You can use your Android-powered mobile smartphone as a wireless hotspot for multiple devices while continuing to use standard phone features, such as making and receiving calls or sending and receiving text messages. Most mobile phone providers require an additional data plan to use your phone as a mobile hub/hotspot/router.

Agreed; that you might be put off even starting this process because you think that Android phones are still considerably expensive, well they have been on the market for long enough now that you can find some great deals. If you visit a price comparison site like uSwitch, then you can search for great android phone deals. Once you have bought yourself a cool new Android smartphone, turning it into a wireless hub wouldn’t be much of a hassle. Read on…

How to Turn Your Android Smartphone Into a Wireless Hotspot?

The steps to enable the mobile hotspot on your phone will vary depending on the device.  Here is how you set up your phone as a wireless hub…

First You Need to Tether

There are many ways you can tether your phone to your personal PC, laptop or Mac. However they may require adapting advanced settings on your Android device; we won’t be advising that. The advice we will give means downloading some Android apps (programs) directly on to your phone and changing a few basic settings.

Step-by-Step Tutorial on How to Use PDAnet App to Turn Android Phone Into a Wireless Router

You need to start by opening up the Android Market and looking for an application called PDANet. This is free of charge, so download it straight on to your phone. The latest version of PDAnet turns your Android  (any version) into a true WiFi HotSpot so that you can connect from your computer (MAC or PC) or iPads. This allows your laptop to go online wirelessly through the 2G/3G/4G network on the Android Phone.

And the best part? PDAnet supports USB/Bluetooth DUN and it does not require a tether plan or rooting. At just one click, PdaNet instantly shares the Internet access of your Android phone with your computer. It does NOT require root access or hacking your phone’s firmware. It works on all Android phones.

When you have it installed, you need to get the accompanying program to your personal computer. Make sure you select the right one for your PC, which should be clearly labelled. The program will be in several versions , so best to get the most recent, if your computer supports this.

Then you just need to change one setting on your phone. Start at the home screen, then hit the Menu key and go to settings. Then go to Applications, then to Development. The next step is to hit USB debugging. Then finally hit OK on the confirmation dialog box.

Now the PdaNet app should stream information straight from your android to your computer. To protect yourself, you should disallow that USB debugging setting whenever it is not in use.

Then you need to start the connection. To do this, make sure you phone is plugged into the USB plug on your computer. Start the PdaNet app on your android and hit the Enable USB Tether setting. The app will check for the PC equivalent, that you have already installed.

It will then let you know that it is operating in the background. Then you need to look on your computer, and look for the PdaNet setting, right click on this and hit Connect from the menu.

You should now have confirmation that you are connected and your PC should be running through your phone. That’s it! You can now use your Android phone’s data plan to connect your PC or Mac to the internet — FREE of cost. And yes, the PdaNet app also has another option ‘Enable Bluetooth DUN’. If you have Bluetooth then you could always connect without wireless and use this option instead.

But before we proceed with the technical features, full specifications and screen size etc, let me warn you — The Samsung Galaxy S III design is ugly. You have a first look at it and you will start wondering, “how did something like this ever make it out of Samsung’s design studio?” Don’t get me wrong; specs wise the S III is still a great smartphone that we have ever seen but megapixels and gigabytes don’t mean anything if they’re not wrapped up in a decent package, so is the Samsung Galaxy S 3 a worthy successor to the much-loved Galaxy S 2? Lets find out…

Galaxy S III Design

This rounded-corner design that was first seen in Galaxy S I and later dropped in the S II has now returned in the new Galaxy S III. With more rounded edges and a plastic form factor it might not be a design that many hard-core smartphone fans are going to find attractive.

Where Samsung falls behind its direct competitor is in the actual feel of the phone. Although the sides of the white Galaxy S III and the front of the dark blue version both sport a brushed metal look, they’re made out of good old plastic. Alas, as much as we wished Samsung would move away from cheap-feeling (if sturdy) materials, the GS III is just keeping up with tradition.

However, the distinctive metallic rim is seen around the phone’s edges, consistent with rest of the Samsung Galaxy flagship models. But it is disappointing not to have screen-embedded buttons in the S III, as it would have made an excellent addition to the device. Samsung has said the Galaxy S III design was inspired by nature, with its minimal and organic look that is reflected by its smooth and non-linear lines of the device. However, I’m not entirely sure  if consumers are going to agree to that!

Samsung Galaxy S III Hardware Specs

The handset official specs include a super large display screen with 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display with a 720p resolution (1,280×720 pixels), HSPA+ connectivity, an 8-megapixel camera, 2,100mAh removable battery, as well as a quad-core Exynos processor. It runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich as its operating system, and will come in two color options: blue or white.

Samsung has also made its 2,100mAh battery removable, and the handset will come in three storage capacities: 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB (this latter size won’t be immediately available). In addition, it has a microSD card slot for up to another 64GB of storage. The handset will have 1GB RAM for running applications.

Like the S II, the S III will feature an 8-megapixel camera and it also sports a “select your best shot” feature after taking multiple shots. The 8-megapixel camera on the new Samsung phone is integrated better than on the One X: it sits flush with the back of the phone instead of protruding from it.

Galaxy S III Release Date

On May 29th, the Samsung Galaxy S III will be available to buy and will launch in 145 countries in partnership with 296 wireless carriers, with the 3G HSPA+ version set to launch in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East in May, while a 4G model will make its debut in the United States, Japan, and Korea later this summer.

Bottom-line

The plastic feeling of the Galaxy S3 won’t appeal to all. It feels very lightweight (despite tipping the scales at 133g) in the hand, and some people will read this as feeling a little cheap. Having said that, they did just the same for the Galaxy S II and it’s sales figure was enough to silent any critic. I will be interested to see if I’m proven wrong this time around though.

Overall, the effect is much more like the Samsung Galaxy Nexus than anything else – rounded edges, HD screen and whatnot. When there isn’t any doubt the processor is pretty impressive, however, there is a worry that the quad core 1.4 GHz Exynos CPU could suck battery power a little too dramatically.

But the first ever 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED display screen looks great, the slick operation under the finger is exactly what we wanted and the little touches like the rippling lock screen do actually feel quite natural.

You’ll find some of the most popular handsets available today on our list of the best budget smartphones. And without further ado, here’s our Top 5 List of cheaply-priced smartphones. Do note that we’ve listed the phones in random order.

Samsung Galaxy Ace

One particular smartphone that is rather inexpensive would be the Samsung Galaxy Ace. This Android phone features rounded corners and a dedicated home button. Some compare its look to that of the iPhone. The phone comes with a model 800MHz processor.

It does use the Android Operating System. However, the version is the older 2.2. This is the trade-off for the reduced price. However, the phone is still capable of performing functions you would expect from a smartphone.

LG Optimus Pro

LG Optimus model comes with Android 2.3 Gingerbread and is powered by 800 MHz processor. The display is little bit in the smaller side; 2.8 inches TFT Capacitive touch screen display is used in this phone. The best feature you will find in LG Optimus Pro is QWERTY keyboard. Type Email, SMS fast just like the way you want.

LG Optimus Pro comes with 150 MB of internal storage and micro SD card slot that can house up to 32 GB of memory. A 2GB card is included with the sales pack. Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery comes up with 13 hours of talk time which is really amazing for an Android phone.

HTC Radar

HTC’s Radar is another budget friendly smartphone. This phone comes with the Windows Phone Operating System. The phones with the Hub and weather app that is standard on HTC models. It comes with a powerful 1GHz processor with a very appealing price tag.

In addition, HTC Radar comes with great, quality build,  a loud speakerphone, contacts integration is top-notch, keyboard is fantastic and its browser is great and text looks clear.

Nokia’s Lumia 710

Nokia’s Lumia 710 is another budget smartphone. It uses Windows Mango 7.5 and has a 1.4 GHz Snapdragon processor. The screen measures 3.7 inches and uses anti-glare materials. This makes it much easier to read the display screen when out in the sun.

It does come with a camera featuring a resolution of 5 megapixels. LED flash and HD video recording are also possibilities with the Nokia Lumia 710.

BlackBerry Curve 3G

RIM’s BlackBerry Curve smartphones have long been among my favorite devices. They offer the excellent e-mail handling that BlackBerry phones are known for, but in a sleek, curved device that’s appealing to consumers. And the BlackBerry Curve 3G offers all of that, plus 3G connectivity and an affordable price.

However, best smartphones of 2012 are not necessarily cheap. Prices typically are set by the service providers, who offer discounts in order to get you to sign a service contract. It’s usually worth it to sign the contract, as you’ll need a voice and data plan to use the phone, anyway. Just make sure you read the fine print. If you want information on more mobile phone deals that you can check out at www.phones4u.co.uk.

This report demonstrates the vital importance of the relationship which Nokia has built with both Microsoft and Windows Phone, to the continued sales success of the company’s mobile devices, making the launch of these two new phones with the Microsoft developed operating system crucial.

The first of the two new phones that the company is offering the users of Nokia phones is the Lumia 610 NFC, a phone that Nokia is describing in publicity materials as a ‘cheapest smartphone’, retailing at a price of around £160 – which will be available to UK users of Nokia phones from the second half of 2012.

Not only will the Nokia Lumia 610 be the most affordable Nokia Lumia smartphone, it’s also one of the most forward-thinking. It is the first Nokia Lumia, and the first Windows Phone, to feature Near Field Communication (NFC) technology that will soon change the way we all use smartphones.

NFC is a fantastic technology that makes the fiddly things easy, and the easy things even easier. NFC technology has been floating in the background for a while up to now, but thanks to new handsets such as the Nokia Lumia 610 we can expect to hear lots more about NFC in 2012.

The other new phone launched by the company is the Lumia 900, which is an upgraded version of its more high-end smartphone. However the new Lumia 900 utilizes the Symbian operating system which offers possible indications of problems in the relationship between Microsoft and Nokia.

The Nokia Lumia 900′s eye-popping unibody design sets a new direction for smartphone style. Its LTE speeds, vivid 4.3-inch screen, and 8-megapixel camera are high points.

Nokia sorely needs a “superhero smartphone” with the looks, the speeds, the specs, and a price that will hush the doubters. With the Lumia 610 NFC and 900, Nokia proves that it has the ability to compete.

Were these indications accurate that this would be a further blow to Nokia, which saw itself overtaken as the biggest smartphone manufacturer last year, by the smaller rival company Apple.

It was this, combined with the company’s dip in the overall market share for the smartphone area, that saw it decide to practically abandon the Meego and Symbian operating systems used previously in Nokia phones, in favor of a marriage of convenience with Microsoft, that would see Nokia phones using the Windows Phone system.

Check this Gold Plated Nokia Smartphone Oro [World's Costliest Symbian-Powered Smartphone]

Further emphasizing the company’s commitment to this partnership, the newly developed Nokia apps store – Ovi – was integrated with the Windows Phone Marketplace, making any difficulties in this relationship, problematic for Nokia.

Cell Phone Jamming Commuter Disrupts Service On Public Buses

At a point when the world is talking about the future of mobility, this particular man apparently decided he’d had enough with listening to his fellow bus passengers chatter away on their cellphones. But instead of buying himself some noise-canceling headphones or politely asking people to slow down, he decided he’d have to fight back with a hand-held device that jams their cell phone signals.

“I guess I’m taking the law into my own hands. And, quite frankly, I’m proud of it,” the man who calls himself Eric told NBC.  Eric says he doesn’t want to hear people talking on their cell phones in public.  “It’s still pretty irritating and quite frankly it’s pretty rude,” said Eric.

“A lot of people are extremely loud, no sense of just privacy or anything, when it becomes a bother, that’s when I screw on the antenna and flip the switch,” said Eric.

A daily passenger who used to watch Eric freaked out when she saw the man jamming passengers’ cell phones on her bus ride to work. “He’s blatantly holding this device that looks like a walkie-talkie with four very thick antennae. I started to watch him and any time somebody started talking on the phone, he would start pressing the button on the side of the device,” said the passenger who alerted the NBC10 Investigators who went undercover to catch the cell phone vigilante with a hidden camera.

Some will sympathize with Eric’s pain. Not so long ago, a lady was thrown off a train after allegedly talking for 16 hours on her cell phone. Non-stop.

Drexel University’s Dr. Rob D’Ovidio works with cell phone forensics and electronic crime. D’Ovidio says some cell phone jammers are security concerns as they can stop GPS, two-way radios and can even block police radio if they’re close enough. Imagine being in an emergency and a cell phone jammer blocks you from sending a distress call to 911!

“With cell phone jammers you are limiting all types of communication tools that use the radio frequencies. You have the potential to cause a public safety disaster. Cutting off communication by not only our public officials to their dispatch centers but also cutting off the public’s communication to 911 can be a dangerous thing,” said Dr. D’Ovidio.

The jammers emit a special modulated wave that not only interferes with cell phone signals, but also radio frequencies including those used by emergency personnel and police. Under federal law, these devices are illegal to use, own, buy or sell, and doing so could mean jail time and up to $16,000 in fines.

However, Eric, having now reportedly confirmed that his jammer might put him in the slammer, has promised he will destroy his device.

One of the most understated aspects of going with a SIM-based plan, though, is that they allow consumers to go green and support the environment. One of the ways that SIM plans help consumers go green is through mobile phone recycling.

With a SIM-based plan, consumers can reuse a phone, keeping just their SIM card. This allows them to save money in their budget, but it also lets them help save the environment by reducing on electronic waste. Electronic waste is one of the biggest issues facing the environmental community today, so being able to cut back on it is fairly significant.

Every year, 225 million tons of electronic failed devices are produced. Much of this waste goes into landfills, where it sits for years at a time. Mobile phones are a big part of this problem. Every year, out of 150 million phones that consumers get rid of, only 20% are recycled. This means 120 million phones are added to landfills, contributing greatly to the electronic waste problem. By using plans that only use SIM cards, less phones reach the market and that means less reach landfills as well.

Consumers who use SIM card plans can also contribute to saving the environment by sticking to greener phones. Phones that are greener than others include ones that use low amounts of toxic materials, such as PVC, zing, lead or other chemicals. Learn why you should recycle your mobile phone!

These materials are harmful because of how long they take to decompose. By opting for phones with smaller carbon footprints and recycling these phones once they are no longer useful, users of SIM card plans will cut back significantly on environmental waste.

The green benefits involved in using SIM card plans circle back around, as well. Even consumers who aren’t on SIM plans can still sell their old phones. This gives SIM card users an opportunity to get a SIM only plan without having to purchase a new phone at all. The users now have a chance to purchase a great device without paying full retail for it, and they can still recycle the phone when they’re done with it. The benefits of SIM plans trickle down as phones change hands, and the end result is still a reduction in environmental waste.

Even if a phone isn’t modern enough to still be sold, it can still be donated by the owner. Organizations such as the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence or retailers such as Best Buy and Radio Shack offer phone recycling programs. These organizations will take any cell phone and either recycle it or refurbish it. Users of SIM card plans can then purchase the devices that are refurbished, again helping to protect the environment by saving the phone from being tossed aside.

One final way that consumers of SIM card plans can keep technology on the green path is to make their purchases from buyers with environmental initiatives. If a consumer wants to support green companies but doesn’t feel that their current device manufacturer is green enough, he or she can just remove the SIM card from the phone and choose a new manufacturer. Cell phone users can even go green by purchasing a solar charging accessory for their device, cutting back on the amount of unclean energy that goes into powering their devices.

Unfortunately, all of these benefits might disappear at some point. Device manufacturers are strongly leaning in favor of building phones with embedded SIM cards. This would harm the SIM-based market, as well as hurt the ways in which SIM card users can help protect the environment. Anyone purchasing a new cell phone or smartphone is encouraged to go with a SIM-based plan.

Going with these plans helps protect the environment, as well as other benefits such as being able to use the same phone internationally and also having the freedom to change devices. By continuing to use SIM-based plans, consumers can vote with their wallets to let manufacturers know that they support going green through the use of such plans.

From LTE to Windows Phone 7 to gigantic displays, there are a host of new features being brought to the market in the coming months.

1. HTC Titan II

The original HTC Titan was met with favorable reviews. With a massive screen, Windows Phone 7, and HTC’s knack for design, the phone was bound to have a successor. At CES 2012, HTC showed off the Titan II. Still running Windows 7 and bringing several improvements over the original Titan, the Titan II is set to be one of the most cutting edge phones the world has seen when it releases. Specs include:

- 4.7-inch screen
- 16 megapixel camera
- 4G LTE
- Dual-core processor

And no, that’s not a typo. The Titan II’s camera really is going to be 16 megapixels. Between having a massive screen, an incredibly high-resolution camera and LTE support, it’s clear that HTC is doing its best to ensure that the Titan II lives up to its name.

2. Motorola DROID RAZR MAXX

The original DROID RAZR is less than three months old and an upgraded version is already on the way. At first thought, it wouldn’t seem that Motorola could have made many improvements to the original device. And, to a degree, that’s true. Not a whole lot has changed in the RAZR MAXX. But the change that has been made is one that many LTE smartphone owners have begged for, and that’s a bigger battery. Motorola has upped the battery in the RAZR MAXX by over 1,000 mAh while only adding a small amount of thickness to the device. Specs include:

- 4.3-inch screen reinforced with Gorilla Glass
- 3,300 mAh battery
- 1.2 GHz dual-core processor

One of the most frequent complaints regarding LTE smartphones is their low battery life. The RAZR MAXX looks like it’s going to fix this in a big way. A great phone was just made even better.

3. Samsung Galaxy Note

HTC isn’t the only manufacturer going big with their screens. The Samsung Galaxy Note is a variant of the wildly popular Samsung Galaxy S2. The screen size has jumped from 4.3 inches to 5.3 inches, and makes the Note something of a hybrid of a phone and tablet. Its features include:

- 4G LTE
- 8-megapixel camera
- Barometer sensor

4. Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S

The latest Xperia device adds a few intriguing new features. With a Reality Display and 3D Sweep Panorama, Sony certainly has paid attention to the software side of things. The Xperia Arc S is no slouch on the hardware side, either. The device includes:

- 1.4 GHz processor
- HDMI port
- Android 2.3 Gingerbread

5. Nokia Lumia 900

Rounding out the list is another Windows 7 phone. If the HTC Titan II’s display is too large, then the 4.3 inches found on the Lumia 900 might be more fitting. The phone is an upgraded version of the Lumia 800, but that’s not a bad thing at all. It has 4G LTE support and a very impressive camera that’s capable of taking HD video. Like virtually all new smartphones, it also includes a front-facing camera for video chat. Other features include:

- 1.4 GHz dual-core processor
- 16 GB internal storage
- 4.3-inch AMOLED ClearBlack display

Overall, it looks like a terrific device. While there aren’t a lot of Windows 7 devices on the market yet, the Titan II and Lumia 900 should both satisfy Windows fans.

No matter a person’s preference, there are plenty of choices in smartphones and cell phone plans. Between these five devices there’s something for everybody. With all of the phones that have been announced and will be announced, 2012 looks like it will be a very exciting year in the world of smartphones.

Price comparison websites are the best starting point when it comes to finding the electronic gadgets you are after, rather than aimlessly surfing the web or wandering around high street mega-stores like a zombie. There are also popular online blogs for finding gadgets, and a great number of shopping websites where you can easily find the specific gadget and often at a great bargain price.

The first point to bear in mind when looking after precious gadgets like a desktop pc is that they must be handled with some care because, by and large, they tend to be rather fragile. Internal components can become dislodged if the gadget is dropped accidentally, and this may make it inoperable. All such fragile gadgets should be kept in protective cases when not being used.

The question is, how do you take care of your gadgets? You are always using your devices on its full potential. But have you ever thought on how you can handle these properly? If you won’t do it, you will have to spend more changing units year after year. Here are some of the most practical tips on how you can make your gadgets last longer.

1. Protect Your Gadget From Water:

Water is one of the greatest enemies of electronic devices because it is an almost perfect conductor; if a gadget falls into water when it is switched on this can cause its components to short circuit. Water also corrodes metals to varying degrees, so if a mobile phone or other handheld device gets wet it should be wiped dry immediately to prevent the moisture from seeping inside.

2. Clean Your Gadgets As Necessary

Electronic gadgets need to be regularly cleaned as well. Keeping your gadgets clean and dust-free is important, as it may affect its performance.

A soft cloth should be used to wipe any accumulated dirt away, avoiding the use of chemicals and harsh cleaners because these may damage the case. Mild detergent in the water is usually enough; apply with a soft, damp cloth.

3. Protect From Extreme Heat/Cold Exposure:

Extremes of heat and cold should be avoided, as internal components can be irreparably damaged by swings of temperature. If taking them into such extremes cannot be avoided, then they need to be adequately protected in suitable bags and other casings.

4. Keep Your Gadget Away From Food and Drinks:

Many people, including me, work on their table with their computers and other tech stuff while eating or drinking something. This has been very common; however, we should be very careful about this because one small mistake, like accidentally spilling your juice, can damage your gadgets.

To avoid this, put your precious gizmos somewhere safe and make sure that your food and drinks are far enough from your things so even if there’s an accident, you’ll only have to worry about how to clean up the mess.

5. Always Repair Your Gadgets At An Authorized Service Center:

Another problem with electronic devices that cannot be separated from their utility is their sheer complexity, and when they malfunction in some way it is always better to get them looked at by an expert than simply opening the casing and ‘having a go’, which usually just makes matters worse.

If in case your gadgets broke down, don’t bring it to cheap repair centers. In the end, you will be paying more. It would be best if you bring it to well known repair centers. That way, you know that you are putting value on your money.

Bonus Tips: Take Good Care of Gadget’s Battery:

Batteries are a particular cause for concern in things like iPhones, iPads and laptops. Laptops should be left plugged in, which causes less battery strain, and the latest version of the battery should be used with iPads and iPhones. On all devices, check the programs available for extending and optimizing battery life.

Take out adequate insurance on your precious electronic gadgets as a final line of defense against their damage or loss. Many of these devices are quite expensive, and apart from the cost of replacing them there is the loss of irreplaceable data to consider; this should be regularly backed up on various media, such as external hard drives and discs.

I know I haven’t covered everything and there are a lot more things that can be done to protect your gadgets. These are just some basic tips that you can do. How do you take care of your gadgets?

Nokia and Samsung have become fierce competitors in the Indian mobile phone market. On one hand Samsung seem to be beating Nokia in the smartphone segment. Nokia on the other hand still rules the roost in the feature phone segment.

Nokia has recently launched the Asha 300, a touch and type dual sim phone that really takes your breath away(or does it?). Priced at par with Samsung Galaxy Y ( Rs 6709), has Nokia ( Rs 6730) shot itself in the foot or has it delivered yet another masterpiece? What should you buy if you had Rs 7000? Here we try to help you make your choice.

Why to Buy Nokia Asha 300? Dual Sim Advantage

Dual Sims are here to stay. If we look at the recent sales figures of mobiles, dual sim mobiles accounts for more than 54% of the feature phone sales in India. So whether you wish to separate work and play or just have to travel between 2 states constantly, Dual sim is the minimum feature you require.

Dual sim has already taken most of the country by storm and Nokia has lately realized the potential of the Dual sim phenomena. But in the price range of the Nokia Asha 300, are consumers really looking for Dual sim as a USP? With the Dual Sim version of Samsung Galaxy Y slated to hit the Indian shores in 2012, Nokia Asha may find itself losing market share.

Specifications: Nokia Asha is almost a Smartphone

Nokia Asha 300 is no doubt a neatly crafted mobile phone, a sleek, elegant body with a 2.4” resistive touch screen and a regular phone keypad. The phone comes packed with a 5 MP camera that takes breathtaking pictures which Samsung Galaxy Y cannot even dream about with its 2MP camera.

Nokia Asha 300 has faster data rates (10.2mbps HSDPA) than Samsung Galaxy Y( 7.2 mbps HSDPA) and a faster processor (1000Mhz vs Galaxy’s 832 MHz) which will give you a better browsing experience.

Add to this a better battery and more talk time, Nokia does have specification advantage over the Samsung Galaxy Y. Nokia comes with the capability to view higher resolution movies as well as higher PPI which leads to texts and visuals appearing more crisp and clear. Nokia Asha 300 seems more like a smartphone than a feature phone with these features.

Touch and Type Vs. Touch

There are still a few among us who loath the touch screen while typing out texts and messages. Budding romantic couples, young collegians and avid text messengers prefer the feel of a keypad to the touch screen. Nokia has catered perfectly for this segment. Nokia Asha 300 can guarantee you a truly satisfactory messaging experience and has paid greater attention to it with its direct messaging short key right at the center of the phone.

Add to it the social network integration facility, the Nokia Asha 300 is ideal for facebooking, tweeting and checking mails online. Nokia has definitely got the best of both worlds, the touch screen and the keypad complement each other perfectly. Whether there are enough people willing to pay such high prices for just comfortable texting is debatable.

It’s not ghosts,  aliens,  zombies and goblins that Ashley Hurts worries about on Halloween — it’s her 13-year-old son who goes trick or treating with friends this Halloween.

There is no magic age when it’s safe for your kids to go trick or treating alone. But there is a plethora of apps that will allow you to track them, right from your home computer. Yes, that’s right — this Halloween, a crop of geo-location apps can help parents keep tabs on their kids as they roam the neighborhood in search of tricks and treats.

Some of the apps use GPS technology on Smartphones.   Apps include, Mobile-me, family-map and trick-or-tracker. Once the GPS on the phone is activated, you can monitor the kids from your home computer.

Top 5 Mobile Phone Apps to Track Your Trick-or-Treater This Halloween

Latitude is a FREE geo-location based app from Google and allows users to share their locations with selected family and friends. It stores your location history (which is not shared with anyone) and can be used as a standalone app or as an opt-in feature of Google Maps. There are versions of Latitude for Apple mobile devices (including an iPad app), Android-powered gadgets and BlackBerries.

The Trick or Tracker app monitors your child’s location, and notifies you if your child travels outside a pre-set perimeter. It costs $4.99 to download.

The Glympse app allows people to share their location, and you can download it for free. Your child would need to carry a Smartphone and you could track their location from your computer or mobile device.

Lookout wasn’t designed as a person-tracking app; it was created to help people find their lost smartphones or, failing that, at least lock down their data. The way to adapt it to Halloween duty, the Times explains, is to download “the app onto your child’s phone, log in online, click on the “missing device” tab, and locate the phone – and your child.” Lookout works on iPhones, iPads, Androids and BlackBerries.

Footprints is available only for iPhones, iPods and iPads. It requires users to download the app on both the parents’ phones and the children’s (or the trackees). This also means a paid subscription for each download, which is $4.99 each for two years, $2.99 for one year, 99 cents for three months and free for two months.

Something to keep in mind, some of these mobile phone apps are free, but others can be costly. Check with your phone carrier. You don’t need a smart phone for all of the applications.