The term AMOLED is used to describe a certain display technology commonly found in mobile devices. Less affectionately known as Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Display, AMOLED screens tend to be extremely thin and use less power than other screens that we see on Android devices.

Each pixel that makes up an AMOLED screen creates its own light, meaning that phones that utilise the technology don’t require a backlight.

Variants of the AMOLED technology are starting to appear in the mobile market, with Samsung using their Super AMOLED, Super AMOLED Plus and HD Super AMOLED in Galaxy S2, Droid Charge and Galaxy Note devices.

The technical bit

An AMOLED display consists of an active matrix of, primarily, OLED pixels that omit light upon electrical activation. Thin film transistors (TFT) are placed behind this layer of pixels, with roughly two TFT’s controlling a pixel. Having the right amount of TFT’s controlling the pixels keeps the electrical current flowing to each pixel working.

APK

The .apk file format is used to distribute and install apps on to your Android device. Compiling an .apk file consists of packaging your app and all its related certificates and resources into one file.

Android Market

The Android Market is home to the thousands upon thousands of apps we download everyday. The growth of the market has been remarkable, and we celebrated the 10 billionth download only 2 months ago.

Over 190 countries have been busy downloading from the Android Market, and recent stats show that South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan are the most app-crazed countries.

With the LG Optimus 3D already on the high street, Taiwanese smartphone giant HTC is looking to pitch a handset into direct competition with the first 3D phone from its South Korean counterparts. The HTC Evo 3D is due to be released in the UK this summer ahead of the rest of the (non-LG) market.

There are plenty of mobile phone deals with some really juicy handsets out there, but only one of them has 3D. The LG Optimus 3D got off to a slow start, so HTC are eager to capitalise on that and not only trump the competition but drown it. They believe that 3D is the future of mobile phones (for a little while at least).

The added dimension is powered by a dual camera on the back of the phone, which shoots video in 720p in 3D and 1080p in the standard 2D. Photographs can be snapped in a 5MP resolution on the back, with a 1.3MP camera on the front – all of which are displayed on the 4.3” qHD super LCD screen.

There’s no doubt that this sexy new function will be used to death within the first few weeks of Evo-ownership – there’s also no doubt that the phone can handle it: it’s got a 1GB internal memory with the potential to up its capacity by 32GB in the memory card slot. Supporting this super-phone are the same beastly 1.2GHz dual-core processor and 1GB RAM that were to be found in the Sensation.

In many ways, the Evo is the Sensation but, of course, with 3D capabilities. The latter is a fantastic phone in itself, so this added functionality only serves to make it even better. HTC Watch has been carried over, too, which means that you’ll once again be able to download and watch movies on your handset, only this time in 3D. HTC will apparently preload a 3D movie onto the phone before you even get it in your hands.

The 1730mAH battery can more than cope with all this added pressure, but don’t expect your battery to last a week. In the first few weeks, the novelty factor of taking pictures, watching movies and shooting your own movies in three dimensions will probably see it plugged in to your wall every night, but when you return to normal usage it will last a good couple of days, which is typical of a modern day smartphone.

The Evo 3D, along with most of today’s smartphones for that matter, can probably more accurately be called a modern day mini-PC, such is the power of this machine. Mobiles are becoming more and more powerful with more and more features to keep users occupied in between calling, texting, tweeting and Facebook-ing.

It is early days for 3D mobile phones, but HTC’s Evo 3D has helped set the standard for models to come. Only time will tell how far this technology will stretch (perhaps holographic phones are not as far off as we think), but it’s safe to say that this is only the beginning.

Digital Photographer magazine is giving away a fully working copy of Capture One Express 6 to EVERY reader. This powerful RAW conversion software is manufactured by Phase One and is the choice of pro photographers worldwide.

All you need to do is buy Issue 110 of Digital Photographer magazine and load up the free CD to register. You will then be emailed a specific license code that will enable you to convert the 30-day trial into a fully working copy that is yours to keep forever.

You have just 10 days left to purchase your copy of Digital Photographer Issue 110 (UK readers)!!! Get your copy of Digital Photographer 110 today from WH Smith (high street), WH Smith (travel), Morrisons, Sainsburys, Tesco, Waitrose, Co-op, Spar, Martin McColls, Easons or order online at www.imagineshop.co.uk

Today sees the launch of an exciting new magazine, Photography for Beginners. Aimed at new photographers who are embracing technologies like social networking websites and the iPad to share their photos, this magazine is truly one of a kind.

“We understand that that we people shoot, edit and share their photos has evolved,” says editor in chief, Debbi Allen. “We’ve developed a magazine that will help this new generation of photographer create their best photos, and show them off!”

Photography for Beginners is a 100-page magazine, made to the same high quality values as the rest of the Imagine portfolio. It boasts a hands-on teaching style, with projects that readers can follow along at home.

From 5 minute Photoshop techniques to photography projects that might take a little more time, Photography for Beginners is the ultimate learning tool, no matter whether you shoot with a cameraphone, compact or system camera

Accompanying the new magazine is a brand-new tutorial based website, www.photoforbeginners.com which is fully integrated with Twitter, Flickr and Facebook, enabling readers to share their photographers with a wide community of like-minded people, instantly.

For further information, please visit www.photoforbeginners.com or visit your local magazine retailer to buy your copy today!

Issue one includes:

Beginners Guide to Landscapes

Shoot, edit and share better portraits

5 minute project: Use your flash

How to share via Twitter

Introduction to image editing

Straighten horizons on the iPad

Understanding Photoshop Layers

Reader camera reviews

The best camera bags revealed

And much more!

Please do all you can to support the victims of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti on 12 January.

Below you will find links to selection of services through which you can make a donation:

Google
Google has launched a support site which allows you to donate via a number of charities and also lists other ways in which you can help as well as updates here

The Red Cross
The Red Cross is offering a $10 text donation service to help victims of the crisis here

Yele.Org
Yele.org is providing a way to make $5 text donations here

Unicef
Unicef provides a convenient way to pledge money via its site here

The Times
To donate from outside the US, The Times has a list of methods here

Like free stuff? Well, here’s your chance to get your hands on a couple of our favourite gadget accessories courtesy of our friends over at Proporta.

First, we have the famous Proporta Gadget Bag. Described by none other than Stephen Fry as “fantastically useful”, it will house and protect all of your mobile gadgets.

And then we have their equally celebrated Mobile Device Charger, which enables you to charge pretty much any smartphone or mobile gadget (including iPod) on the road, and has been described variously as “an absolute lifesaver” and “pretty blimmin’ great”.

Entries are through Twitter only; simply follow us at twitter.com/smartphonedaily then send a Direct Message stating which prize you would like to win. The winners will be chosen at random on 8th May.