if the Galaxy Gear and other wearable tech take off like the makers of the devices hope, they still need killer apps to really sell the service. Before you get carried away by the new wave of tech, load up your current mobile devices with the best apps and updates of the week. We’ve collected our favorites for you.

AVG Privacy Fix (iOS and Android, free)

You have your fingerprints all over the web, mostly thanks to social networks. But those social networks can sometimes be social about your information with other services that you might not know about. AVG Privacy Fix acts as the auditor of your social network presence. Check out what your current privacy settings are and have your options explained, get alerts for potential security risks, keep track of changing policies that may affect your information, and more. AVG Privacy Fix clogs the leaks in the dam that holds all your personal information.

LinkedIn update (iOS, free)

Speaking of social networks, the one designed for professional business-type people just got an update to its iOS app. LinkedIn for iOS now allows potential employers to view skill endorsements on your mobile profile so they can see what you’re good at and who will vouch for you. For users who are looking for work, the update also makes the process of applying for jobs through LinkedIn even easier, turning it into a one-touch process when applicable. 

Hill Bill (iOS, $2)

 

Even the most introverted and unadventurous of people has probably dreamed of being able to do some sort of extreme activity. For the title character of this game, that activity is performing amazing motorcycle stunts a la Evel Knievel. He grabs a motorcycle from a garage sale and some plywood and starts trying to make his dream happen. With your help, he’ll progress through over 60 levels, completing challenges and stunts along the way that will allow him to upgrade his ride and his outfit. By the end, you’ll be performing stunts daredevils have only dreamed of doing.

Step Away (iOS, $2)

Usually, mobile apps serve as a convenience or a distraction for us, but every now and then there’s an app that sets out to perform some good for its users. Step Away falls under that category. It aims to help people with a drinking problem release their crutch and move toward a fresh start on life. It puts all the tools of recovery right in the hands of the user, providing them with strategies for changing their drinking habits and feedback to help them stay on course. In its pilot study, Step Away proved to be an effective method in curbing heavy drinking. If you have a drinking problem or know someone who does, Step Away can provide much needed help and support.

Swiftkey update (Android, $4)

Everyone’s favorite keyboard for Android recently received an update that will likely only solidify it as your choice for default keyboard input method on your device. Included in the update to Swift Key is the addition of cloud support, giving users the ability to back up their settings and history. The app’s method of learning your typing trends has also been improved so you can expect the already excellent predictiveness of the app to be better than ever, picking up on words as you slide across the keys. 

Polyhegrams (Windows Phone, $1.50)

 

You know what we don’t have enough of yet? Mobile word games. Okay, so the genre is a little bloated at this point, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t include one that is still fun and worthwhile. Polyhegrams is just that. This word game consists of 3D puzzles that you’ll have to solve with your vocabulary as well as with your dexterity. You can play solo and see how many puzzles you can solve on your own, or head to the multiplayer arena and take on multiple opponents at the same time to prove your skills.

Syllable (iOS, $1)

We love apps like Instapaper and Pocket because they show us all of the great stories and articles that are spread across the web, waiting for us to consume them. The problem is there’s so many of them and seeing your queue on your reading apps get backed up can become overwhelming. Syllable may be able to help you out with this predicament. It takes your saved articles from Instapaper and Pocket and uses them to help you learn how to read faster. Increase your reading pace and do it with the stories you wanted to read anyway, it’s the perfect solution.

PayPal update (iOS and Android, free)

PayPal is still the go to solution for commerce on the web. Fittingly, it’s continuing to improve its mobile presence as more and more Web traffic comes from mobile devices. In what it calls its “biggest update yet,” the PayPal apps for iOS and Android received the ability to pay for items in physical stores. Now your digital PayPal account can pay for things you’re buying in person. The apps work in select stores and restaurants. The apps also get a new design that gives them a more modern look, and users will receive offers from the app while on the go. 

Simon the Sorcerer (Android, $4)

 

We always like to talk about how far technology has come in such a short period of time but when it comes to gaming, sometimes its fun to revisit the past. There’s a charm to it that isn’t so much there when you look at an old word processing program. That’s why games like Simon the Sorcerer, a point-and-click adventure game from the DOS era, have found new life on mobile devices. Duplicating the look and feel of the classic point-and-click style games but using your finger instead of the mouse, Simon the Sorcerer lets you experience one of the best adventure games around.

Amazon to offer free smartphones without a contract

Reported by former Wall Street Journal reporter Jessica Lessin and reporter Amir Efrati this week, Amazon is currently working on a new smartphone that could end up being completely free to consumers. Different than the majority of smartphone contract deals, Amazon doesn’t want to require the user to sign up for a two-year contract. Likely similar to the design of the Amazon Kindle HD tablet line, the Amazon smartphone software would route all movie, television, music, book and magazine purchases through Amazon similar to Google Play on Android and iTunes on the Apple iPhone.

Hypothetically, Amazon could also require users to purchase a yearly subscription to Amazon Prime before getting access to the free smartphone. That would also be beneficial to the smartphone owner as Amazon Prime includes access to free streaming video on Amazon Instant Video as well as a free book rental each month through the Kindle Lending Library. It’s also likely that Amazon would send users into the same application store that’s available on the Amazon Kindle Fire tablets in order to purchase and download premium third party applications.

Amazon’s ability to pull off this type of aggressive move to enter the smartphone market will require agreements with hardware suppliers as well as partnerships with the main mobile carriers to provide wireless access on the Amazon smartphone. If Amazon is successful with this plan, the company could steal a significant amount of market share from smartphone manufacturers like Samsung and Apple.

Conversely, if Amazon enters the market with a $200 smartphone under a two-year contract, there’s very little incentive for smartphone users to switch from their current phone to a new smartphone that’s tied to Amazon’s content ecosystem. For example, someone that’s invested hundreds of dollars in App Store content on the iPhone simply isn’t going to switch over for the same deal with Amazon.

In addition to taking a percent of revenue on third party applications sold through an Amazon mobile application store, the retail giant could also make up the cost on each Amazon smartphone by displaying digital advertisements. Similar to Kindle devices with Special Offers, Amazon could constantly display advertisements on the phone upon start-up unless the user paid an additional fee to remove the ads.  

Regarding the software, the Amazon smartphone would utilize the same open-source version of Android OS used to power the Kindle Fire tablets. This custom version of the Android software doesn’t offer access to any of the traditional Google applications, thus Amazon would have to expand its collection of core applications to accommodate smartphone users. 

While Amazon has reportedly been working on a new smartphone ever since the release of the first Kindle Fire tablet, there’s no indication that the Amazon smartphone will be announced or released this year. When contacted about this report, an Amazon representative declined to comment to Lessin. However Amazon is expected to announce new Kindle Fire HD models this year, likely occurring within the next 45 days in order to release the new models prior to the start of the 2013 holiday shopping season. 

How to Repair a Broken Screen on a Tablet or Phone

                         
Does the glass on your mobile device sport more cracks than a frozen lake in springtime? Never fear -- this is a repair you can handle yourself. It's actually quite easy, and cheap, to replace the glass once you get the hang of it. I've replaced a few touchscreens on my roughly handled devices and found that tablet and phone construction both rely on the same basic concepts.

       

Breaking the screen on your mobile device doesn't have to mean a brand new, expensive bit of kit. It's actually quite easy, and cheap, to replace the glass once you get the hang of it. A tablet touchscreen can cost about US$50 if you perform the work.

I've replaced a few touchscreens on my roughly handled devices and found that tablet and phone construction both rely on the same basic concepts.

This is how to approach it.

First, get familiar with the makeup of your device. The construction is loosely the same across devices and generally includes a back cover, motherboard-containing frame, LCD-containing chassis, LCD, front frame or bezel, and the touch-sensitive glass sandwich -- which is called a digitizer.

Tools that you'll need include miscellaneous small screwdrivers, a heat gun, scissors, double-sided adhesive tape, canned air, work gloves and two dinner-table bowls to keep screws from getting lost.

Replacement digitizers can be obtained from auction sites like eBay.

The Teardown

Step 1: Remove the device's back cover and pull the main battery.

Step 2: Loosen any stuck-on cabling that is now exposed, like the camera cable, for example. Then remove cables if the clasps are exposed. These cables simply slide out of any exposed sockets after clasps are released.

Tip: The tape-style cables are often held onto the frame and parts by adhesive, so tug gently to release.

Step 3: Unscrew the Phillips or Torx screws that hold the motherboard-containing back frame to the LCD-containing chassis and place the screws in a bowl for safe-keeping.

Tip: There can be lots of screws here -- my Toshiba tablet has 14.

Step 4: Separate the back frame from the chassis by gently and carefully pulling the two apart.

Tip: Perform a visual check for any hidden, unremoved screws if you detect resistance. Look for any hidden cables that connect the glass to the LCD-containing chassis and remove if necessary.

Step 5: Remove any further cable assemblies that have become exposed by the separation of parts.

Tip: Maintain visual cues as to which cable to reattach where. For example, place them on the work surface face-up in the order of removal.

Step 6: Remove the LCD-containing chassis from the front frame or bezel and glass assembly by unscrewing a second batch of screws.

Store the second set of screws in a second bowl. Remove any further parts such as the camera.

Tip: Don't touch the LCD face.

Step 7: Separate the existing, damaged glass from the bezel or front frame by waving the heat gun over the adhesive join and pulling apart. Wear gloves here because you will further break the glass.

Tip: Be patient while the heat gun loosens the adhesive and be careful not to break the bezel or front frame while removing the glass -- you will need the bezel intact.

Replacing the Screen

Step 1: Attach fresh two-sided tape to areas of the bezel that have lost their stickiness. Use the existing adhesive where possible. Don't allow tape to overlap the visual part of the glass.

Step 2: Look for any foam padding or seals and reattach.

Step 3: Thread the digitizer cable and remount the new digitizer glass to the bezel by firmly pressing it into place. Then remove any dust from the LCD and glass with canned air.

Tip: Do not touch the inside of the glass -- you won't be able to get rid of the fingerprints after assembly.

Finally, Reassemble

Reattach any parts, like the camera. Then reassemble chassis, frame and so on, in order.

You may have to assemble and disassemble a couple of times because the two sets of screws use similar holes. It's easy to insert the initial set of screws into the wrong holes. You'll only know you've done that when the second set won't fit because you've already used the hole.

Tip: Look for solid connections when attaching cables. Ensure that the clasps are open first. Usually the up position is open.

In general, firm snaps indicate a good assembly. Always reapply any existing metallic tape. Count the screws. If you have any left over, backtrack.

Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 review

Please turn off all electronic devices, the flight crew instructs as we approach Los Angeles. With a small phone, I might have gotten away with ignoring safety regulations. Samsung's new Galaxy Mega 6.3 phone was too conspicuous for that.

The Mega shouldn't even be called a phone, if it weren't for the fact that it makes phone calls. With a screen measuring 6.3 inches (16 centimeters) diagonally, the Mega is more like a small Android tablet computer. It shares the tablet's advantages in showing more detail in photos and video. Text is larger and easier to read, too.

That doesn't make the Mega practical, though.

As a phone, it's huge. It doesn't fully fit in the pocket of my jeans, and it sometimes pokes at my stomach when sitting. It doesn't feel comfortable in my hands. I'm unable to grip it tightly because it's so wide, so I feel as if it's going to slip out of my hands. Without that grip, I also feel that it'll be easy for a thief to snatch it away.

A friend jokingly said that it was bigger than her head as she held it up to her ear. A cousin called it ridiculous. A co-worker pointed out that cellphones used to be big, too - in the 1970s.

It could have been worse.

Samsung's Galaxy Note 8.0 tablet has an 8-inch (20.3-centimeter) screen, its diagonal length just a quarter larger than the Mega's. But the tablet is about twice the size of the Mega, in part because it has a thick frame. With the Mega, the screen stretches close to the edge, keeping the overall device relatively slim. Held on its side like a movie screen, the Mega is about as wide as a dollar bill, but slightly taller.

AT&T Inc. is selling the Mega for $150 with a two-year service contract, or $480 without one. By contrast, smaller phones such as Apple's 4-inch (10-centimeter) iPhone 5 and Samsung's 5-inch (12.7-centimeter) Galaxy S4 typically go for $200 with a contract and more than $600 without.

The Mega also costs just half of AT&T's contract price for Samsung's 5.5-inch (14-centimeter) Galaxy Note 2. It's like getting a bigger screen for less. The Mega is only a tad heavier - at 7 ounces (198 grams), compared with 6.4 ounces (181 grams) for the Note 2. (Samsung is expected to announce the Note 3 in Berlin on Wednesday evening.)

The Mega is also coming to Sprint and U.S. Cellular. Dates and prices haven't been announced.

Although I don't see myself using the Mega, I can see its appeal to those who are willing to carry along a tablet computer but don't want to carry a second device - the phone.

The Mega gives you many of the benefits of tablets. With the larger screen, I can read small print on websites without zooming in, and I make fewer mistakes when trying to click on buttons and links. For ebooks, I get a screen size that feels closer to a paperback. I see slightly more content when checking email or Facebook. I don't see a whole lot more, though. Typically, text and images simply get larger to fill out the additional screen space.

Some Android apps have been adapted to take advantage of the tablet's larger screen, but for the ones I checked, apps appear on the Mega as they would on other phones. With the Foursquare social network, for instance, a map showing nearby friends and venues is squeezed into a rectangular banner at the top when held vertically. On tablets, the map is allowed to fill out the entire right half of the display.

It's a shame that the display isn't sharper. The resolution is 233 pixels per inch, compared with 441 for the Galaxy S4 and 326 for the iPhone 5. Video looks dull on the Mega by comparison.

And fans of the Note might be disappointed with the Mega. Although the Mega has a larger screen, it doesn't come with a stylus, something the Note is known for.

I am impressed by the Mega's battery life. Despite the larger screen, which uses more energy, the Mega outlasted Samsung's flagship phone, the S4, in streaming video on Netflix. I got nearly six hours on the Mega, compared with nearly five hours on the S4. The Mega is packed with a larger, higher-capacity battery - something the S4 couldn't have because of its size.

As with other Samsung phones, the Mega comes with an array of Samsung apps, including ones for translating text, taking notes and controlling a TV by turning the phone into a remote control. There's also an easy mode with limited options for first-time smartphone users, plus ways to perform tasks without actually touching the phone. Some of these features can be useful. Others are gimmicky or duplicate what comes standard with other phones running Google's Android system.

I decided to use the Mega to finish reading the ebook "Up in the Air" near the end of my flight to Los Angeles. I figured it was fitting given that its main character spends his life racking up frequent flier miles on planes. But a flight attendant spotted it on my lap and said, "You can turn that off now, please."

Busted.

About 20 minutes later, we landed. I called my brother to pick me up at the airport. For that, I used the smaller iPhone 5.The Mega remains a novelty that will appeal to people who primarily want a tablet and make few calls. For everyone else, small is the way to go.