Everyone and their mother is after a free Apple iPad 3 or iPhone 5 these days. Whether it's the new 'Face Time' video conferencing features on the iPhone or the massive high definition display of the iPad 3, gadget afficionados have to agree that Apple hit a home run with these two products.

The entertainment possibilities of the iPhone 5 and iPad 3 are almost limitless, from gaming and socializing to creating your own play list, to taking high quality pictures and being able to see your friends in real time when you talk with them. All of this is possible with the latest model of the iPhone. Also, watching high definition television has never been easier; the phone can play it for you with brilliant definition and quality. You can also store all your files and games on your Apple iPhone or iPad 3 as the card memory allows you to add tons of information without affecting the phone processing capacity.

The one not so bright spot, however, is the astronomical price tag that leaves these two wonders of technology out of the reach of most people. You can expect to pay upwards of $499 for a new iPhone 5 and as high as $900 or more for an Apple iPad with all the bells and whistles. This sky high pricing has left many fans of Apple products searching for offers promising a free iPad 3 or iPhone.

But as with all kinds of free offers, some are too good to be true and others are simply outright scams. Stay away from any free iPhone or iPad 3 offers which ask you to send money upfront for shipping and handling or other "processing fees". Most of the time the only thing you'll end up getting with these offers is a lighter wallet.

There are, however, a number of free iPad 3 and iPhone 5 offers that are legitimate and are part of technology companies Research & Development programs that aim to improve their products by incorporating both positive and negative feedback from people who own iPads and iPhones. Ofcourse nobody who buys an Apple product is going to sit there and give their input for free, which is why many companies provide free tester models to users who in turn agree to give their feedback about which features they liked, disliked, hated, and what they would change or improve.

One company that offers such 'Beta Tester' programs is http://www.FreeiPadandiPhone.com. Participants can choose to test either an Apple iPhone or iPad, though not both at the same time, and usually receive their tester model in 1-2 weeks. After using it for a while and becoming familiar with it, they're asked to provide their feedback about new features and their overall impression and satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the product. There is no penalty for giving negative reviews or voicing their opinion about features which they do not like. Then after they are finished, the iPhone 5 or iPad 3 that they tested is theirs to keep, absolutely free. There's no credit card numbers to provide or payments to be made, participants are only required to give their honest opinions and feedback.

So if you've had your eye on a new iPad 3 or iPhone 5 but, like most people, don't want to shell out the huge sums of money for one, consider trying out of these Beta Tester programs and you'll not only end up getting a free iPad 3 or iPhone but also help to make your favorite gadgets better by improving them with your feedback.