Gadget Hacks How-Tos
How To: Stop Gmail from Automatically Loading Images in Your Emails
Securing your email address is one of the most important things you can do on the internet. Hackers, spammers, and overly aggressive marketers can turn your Gmail inbox into a heap trash if you're not careful.
How To: Separate the Settings Menu on Your Nexus 7 Tablet into Tabs Arranged by Category
It seems like most of the really cool and interesting modifications you can make to your Android device always require special root access, so when a fun mod comes along that doesn't require root—I feel it's my duty to alert you.
How To: What's New (& Removed) In Apple's Latest iOS 7.1 for iPad, iPhone, & iPod Touch
This last weekend, Apple released the second beta of iOS 7.1 for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch, and I've got a firsthand look of what's to come in iOS 7.1—the first major update since iOS 7 was released.
How To: The Fastest Way to Switch Between Your Favorite & Most Used Apps on a Samsung Galaxy S4
Like many other smartphones these days, your Samsung Galaxy S4 is built to handle multitasking like a pro. With a 1.9 GHz processor and 2 GB of RAM (specs comparable to laptop computers just a few years ago), this powerhouse of a phone can switch between apps with supreme ease.
How To: Register a Domain Name with NameCheap
If you are struggling to get yourself a domain name, watch the video below and register a domain name you desired immediately.
How To: Use This Invisible Keyboard to See More of Your Screen When Typing on a Samsung Galaxy S3
The space on your phone is extremely valuable, so getting the most out of your screen real estate can help you out when multitasking or for just making your device feel bigger. One thing that is often overlooked when it comes to saving space on the screen is the keyboard.
How To: Android 4.4.2 Update Removes Hidden App Ops Privacy Feature: Here's How to Get It Back
If you've been using Google's hidden App Ops to lock down and prevent some of your Android applications from exposing your privacy, then think twice before updating to the new Android 4.4.2 software.
How To: Integrate Two Computer Fans to Make You Chill
This simple contraption almost acts like a Rube Goldberg machine to give you that cold tranquility that you need during the summer.
How To: Turn Your Nexus 4 into a Nexus 5
The Nexus 5 is the current Google flagship packed with the latest and greatest of all things Android, but what if you never made the leap from your Nexus 4 smartphone?
How To: Go Old School on Your Samsung Galaxy S3 with a Rotary Dialer
Out with the old, in with the new—but sometimes that phrase is reversed. Just take a look around and you'll see some high-top fades from the '90s and some hipster wearing his great grandmother's Depression-era reading glasses.
How To: Browse the Web or Play Games While Skyping on Your Android Device
Skype has recently made some really great changes to their Android app that were once exclusive to softModders with rooted devices. Previously when Skyping, using your device for other tasks was impossible. Your entire screen was devoted to your Skype conversation.
How To: Set Auto-Reply Emails When You're on Vacation Directly from the New Gmail Android App
The holiday season brings together three of my favorite things—presents, time off, and drinking. And in order to enjoy all of these things in peace, you have to make sure to put your work behind you.
How To: Get Adaptive App Shortcuts on Your Nexus 7's Lock Screen
There are a gazillion lock screen apps available on Google Play, but the majority of them are subpar and not worth your time. However, in my opinion, there is definitely one out there worth your time—one that constantly learns and adapts to what apps you use when and where to determine which shortcuts to give you.
How To: The New Google Keyboard Update for Android Adds Color Theme Options
When the KitKat-friendly Google Keyboard launched, it added an array of cool new features like emojis and swipe gestures. I've also recently covered its awesome keyboard shortcut feature, which lets you create shortcuts for words, phrases, and even email addresses to save on time and fumbling finger taps.
How To: Record Your Nexus 7 Screen Using ADB & KitKat's Hidden Screen Capture Tool
Whether it's because you want to make a quick tutorial video or want to show off your gameplay skills, recording the screen your Nexus 7 tablet isn't an easy feat. At least, until now. Hidden inside Android 4.4 KitKat is a built-in screen capturing feature, but it takes a little effort to dig it out.
How To: Congress Wants to Make Unlocking Smartphones Legal Again—Here's How You Can Help
Whether you have AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, or any other mobile carrier, chances are your smartphone is sold locked to only work on that specific carrier's network. Sure, you could unlock your carrier-subsidized device, but that would mean breaching the Library of Congress' latest Interpretation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act—making the whole process illegal. As softModders, boundaries and regulations are things that we don't take lightly, although many times we have to begrudg...
How To: Take Back the Photos & Videos You Send via Instagram Direct
It seems that Facebook doesn't take rejection lightly. After being denied for a $3 billion buyout of Snapchat, Facebook-owned Instagram has updated their popular photo-sharing service with Instagram Direct—a new feature that allows users to send private photos/videos.
How To: Block Instagram Users from Sending You Direct Photo & Video Messages
Instagram recently released their new Instagram Direct messaging feature in their Android and iOS apps, which lets users share private photos and videos directly with individuals or groups of up to 15 users. However, there are no restrictions on who you can send private photos or videos to.
How To: Access Your Notifications from the Pattern or PIN-Protected Lock Screen on Your Galaxy S4
Smartphone users these days can get bombarded with texts and emails every hour. Online retailers sending you coupons to get you to buy stuff. Girlfriends asking where you are. Service providers reminding you to pay your bills on time.
How To: Enhance the Music Listening Experience on Your Nexus 7 Tablet
When choosing a phone or tablet, I always take in to consideration what my music experience will be. Unfortunately, the Nexus 7 doesn't have Beats by Dre technology, which some may view as overrated, though it's definitely one of the better ways to get perfect-sounding tunes with headphones. But it's not all about the Beats. There are many other ways to make listening to music on your Nexus 7 tablet a better experience, and we'll highlight some of the options and add-ons that you can try out.
How To: Start a Fire
This is for those people that want to create a fire in a camping situation, survival situation, flare type alert to other that you are lost, or simply for entertainment.
How To: Automate Simple Tasks on Your Samsung Galaxy S3 Without Using Tasker
Automation applications bring the future a little closer. If you've seen Minority Report or other futuristic sci-fi movies, the intrigue of having your electronics work independently is something we can all appreciate.
How To: Get BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) on Your Nexus 7 or Other Android Tablet
My friends were extremely excited when BlackBerry made their Messenger available to iOS and Android users. "Neil, get BBM. It's back!" I didn't understand why when there are so many alternatives out there, like Kik and WhatsApp.
How To: Use Spotify's New Free Mobile Streaming on Your Nexus 7 Tablet or Other Android Device
What can be said about Spotify that most of us don't already know? It's the most popular digital music streaming service out there, giving you access to millions of songs on your computer. However, the mobile service was once an exclusive feature for paid subscribers. Not anymore, suckers.
How To: Android Device Manager Now Available on Google Play to Find, Lock, & Wipe Lost Devices Easier
While the Play Store has a plethora of apps available for finding lost Android phones, Google came out with its own web-based application, Google Device Manager, earlier this year to help you keep track of all your Android devices and remote lock, erase, ring, and track if need be.
How To: 10 Surefire Ways to Speed Up & Fix Your Family's Mac OS X Computer During the Holidays
If you're marginally inclined towards computers, you've probably been approached at some point by a family member who wants you to "fix" their system during a visit home. With the holidays coming up, these opportunities (or ambushes) are even more likely.
How To: Get CyanogenMod's New Secured Text Messaging Without Rooting or Installing a Custom ROM
In spite of the degree of difficulty it is to install, CyanogenMod has steadily climbed the ladder to become one of the most popular third-party firmwares for Android devices.
How To: Google Play Store Improvements Rolling Out on Android: Here's How to Get Them Right Now
If you have an Android device, you most definitely have the Google Play Store. It's the main hub for finding and downloading apps, games, music, movies, and more, as well as updating them. It's where all the magic happens, but you're not getting the full effect unless you're running the latest and greatest version of the Google Play Store app.
How To: Save Time Typing Your Email Address Out Using a Keyboard Shortcut on Your Galaxy S3
"Enter your email address. Confirm your email address." I absolutely hate seeing those two sentences when I'm signing up for something online, especially on my Samsung Galaxy S3. The less keyboard work I have to do on my mobile the better. Luckily, there is a way to enter your email address without having to type it all out, and I'm going to show you how it's done.
How To: Shake Your Nexus 7 Tablet for a New Wallpaper Whenever You Want One
Let's be honest, some days call for a new wallpaper to match your mood. If I'm upset, I could use a nice, uplifting wallpaper to alleviate my low spirits. Even in a day and age where everything is literally at our fingertips, I get too lazy to deal with going in and selecting a new wallpaper, cropping it, and setting it (pathetic, I know).
How To: Shake Your Way to a New Wallpaper on Your Samsung Galaxy S3
Change is something everyone needs every now and then. President Obama used it as his campaign slogan and adult movie stars use it to hide their real identifies. Change is in itself versatile. You never want to have the same thing day in and day out, and that's why us Android users appreciate the massive amount of customization available.
How To: Unlock the Hidden Battery Percentage Status Bar Icon in KitKat on Your Nexus 7 Tablet
Much like the built-in screen recording tool on Android 4.4 KitKat, hidden features like the new battery Status bar icon must be manually unlocked on your Nexus 7 tablet. This is both exciting and annoying.
How To: Turn Your Samsung Galaxy Note 3 into a Personal Ambient Weather Station with These Apps & Widgets
The majority of Android devices have built-in sensors underneath the hood that measure motion, position, and several environmental parameters that provide data needed to monitor your movements and adjust accordingly.
How To: The Ultimate Guide to Using Google Now as Your Personal Assistant in Android 4.4 KitKat
The launch of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean was also the launch of Google Now, a service that was supposed to one-up Siri, the resident personal assistant for iOS devices. Google Now offered enticing features, but its launch went unnoticed by a great many Android users.
How To: Improve Your Nexus 5 Camera with the Android 4.4.1 Update Right Now
Good news, everyone! If you own a Nexus 5, then you know your main camera shooter is just north of "meh." Luckily, Google has been on the case, and has just released an Android update that is designed to improve overall camera performance.
How To: Unlock Your Samsung Galaxy S4 Using Customizable Swipe Gestures
As far as lock screens go, your Samsung Galaxy S4 and other Android phones offer quite a few options. You can use the classic PIN unlock, the novelty facial recognition, or the reliable pattern lock. But what if you get tired of entering the same old PIN or pattern every day?
How To: Switch Between Running Apps & Games Faster on Your Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Quickness and efficiency should always be a fundamental aspect of the experience when using any Android device. Anything less, and we've got a problem. As app development continually progresses, these adjectives become much more refined and polished, making the use of a smartphone a flawless affair of swipes and gestures.
How To: Get Rounded Screen Corners on Your Nexus 7 Tablet for a More Comfortable Display
Like a beautiful woman, curves can enhance the appeal of certain things, so why not your Nexus 7 tablet? If you're tired of the uniformity of right-angled corners on your screen, add a little character by rounding them out.
How To: Become Master of Your Tunes with This All-in-One Android Music Player for Your Galaxy Note 3
There are a lot of great music apps available on Google Play for your Android device, each usually specializing in one feature or another, and we’ve shown a bunch of them. There's everything from floating controls to equalizers to deeply integrated streaming, but what if you want all of those features jam-packed into a single app?
How To: Get the Exclusive Google Nexus 5 “Experience” Launcher on Your Nexus 7 Tablet
If you're like me, then you were a little disappointed after updating your Nexus 7 to KitKat and realizing that not much has changed. The old Jelly Bean look still occupied your home screen, and there wasn't really anything noticeably new overall. All of that waiting and anticipation only to be left high and dry.