Hot Gadget Hacks Posts
News: Tech Companies Are Struggling to Get the Metals for Your Gadgets
Do you know what your smartphone is made of? I've had smartphones for years, but if you asked me that question I'd probably respond with "Wi-Fi." For uninformed consumers like myself, it may shock you to know just how much goes into creating a smartphone.
This Week on Instagram: Babadook Dresses Up for Pride
If you're on Instagram, you may start to see Babadook all dressed up this month. This beautiful monster is taking Instagram by storm by #babashooking it's way all around the world in its brand new Pride attire.
Instagram 101: How Not to Get Busted by the FTC
It looks like all the unregulated fun and games we were having promoting products on Instagram is about to get, well ... regulated. According to a new report by Mediakix, 93% of celebrities on Instagram are not in compliance with the Federal Trade Commission when it comes to posting paid content.
News: Tired of Long, Pointless Conversations on Dating Apps? 'First' Can Help
We're all looking to meet someone, and in this day and age the easiest way to do that is through one of the various dating apps out there. But we can all admit it can get disheartening swiping through all of those people for the frustration of someone not answering your messages after matching. The fact is, we could be missing out on great people just because they don't have time in their busy lives to answer their dating apps every day. Not to mention the fact that we as a society are becomi...
Opinion: iOS 11 & Microsoft Might Be Mobile Gaming's Gateway into Esports
Esports — and, subsequently streaming it — are possibly some of the more surprising products of the 21st century so far. Who would have thought that people would be watching professional gamers play, the same way we've watched pro sports players on TV for more than half a decade?
News: This Video Might Resonate with Anyone Addicted to Candy Crush
You've got some free time, so you decide to try out that new puzzle game on the App Store. After a half hour of fun, the game stops. It seems you've run out of lives, and have to wait until tomorrow to play ... unless you drop $0.99 on extra lives. What are you going to do, wait until tomorrow? Some of us might, but others ... not so much. If you dropped some cash to keep playing for the day, you, I'm sorry to say, were played. And this video shows you why.
News: As It Turns Out, Seniors Love Getting News on Their Smartphones
Amidst reports of the newspaper industry struggling to survive, it's becoming more and more clear that people are increasingly turning to their smartphones for the news. In fact, a new study by the Pew Research Center has found that 85% of US adults check the news on mobile devices. Surprisingly, seniors constitute a sizable portion of this.
News: Sony Xperia XZ Premium Smartphone Now Available for Pre-Order
Have you been watching out for Sony's latest smartphone entry? If so, you're in luck. Best Buy announced today that pre-orders have begun for the Xperia XZ Premium. If you're someone who has been waiting for this day ... order, order, order!
News: Google's Gboard Now Lets You Draw the Face You Want to Text
A new feature of Google's Gboard for Android lets users doodle an emoji in order to find it. The change was part of a few updates introduced earlier today.
News: Banks Arrive Late to Instant Money Transfer Scene, Just After iOS 11
After 6 years of development, the big banks seem to be ready to combat Venmo on the money sending frontier, but now it might be too late.
How To: Quickly Save & Markup PDFs of Notes, Webpages & More in iOS 11
A fairly hidden feature in iOS 10 let you turn websites and documents into PDFs, but thanks to the new Markup function in iOS 11, this process has become a lot more streamlined.
News: New Leak Claims This Is the Final iPhone 8 Design
Update: Twitter user Benjamin Geskin (@VenyaGeskin1), known for his iPhone renders, tweeted on Monday alleging that the leaks are fake:
Instagram 101: The Quickest Way to Like All Photos in Your Feed (& Why It Matters)
The Instagram Explore page is one of the most useful tools available to users. It's also one of the easiest ways to discover new content and, if you use it right, to increase your own follower count.
Market Reality: Who Are the Most Active Investors in AR/VR?
While many analysts predict that the market for augmented and virtual reality will continue to grow over the next five years, now is the time for investors to get in on the ground floor.
News: Use of HoloLens Brings Rémy Martin's Story to Life
The way we tell stories is about to change. Imagine you're hearing a story when suddenly characters and images from the tale start to appear in your world. This immersive way of storytelling is in the not-so-distant future thanks to the Microsoft HoloLens and Rémy Martin.
News: Shocking Number of Teens Would Rather Skype Than See Friends in Person
Is technology making us disconnected? Findings from a study conducted by YouGov hint that — for millennials — the answer is yes. The research found that nearly one in five US teens prefers to video chat their friends rather than spend time with them face-to-face.
How To: Get Siri to Automatically Translate Languages for You in iOS 11
With iOS 11, Apple is working hard towards breaking down language barriers to bring people closer together than ever before, as evidenced by Siri's newfound ability to directly translate words and phrases in different languages. In the near future, it's easy to imagine Siri as our very own real-life BabelFish.
News: A US Release of Grab's 'Panic Button' Feature Could Mean Safer Rides
Ride-hailing services are everywhere nowadays and with new companies developing all the time, it is one of the most convenient ways for people to get around. Companies like Uber make it easy for passengers to call a car to pick them up and drive them to their desired location. These services have been especially helpful for commuters as well as those who might need a ride home after a night at the bar. However, ride-hailing services require driving with a total stranger, which means the safet...
News: Snap Could Be Including Augmented Reality Features in New Spectacles
According to a source at TechCrunch, a new version of Snap's 'Spectacles' could include augmented reality.
News: Pixel 2 May Resemble Samsung's S8 More Than the Original Pixel
The latest trend in smartphone design is all about the display. Manufacturers want larger screens with smaller bezels. The rumors are heating up about Google's next big release, the Pixel 2, and with that, we may have a clue that shows us Google is hopping on the display train.
News: You May Need to Switch to Sprint to Get the Essential Phone
Anticipation is building for the release of the Essential Phone. Andy Rubin's newest creation is expected to be loaded with features like a rear fingerprint reader, attachable 360-degree camera, and an edge-to-edge display. However, a news release from Sprint has just revealed that it may take more than $700 to get your hands on the Essential Phone. The release revealed that the Essential Phone will be exclusively carried by Sprint, so it might be time to switch your wireless carrier.
News: Scam Alert — iOS App Store Users Robbed of $400 a Month
We all know the internet isn't exactly a safe place. While plenty of its users are innocent and kind, you won't last long unless you treat every new screen name like a criminal (we're all this cynical while surfing the web, right?). Well, that cynicism is proven correct today, a post on Medium uncovered a group of scammers on the iOS App Store that are costing victims up to $400 a month.
How To: Turn Off Your iPhone in iOS 11 When You Have a Broken Power Button
Though its necessity is less frequent compared to Android devices, iPhones still need to be shut down from time to time. Whether it's to help correct a buggy app, prevent overheating on a hot day, or conserve battery life in a pinch, the power button on any device is an indispensable tool that can't be taken for granted. So when it's busted, what do you do?
News: Schrödinger's App — with Binky, Everything & Nothing Is Real
Social media is kind of depressing. On one hand, we love knowing what's happening in the lives of others. On the other hand, everyone seems happier, better looking, and more successful than you. We're putting on a facade by posting statuses and writing comments that present the person we want others to think we are, rather than truly expressing ourselves. Yes, social media has facilitated movements and miraculous events, but let's be real. For the most part, none of it matters.
News: Can't Sleep? This App by US Navy Veteran Can Help
Despite what you may have heard, sleep is NOT for the weak. It's essential, not to mention it makes us feel a hell of a lot better in general. But for some, getting to sleep is easier said than done. In fact, about 50 million to 70 million people in the US have a sleep or wakefulness disorder, according to the CDC.
News: What Does Britney Spears Have to Do with Russian Hackers? More Than You Think
My message to Russian hackers is this: LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE! Russian hacking collective Turla has been targeting governments and military operations in the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East for the past decade. Now, it appears that the group is targeting everyday citizens — specifically Britney Spears fans.
The Clone Wars: The Russians Flirt with Instagram & Fake Follower Vending Machines
From Instagram bot farms in China all the way to vending machines in Moscow that promise to sell you fake followers — the Facebook-owned empire is attracting the attention of the world around. When it comes to Russia especially, the country seems to be developing a little crush on the glorious IG queen.
News: Say Goodbye to Annoying Rating Requests with New App Store Policy Changes
In the changes to the App Store Review Guidelines for iOS 11, Apple has announced that developers must use the App Store rating API. The API was introduced in the iOS 10.3 beta period as something that would eventually become mandatory. Now, Apple has followed through on that promise.
News: Navigating Subway Stations May Get Easier with This Google Maps Update
Okay, I have a confession to make. I'm not a real New Yorker. I'm from the land of southern hospitality and steaks bigger than your newborn: Texas. I don't know how to hail a taxi yet, and I still smile at strangers on the street. I'm slowly learning how to fit in, but one thing I still haven't mastered is the New York City subway system. Every day, I struggle to determine where to find my train and how to stand on it without falling over. Fortunately, Google Maps appears to be making some of...
News: Qualcomm's Snapdragon 836 May Be Rolling Out with the Note 8
The leaks and rumors surrounding the highly anticipated Galaxy Note 8 just keep coming. But none have suggested that the new Samsung phone might be powered by a different chipset than the Snapdragon 835, until now.
News: Durability Test Reveals BlackBerry KEYOne's Screen Isn't Actually Glued to the Phone
We were really rooting for you this time, BlackBerry! With the phone company having minimal success in the past with smartphones, the BlackBerry KEYone was extremely promising. That is until YouTube Reviewer JerryRigEverything discovered a fatal flaw, the phone's screen popped off with just a bit of pressure and then stopped working. So...there's that.
News: Apple Is Bringing Business Chat to iMessage in iOS 11
It looks like Apple is coming straight for Facebook with their new Business Chat functionality, built into iMessage.
News: Apple's Really Testing Our Patience with Rumored iPhone 8 Delay
At this point, I'm ready to give Apple CEO Tim Cook a piece of my mind. The hype surrounding the iPhone 8 is crazy, and rumors are circulating constantly. So many different things have been said about its release date that no one can even keep track anymore. If Cook could throw us all a bone and give us a hint, it would quiet the speculation. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like that'll happen anytime soon, but — in the meantime — a new report allegedly has the inside scoop. Recent rumors surr...
ARKit 101: Using the Unity ARKit Plugin to Create Apps for the iPhone & iPad
Many developers, myself included, use Unity for 3D application development as well as making games. There are many that mistakenly believe Unity to be a game engine. And that, of course, is how it started. But we now live in a world where our applications have a new level of depth.
News: iOS 11 Adds OIS, Flash & HDR Support to Portrait Mode on the iPhone 7 Plus
Arguably the most impressive aspect of the iPhone 7 Plus is its dual-lens camera, or better yet, the Portrait mode that comes with it. This mode creates a dramatically shallow depth of field behind a subject, and was pretty impressive as is. Now, in iOS 11, Apple is making it even better with support for more camera options.
News: iOS 11 Gets New Echo & Spotlight Screen Effects for iMessages
Apple introduced iMessage effects in iOS 10, which offer creative ways to send messages to other iPhone users. These effects can either be applied to the screen, like seeing an explosion of confetti falling down the display, or to the message bubble itself. iOS 11 brings two new screen effects to iMessage, named "Echo" and "Spotlight," and they look like they'll be a fun addition to the current lineup.
News: New App Makes Networking More Like Online Dating
Shapr is a new networking app that aims to help professionals connect more efficiently, and draws much of its format from dating-focused social networking apps. Shapr could be especially useful for those who have recently moved into their industry or location, and for those seeking employers or employees. For example, the app already has 65,000 users just in New York City alone.
Instagram 101: Why You Should Never Put Hashtags in Your Posts
In this article, I am most likely going to humiliate myself by showing you all the horrible hashtagging I am wont to do. When it comes to hashtags, well, everybody knows if you desire any chance at all of getting noticed on Instagram, you got to hashtag.
The Clone Wars: Snapchat's New Numbers Mean More Bad News for Troubled App
You were the chosen one, Snapchat! The new download numbers for the social media app show just how hard it will be to bring them back to the light after the rise of the Instagram empire.
News: Pokémon GO Gyms to Be Shut Down Temporarily for Anniversary & Updates
Niantic announced today that all gyms in Pokémon GO will be closed while the company prepares to celebrate two major anniversaries for the game. There will be updates, in-game celebration, and the first ever real-world Pokémon Go event.