Gadget Hacks How-Tos
Stop Yelling at Your Roommates: How to Sync Bills, Chores, & Groceries Across Android & iOS
We've all heard our fair share of roommate horror stories, or have some of our own, because we never truly know who someone is until we've lived with them. Cohabitation issues generally revolve around things like bills, chores, cleaning, and groceries. Approaching a roommate, especially an adult one, to remind them to do their chores can be an anxiety-ridden and daunting task. After all, we're roommates, not parents!
How To: Install the Xposed Framework on Your Nexus 5 for Max Customization
If you've been keeping up with anything Android these days, you've no doubt heard about a little dandy called Xposed Framework kicking around. Xposed, by XDA developer rovo89, is a framework for Android devices that lets you easily modify your stock or custom ROM.
How To: Stop YouTube Surfing with a Personal Video Concierge for Your Samsung Galaxy S3
Whether you're on the john or sitting quietly on the bus to work, there's always time for a little video. And thanks to my favorite high school procrastination site, I'm going to be turning that little into a lot.
How To: Mimic Your iPhone's Lock Screen in Mac OS X with This iOS-Style Screensaver
The iOS 7 release brought with it many new aesthetic upgrades, from new flat, vibrant icons to a sleeker text messaging interface. Another small, yet noticeable, difference is the minimal and clean lock screen, which removed the overbearing "Slide to Unlock" background bar in lieu of just the text.
How To: The Quickest Way to Search on Google in Chrome, Firefox, & Safari
So, you find an interesting article online, but there’s something you don’t quite understand about it and instinct kicks in. Open new tab. Go to Google. Enter keywords. Search. Find information. Understand.
How To: Revert Back to Google Map's Original One-Finger Zoom on the Galaxy Note 3
Pinch-to-zoom has been a well-known feature in Google Maps, but one-finger zoom has always been a more practical way of navigating, especially for those of us using our phones with one hand.
How To: Can't Take That Call? Respond with a Photo or Quick Voice Message (Like Shaq Does)
We've all been there. Our phone rings, but we're at a concert or dinner and don't want to spend time sending a text explaining our whereabouts. While ignoring a call is easy, it isn't always the most polite thing to do.
How To: Get Definitions Faster by Adding Dictionaries Straight to Spotlight Search on Your iPhone
As an avid reader, I come across a plethora of words I don't know, but my iPhone is always right there to help figure out their meanings.
How To: Enable "Unknown Sources" to Install Third-Party Apps (APK Files) on a Nexus 4 or Nexus 5
Here's one of those modding must-haves that's basic, yet easy enough to forget about. If you're going to install apps that don't live in the Google Play Store, like the Google Experience Launcher, the OnePlus One lock screen, or something that needs root privileges like the Xposed Framework, you need to turn on this setting.
How To: Enable One-Tap Page Scrolling in Either Direction on Your Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Recently, Mike over on Samsung Galaxy S4 softModder showed how to scroll from the bottom to the top of a page with a single tap, a feature that Apple is well known for, and something I missed very much on my Galaxy Note 3. However, there's always room for improvement.
How To: Back Up & Restore Your Nexus 5 with a Custom Recovery
A rooted Android device means we're on our way to some truly amazing customization options. But there may be a few steps left to completing that journey, and a major one is installing a custom recovery.
How To: Make a Clothespin Pocket Pistol (AKA Mini Matchstick Gun)
Clothespins are pretty innocent-looking, but with a mod here and a hack there, that innocence quickly turns into danger. Well, sort of. In this project, we'll be turning an ordinary spring-action clothespin into powerful matchstick and toothpick shooter that can shoot apples and lob fiery darts over 20 feet.
How To: Exploit Apple's AirPlay to Record & Save Music from an iPhone to Your Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Ever since its introduction back in iOS 6, AirPlay has been helping us iOS and Mac users stream content over to an Apple TV or third-party speaker system. It's an incredibly useful feature. However, it's also severely limiting. The few compatible products out there are extremely expensive, making wireless streaming a not-so-easy task.
How To: Burnt or Buttered? How to Add App Names & Icons to Your Galaxy S4's Toast Notifications
Toast notifications are a type of pop-up alert built into Android, letting us know when an app has performed a certain action. Whether it's Gmail saving a draft or Firefox opening a new tab, toasts are meant to be informational while not being totally intrusive.
How To: Slim Down Those Annoying iOS 7 Banner Alerts on Your iPhone for Smaller, Scrolling Notifications
So, I'm playing Injustice: Gods Among Us and whooping some serious superhero ass when out of nowhere I receive a stupid notification that ruins my game and subsides my thunder!
How To: Close Apps in Apple iOS 6 on iPad
Closing apps in iOS 6 was different that what is now in iOS 7. Shown in the video below is the old clumsy way of closing apps on the old iPads.
How To: Get Faster Access to Settings for Your Installed Xposed Mods on the Nexus 7
If you're reading this, chances are you're utilizing Xposed Framework to apply unique customizations to your device . We've covered various Xposed mods, like how to how to unlock KitKat's full screen capabilty and make your battery percentage easier to read on the Nexus 7, but today, we're showing you an Xposed module for Xposed. In order to access the modules on your device, you typically enter the Xposed Installer, go to Modules, then select your mod. Easy enough, right? Well, things just g...
How To: Get Chat Head Bubbles for Text Messages on Your Nexus 5
A while back, Facebook released a killer feature called "Chat Heads" to its Facebook Messenger app. Messages from users would "pop up" in small bubbles that floated on the screen that could be seen, accessed, and moved around from within most apps.
How To: The Fastest Way to Monitor Memory & Storage Usage on Your Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Modern smartphones can easily handle anything you throw at them, but it's always good to keep a tight grasp of what your phone is actually doing and how well it's doing it. System information can be viewed by looking through your Application Manager, but this process makes it difficult to keep an eye on usage in real time.
How To: Don't Tap—Swipe Back to Previous Screens on Your Nexus 7 Tablet Instead
Facial, voice, and hand gestures are the way of the future for controlling our devices, and even gaming consoles like the Xbox One have incorporated them. Unfortunately, our Nexus 7 tablets have not. We're currently limited to using soft keys for most actions, but we can inch closer to the future by replacing one critical action with a simple touch gesture—going back.
How To: View App Usage Stats in Your iPhone's Multitasking Menu
Those of you using iOS 7 probably know by now that swiping down on an app's preview screen in the multitasking menu does absolutely nothing. Swiping up force closes the app, but down is useless—unless you're jailbroken.
How To: Snapchat Increases Its Security Push, Adds Image Captcha Feature
Snapchat has had more than its fair share of security failures and mishaps. The photo-sharing company is looking to better address some of these security gaps by adding new features, and today its most recent addition is live: the Captcha. New users will be asked to verify their "humanness" by selecting the infamous Snapchat ghost out of a selection of images. The feature is supposed to help block hacker-made bots from creating fake accounts or accessing existing ones. But rather than using t...
How To: Tweet or Post to Facebook Directly from iOS 7's Notification Center on Your iPhone
Many of us were left scratching our heads when the iOS 7 update removed the Twitter and Facebook options from the Notification Center. Allowing you to quickly tweet and post Facebook updates, these were features used, and missed, by many—including me.
How To: Make Your Galaxy S4 Scroll-to-Top When Tapping the Status Bar—Like iOS Does
While browsing the internet on your Samsung Galaxy S4, you've probably scrolled to the bottom of a very long webpage, Twitter feed, or down into the abyss of some other app. Depending just how far down you've scrolled, it can be a test of your patience (and fingertips) scrolling back up to the top.
Never Miss an Alert: View Your Galaxy S3's Notifications Directly on Your Computer Screen
Having quick and immediate access to your notifications is one of the most important features for any modern day phone, but these alerts can be easily missed when your device isn't in the palm of your hand.
How To: Beef Up Your iPhone's Passcode Security with a Blank Keypad on Your iOS 7 Lock Screen
Are you tired of your snoopy coworkers and friends lingering over your shoulder as you type in your security passcode? Unless you have the newer iPhone 5S with Touch ID that scans your fingerprint, you've only got a couple of security options—either a 4-digit numeric passcode or a cumbersome password.
How To: A Better Way to Select & Edit Text on Your iPhone
It feels like someone just overheard me talking shit about my iPhone. I really hate when I need to edit an email, text, iMessage, or whatever because of the way you have to select words and phrases. You either hold down on the screen where you want to bring up the menu, or double-tap to highlight a word. It's crap.
How To: Insert an SD Card into a Samsung Galaxy Y
If you have an older Samsung Galaxy Y smartphone, one thing you should be doing is using an microSD or microSDHC memory card to help improve your Android's processing speed and make it easier to transfer large or small files easily. These cards are also compatible with certain cameras and can be inserted into some computers. While all this is all good and well, you'll still need to know how and where to put your SD card in order to indulge in any of these benefits. Your Samsung Galaxy Y (the ...
How To: Access Your Favorite Apps "Quickr" on Your Samsung Galaxy S3
To say that there are a lot of app switchers and launchers available is an understatement. We've covered a few ourselves, including Loopr and Switchr. But why not check out one more?
How To: Everything You Need to Know About Apple's 4th Beta for iOS 7.1 on the iPad, iPhone, & iPod Touch
Well, that was quick. A little over a week after releasing the third beta for iOS 7.1, Apple presented a fourth build to developers.
How To: Make Secure Phone Calls Without Using Your Cellular Network for Enhanced Encryption
In the wake of the NSA controversy and its subsequent fallout, many dashed towards finding means of secure communication—using private internet browsing and encrypted text messaging applications—out of fear of being spied on.
How To: Watch the 2014 Super Bowl XLVIII Commercials Right Now
This year's NFL playoffs have been nothing short of spectacular. With Super Bowl XLVIII coming up on Sunday, February 2nd, people are already gearing up for another classic showdown between the NFC and AFC, and this time it's the Seattle Seahawks versus the Denver Broncos.
How To: Speed Up Your iPhone by Removing the Super Slow Transition Animations
When iOS 7 was released, there were actually news reports of people getting disoriented and sick due to the motion of the parallax effect, along with the speedy animations when opening and closing apps and folders.
How To: Stream Your Google Play Movies & TV Shows on an iPad or iPhone
Apple and Google are not only two of the biggest names in the tech world, but also two of the biggest competitors. So, it's no surprise that you can't watch movies or TV shows purchased from iTunes on an Android device. Likewise, you can't watch any videos purchased on Google Play with your iPad or iPhone—until now.
How To: What Kind of Porn Are Your Neighbors Watching—And How Much?
Most people keep their ungodly sexual desires deep inside, only to be indulged in private on their computers. It makes you wonder... what secrets do your neighbors have? What kind of porn are they watching? And how much and for how long? Thanks to some public (and anonymous) data, you can now find out.
How To: Add Ambient Album Art to Your Lock Screen When Listening to Music in iOS 7
One of many cool features in iOS is the ability to listen to your Music app and have the player options, as well as album art, available on your lock screen. While that's super convenient, it's not all that easy on the eyes. The player is placed over a blurred version of whatever your lock screen wallpaper is.
Dropping the Beat: How to Make Google Translate Beatbox for You
I know that after seeing 8 Mile for the first time, you and your friends tried a few freestyles yourself. Nothing to be embarrassed about. As one person dropped the beat, you started your stuttering flow, and everyone else nodded their head. And for a second you probably thought you sounded pretty good, until the beat maker started coughing and threw you off.
How To: The Fastest Way to Roll Through Multitasking Cards in iOS 7.1
Apple baked multitasking and quick app switching into iOS back in 2010 with the launch of iOS 4, but the multitasking view changed in iOS 7 to show previews of the apps you have open. Unfortunately, this made swiping through open apps slower than before.
Quick Tip: Chrome Has a Built-in Task Manager to Help Fix Your Misbehaving Tabs
I can't tell you how many times I've force-closed or restarted Chrome due to it freezing or loading pages incorrectly. And don't even get me started on that obnoxious "Aw, Snap!" error. I guess you could say I have a love-hate relationship with my most used browser.
How To: Get Majestic App Icons on Your iPhone with This iOS 7 Winterboard Theme
Winterboard for iOS 7 allowed us to use some pretty great-looking themes. Circulus and Space BlueBerry are both great, but a little too "fun" for me. If you want something serious, yet appealing to the eye, then M'flat is for you.