Hot Gadget Hacks Posts

How To: View Google Maps & Street View in Split-Screen Mode on Android

On a recent trip to Palm Springs, I found myself navigating with Google Maps and virtually exploring my destiniation using its built-in Street View feature. The thing is, using Street View can make keeping track of your exact location difficult as you zoom in, out, and about. It's a little discombobulating.

How To: Everything You Need to Know About iOS 8 Beta 4 for iPhone, iPad, & iPod Touch

In the Apple's iOS beta 3, we were introduced to a new iCloud Drive feature, an option to disable QuickType, time indicators for Recently Deleted pics, and a way to keep "self-destructing" media.

How To: Find & Fix Missing Contacts in iOS 7.1.2

Apple released iOS 7.1.2 just over three weeks ago, mostly to address some big security issues and a few minor bugs. Unfortunately, the update came with a problem of its own regarding missing contacts and iCloud syncing.

How To: Apple's New “Tips” App Wants to Make Your Transition to iOS 8 as Smooth as Possible

If you thought iOS 7 was a drastic change from previous iterations, iOS 8 will certainly continue to rock the boat. From a revamped Control Center to enhanced "Continuity" to ephemeral messaging, Apple's newest mobile operating system will have many of you relearning the "basics."

How To: Change Downloading Location from Google Chrome

This video will show you how to change downloading location from Google Chrome. If you download a special type of file often then you have to visit default downloading folder and move them to your preferred location. But you could set the downloading location to your preferred folder from chrome. Watch the video and follow all the steps carefully.

How To: Remove Recent Contacts from the iPhone's App Switcher in iOS 8

Apple introduced recent contacts for the app switcher (aka multitasking menu) in iOS 8, useful for quickly calling and texting your most-contacted friends and family. Just tap on one of the contact bubbles and an assortment of options appear—call, message, or FaceTime. While the feature can be helpful when you want quick access to functions for recent contacts, it may not be for everyone. Check out the short guide below to learn how to easily remove recent contacts from the multitasking menu ...

How To: Install the Sony Xperia Z2 Camera on Any Android Phone for AR Effects, Motion Shots, & More

One of the most feature-packed camera suites out there resides on the Sony Xperia Z2. Along with the regular camera and video modes, it comes with Motiongraph, AR Effect, and Social Live.

How To: Make the Notification Panel Translucent on Your Samsung Galaxy S4

There's a lot you can access from the Notification tray on your Galaxy S4. Quick settings toggles, brightness controls, and of course, notifications. However, despite the power this simple pull-down gives you, you're still left with a boring, black background for the shade.

How To: Enable the Hidden Debug Options for Select Google Apps on Your Nexus 5

Buried deep in the code of many Google apps is a set of debugging options. These options, which are designed for developers to help test the way their apps interact with Google's own, are normally hidden from view.

How To: Bypass Filters, Firewalls, & Open Hotspot Restrictions on Your Galaxy Note 3

Ever use an open hotspot on your Note 3, only to find out that it's severely restricted to what sites you can access? While getting online with free Wi-Fi is great for those who have a limited data plan, when that one site you absolutely need to visit is blocked, you're left frustrated and sent back into the Wi-Fi menu for another access point.

How To: Taking Screenshots Is the Fastest Way to Save Full Web Articles for Offline Reading on Your iPhone

With just a swipe and tap of a finger, we can access enormous libraries of information on our smartphones like never before. Whether we want more info about gluten sensitivity or just want to brush up on 18th century philosophers, there's an article somewhere in the vast ocean of the internet that can lend us a hand.

How To: Disable Lock Screen Security While in Trusted Locations on Your Galaxy S5

With all of the personal data that's stored on our smartphones, it's of vital importance that we have some sort of lock screen security enabled. One of the Galaxy S5's killer features is obviously the fingerprint scanner. It makes the process of dealing with a secure lock screen a bit easier than typing in a password or PIN.

How To: The Fastest, Most Convenient Way to Share Your Exact Location with Anyone on Your Galaxy S4

Whether it's a chaotic family day meetup at the beach, barhopping with buddies, or getting stranded in the middle of nowhere with a dead car battery, being able to share your exact location with others using your smartphone makes life easier and less stressful.

How To: Install Adobe Flash Player on Your LG G3 to Play Web Games & Flash Videos

Google, like Apple before them, no longer supports mobile Flash, but clearly there's plenty of Flash content still available on the web. From games to videos, it can be frustrating to get the most out of your mobile browsing experience without Flash functionality.

How To: Make Your PC Faster by Cleaning It with Winutilities

This tutorial video will show you how to install the PC tool Winutilities and clean your PC for faster computing. This will help you to speed up your PC. Watch the video and follow all the steps carefully. Employ the technique in your PC.

How To: Patch the Glitchy Mic on Your OnePlus One to Use "Okay, Google" Commands Anywhere

Thanks to a recent back-end update to Google's Search app, every KitKat-running device can use "Okay, Google" from within any app—even the lock screen. However, the default settings for the OnePlus One's mic leave it unable to detect your voice unless you have it right up to your face. That isn't a good look for anyone, but thankfully there is an easy fix to get this working correctly.

How To: Black Out YouTube’s Background for Better Battery Life on Your Galaxy S5

The Galaxy S5's screen is truly a feat of modern technology. It uses what is known as an AMOLED display—an acronym for Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emmitting Diode. In short, this technology means that every individual pixel on your phone's screen emits its own light. This is a break from the traditional LCD technology that requires a backlight for any pixels to be visible.

How To: Cast Podcasts with Podcast Addict for Android

Podcasts have been around and popular for close to a decade now. For the uninitiated, podcasts are like radio shows that can be downloaded directly from the web and listened to on any device. Up until now, only paid apps allowed podcasts to be casted via Chromecast, but with the latest update to Xavier Guillemane's Podcast Addict, you can now do the same thing for free!

How To: Mute or Pause Music on Your HTC One by Just Waving Your Hand

BoomSound has spoiled me when listening to music on my HTC One M8, but when someone comes into my room, it can be a hassle trying to quickly pause or mute my music.

AppWererabbit: The Swiss Army Knife of App Managers for Your Galaxy Note 3

There are over 60-something Android apps cluttering my app drawer. While I'm constantly on the look out for new mods and apps to install, the default way of managing them is cumbersome and just feels unintuitive. I mean, who on Earth would wants to individually manage each app on their device?

How To: Get Ready for a Better Call Screen & Contacts List on Your Samsung Galaxy S4

Get ready to stop using the stock Contacts app on your Samsung Galaxy S4, because there's something better out there for keeping track of your family and friends—and it looks better too.

How To: Install Adobe Flash Player on Your OnePlus One to Play Web Games & Flash Videos

Google may have decided to back HTML5 for YouTube, but much of the internet still relies heavily on Adobe Flash content. While the Chrome browser for Android is unable to play Flash-based content like Amazon Instant Video streams, some third-party browsers will.

How To: Search Gmail & Compose New Emails Straight from Chrome's Address Bar

I'm all about saving time. If there's a quicker way to do something, I'm going to find it. For this reason, whenever I need to search through old emails or compose new ones in Gmail, I do it directly from Chrome's address bar, or as Google likes to call it, the omnibox—and you can, too.

News: Let Your Microwave Count Your Calories for You

They say that ignorance is bliss, and that is exactly how I feel about counting calories. They simply don't exist if I don't check them, right? For those of you who are much healthier than I am, General Electric wants to count them for you, via your microwave!

News: Virtual Reality, Coming to a Dentist's Office Near You

I don't know anyone that likes going to the dentist—few things are more uncomfortable than having someone else's hands in your mouth. But outside of that, not only can the pain of certain procedures be unnerving, the drugs used to numb those pains can be just as uncomfortable. Not being able to feel your mouth for hours on end is a disconcerting feeling. But all that could soon be a thing of the past, thanks to virtual reality.

News: This May Be the Cutest Way to Get Directions Ever

Have you ever looked down to your phone and said "This GPS app works well, but why isn't it cuter?" Well, you're in luck! Tokyo's Sunrise Aquarium has what might be the cutest way to navigate to their facility—just follow the penguins!

News: This Man Made a Playable Tetris Shirt for the Game's 30th Anniversary

A man by the name of Marc Kerger is out to prove that he's the number one fan of the game TETRIS by building a playable TETRIS shirt for the game's 30th anniversary.

News: Bringing the Shortcut Key to Android Is Easier & Cheaper Than You Think

Taking pictures, sharing your location, and making calls are easy enough to do with an Android device, but for the most part, they all require your screen to be on with some sort of swiping and pressing actions. Dedicated shortcut keys are virtually non-existent on any modern day phone, but their utility is something that can be very useful.

How To: Load & View Multiple Links Without Leaving the Current App on Your Galaxy Note 2

Using Facebook and Twitter as a news source can be frustrating at times, mainly because opening links will divert you away from your current application. Instead of a smooth process, you find yourself going back and forth from app to browser, over and over again.

News: Finally! A Keyboard for Smartwatches That Actually Works

There is finally a keyboard for smartwatches that would make James Bond proud, thanks to Minuum Keyboard.

News: Sensibo Is the Super Smart, Super Green Automatic A/C Controller

Personally, I know life would be a lot easier if the people in it could just read my mind. Since that technology is currently unavailable, it's comforting to know that your air conditioner can be your personal telepathist with Sensibo.

How To: Disable Face Unlock Option in Samsung Galaxy Note 8

This video will show you how to disable face unlock if you don't want the feature no long in your Samsung Galaxy Note 8. Face unlock will be a problem then to open your tab. So you have to unlock the feature to make your tab available for you close relations. Watch the video and follow all the steps carefully.

Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Clear Cache and Cookies for Faster Browsing

Clearing cache and cookies often solve many small problems in your phone. This video will show you how to clear cache and cookies from your Samsung galaxy s5 android phone for a faster browsing experience. So please watch the video and follow all the steps carefully.

News: We Went to the Google Glass Film Festival—Don't Expect Glass-Made Movies Anytime Soon

It was a chilly but otherwise beautiful night at YouTube Spaces LA—food trucks, ping pong, a photo booth, and the chance to view film school projects created completely with Glass. About a year ago, the Glass Creative Partnership was formed to explore how Glass could be used in filmmaking, with partnerships spanning from the American Film Institute to CalArts and UCLA. On July 16, 2014, the products of that partnership were screened under the Southern California night sky. Three films were sh...

News: Snapchat Is Making It Easier for Your Friends to Stalk You

Snapchat recently introduced geofilters to its ephermal messaging platform—cute stickers that you can add on your Snapchat, which showcase your location.

How To: "That Movie With" Makes Finding Films Starring Two Actors Beautifully Easy for iPhone

There have been countless times where I'd be racking my brain over the name of a movie I saw, and I don't like giving up. Usually, a few specifics can be remembered, but not enough to come up with a title on my own.

Rickroll Warning: This Exploit Can Hijack Any Nearby Chromecast

A security analyst has discovered a flaw in Chromecast's initial setup process that allows would-be hackers to assume full control over the online streaming device.

How To: Expose Battery-Draining Apps on Your Nexus 5 & Deal with Them for Good

Android uses a set of permissions that apps can request to perform certain actions, and you're notified of these permissions each time you install an app. The problem here is the fact that you aren't given any built-in way to deny apps these permissions (although Danny just showed a workaround for this).

How To: 5 Hidden Features That Make the OnePlus One Even Better

While most are still fighting through a somewhat ridiculous invite system, OnePlus is starting to ship out a decent number of their One flagship devices to those who were able to obtain one.

How To: Install Apps from Outside the Google Play Store on Your LG G3

So you've got your shiny new LG G3, your accounts are all set up, and Google has restored all of your apps. Well... almost all of them.