Gadget Hacks How-Tos — Page 180 of 336

How To: Scan Removable Drives for Malware with Windows 8's Built-In Antivirus Scanner

Windows has its own built-in antivirus program called Windows Defender, which kinda sounds like a sweet arcade game, but it actually does a pretty good job of protecting your Windows PC from spyware and malware.

How To: Fix the Battery Draining Issue on Your iPhone After Updating to iOS 6.1.3

When the 6.1 version of iOS was released back in February, complaints of severe battery drainage for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch users exploded onto every Apple-related forum on the Internet. Everyone was either losing a percentage every three or so minutes, or their battery only lasted half as long as it did before the update. Earlier this month, Apple released iOS version 6.1.3, to supposedly fix a recent exploit that allowed anyone to bypass the lock screen—but as it turns out, the update...

How To: Share Your Windows 8 PC's Internet with a Phone or Tablet by Turning It into a Wi-Fi Hotspot

These days, there is hardly a place in America that doesn't have access to the internet. But with web usage fees and ridiculous cell phone provider contracts, sometimes it's still necessary to go a little DIY when it comes to staying connected.

How To: Don't Get Burned! How to Prevent Your iPhone from Overheating

A few months ago I was driving around trying to find a store using Apple Maps (a terrible situation in and of itself), when my iPhone decided to shut off in the middle of giving me directions. I had no idea what happened, and when I looked at the screen, I saw this: My phone had never overheated and I really didn't know what to do. Needless to say, I couldn't really get to where I was trying to go without those directions. I pulled over and waited for the phone to cool back down, which took a...

How To: Create a System Image Backup of Your Entire Windows 8 PC

There is nothing worse than losing valuable information or programs on your computer. And if you've ever accidentally deleted a file or document, you know how agonizing that entire process can be.

How To: DIY Stick Welder from Old Microwave Parts

Lurking inside your old junk microwave is an abundance of useful parts that can let you melt metal, spot weld, and make electrifying Jacob's ladders. You can even make a powerful AC arc welder, perfect for making hard-to-solve puzzles and even makeshift weapons for the zombie apocalypse.

How To: Install the New GS4 Version of S-Voice on Your Samsung Galaxy S3

With the release of the Samsung Galaxy S4 right around the corner, us Galaxy S3 users also have reason for excitement. We already know that many of the S4 features will make their way to our devices, but who knew it would be this soon!

How To: Add Specific Emails in Gmail to Your Astrid To-Do List in One Click

I check my email every morning as part of my daily routine (usually while I'm brushing my teeth, if you really want to know). As a result, there have been many, many times where I've read an email on my phone or computer and forgotten to respond in a timely fashion.

How To: Make Your Nexus 7's Brightness Auto Adjust to Your Preferred Levels in Different Environments

When it comes to our smartphones and tablets, we're always on the lookout for ways to beat the oh so common rapid battery depletion problem that affects practically every mobile device. We'll do anything and everything to keep our battery life at an optimum, from turning off certain features (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) to removing widgets and applications that use an exorbitant amount of CPU. One of the most popular and efficient ways of saving battery is to lower the screen brightness. Usually, we...

How To: Make Garlic Deviled Eggs

Here is how to make garlic deviled eggs, perfecta appetizers when you have family and friends over. Step 1: To Make Garlic Deviled Eggs You Will Need

How To: Control Hard to Remember Keyboard Shortcuts on Your Computer Using Your iPad

Keyboard shortcuts are super useful for multitasking and saving time on the computer. But if you're like me, you might only know a few of the million of keyboard shortcuts that are out there. I pretty much know the most basic of basic shortcuts: copy, cut, paste, save, select all, and screenshot.

How To: The Easiest Way Possible to Root Your Samsung Galaxy S3 (Just One Click!)

Samsung does a good job of making their devices fairly open, and the Galaxy S3 is no different. There are numerous way to root a device, but sometimes the jargon and steps can be a little intimidating for new rooters, and even pro rooters.

How To: The Super Simple Secret to Fixing Wonky GPS Problems on Your Samsung Galaxy S3

As with practically any other device, the Samsung Galaxy S3 has its fair share of complaints. Some have workarounds, some can be solved with mods or apps, and some seem to have no fix at all.

How To: Prevent Accidental "Reply to All" Emails from Ruining Your Life

You know that sinking feeling you get when know you've just done the unthinkable? It's the worst. Sending that ridiculous text message to the wrong number or posting a shameful tweet during a weekend bender.

How To: Capture Unauthorized Users Trying to Bypass Your Windows 8 Lock Screen

Who wouldn't want to know if someone was trying to log onto their personal computer without their permission? Be it your annoying co-worker or your girlfriend, there are many cases where people may try to gain access to your desktop or laptop.

How To: Hide Private Calls & Texts from Nosy People on Your Samsung Galaxy S3 or Other Android Phone

When it comes to your smartphone, you don't have to be a cheater to want a little privacy. I don't even like people playing Temple Run on my mobile because I don't want anyone beating the achievements I've been working on getting myself.

How To: Send & Receive Text Messages Right from Your Nexus 7 3G Tablet (Rooted & Non-Rooted)

In a previous how-to, I showed how to send and receive text messages by wirelessly syncing them from your phone to your Nexus 7 tablet. Some eagle-eyed users may have notice that the Nexus 7 with 3G actually has a SIM card slot.

How To: Customize the Firefox Menu Button with New Colors and a Different Name

Browser customization is one of Firefox's best attributes. You can personalize your Firefox with extensions, add-ons, themes, and so on. And if all of that still doesn't cut it, you can even customize the Firefox Menu button to say whatever you want. To start off, you'll need to download a user file editor called ChromEdit Plus. Click Add to Firefox, then hit Allow when prompted and wait for it to install. You will need to restart Firefox afterwards.

How To: Make a Samsung Galaxy S3, Sony Xperia Z, & Other Android Phones Safer for Driving with Car Launcher

I'm all about safety in my life. I even put on safety goggles when someone opens a bottle of champagne—high life problems. But when it comes to driving, you have to be double safe, because the other drivers on the road may not have your safety in mind.

How To: Eliminate Excess Junk Data on Your Windows Phone 8 to Free Up More Storage Space

There is no such thing as too much space when it comes to our smartphones. Space is the great equalizer of all things. No matter how many awesome features a device has, the amount of storage space available will always be a determining factor. Be it music, apps or photos, it's easy to fill up your phone's memory fast.

How To: Skip Your Inbox and Go Straight to Composing a New Message in Gmail

As someone who uses his email account a substantial amount, I know exactly how hectic it can get. On a regular work day, I receive around twenty to thirty emails—from my alma mater, my job, bars and restaurants, and Nigerian princes that need to borrow some money to save their country.

How To: Secretly Send Text Messages in Class or at Work Without Touching Your iPhone

Whether you're at work or in class, there are times when using your phone is unacceptable, regardless of that subtle yet sudden twitch in your arm that arises every time you hear the vibration of a text message.

How To: Get All of Samsung's Coolest TouchWiz Features onto Your Nexus 7 Tablet

Okay, you're Nexus 7 is awesome, but ever wish you could explore those nifty TouchWiz features that make the Samsung Galaxy Tab and Samsung Galaxy Note 2 so interesting?

How To: Add Custom Lock Screen Widgets to Your Nexus 7, Samsung Galaxy S3, & Other Android 4.2 Devices

It's all about widgets. Widgets are one of the most important features on an Android phone—they can provide valuable information at a glance and are easily customizable.

How To: Get Your Windows 8 PC to Automatically Wake from Sleep Whenever You Want

I rarely ever turn my desktop off. For starters, it takes a few minutes to boot up, which I hate, and secondly, putting the computer to sleep is perfectly adequate. You really only need to completely shut down your computer every once in a while.

How To: Turn Your Samsung Galaxy S3 into a Free Wi-Fi Hotspot

Not having internet sucks! We do a ton online these days, from working, shopping, studying, and collaborating, to watching fail videos and endlessly clicking through memes.

How To: Run All of Your iPhone 5 Apps in Full Screen Mode

If you've recently jailbroken your iPhone 5, there's a likely chance that you're overwhelmed by the huge numbers of themes, add-ons and tweaks littered throughout the Cydia directory.

How To: Hungry for a Light Snack? Try Making These Gummy LEDs (aka Nerd Candy)

LEDs have slowly become the standard for DIY lighting projects because they consume less power and last way longer than regular light bulbs do. Light-emitting diodes have no filament, meaning they generate their light solely by the movement of electrons in a semiconductor material.

How To: Make Siri More Powerful on Your iPhone by Adding These Extra Voice Commands

While Siri may be the cream of the crop when it comes to smartphone personal assistants, there is always room to grow bigger and better (that's what she said). Siri, although recently expanded, is still lacking in the amount of commands and actions she can currently perform. While looking up directions and restaurants is fairly easy for Siri, asking her to gain access to third-party programs or browsers is a little more difficult.

How To: The Definitive Nexus 7 Guide to Bootloader Unlocking, Rooting, & Installing Custom Recoveries

Rooting, bootloaders, custom ROMs, CyanogenMod, ClockworkMod... it's all pretty confusing, isn't it? You're not the only one having trouble with this. Many users in the Nexus 7 SoftModder forum have been scratching their heads at these many terms.

How To: Newly Rooted? Install "Touch" Recovery on Your Samsung Galaxy S3 to Easily Flash ROMs & Mods

The advantages of rooting have been covered before, and with rooting comes flashing ROMs and mods to your device. The easiest method for flashing anything is to do it through recovery.

How To: Can't Go to That Show Anymore? Get Your Money Back by Selling Those Tickets to Your Facebook Friends

"Dude-man-bro, are you going to Coachella this year?" If I got a dollar for every time I was asked that question, I might just have enough money to actually buy the dang ticket. Concerts have been, for a very long time now, a great way to spend a night or a weekend having fun with friends and listening to some great tunes.