Gadget Hacks How-Tos
How To: Use an FTP client to access EDGAR, the SEC online database
EDGAR is a massive database of financial documents and filings maintained by the SEC. If you want to use EDGAR to research financial institutions, it's pretty easy to do with an FTP client. Watch this video to learn how you can download and use FTP software to access EDGAR.
How To: Install an Internet browser on a portable flash drive
In this clip, you'll learn how to install a web browser like Mozilla Firefox on a portable thumb drive. For more information, including a complete demonstration, and detailed, step-by-step instructions, as well as to get started using this trick yourself, take a look.
How To: Unblock a website at school or work with Ultrasurf
In this clip, you'll learn how to circumvent Internet filters with Ultrasurf. For more information, including a complete demonstration, and detailed, step-by-step instructions, as well as to get started using this trick to access blocked websites at your own school or workplace, take a look.
How To: Make your own iPad stylus from a protein bar wrapper
You can make a stylus out of a protein bar wrapper! Far less expensive than buying a stylus from an Apple store! Take the wrapper from a Clif Builder Bar (which is conductive enough to be a stylus). Just fold and tape over a pen, and you have a new iPad stylus!
How To: Save Internet articles and read them later with Instapaper
In this clip, you'll learn how to use the Instapaper web app to save an Internet article for later (with the option to have it delivered to your mobile phone, tablet computer or Kindle). For more information, including a complete demonstration, and detailed, step-by-step instructions, as well as to get started using Instapaper.com yourself, take a look.
How To: Enable the MMS feature on your BlackBerry Curve PDA
Even though your Blackberry Curve comes with MMS capabilities, the factory settings do not have this turned on. To turn on MMS, you'll have to go within several settings on your phone and adjust them in order to be able to receive MMS messages.
How To: Move the photos from your Blackberry to another machine
Blackberry makes it easy to get pictures from your phone and into email or onto a computer. You can either send them directly from your PDA (such as with an app for Flickr or Twitter). But if you have a lot of photos, you can get them via sync cable.
How To: Edit videos directly on your iPhone with Reel Director
Yes, there's an app for that - even video editing. You can get the Reel Director app from the Apple store for five dollars, and then use it it edit video stored on your iPhone. You can even add opening and closing credits!
How To: Make a safe out of an empty can of whipped cream
Hide your valuables in plain sight! This tutorial shows you how to take an empty can of whipped cream and then add a few discreet mods. When you're done, it'll still look like a can of whippped cream, but now there will be a way to hide your valuables!
How To: Make a low cost rack to store and organize wire spools
Using just a few inexpensive pieces of hardware, you can construct your own rack designed for storing and organizing spools of wire. Bolt a dowel to a wall or another rack, then thread your spools on the dowel. You can still get the wire, and now they won't move!
How To: Make lily pad pool warmers that run on solar power
Start with just a few hula hoops, and then get some polyethylene film and a small soldering iron. Fit the film to your hoops, then gently mod your soldering iron and make a few spot welds. Be careful not to melt anything! Make a few vent bubbles, and you now have a pool warmer!
How To: Dictate your thoughts into an email with Google Voice
In this clip, you'll learn how to use the automatic transcription feature of Google Voice. For more information, including a complete demonstration, and detailed, step-by-step instructions, as well as to get started using this trick to record your own thoughts, take a look.
How To: Construct your own industrial hanging pendant lamp
Replicate the style of hanging lamps sold in high end boutiques! You'll need two separate gauge of wire, a few pliers, spray paint, lamp parts and a screwdriver. Cut your wire and shape according to design. Then assemble this over your lightbulb, and you have your own hanging pendant lamp!
How To: Turn a CD or DVD container into a holder for spare parts
Recycle your plastic CD or DVD cases into a holder for parts. This tutorial shows you how to make your own container. Remove the spindle, then mount to a piece of wood. Once mounted, you can use this to hold and organize small parts.
How To: Custom fit a pair of earbuds to fit your ear
Earbuds can be great for filtering out distraction, but they certainly aren't built for every ear. This tutorial shows you how to create your own pair of custom fit earbuds using just a custom earplug kit. Follow the instructions, and you'll have your own pair of noise-cancelling headphones!
How To: Build your own burning blue laser torch
This mod will run you about $130, but you'll have your own laser torch at the end of it. You'll need a high end flashlight, a Aixiz module, an AR coated lens and a blue diode. Then assemble according to the instructions, and get a laser at the end of it!
How To: Create and use bookmarklets in the Mozilla Firefox web browser
In this clip, you'll learn how to create and use bookmarklets to simplify tasks within the Mozilla Firefox web browser. For more information, including a complete demonstration, and detailed, step-by-step instructions, as well as to get started using this trick yourself, take a look.
How To: Use Google Voice from your Google Gmail inbox
In this clip, you'll learn how to use Google Voice from within your Gmail inbox. For more information, including a complete demonstration, and detailed, step-by-step instructions, as well as to get started using this trick yourself, take a look.
How To: Receive a phone call in your Google Gmail inbox with Gmail
In this clip, you'll learn how to answer incoming phone calls from your Google Gmail inbox using Google Voice. For more information, including a complete demonstration, and detailed, step-by-step instructions, as well as to get started using this trick yourself, take a look.
How To: Make a free phone call from your Google Gmail email account
In this clip, you'll learn how to make a free (as in "free beer") domestic phone call from your Google Gmail inbox . For more information, including a complete demonstration, and detailed, step-by-step instructions, as well as to get started using this trick yourself, take a look.
How To: Transfer a call from Gmail to your cell phone with Google Voice
In this clip, you'll learn how to a transfer a call from your Google Gmail inbox to your mobile phone using Google Voice. For more information, including a complete demonstration, and detailed, step-by-step instructions, as well as to get started using this trick yourself, take a look.
How To: Transfer a call from your cell phone to Gmail with Google Voice
In this clip, you'll learn how to a transfer a call from your mobile phone to your Google Gmail inbox using Google Voice. For more information, including a complete demonstration, and detailed, step-by-step instructions, as well as to get started using this trick yourself, take a look.
How To: Accessing your address search history on MapQuest Maps
In this clip, you'll learn how to view the list of your previously searched addresses on MapQuest Maps. It's easy. So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in about two minutes. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Connect a stereo Bluetooth headset to an Apple iPad
In this clip, you'll learn how to pair a stereo Bluetooth headset to an Apple mobile device (in this case, an iPad). It's easy. So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in about three minutes. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Search nearby a given location on MapQuest Maps
In this clip, you'll learn how to search for places nearby a given address when using the MapQuest Maps web app. It's easy. So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in about two minutes. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Read and expand tweets on the new version of Twitter
In this clip, you'll learn how to browse, read and expands tweets on the new version of Twitter. It's easy. So easy, in fact, that this video tutorial can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in just under two minutes. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Use a home computer as a wireless adapter for your Xbox 360
Get onto Xbox Live using your home computer. This tutorial shows you how to use your PC as a wireless adapter for your Xbox. All you need is a home computer with a spare ethernet plug and an ethernet cable. This tutorial shows you the rest.
How To: Manually set up your music playlist on an iPad
Set up a basic music playlist on your iPad. The iPad is currently the only Apple device which lets you build a playlist directly in the device, instead of having to sync. This tutorial demonstrates the most efficient way to use the playlist app to make your own playlists.
How To: Use QR or quick-response bar codes with your cell phone
Have you seen odd, square codes on some specific merchandise? These are called QR codes, or quick-response codes, and they are a type of bar code which your smartphone can read and then take you to a particular website, give you coupons or even a business card. Here's how you can get the most out of QR codes.
How To: Get Flash to run on your iPad using a VNC app
You can view Flash content on your iPad without having to jailbreak it by using a VNC (virtual network computing) app. You can't zoom, and there is no audio capability, but you can otherwise view Flash content on the web through your iPad.
How To: Access special features on the iPad with hidden keyboard shortcuts
Access your iPad's capabilities for foreign languages, special characters, Caps Lock, and more. Start with the Keyboard Setting in your General section, where you can find numbers, symbols and extra characters, as well as typing shortcuts (like tapping the spacebar twice to insert a period).
How To: Root (or jailbreak) your Android cell phone
'Rooting' (also called jailbreaking) will let you install third party software or applications which the manufacturer may not allow (or get rid of apps that you don't want). It will void your phone's warranty, so make sure this is really what you want to do!
How To: Firmly attach a screen protector to your iPhone or iPod
A screen protector is a thin piece of plastic you can apply to your iPhone or iPod to protect the screen from dings and scratches, though it can sometimes wiggle loose and get dirty. This tutorial shows you how to use a steam bath to firmly apply the screen protector without damaging your phone.
How To: Add a microscope lens to your iPhone camera
You can get a microscope lens online for five dollars or less. Then, attach it to the camera lens, and you can even take pictures of microscopic images. This tutorial shows you how to add microscopic imaging functionality to your iPhone or iPad.
How To: Install the custom recovery app for your Motorola Droid
First, you'll need to download the Bootstrap application from the market (it costs about two dollars). You'll also need a phone with root access. Then, once it's installed on your phone, you can use to set up the custom recovery features!
How To: Fix a password locked iPhone or iPod Touch
If you enter in your password incorrectly too many times, your iPod will lock. If it locks too many times, you may need to unlock it. This tutorial shows you how to reset your iPod to undo the lock so you can keep using your iPod. This will let you unlock someones password on an ipod or iphone touch.
How To: Disassemble and reassemble your iPhone 4
This tutorial shows you first how to take apart your iPhone 4 (you'll need a set of specialized tools, like a very small screwdriver and a pair of tweezers). Then, after you've taken it apart, you're also shown how to put it back together. Make sure you don't lose any screws!
How To: Root your Samsung Captivate cell phone
Rooting your phone grants you superuser access to your phone. And while this will void your warranty, it will also allow you to download third party applications (among other things). This tutorial shows you the process for getting root access on a Samsung Captivate cell phone.
How To: Get superuser root access on your G1 phone
Rooting (also called jailbreaking) a phone grants you superuser access, which allows you to download third party applications and otherwise alter your phone. This tutorial shows you how to give yourself root access on a T-Mobile G1 cell phone. Be careful, because rooting will often void your warranty!
How To: Protect your iPhone or iPod Touch from theft with the Cylay app
This app will only work on Apple devices that have already been jailbroken. Once you have, you can set up an account with Cylay. And once you have an account with Cylay, you can protect your phone or mp3 player against theft.