Hot Gadget Hacks Posts
How To: Bedazzle your iPhone case with bling bling
Make a statement when you pull out your iPhone with a shiny bedazzled case. Learn how to add a little bling, or a lot of bling, to your iPhone case. This can be done to any iPhone case, from iPhone 3gs to iPhone 4.
How To: Install iTheme to get themes on your iPhone or iPod touch without jailbreaking
Looking to improve the look of your iPhone or iPod Touch, but don't want to go all the way with a jailbreak. Check out this video to learn about iTheme, an app available in the App Store that offers lots of themes for your iPhone or iPod Touch.
How To: Jailbreak iOS 4.2.8/ 4.3.3 on your iPhone 4, iPod Touch, or iPad
If you are on Verizon and have iOS 4.2.8, download this file. For AT&T iOS 4.3.3, download this one. Now, watch this video and follow along to learn how to jailbreak your phone. You'll also want to download Sn0breeze 2.7.1
News: Duplicate Keys with Your iPhone (Or Make Plastic 3D Printed Backups)
Aside from food, oxygen, sunlight and water, there are other necessities that humans arguably need today to survive—clothing, love and shelter among them. Almost everyone wears clothes, needs somebody (or something) to love and a place to call home. And what's the one thing that connects all three? Something we all have? Keys.
News: Why Rdio.com Is Better than the iTunes Music Store
When Apple‘s iTunes was introduced back in 2001, it rekindled my interest and purchasing of music. I was so excited by the program that I immediately started converting all my rather large collection of CDs into MP3 tracks. I then sold off my CDs and remaining vinyl albums, and used the money for additional iTunes purchases. iTunes made managing and listening music a wholly different experience. But in the last few years, iTunes has taken a back seat to streaming music services, which I find ...
How To: Make your own Simpsons avatar for online profiles
Still waiting for that guest spot on the Simpsons? Until you get the phone call from Matt Groening, keep the dream alive with an awesome custom Simpsons avatar. You can set it as your Facebook profile pic and be a virtual resident of Springfield.
Hack the News: Build Your Own Media-Altering Newstweek Device
At first, it seemed like a clever art installation housed on the web, but now we're not so sure... the Newstweek hack may indeed be legit.
News: Google +1 Button Now Available for Websites
Google's sociable equivalent to the Facebook Like button is finally here, and it works very similar to your favorite social network's recommendation system, except it shows up directly in Google search results. Whenever your Google friend gives a website or webpage the +1, you'll see it in your search results, as long as you're signed into your Google Account.
Instacast: A Better Way to Listen To & Manage Podcasts
Though it could be argued that Apple's popular and widely used iTunes media player was responsible for the growth and explosion of podcasting, I would argue that iTunes is not the best way to manage and listen to your podcast subscriptions—if you're a iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch user. Instead, you will find that a $1.99 mobile app called Instacast (iTunes App Store link) is a much better method. Below, a short video introduction to Instacast, plus a written breakdown of its features. Mobile L...
News: Android App PicshaPass Generates Secure Passwords from Photos
Developers have created many tools for testing the strength of passwords (1, 2); there are also plenty of tips for coming up with a strong password in the first place. But why do the grunt work when an app could generate a perfectly secure one for you?
News: Indestructible iPhone 4 Case Inspired by Shark Eyes
It's not uncommon for nature to inspire technology and innovative products. Airplanes were inspired by birds, Velcro by burrs and dog fur, bullet trains by owls and kingfishers, and gecko tape by... well, you can probably figure that one out. And one of the deadliest fish ever to swim the oceans has also influenced its share of merchandise; Sharks made humans faster in the water with Fastswim Suits, and now they've helped make one of the most rugged smartphone cases in the world—SharkEye's Ru...
News: Japanese Smartphone Doubles as the World's Smallest Windows PC
Fujitsu Limited has developed what they call the world's smallest Windows 7 PC, which will become available shortly on NTT DoCoMo, Japan's predominant mobile phone operator. The dual-boot device acts as both a smartphone and a portable personal computer that runs the Windows 7 operating system.
News: 5 Useful Apps & Charts for Choosing Seasonal Produce
Finally, summer is just around the corner! And while there are delicious fruits and vegetables available nearly every season, summer yields some of the very best picks. Equip yourself with one or more of the tools below before your next trip to the farmers market.
News: Flickr Images Corrupted by GlitchBot
The term glitch always seemed best suited for computer programs, video games and electronic equipment, where a slight irregularity in the device or system would create a temporary malfunction with annoying, sometimes even amazing unexpected results. Only the effect was never really considered artistic—until now.
Atomic Web: The BEST Web Browser for iOS Devices
Over the past few years, I have downloaded several third-party web browsers for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, and the one I have found most advanced and feature rich is Atomic Web. While many mobile browsers have their unique features, Atomic Web could well be considered the professional browser for advanced web users. With each version of the app, the developer has included features that make navigating the browser more user friendly and useful for bookmarking, managing and saving website...
How To: Create Stop Motion Videos with Your iPhone
This week has been awash with iPhone camera tips: Decim8, the digital glitch art generator; Bakari's 10 Uses for the Front-Facing iPhone Camera; and FiLMiC Pro, a professional app for shooting industry standard video. To wrap up our mini survey on iPhone camera apps & tips, one last fun tool: the $0.99 StopMotion Recorder.
How To: Install Skype Mobile Video Chat on your HTC Thunderbolt Android phone
Check out this helpful video to learn how to install Skype mobile video chat on your HTC Thunderbolt. First, download the file here then follow all of the instructions to get your Android smartphone running Skype video chat on Wi-fi and 4G.
News: ShakeCall App Lets You Answer and End Calls Agitatedly
Android users aren't required to answer and end phone calls by pushing buttons, thanks to ShakeCall by YSRSoft. It's a free application available in the Android Market, which links the answer and end functions to the motion of your smartphone. If someone calls you, shake to talk to them, or leave it alone to ignore. To end your conversion, shake again.
How To: Shoot Professional Movies with Your iPhone
Yesterday we showed you 10 different ways to make the most of your iPhone's front facing camera, but today's app takes shooting video with your iPhone to a professional level. Highly recommended by our resident filmmaker, Mike Goedecke (see his RED ONE camera tutorials here), FiLMiC Pro is a professional app for shooting industry standard video on the iPhone.
How To: Use any search engine from the address bar in Google Chrome and Chromim
Check out this video to learn how to search more effectively in the Google Chrome browser. This video will explain how to manually enter keyword searches in Google Chrome and Chromium, which will allow you to search using any engine from the address bar.
News: MacRecipes Catalogs All 313 of MacGyver's DIY Hacks
Can you really make an explosive from salt, sugar and weed killer? Does glycerol and water actually recover text from burnt paper? Is it possible to develop film with a first aid kit and some orange juice? MacGyver says yes.
How To: Display the Page Owner feature on Facebook
If you're using Social Media to promote your business, don't forget to promote yourself as well. Put a face to your Facebook page by watching this video and learning how to display the Page Owner feature on your business' Facebook page.
How To: Upgrade your Droid X to Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread
Check out this video if you want to upgrade your Droid X to the latest version of Android, 2.3.3 also known as Gingerbread. First, download the file and then follow all of the instructions in this video to safely get your Droid X running Gingerbread
News: 10 Uses for the Front-Facing iPhone Camera
If you're a lucky owner of the iPhone 4, you know that the upgrade to its camera app includes a front-facing camera feature which acts like a video cam on your computer. Apple, of course, intends the front-facing feature to be mainly used for the FaceTime application which enables you to hold video phone conferences with other iPhone 4 and Mac users who have FaceTime installed on their device. This is all well and good, but there several other ways the front-facing camera can be used.
News: Zaarly Launches Real-Time Mobile Marketplace
What do you get when you combine eBay, foursquare, and Craigslist want ads into a single mobile application? A really gnarly mobile bazaar called Zaarly that lets you post wanted products or services based on local proximity and timeliness. It's not a new idea, but it's the first to get it right.
News: iPlayboy Circumvents Apple's Puritanical App Store Policy
Playboy on iDevice has historically been a big letdown for fans; in order to meet the Apple store "morality" demands, the app offers no nudity, and poorly rated features to boot. But times are changing. Previously stumped on how to circumvent Steve Jobs' puritanism, Heffner and team have now found an alternative to providing loyal Playboy/Apple lovers with a high tech, digital option for browsing.
How To: Get By with the Cheaper 16GB Option for iPhone or iPad
There are a few different types of Apple iPhone and iPad users: general household users who largely consume media—e.g. surfing the web, watching movies, listening to music. Other iPhone and iPad owners use their device(s) to produce stuff—written documents, edited movies, blog posts, music tracks, and the like. And then there are those who are very mobile with their devices. They commute to and from work on a regular basis with their iPhone or iPad. Some users may travel a lot on business, or...
How To: Save SHSH blobs on your jailbroken iPhone or iPod Touch
This video explains how to use iSHSHit to save the SHSH blobs on your Apple iOS device so that you can downgrade your firmware. You can save your SHSH locally or back it up on your computer. Watch this video to learn how to save your jailbroken iPhone or iPod Touch's SHSH blobs.
How To: Calibrate your mobile device for better battery life
Learn how to recalibrate the battery reading of your mobile device, so that you don't get stuck with a dead battery. This video explains how and why to calibrate your phone, music player, tablet, or laptop. Watch and learn how to improve your battery life.
How To: Cheat benchmarks in Quadrant using the HTC Hero
This video will show you how you can manipulate the benchmarks captured by Quadrant on an HTC Hero. Watch this video to learn how to cheat benchmarks on your Android smartphone. Any software can be modified, which is why Quadrant doesn't always accurately rate hardware performance.
How To: Jailbreak an Apple TV 2G for Mac or Windows
Check out this video to learn how to use Seas0nPass to jailbreak your Apple TV 2G. This mod works on either Mac or Windows. This jailbreak is for Apple TV with firmware 4.2.2. Once you've jailbroken your Apple TV2 you'll have administrator access to all files on it.
How To: Make your Android phone feel faster
If you're looking to get a faster Android phone without resorting to installing a custom ROM, check out this helpful video to learn seven tips for speeding up an Android smartphone. There are a number of easy adjustments to the standard Android settings that will make the phone seem much faster.
How To: Add and manage multiple email accounts on an Android smartphone
A smartphone is the ultimate assistant for a good multitasker. Get the most out of your Android device by adding all of your email addresses. Watch this video to learn how to add gmail, hotmail, and other accounts to your Android smartphone. Add and manage multiple email accounts on an Android smartphone.
How To: Manage a Facebook page for business
Facebook is a great tool for businesses. Watch these videos to learn how to maximize the effectiveness of your business' Facebook page. Reach out to your customers with social media and networking with the methods demonstrated in these how to videos.
How To: Stream Hulu on a Nook Color or other Android device
Watch this video to learn how to get Hulu streaming video on your Nook Color or other Android device. To do this, you'll need to download a modified Adobe Flash player and Dropbox. Turn your Nook Color or Android device into a full service entertainment machine.
How To: Locate Free Parking Spots with Streetline's "Parker" App
With give or take 250 million cars in America, odds are most city dwellers waste time hunting for parking spots. And while a smartphone app can't make free parking spots magically appear, it can aid in the searching process.
How To: Change your Google Chrome theme
Looking to switch up the look of your internet browser? If you're using Google Chrome, you're in luck. One of Chrome's best features is that it's so customizable. Watch this video to learn how to change your Google Chrome theme.
How To: Turn a Chromebook into Google TV
The Google Chromebook may be simple, but it is not limited. Watch this video to see how the Chromebook works as a kind of rudimentary Google TV when hooked up to a large monitor. This easy mod will let you enjoy your Cr-48 Chromebook in a whole new way.
How To: Restore a Nook Color to the original out of the box settings using a Mac
If you're feeling rooter's remorse, check out this video to learn how to restore your Nook Color to its original firmware version 1.0.1. You'll have to download ClockworkMod Recovery and this Nook Color restore file. These directions are for unrooting/ restoring/ unbricking a Nook Color using a Mac.
How To: Put Netflix streaming on your Samsung Epic
Check out this helpful video to learn how to configure the settings on your Samsung Epic so that you can enjoy Netflix streaming. The Netflix app won't work with just any Android device, unless you follow the instructions in this video.