How do I get iphone to update my apps?

Question

When I try try to update an app from the app store, I click on "update", it opens the app instead of updating it.  I can get it to try updating by downloading the new version in itunes on my computer, but if I do, it often get stuck in updating, and if that happens, I cant even tell it to stop or delete the app, since there is no X in the corner of the app.

Answer 1

Apps are not included in a backup - only a reference to which apps are on the device.  They are restored from copies in the app store.
Here's a test to perform - using a computer's browser, log into icloud.com.  Check the contacts and other pages where your data had been stored.  If they are not there, then the only place they could be is in a backup, either to itunes or (/and) icloud.  You'd have to restore the backup.  If the data is there, then your device is not connected to icloud.  Go to Settings>icloud to be sure it's logged into the right account.
As for pictures...
Many users have lost photos while preforming a restore from backup or upgrading the iOS.   Recall, only photos in the camera roll are backed up to iCloud.  There is a way to turn backups for camera roll on/off, perhaps these users had camera roll turned off.
See:
Settings>icloud>Storage & Backups>Manage Storage,  tap the device's name and on the next screen, be sure Camera Roll is turned on.
IMPORTANT...
Photos should be regularly synced to a computer (like you store photos from a digital camera) using either USB via iTunes (on a mac use iPhoto or Aperture to move them to an album) or using photo stream.  If using Photo stream, but sure to move the received photos to a permanent album.  If you have been doing that, then you can sync those photos back to your device.
If you haven't been saving photos except relying on iCloud to store them in a backup, then that is risky, as many users have discovered.  I'm afraid I have no advice in this case - there is no "cure".