After we got to Michigan, the phones also proved useful for quick little trips in town.

WSJ: Review: iPhone Google Maps lags Android version

But he suggested that they proved a useful tool for the Backbench Business Committee to gauge the level of support for a particular subject.

BBC: Adjournment debate

At the other end Dyer proved a useful outlet for the Hammers, while striker Carlton Cole was only denied a shot on goal by a last-ditch tackle from the superb Nemanja Vidic.

BBC: Manchester United 3-0 West Ham

Scientific study has proved this drug generally useful for six months, but the long-term benefit is unknown.

CNN: Better understanding of dementia leading to more effective therapies

In the UK and internationally FOI has proved to a useful tool for making the various facets of the state more accountable to individual citizens.

BBC: A Big Mac with extra FOIs, please

The Internet has proved a useful transmission channel for Beanie fever.

ECONOMIST: Toy collecting

Aequorin proved useful, particularly as a tool for studying nerves, which use the calcium ions it reacts with.

FORBES: Research

The game proved to be a useful warm-up for coach Tony Smith as his side prepare for the World Cup later this year in Australia.

BBC: France 8-56 England

He started combing through the data from the cruise to look for new forms of genes that have, in the past, proved useful in distinguishing bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes from each other, to see if there are any other domains of life out there.

ECONOMIST: A new domain of life