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Data security is of paramount importance for most people who own a mobile device, and that is increased exponentially when phones and tablets are used for matters of national security. The U.S. military recognizes this and takes care to approve only the mobile devices with the most comprehensive protection in place. Now, individuals who use iPhones and iPads to handle their business can breathe a sigh of relief, as Apple products have been given the seal of approval needed to access the Pentagon's networks. 

The move will allow Apple devices that run on the iOS 6 platform, such as the iPhone and iPad, to compete with products from Samsung and BlackBerry, which have already been approved for military sales. Pentagon employees and members of the military now have more freedom to choose which products they use in their professional and personal lives, and the three brands can also compete for government contracts. 

According to Apple Insider, the company's CoreCrypto Kernel Module v3.0 was recently certified by the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Computer Security Division. This benchmark solidified the fact that iPhones and iPads are equipped with better security, making them worthy options for government workers or cautious customers. 

As each of the major brands strives to improve its security measures, customers will be able to sell cell phones and choose a product that works with their needs – all without having to worry about security concerns. While your privacy needs may not be as intense as those of the Pentagon, that shouldn't stop you from looking to trade in your cell phone for a more secure device. You can upgrade to a newer model after you sell your cell phone or sell your iPad at USell.com and receive all of the benefits that come along with improving your mobile device. 

If you own a smartphone, you've got more computing power in your pocket than the governments of the world had access to 20 years ago. However, as mobile devices have become increasingly powerful, the average battery life of an iPhone or Android device hasn't kept pace. Heavy data users will likely be familiar with trying to prolong their devices' battery life for as long as possible, but why do smartphone batteries deplete so rapidly and what can you do to make your phone last longer?

The limitations of technology
Virtually every smartphone on the market uses lithium ion batteries. This type of power cell has commonly been used in a variety of electronic devices over the years, from camcorders to laptops. However, although lithium ion batteries are considered to be state of the art when it comes to mobile power solutions, they are severely limited when it comes to heavy use – particularly in today's smartphones.

Technically, the biggest problem with lithium ion batteries isn't the lithium itself, it's the graphite-based anodes that actually store the ions that provide your smartphone with power. According to Time magazine, graphite anodes aren't the ideal way to store ions, and researchers at California Lithium Battery are looking into alternatives, such as silicone.

"There's a lot of research going on, because silicon is the best material for absorbing lithium, and it has the highest potential capacity of any material now," Phillip Roberts, chief executive officer of California Lithium Battery, told the news source.

If silicon-based anodes are successfully integrated into smartphone batteries, users could see power retention increases of up to 100 percent. Roberts claims that silicon-based lithium ion batteries could hit the market in as little as two years' time.

Quick fixes
Although scientists are constantly looking for ways to improve smartphone batteries, what can you do in the meantime? Fortunately, there are a number of apps that can help you take control of your phone's memory management and wring every last drop of power from your battery.

According to CNET, Juice Defender is an essential app for prolonging battery life. With a variety of settings, this handy app lets you turn off automatic Bluetooth and Wi-Fi search functions, both of which can be a serious drain on batteries, as well as a range of other features. Alternatives to Juice Defender include AutoRun Manager and Tasker, which offer similar features and customizable settings.

Of course, if you don't already have a smartphone, why not sell cell phone handsets at USell.com and upgrade to an iPhone or Android device?

Whether you're getting ready to don a cap and gown for graduation or gearing up for your freshman year, smartphone apps have revolutionized education. From organizational tools to online learning libraries, today's technology can help you get the most out of your education and optimize your learning experience. After selling your cell phone at USell.com and upgrading to a smartphone, download these apps to take control of your learning:

• Dropbox: These days, there's no excuse for leaving a term paper at home or forgetting a crucial document. With Dropbox, you can upload all your important files to a remote server in the cloud, so you'll never be without vital data again. Available for both iOS and Android devices, Dropbox also allows you to synchronize multiple devices, so you don't have to worry about finding a research project on your Mac or leaving a multimedia presentation on your Windows machine.

• Evernote: Back in the day, students relied on textbooks and lectures to grasp new concepts. Today, however, technology has opened up an almost limitless source of information for eager students. The downside to this, of course, is that it can be tough to stay on top of everything you need to know in order to succeed in your studies. This is where Evernote comes in. The ultimate organizational tool, Evernote allows you to catalog and file virtually any type of document for research later on. You can bookmark web pages, store snippets of video, create to-do lists and even share calendars across a range of devices. This is just the tip of the iceberg of what Evernote can do, so if you find yourself working on a major project, bring everything together with Evernote.

• ReferenceME: If you've ever had to write an academic essay, you know that creating a bibliography and including properly formatted citations can be a little tedious. Fortunately, ReferenceME takes the headache out of adding citations, enabling you to focus on writing the perfect essay. Simply scan the barcode of the textbook you're referencing, and the app will create a properly formatted bibliography and citation list automatically. Best of all, ReferenceME can be configured to create bibliographies that adhere to a wide range of academic styles, including MLA, Harvard, Chicago and Oxford.

If you're thinking "Where can I sell cell phone handsets and accessories?" head to USell.com and upgrade to one of the latest smartphones in the world and take control of your education through these apps.

Smartphones have revolutionized virtually every aspect of modern life, but the impact that mobile devices have made on travel is perhaps one of the most profound. Whether you're planning your next international vacation or just itching to get away on a short break, smartphone apps can take the headache out of your trip. Check out USell.com's roundup of the most essential apps for globe-trotting travelers.

• Airbnb: No matter where you're going, accommodations are often the most costly part of your trip. If you're hoping to escape your day-to-day routine without breaking the bank, Airbnb is a great way to save money. This app, which is available for both iOS and Android devices, lets you search for alternative accommodations in 192 countries. Rather than offering you deals on the usual hotels and guesthouses, Airbnb connects you to a global marketplace of vetted members with space to rent. This is ideal for travelers heading to big cities such as New York or San Francisco, and could save you hundreds of dollars on your next trip.

• TripAdvisor City Guides: Once you've got your accommodations squared away, it's time to figure out what there is to do at your destination. Rather than rely on cumbersome guide books, why not take the world with you on your smartphone with the TripAdvisor app? This handy piece of software is available for the iPhone, iPad and Android devices, and lets you search user reviews on everything from popular tourist attractions to the best restaurants. Don't miss a thing on your next vacation – download the TripAdvisor app and get the lowdown on the must-see sights from people in the know.

• TripIt: Let's face it – planning a vacation can sometimes feel like coordinating a military operation. With so many things to keep track of, venturing to exciting destinations around the world can take a toll on even the most organized tourist. To take the headache out of planning your next jaunt, download TripIt. This handy application allows you to manage and change any aspect of your trip's itinerary from a single, easy-to-use interface. Need to change your flight? Not sure what time you're supposed to pick up your rental car? No problem - TripIt's got you covered. TripIt is available for iOS and Android devices.

Don't have a smartphone yet? Then sell your antiquated cell phone at USell.com and upgrade to an iPhone or Android handset today.

If you're thinking about selling your cell phone at USell.com, you might already have your eye on one of the latest Android smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S IV or the HTC One. Although these devices feature the latest hardware, you still need to think about how to wring every last drop of power from your handset, especially if you're a power user who needs a lot of data. Fortunately, there are several ways you can keep your phone in top shape and maximize its performance.

Apps
Software applications are the heart of any smartphone, and when it comes to spring cleaning, there are numerous apps you should think about downloading. The first is Auto Memory Manager, a free app that allows you to define how your phone manages running processes and memory allocation. There are three settings – default, mild and aggressive. At the most intense level of memory management, unused application processes will be terminated almost immediately, preserving valuable memory and battery life. These settings can be customized depending on your needs, offering you control over how your phone's processes are handled.

Storage
By default, many apps will be installed to the internal memory of your handset. While this is fine if you only use a few core applications, your system can get bogged down quickly if you have dozens of apps installed. To make room and save precious battery life, try moving some apps to your phone's SD card. Although the storage space available on the card will vary, moving apps off your drive and onto the SD card can be a quick and easy way to free up some memory and improve overall performance.

Settings
Sometimes, you might not even know when your phone's battery is being drained, as apps and services that run in the background can use up memory and cause your battery to run dry. This is especially true of automatic wireless network detection processes and "hidden" data transfer services, such as location detection for GPS and social networks. To optimize your phone and conserve power, delve into the settings on your phone and ensure that the number of processes permitted to run in the background is at a minimum. Checking which apps are sending and receiving data without your knowledge might surprise you, and adjusting your phone's settings in this way can help you protect sensitive information from being compromised.

For all its pomp and bluster, Facebook's Home application platform hasn't exactly taken the smartphone market by storm. Adoption of Home, which makes Facebook the focus of smartphones' functionality, has been moderate, but sales of the HTC First have proven disastrous for the Taiwanese hardware manufacturer. According to CNET, HTC recently lowered the price of its First device from $99 to just 99 cents following disappointing sales figures.

Although the world's first "Facebook phone" was only released April 12, HTC has decided to substantially reduce the price of the device to stimulate sales. Due to the timing of the phone's release, the First's sales figures weren't addressed in HTC's first-quarter earnings call earlier this week, but the huge drop in price suggests that the HTC First was less than a stellar success. 

While the price of the HTC First could motivate some customers to take the plunge into the world of Facebook-focused phones, it presents the social media giant with a considerable problem. AT&T's decision to radically lower the device's initial cost could make it difficult for Facebook to convince other smartphone manufacturers and carriers to make Home the central platform on which other functionality is based.

However, if the number of downloads Home racked up in its first few days of launch is any indication, the game is still wide open. According to TechCrunch, Home was downloaded more than 500,000 times during the first five days after launching on April 16. While this would be impressive for most smartphone apps, the fact that more than 1 billion people worldwide use Facebook on a monthly basis means the number of downloads could also be a source of disappointment for the Californian tech company.

Still, if you want to snag an HTC First while it's cheap, head over to USell.com and sell your cell phone while the going's good.