Gadget Hacks How-Tos

How To: Turn an LCD screen into a simple EL (electroluminescent) display

Electroluminescent (EL) materials light up when electricity passes through them, as opposed to more common incandescent lights that respond to heat. EL displays are becoming very popular in advertising and art,but getting them or the materials to make them can be expensive. Watch this video to learn how to turn an LCD into a simple EL display, and also how superglue can be used as a cheap dielectric in this sort of project.

How To: Jailbreak iPhone 4 iOS 4.1

Download Greenpois0n and firmware 4.1! You can download greenpois0n and firmware version 4.1 from JailbreakAndUnlock. If you didn't update to 4.1 you'll need to restore to 4.1 firmware. Don't update to firmware 4.1 if your iPhone is unlocked.

How To: Make Google Chrome open in Incognito Mode by default

Did you know that Google Chrome has a feature called Incognito Mode that allows you to browse the web without having your history recorded or any cookies downloaded? It's perfect for shared computers, but by default you have to turn it on every time you open the browser. Watch this video to learn how to make Google Chrome default to Incognito Mode, removing one step between you and anonymous browsing.

How To: Unlock any iPhone with a simple lock screen hack

Learn how to replicate the much-publicized iPhone lock-screen hack (before Apple patches it)! This hacker's how-to will teach you everything you need to know. For complete instructions, including a detailed, step-by-step overview, and to get started unlocking your friends iPhones, watch this video guide from Household Hacker.

How To: Download and install the Firesheep Mozilla Firefox browser add-on

Eager to try the Firesheep Firefox extension yourself? It stands to reason that you'll need to download and install it from its official GitHub page first. You'll find all the details, including easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions on how to find and run the Firesheep XPI installer, in the clip. Get started capturing your friends' Facebook passwords with this video guide.

How To: Watch Flash video on an Apple iPhone with the Skyfire web browser app

Now available for download in the official App Store, Skyfire is a mobile web browser that converts Flash video to iPhone-friendly HTML5 on the fly. Because Apple has heretofore not supported Flash video, that's kind of a big deal! In this iPhone owner's guide, we learn how to use and navigate the various features of functions of the Skyfire smart browser. For all of the details, and to get started watching Flash video clips on your own iPhone 4, 3G or 3GS, iPad, iPod Touch or other iOS devic...

How To: Clear Your Browser Cache on Your BlackBerry

In this video, we learn how to clear your browser cache on your Blackberry. From the home screen, go to the browser and then wait for it to load. After this, you will click on menu and then click on the options button. From here, go to 'cache operations' and click on it. After this, click on the 'clear history' button that appears on the top right hand side of the screen. Once this finishes clearing out, the information on your screen will be gone and the things saved on your browser will no ...

How To: Start a Twitter account

In this tutorial, we learn how to start a Twitter account. First, go to Twitter, then click on 'get started'. From here, fill in the blanks and hit 'create account'. After this, you can scan your e-mail contact list to see if anyone you know is on Twitter. Now you can personalize your account by going to the settings section and then adding a picture. You can also type in where you live, a short bio, and hometown information. Once finished, you can start to add friends to tweet with! This fun...

How To: Check your internet speed and avoid spam traps

To test how fast your internet speed is an intermediate level skill. Start by picking an internet speed test. You can use Google or another search engine to find one. A service that is recommended in the video is DSLreports. This site does not require you to know a lot of information about your service. To test your speed start by picking a city that is near to you. Then shut down all tabs and every application that you have running. It's important to do this on every computer on your home ne...

How To: Use the camera on the Samsung Galaxy I7500

In this tutorial, we learn how to use the camera on the Samsung Galaxy I7500. First, press and hold the camera key on the side of your phone. Next, you will see the camera appear on your screen. To take a picture, press and hold the camera icon. You can review your picture by tapping the gallery icon on the top left. Here you can zoom in and zoom out, view other photos, set it, share it, and delete it. When you are finished, simply go back to your menu and then you are done, enjoy using your ...

How To: Use the ring/silent switch on your iPhone

In this video, we learn how to use the ring/silent switch on your iPhone. First, you will find the switch which is on the side of the phone. This will allow you to turn your notifications on or off. Simply flick the switch until you see an orange dot, which means it's off. If you wish to receive vibration alerts, you can tap on settings, then sounds, then you can turn the vibrate section as either off or on. This is important, because if vibrate is off and the silent mode is on, you won't rec...

How To: Text message with the Blackberry 8330

In this tutorial we learn how to text message with the Blackberry 8330. Start on the main menu and then click on the messages icon. From here, you will click on the menu key on your keyboard. From here, scroll down and choose the "compose sms" selection. Next, you will choose who you want to send the message to from your contacts, or choose a number you want to send it to just one time. After this, you will type in your message. Once you're done typing in your message, click on the menu key a...

How To: Wire a light with a 3 way switch

In this video, Mark Donovan teaches us how to wire a light with a 3 way switch. Before starting, make sure the power is turned off from the main circuit panel first, and you test to make sure it's off. You will have two switches for the same light fixture. For a 15 amp circuit, you can use 14-2 and 14-3 wire. These wires will have a black, white, and red wire. The 14-2 wire just has a lack and white wire with a copper ground. The power coming into the base should have all the wires that conne...

How To: Solder a 0603 LED

In this tutorial, we learn how to solder a 0603 LED. First you will get a business card or card with a piece of masking tap. Then, place our LED on the masking tape and apply posts to it. From here, you will apply some solder to the LED as well. Make sure you apply enough pressure to the LED so it will not pop up. Use just small touch of solder and put it on the top of the iron. Touch both sides of the contact and you will have enough solder on the LED. This will finished your soldering, just...

How To: Increase Download Speed with Internet Download Manager

What is Internet Download Manager? Internet Download Manager (IDM) is a tool to increase download speeds by up to 10 times, resume and schedule downloads. Have you ever wanted to increase you download speed form 4kps to 80kps? If you answered yes then you need Internet Download Manager. It can and will increase your download speed so you can get the files you want quicker and easier than ever before.

How To: Block a website

In this tutorial, we learn how to block a website. First, you will start by going to the start menu then go to "run". After this, type in "c://windows/system32.drivers/etc". After this, a new window will pop up on your screen. With this, you will drag the host into a text document. Then, type in the website that you want to block inside of this document. Once you are finished, type in the IP address of your computer next to that and save it. This will finish up the blocking of the website and...

How To: Solder for cheap

In this tutorial, we learn how to solder for cheap. Start out by forming the wire to get it ready to solder. The trick here is to create some tension between the two ends, do this by going back and forth hitting the wires. Now, grab a torch and start to flex the wire while holding it in front of the open flame. After this, grab some of the flux you keep in a bottle and apply it to the piece. Continue to apply heat to the wire until it turns cherry red, then apply the solder with the connectio...