Stiftung Warentest is a German based consumer group. When you have an expensive electronic gadget that is not working the way it is supposed to, then it is just natural that consumer groups would step in for the purchasing masses; and there are a lot of people who bought the iPhone 4. In fact, it was reported that within just three days of sales, Apple sold about 1.7 million iPhone 4 smart phones all over the world. And it has been more than three weeks since then.

If the research that Stiftung Warentest is to be used as a basis, then that means there are at least a couple of million iPhone handsets that have antenna issues. This is because the problem is not really a faulty antenna, but with the actual phone design that fails to keep the antenna away from human touch. In fact, the antenna is so exposed that the signal strength drops to a ridiculously low number when touched.

To give a more logical comparison, most phones lose about 10% to 20% of their signal strength when touched in a regular way. Some can be made to choke out on network signal up to more than 50%. The Apple iPhone, even when touched just slightly on the exposed portion, will lose about 90% of the total signal strength.

With this, it is now wonder that people complain about dropped calls on the iPhone. The handset truly lacks any form of provisions or hardware features that would prevent users from accidentally touching the exposed portion. It is ironic how the iPhone 4 seems to be the iPhone killer that competitors have been waiting for. This is an otherwise impressive handset that has been beset by a major design flaw.

In the meanwhile, current iPhone 4 owners may choose to avail of Apple’s free bumper casing offers by downloading the official app.

While it may sound like some top secret plan to create super weapons, Project JAL is actually Orange Mobile’s new plan to develop an Android smart phone that carries their brand. Overall, the new handset design is not bad, it looks a lot like the ZTE Blade –for good reason too; apparently the phone will be manufactured by ZTE.

In terms of specs, the Project JAL: handset will definitely be a low end device. The most important factor is that the phone still sports very practical specs. If all you need to have is a decent smart phone that comes with all the basic features but is still friendly to the budget, then this is going to be a great start.

Of course, price is going to be the big determining factor here. And with estimates on the handset ranging from 100 to only 150 GBP, it is likely that this phone will get plenty of basic 2G users to shift up to 3G.

The screen is a nice big 3.5 inch OLED display –which is already quite big for this kind of handset. No QWERTY keyboard means that the virtual touch screen keyboard will be the main user interface and of course, the screen follows WGA standards (this means viewing content on landscape mode is going to be quite a familiar experience for existing smart phone users).

Other features will include GPS (expect location based apps and features), Bluetooth, WiFi, and of course, access to the Android Market and possibly, Orange’s own app store as well.

Switching over to Orange Mobile may not be such a great plan for some, but for those who want to try out something new and are having their current contracts expire in the next few months, this is a great smart phone and network to switch to.

Many might remember the classic Disney live action science fiction film Tron, the movie was famous for its (then) high end special effects and the (also then) intense, high speed light cycle matches. While several games over the years have tried to recreate the experience and the intensity of the movie, very few have come close. For the Google Android, an early game by the name of Light Cycle 3D by Battery Powered Games comes pretty close.

The game itself comes in full 3D, with lighting and graphics that matches the style and feel of the classic movie. While the title itself is not an official Disney product, it still brings plenty of the original spirit that has made Tron quite famous.

The game itself is simple, players steer a light cycle in a grid around a walled arena and blaze a large laser wall in their trail. This trail will stay up for the whole round. The point of the game is to force opponents into a wall while avoiding the walls that the opponents have made.

It is simple and easy at low speeds, but at higher difficulties and faster speeds, Light Racer can prove to be quite a challenge. In terms of controls, all cycles move at a similar speed, which makes the combat more of strategic steering than a race. With the only available controls being to turn left or right, players are made to face the challenging reality of this game early on.

In terms of graphics, this Google Android game is pretty top notch. Even on a low spec G1 handset, Light Ricer 3D runs are a pretty decent space. While having to tap the screen with a finger will obscure your peripheral vision, the overall gameplay is satisfying and fulfilling. According to the developer, version 1.2 of this impressive app is already available on the Android Market.

Sonic the Hedgehog has been a video game icon since his debut on the Sega Mega Drive. When Sega decided to stop making consoles, fans thought that the Sonic franchise would be neglected as well. On the contrary, the Japanese company decided to release Sonic in many different platforms such as the Nintendo Wii.

Although it is far from forgotten, the blue blur has not had the exposure it needs to win the hearts of the gaming masses again. Thankfully, Sega decided to make good with their promise to bring Sonic the Hedgehog to the iPhone. This was confirmed when Sega decided to give chosen journalists a sneak peek during the E3 game convention held at Los Angeles.

This specific title will be a multi platform release. Aside from Apple’s iPhone, it will also grace the Nintendo Wii, Sony Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. The story arc follows the one in Sonic and Knuckles which was released for the Sega Mega Drive. It will bring plenty of familiar elements such as the horizontal scrolling game play. This project is being lead by the Sonic Rush (Nintendo DS) franchise developer “Dimps” in cooperation with the Sonic Team.

Sega’s current goal is to polish the game controls to make it just the combination of touch and tilt. A virtual directional pad reminiscent of a console game controller is also provided for accuracy.

Since the retro style is kept intact and the game retains its distinct flavor, Sonic’s old fans will really have something to look forward to. Those new to the game will most likely find it enjoyable as well, seeing as there are few games on the iPhone resembling the title.

Sega did give their word that they will not compromise so the amount of content in the handheld versions will be at par with the console releases.

Yet another approval issue has been raised with regards to the Apple App Store. It is from a developer who has not heard from Apple for almost two months (56 days to be exact). This pulled the stops on the developer’s app update, only this time, it is a voluntary one.

“So now, we’re doing you a favor. We’re pulling Appsfire v1.0 so that you don’t have to.”

The iPhone app being referred to is Appsfire, an app discovery system which lets users get recommendations based on their existing app library. Using the program, users will be able to rate, write reviews and view other users’ downloaded and recommended apps.

According to the Appsfire team, the server demand for their creation is so much more than they could handle so they need to replace the current program with the updated one, with much needed improvements to cope with the excess data streams collected.

The developers have apparently submitted the update for review, but Apple has failed to respond to any and every medium the team has exhausted. This includes calls, emails as well as “high level contacts”. According to the Appsfire team’s blog, there were no issues regarding app approval during this period of time which lead them to believe that Apple is forcing them out of the Store by leaving their update in limbo.

The team has also blamed the iPhone maker for the SDK terms of service revision. Even though Apple has previously allowed their app in the Store, the developers believe that they are being shut down with the use of a waiting game.

This may take a while to get resolved, after all, Apple may not see the need for such an app due to their own Genius recommendation system. In the meantime, jail broken devices may be able to get the update in a sharing site.

While developers might not be too happy that the Android market is well known for its wide range of free applications (they do need to make a profit after all, making apps and games costs money), end users will always enjoy being able to access useful features that will not require them to spend a single pence.

With the World Cup fast approaching, it certainly helps being able to rely on your Android smart phone for all the big updates. Choosing an app, however, can be pretty tough, with the thousands of choices available on the App store, figuring out which one to go for can be tough. So here is a quick list of our most recommended Android applications that will keep you on top of all the big news updates for the World Cup.

First off, the World DroidCup -this is one of the best tools we have found when it comes to getting all the big highlights. Do not expect long news updates however, the DroidCup focuses more on the numbers and statistics, providing users with updated tables and match results. It is the perfect app to use when you only have a few minutes to spare and cannot afford to take in the long news articles found in other websites. As expected, this app is free to download so you can get it now.

Another free app that we recommend is the EvriThing World Cup. The name may sound odd, but the app is absolutely fantastic. It gives users a running thread of news updates and match highlights. The app itself uses very little images and other content so loading is fast and smooth. As you might expect, all the articles on the site are updated by the moment, providing users with a unique insight to the matches as they happen.

Though it was not initially intended for gaming, the iPhone has gotten a significant chunk of the casual gaming crowd to switch over to Apple’s side of the revenue pie. Why has it become such a popular gaming device? Well for starter, there are many casual game apps readily available in the Apple App Store.

Anyone can just switch games on the fly as long as they have the credits to buy it. Games are cheaper too, as compared to their Nintendo DS or Sony PSP counterparts. And lastly, the iPhone has more uses than a dedicated portable gaming device, which makes it all the more appealing to the casual crowd.

Since the iPhone 4 was announced, people have speculated on its various on board technologies. The gaming community held its breath as Apple unveiled a control sensor that could significantly change gaming on the go.

Much like the Wii Motion Plus’ control sensor, the new iPhone will sport a three axis gyroscope that will work hand in hand with the existing accelerometer on the device. This will allow for precision based controls that need feedback such as the rate of rotation, angular velocity and user acceleration. Potentially it could be used for driving simulation games or even first person shooters.

The iPhone 4 will be the missing link between the Wii Motion Plus that has only a tuning fork gyroscope (two axis) and the Playstation 3’s Sixaxis or Dual Shock 3 motion controls.

Gaming on the iPhone may just affect the existing market in a big way. While the Nintendo DS attracts kids of all ages, the iPhone has a bigger reach and a better appeal to those who really have the money to spend. That could mean that portable gaming will move from the niche crowd to the mainstream with the inclusion of connectivity elements. Microsoft may be the next big player with their upcoming Windows Phone 7.

You might not be able to determine what the iPhone app does from the way its name sounds, but that is understandable considering the fact that not a lot of apps can do what it does. “Pzizz” is actually a sleep inducing app that helps tired minds and bodies relax naturally with the use of sounds. Think of it as your automatic sheep counter.

The actual app makes use of a blend of sound files. These sound files are divided into teeny tiny parts which consist of voice recordings, ambient sounds and soothing music. Those are further divided into sub categories that get randomly selected whenever a Pzizz session is started. The good part about it is that these blend seamlessly into a tune that is able to keep your brain zoned in and relaxed.

There are two types of the Pzizz app. One is the Pzizz Sleep which helps induce a longer, deeper period of rest. Pzizz Energizer is designed to give you a short burst of snooze time by waking you up after a set period via alarm clock. These two may not totally cure your sleep disorder but at least it may keep it to a minimum. Either way, the iPhone app constantly gets good user reviews due to its effectiveness. The iPhone version is the latest release of the app but it has already gotten much success with its Windows and MAC versions respectively.

All in all, it is definitely worth a try if you ever want to have a say in your sleep pattern. For insomniacs, this may be an inexpensive alternative to all the pillow and environmental changes you have to go for. It is also quite the curative for those who just need to keep themselves attentive during their work period. Just launch the app, sleep for a couple of minutes and be at top shape afterward.

If there is one thing that is really interesting about the new age of app and game development, it in how much room for experimentation there is.

Before, game developers could not afford to just play around while making games. There are plenty of game producers who had great ideas, but innovation was stifled by high productions costs. During a time when game distribution was limited solely to actually producing floppy disk/CD installers, there was no room for making games that were not certified to make a profit –and even then, there were plenty of games that still flopped.

However, the emergence of the internet, better data transfer speeds and impressive hardware on smart phones have encouraged the growth of a new industry; the app market. Apple and Google are benefitting a lot from this business model, and many small companies are poised to earn plenty by coming up with plenty of downloadable games –thanks to the internet and smart phones, micro-transactions has become the lifeblood of many development companies and individual developers.

Now, developers are able to create games that are more than just money-making programs, there are plenty of developers who are trying out genres that could not be delved into before and surprisingly; there is also money to be made with simple artistic games.

While the hardcore gaming market has also been a strong influence for the demand for the creation of games with artistic value or genuine depth, it is the app markets on smart phones that have provided the financial foundation for this new era of artistic mini-games.

This development has also become a stepping stone for many small game companies. Thanks to app markets, developers can now have their works made and noticed –and some of the best success stories end with tie ups with major developers such as Sony.

There is no doubt that the field of personal electronics is one of the largest earning industries in the world; with millions of mobile phones being manufactured, there is a definite need to own and have what is generally conceived to be a personalized handset. Of course, handset manufacturers are laboring hard each day to create new smart phones that will even have more customizable features.

Innovation is not always up to the phone manufacturers alone. Companies such as Qualcomm also play an important part in shaping the industry as well. In fact, the company that is known for the Snapdragon CPU is now back working on creating faster CPUs and has already achieved what could potentially be the new industry standard; the first new Snapdragon processor that will be running at 1.2 GHz.

The current industry standard is 1GHz. And while 0.2 is not all that large a number, the change in speed is a significant boost. Thanks to this, more mobile devices will be able to handle resource intensive apps better, have better loading times and of course, push the limit to the kinds of apps that can be played in a single smartphone.

The processor is not the only part getting an update. The touch screen display technologies for smart phones are also being improved with each passing day. Several manufacturers are focused on creating new ways to achieve a better 3D effect while others focus on technologies that make use of super thin flexible screens that could serve as a major catalyst that changes how mobile phones are designed and manufactured.

Battery life is also a serious issue, but as Apple and Asus has shown, it is possible to have a good product and still maintain a good power management setup –the iPad and the Asus Eee products has shown that there are commercial viable devices that can last for over 10 hours when in use. Intel also promised the same thing with their new Atom processor.