AT&T Next vs T-Mobile JUMP vs Verizon Edge:  Verizon and AT&T have followed T-Mobile's lead and introduced early-upgrade programs.  These programs may seem to satisfy our need for the newest iPhone or flagship Android phone every year, but which is the best, and are any of them a good deal compared to a prepaid plan?

Ever since I switched from T-Mobile to AT&T to get the iPhone 5 I've loved my phone but hated the $100 monthly bill.  Like many smartphone users, I use my iPhone more for web browsing and iMessaging than actually talking and texting but AT&T and other carriers try to force us into expensive unlimited calling and texting plans.

There are lots of benefits to using an unlocked iPhone: using it with a prepaid plan will save you money, you can take your phone to a different carrier at any time, or maybe you want to replace your current phone but your contract isn't up yet.  Apple makes it somewhat straightforward to buy an unlocked iPhone from them, but there are lots of details you should consider before you do.

On paper T-Mobile's $30 prepaid plan may look like the best smartphone plan available in America.  When I got my unlocked Nexus 5 I had to put it to the test.  I recently used the plan for a month, including a drive across the country.  Here are my thoughts on the plan specifically and T-Mobile's service in general.

In this Google Hangouts review for iPhone and iPad I'll go over how I use the app for free calling and messaging on my Apple devices and computer and how it compares to some other free calling and messaging apps.

Google Hangouts is a free messaging service that replaced Google Talk (aka gchat) and integrated some other Google communication services in 2013.  Hangouts supports instant messaging, video calls with up to 10 participants, and free calls to US numbers on some platforms.  Hangouts can be accessed on the mobile app for iPhone/iPad and Android or on computers through the Gmail or Google+ websites.  There is also a Chrome extension for computers that adds some functionality.

I'm about 10 days into my 'Android experiment' and here are my thoughts on Android and the Nexus 5, from the perspective of an Apple user and fan.  For the past year I've been using my iPad Mini as a smartphone.  I also own a Macbook, Apple TV, and four iPods.  In the past I've owned two iPhones, the original iPad, multiple iPods, and used a Macbook as my work computer.  Suffice it to say I'm very familiar with Apple's products and really enjoy using them.  But I also use a lot of Google services for work and play and am firmly and happily implanted in their ecosystem.

There's been some confusion around T-Mobile's new plan to offer 200MB of free data to its tablet customers each month.  After the announcement I went to my local T-Mobile store but they told me it was free for customers who had phone service with them, or cost $10 per month.  Then T-Mobile announced that they had issues rolling out the new program and it was indeed free for everyone.  So last week I headed back to my T-Mobile store to pick up a SIM for my iPad.

The best free calling app for Android, iPhone, iPad, & PC: make free VoIP calls on wifi or cellular data