Gadgets

To the bona fide iPhonians who have held on to their original 2007 iPhones to present day, we applaud you. You are not easily distracted by shiny new toys, nor swayed by claims of "bigger, faster, stronger"! You remain steadfast in your commitment to use phones until they cease to work, and you have miraculously kept the phone in one piece for the past six years.

Unfortunately, Apple's very first mobile device, distinguished by its two-toned silver and black backing, will become obsolete on June 11. The first-generation iPhone has not been able to update to newer versions of iOS for years, but Apple is finally putting its foot down and deeming the iPhone 1 a "vintage" product, which means Apple retail stores will no longer service the original iPhone.

Just in case some unfortunate event befalls your ol' iPhone, there are plenty of ways to patch it up. After the original iPhone reaches totally hip "vintage" status this Summer, turn to one of these alternatives for repairs, or try your hand at a do-it-yourself fix!

• iFixit — With 12 different guides that cover everything from replacing the SIM card to swapping out the battery, iFixit is the most comprehensive online directory for DIY iPhone repairs. Each step-by-step guide also includes a list of tools specific to mobile repair and where to buy them.
• Mission Repair — This one-stop shop will fix hardware issues like cracked glass and perform full diagnostic repairs.
• Tech Restore — This warehouse offers screens, system repairs, and various replacement parts. Do your own fixin' with Tech Restore's PDF take-apart guides.
• iPhone4Parts — The site offers replacements for speakers, mics, and chassis. There's also a complete front glass assembly for cracked screens.

We've all been there: Game of Thrones season three leads to procrastination, procrastination leads to last-minute late-night cram sessions, which lead to frustration and anger, which leads to hate. But seriously, if you're in emergency finals study mode, we've got a pro tip to maximize your study time.

What you'll need:

• An iPad, MacBook Air or MacBook Pro (2011 or later), or iMac
• An Apple TV
• A big-screen TV
• An Internet connection

Use AirPlay Mirroring to display study guides with the group or put research and word documents side by side for a superproductive paper-writing session. Connect to AirPlay by turning on your Apple TV device and heading to System Preferences > Displays > Turn on mirroring. The Apple TV device will appear in the menu bar. Make sure your iOS device is running 4.3 or later and that both the laptop/iOS device and Apple TV are connected to the same WiFi network.

If you're reviewing material, then make sure that the audio is coming out of your HDTV by going to System Preferences > Sound > Output and selecting AirPlay.

Happy finals! Make sure you're eating right, getting plenty of sleep, and staying fit.

The next time you put on your headphones, take a break from the Billboard Top 100 and turn the dial to podcasts. Beyond a passing fad, this form of digital media offers audio and video episodes delivered to your device, often free of charge.

Whether you are new to the world of podcasts or an old pro, it can be both overwhelming and exciting to find a consistent favorite. Some podcasts are simply electronic companions to popular shows (NPR favorites, The Soup, etc.) while others exist only in the podcast medium, with cult-like followings. Follow these tips and tricks to navigate the sea of podcasts and uncover a treasure.

Your guide to podcasts after the break!

Samsung is bringing purple to the people. The Galaxy S3 is now available in Amethyst Purple, joining its Pebble Blue and Marble White brethren only on Sprint for $149 with a two-year contract.

It's an interesting time for a Galaxy phone to be unveiled in a new hue — especially since the latest Samsung mobile device, the futuristic Galaxy S4, is due to hit stores very, very soon. Preorders for the S4 ($250 with a two-year contract) begin April 16.

If you do opt for the new violet Galaxy S3 offering, head over to Sprint. You probably won't get tired of that purple shell, but just in case, dress it in tech protection that honors our friends across the pond.

This Friday at T-Mobile, you can swap an iPhone 4 or 4S for Apple's latest and greatest, the iPhone 5, for $0 down. What's the catch, you ask? We break down T-Mobile's no-contract trade-in deal to find out what it's all about and how to maximize savings on the best iPhone around.

The Basics

• What — Trade an iPhone 4S or 4, and receive an iPhone 5 for no cost upfront and $20 per month for two years (total $480) without a wireless contract.
• Where — T-Mobile retail stores will offer the deal.
• When — Customers can trade in their old phones for new ones starting this Friday, April 12 until June 16.

What will you save? What about the data plan? The answers to your burning questions are after the break.

Samsung's Galaxy Note 8 finally has a price tag and a release date. The white tablet, which was unveiled at the Mobile World Congress earlier this year, will be available at big-box retailers nationwide for $400 on April 11.

The Galaxy Note 8 joins the crowded handheld multimedia tablet space, alongside the iPad Mini, Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD, Nook HD, and others. We've already seen how the top four seven- to eight-inch tablets stack up against each other, but what about the newest device on the block? How does Samsung's newest Note compare to the bestselling iPad Mini?

At $400, Samsung's Galaxy Note 8 is a bit more expensive than Apple's handheld tablet ($329 for 16GB) — but not by much. So we compared the new Galaxy Note to the iPad Mini in four other major categories: size, display, memory, and camera.

See how Samsung's new Note fared after the break.