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Source: 3 Unexpected Uses For Emoji Icons

Emoji was the biggest thing to happen to texting since . . . texting. The mobile communicators of the modern age have found all sorts of creative uses for the iPhone's Unicode pictographs - but there's a couple more inventive applications for Emoji that you might not know about. We've got the scoop on three unexpected uses for Emoji that'll make your iPhone a more fun - and organized - place to be.

• Contacts - Add appropriate Emoji based on your favorite people's interests. It adds personality, and it's a good memory-triggering device, too! Met a fellow skier at a party? Stick her number in your phone with little skis. Emoji is also a good way to find groups of friends. Add a little cocktail emoticon by all of your girlfriends. When you want to go out on Friday night, search for the cocktail in "All Contacts," and there they are.
• App Folders - Instead of having random apps strewn about your phone, you can organize them into

Source: Apple Introduces the iPhone 5 (Almost All the Rumors Were True)

Today in San Francisco, Apple revealed its latest smartphone, the iPhone 5, and after a Summer following spec leaks and rumors, it looks like most of the Internet speculation was right on. Made entirely of glass and aluminum, the Retina display iPhone 5 is taller than its 4S predecessor, with a four-inch display. What Apple claims as the "world's thinnest smartphone," the iPhone 5 is 7.6mm thin and weighs 112 grams, which is 20 percent lighter and 18 percent thinner than the iPhone 4S.

A longer display adds an extra fifth row of app icons to the home screen, and Apple says current software won't stretch unnaturally to fit the new 1136 x 640 HD screen resolution and close to a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. As leaked on the Apple website before the press conference, the iPhone 5 will have LTE wireless connectivity. Apple promises an eight-hour battery life of talk time or browsing on 3G or LTE and a 10-hour battery

Source: The Latest iPhone Deals 'Round the Web

How much longer can you wait for the new iPhone? While we've speculated Apple's latest phone will be announced on Sept. 12, the latest round of rumors suggest that pre-orders for the next-generation phone will start that day as well.

Another clue that we're only weeks away from the latest Apple must-have? Wireless carriers are dropping prices of the iPhone 4S, an act loyal Apple fans know is rare. The16GB iPhone 4Snow costs $150 with Sprint on a two-year contract and includes a $100 American Express gift card. In accordance with Apple's new price-matching policy, the company will give customers who buy a Sprint-powered iPhone in their stores a $100 Apple store credit. Both Target and Best Buy are also offering deals on their current iPhone models.

Want to upgrade to the iPhone 5 when it's announced in a few weeks? Follow our tips to prep your current phone for resale and make a little extra cash for all those new iPhone 5 accessories.

Source: Winter-Proof Your Gadgets: 6 Tips You Need to Know

Winter is in full effect, and I don't know about you, but it's getting pretty cold in my neck of the woods. While I do travel with my gadgets quite a bit, I've learned that cold weather is not always tech-friendly. You may not realize it, but freezing temps can be just as dangerous - if not more so - to gadgets than the Summer heat since there are hidden dangers you can't see. Check out these six Winter weather tips that will help ensure your gadgets see the light of Spring this year.

• Keep them out of the trunk - Keep your laptops, cell phones, and tablets out of the trunk for extended periods during cold days to prevent damage to screens and to keep your hard drive from freezing.
• If you must trunk it, keep it bundled up - If you absolutely must leave your gear in your car in freezing temps, wrap it up in layers - like a jacket or sweater - to keep it warm. You can also find laptop warmers (which are

Source: 9 Ways to Print Instagram PhotosInstagram is the easy way of creating dreamy iPhone photos in a flash. The filters work their magic so well that nearly every picture comes out looking like a keepsake. Making those memories permanent can be just easy with these tools for turning Instagram photos into a lasting work of art.

1. Printstagram - The company offers multiple ways to print Instagram photos, but the 20-x40-inch posters will make the most stunning addition to a living room wall. Between 50-400 photos are arranged in a clean grid on thick, archival paper for $25.
2. Blurb - Haven't looked at a photo album in awhile? Blurb brings back what now seems like an antiquated way of sharing photos with a modern, Instagram twist. Softcover books with 20 pages of Instagram photos runs $11 and a hardcover is $22. Christmas present, perhaps?
3. Postagram - A fun way to show people you're thinking of them, Postagram mails a postcard with popout Instagram photo and message to friends

Source: 5 Ways Tech Can Help You Save Money While Traveling

Summer may seem like the biggest travel season of the year, if you're headed abroad, cross country, or to far-off locales, travel time is ripe 365 days a year. Unfortunately, traveling can also have you racking up the charges on your credit card, but with these handy tech tips, you can save money while on the road now, or any time!

• Track down free WiFi - There's a number of US airports that offer free WiFi in the terminals (and more being added all the time), which can save you big money if you need to stay connected. Also, there's plenty of WiFi options getting to and from the terminal. Just don't use that mysterious "Free Public WiFi" signal - it could spell trouble.
• Get a Google Voice number - Getting a Google Voice number can help you save big bucks on international and domestic calls wherever you are - rates start at just two cents a minute, and calls to US and Canadian landlines are free! Plus, you can

Source: 2011 Holiday Tech and Accessories Trends

The holiday season is quickly approaching, but before you start making your shopping list and checking it twice, take a look at where this year's tech trends are headed. You might find some inspiration for awesome gifts your tech-addicted loved ones will remember for years to come.

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Source: Tech Your Parents Tech: A Facebook Safety Primer

Visiting your family over the holidays is a joyous occasion . . . even if you do spend half of your time setting up your parents' WiFi, teaching them about Twitter, and schooling them on the ins and outs of Facebook. Fact is, Facebook is filled with hackers just waiting to get their hands on your parent's information in order to spam their friends, or worse - get a hold of their private info to aid in identity theft. Help your parents stay on the safe side by emphasizing these safety and privacy rules on Facebook.

• Privacy Controls Walk your parents through Facebook's new privacy controls so they can keep private information on lockdown, and to learn how they can decide which of their friends, colleagues, and acquaintances sees which posts.
• Backing Up Their Data Just in case their Facebook accounts are compromised, or to keep copies of their many Facebook pics, help your parents figure out how to back up their