Gadget Hacks How-Tos

How To: how to make a catapult out of office supplies

Bored at work or school? In the middle of waging a cubicle war, and need to up your arsenal? Just like making catapults? This video shows you how you can make a basic catapult out of an assortment of office supplies. To make your catapult, you will need a ball point pen, a large binder clip, a few rubber bands... and, of course the ammo! Crumpled up pieces of paper or Post It notes work very well as ammo.

How To: Unlock your iPhone or iPod Touch to bypass the passcode

Back in the olden days, if a lock was, well, locked, you couldn't get in the door. At least, the average individual couldn't get in the door. But inventive and scheming folk (read: ye hackers of olde) devised crafty ways to pick lock keys and sometimes even created skeleton keys that opened any door or chest. This will let you unlock someones password on an ipod or iphone touch.

How To: Fix YouTube and GPS on your jailbroken iPod and iPhone

If you're like us and totally abuse that "replay" button on Taio Cruz's music video for "Higher," then you know just how important YouTube is for those neverending car rides home from school. But what happens when YouTube isn't working as well as you'd like? Or, worse yet, if the GPS on your iPhone breaks down right when you're in the middle of a freeway interchange?

How To: Get your PSP hooked up to the Internet without needing wifi

If you can't get access to a wifi hotspot or an Internet connection with your PSP, you can use this method to get online. You will need access to a computer that is online, and a USB cord that can connect the computer to your PSP. Then, open up the command prompt on your computer, configure your IP and then add your PSP as a device on the network. This method uses the DNS method of getting to the Internet rather than having to hack a wifi connection.

How To: Make a small robot gripper out of household items

A perfect project for the budding roboticist in you! This video shows you how to make a small robot gripper using basic household items. Press the button and make the robot's come together! You will need: a small blow torch or butane lighter, a glue gun, a dremel or rotary tool (along with several different bits), the free cutting pattern, a permanent marker, a micro servo, some small nails or pins, a small piece of Plexiglass and a paperclip. If you don't have access to a dremel, you can fak...

How To: Make a robot out of household items

This do it yourself robot can be made out of many materials you can find around your house. You'll need a few special non household items, such as an arduino and a class 3 laser. However, once you assemble everything correctly, you can make a sentry robot inspired by the robots in the game PORTAL. Even if you've never built a robot before, as long as you have a basic knowledge of electronics, you can start with this simple and fun project.

How To: Use the rattlesnake knot, square braid and other paracord braiding techniques

Paracord braiding is a popular technique used to make lanyards and ties for survival gear. There are many different techniques a braider can use - the most common are the rattlesnake knot and the square braid. This video shows you the nuances of both techniques, a few variations, and how you can decide when to use one or the other. You can also alter the appearance and tensile strength of your paracord braid by changing how tight you make your knots.

How To: Make Free Phone Calls Using Gmail

Did you know that you can use Gmail to make free phone calls to anywhere in North America? We're not talking computer to computer, but actual free phone calls to cell phones and home phones. All you need is a Gmail account, a microphone, and speakers plugged into your computer.

How To: Put Gameboy emulator (Gba) on your Blackberry Storm

Well your friend's won't stop dissing your BlackBerry Storm, and you need to show them it can actually play some games. This video shows how-to install the Gameboy emulator on your BlackBerry Storm so that you can play a whole host of cool video games. This method is pretty simple and requires your smart phone be connected to your PC, and that you go and get some software as described in the video. Give it a try and show them you ARE cool!

How To: Make home made night vision goggles

OK master spy, it's time to get your lurk on. If you're going to be spying, you'll need to be able to spy at night. This video will show you how-to make your very own night vision goggles so you can keep up with your mark well after the sun goes down. You'll need a 9V battery, an infrared LED, some wire cutters, a small screw driver, and some wire with a battery clip. You can easily find your needed infrared LED in any old TV remote control. Try it, and make some home made spy gear today!

How To: Speak Your Tweets (Egyptians Can Use Twitter via Voicemail)

You may have read an earlier post about Egypt blocking popular social websites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube due to demonstrators disseminating videos and photographs, along with coordinating movements, during the protests against President Hosni Mubarak. In that article, you learned how to use proxy servers and VPN services to bypass those website governmental blocks.

How To: Hack Your Electricity Meter

This video will show you what you'll need to know to hack a digital electric meter. You'll need 2 magnets, one much bigger than the other, an AC adaptor that you'll cut into pieces, or some speaker wire, distilled water, electrical tape, a knife, some plastic wrap, and a plastic cup. Remember, this is illegal, and shown only for educational purposes.

How To: Use the touch screen on a Nokia C6-01 smartphone

Learn how to use the touch screen to perform different actions and see how to control your device by tapping, scrolling, swiping or dragging. It's easy and this clip will teach you everything you need to know. For all of the details, including complete, step-by-step instructions, watch this brief, official C6-01 owner's guide from the folks at Nokia!

How To: Sign into Facebook and view status updates on a Nokia C6-01

Learn how to start using Social application: sign in and add multiple services (such as Facebook or other). Also learn how to see your friends' status updates and to post your own status update. It's easy and this clip will teach you everything you need to know. For all of the details, including complete, step-by-step instructions, watch this brief, official C6-01 owner's guide from the folks at Nokia!

How To: Take and edit pictures on a Nokia C6-01 smartphone

Learn how to set your camera to automatically record the location to the pictures you take. Also learn how to edit the pictures you have just taken. It's easy and this clip will teach you everything you need to know. For all of the details, including complete, step-by-step instructions, watch this brief, official C6-01 owner's guide from the folks at Nokia!