Gadget Hacks How-Tos
How To: Make a Panic Button That Deletes All Your Google History in Seconds
We all know Google keeps a history of everything we do on our phones unless we say otherwise. However, you might not realize just how detailed it is until you check it for yourself — even the actions you do in each app are tracked by default.
How To: Stop Your AirPods from Pausing Music & Other Audio When You Take Them Out of Your Ears
AirPods not only let you listen to music on your iPhone — they let you quickly stop listening to your iPhone's audio by pulling out a single AirPod to pause. If, however, you'd rather have music, audiobooks, podcasts, and other audio files continue playing when you pull out one AirPod — or both AirPods — one settings tweak can get the job done.
How To: Communicate Offline — No Wi-Fi, Cell Reception, or Mobile Data Needed
Almost 20% of the US population (about 60 million Americans) live in rural areas where mobile reception is weak or nonexistent. In times of crisis, these Americans can't rely on the internet to communicate with loved ones or receive new information. This is why being able to interact offline is so important.
How To: Remove the Smart Home Toggles from Android 11's Power Menu
Android 11 has a new power menu. When you long-press the power button to shut down or restart your device, you'll see the usual buttons in addition to payment cards and a set of toggles for any smart home devices you've added to Google Home. It's a cool feature, but it does make the menu pretty cluttered.
How To: Stay Safe with These Essential Social Distancing Tools
Every state has begun reopening in some capacity. While there are important steps for everyone to get back to work and begin socializing, precautions will be in place for some time, especially with an expected second wave coming this fall. The virus is not over.
How To: FaceTime Forcing LTE Instead of Wi-Fi? Here's How to Fix It
These days, you can FaceTime with family and friends whether you're at home connected to Wi-Fi or on-the-go with mobile data. You may have noticed, however, that your iPhone will sometimes drop Wi-Fi and rely on cellular instead — whether you're placing or receiving a FaceTime call. While that's not an expected result, there is a workaround to get your FaceTime calls back on track.
How To: Turn Your Live Photos into Looping or Bouncing GIF-Like Videos That Anyone Can Watch
Live Photos haven't caught on as much as Apple probably would like, but they're far from the gimmick that critics initially claimed they were — and things are only getting better as time moves on. Some aspects of the feature are somewhat hidden, however, and you need to find them to unlock Live Photos' full potential.
How To: Should You Install Android 11 Beta? Here Are All the Major Problems
Android 11 is available as a simple beta install for Pixel devices right now. Just visit Google's beta signup page, make sure you're signed in with the same account used on your Pixel, then opt into the program. You'll get an OTA update that will put you on Android 11 in no time. But is it ready to be a daily driver?
How To: Save 50% Off This 57-Piece PPE Bundle for a Limited Time
The rush to secure face masks and hand sanitizers in March left many Americans concerned for their safety. With an expected second wave this fall, consider stocking up on PPE now.
How To: There's a Better Way to Zoom with Your iPhone's Camera
The iPhone 11 series models have sophisticated camera systems that include both a wide and ultra-wide lens. On top of that, the Pro models also have a telephoto lens. So you can zoom anywhere between 0.5x optically to 5x or 10x digitally, depending on the one you have. While you can pinch in and out on the screen to control the zoom, there's a way to get more granular control for photos.
How To: Take the First Step Towards an In-Demand & Lucrative Career in IT for Under $35
Since its founding in 1984, Cisco Systems has been a global leader in information technology. From networking hardware and software to domain security and energy management, the company dominates the IT field.
How To: These Are the iPhones That Can Upgrade to iOS 14
The latest iOS version hit iPhones in September 2020, but which models work with iOS 14. There's good news on that front since all iPhone models that could run iOS 13 can also run iOS 14. That means all of the following iPhone models are compatible with iOS 14 and all of its features. And as you can see below, the iPhones that came out in the fall of 2020 have iOS 14 preinstalled.
How To: There's an Easy Way to Turn Off Camera's Night Mode on Your iPhone 11, 11 Pro, or 11 Pro Max
Night mode on the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max is a godsend if you want clearer photographs in dimly lit environments. But if you want to keep the image dark or full of shadows as an effect of sorts, it's not immediately obvious how to disable Night mode, which turns on automatically when the app thinks you need it. But it can be turned off.
How To: There's a Faster Way to Check for System Updates on Your Pixel
Prompt and frequent system updates are a big part of the Pixel's identity — we're even getting quarterly feature drops now. But not all devices receive these all-important updates at the same time because of Google's staged rollout system. If you want the update right away, there's a way to manually check without having to dig around in Settings every time.
How To: Resize Picture-in-Picture Mode on Your Chromebook
Picture-in-picture mode on Chromebooks is almost identical to the one found on Android phones. Once activated, it transforms your video into a small window so you can do other things while watching. But the Chrome OS version is actually a bit better thanks to the addition of an Android 11 feature.
How To: Put Android Apps into Picture-in-Picture Mode on Your Chromebook
With each update, Chromebooks are slowly becoming the Android tablet we always wanted. They already run your favorite Android apps and recently added a multitasking feature introduced to Android smartphones a few years ago: picture-in-picture mode.
How To: Learn How to Create Fun PC & Mobile Games for Under $30
The global gaming market is expected to generate $160 billion in 2020. With emerging markets in the Middle East and Africa, the planet's 2.5 billion gamers are always looking for the next great adventure.
How To: Add an Audio Equalizer to Your Galaxy's Volume Panel
One of the coolest things about Android is the ability to tweak things to your liking. When it comes to Galaxy phones, Samsung is no stranger to adding extra customizations. Want to add an equalizer to your volume panel? Samsung has an app specifically for that — no joke.
How To: Change the AirDrop Alert Sound on Your iPhone to Anything You Want
These days, AirDrop's distinct "doo-doo-doo-doo" sound is almost as iconic as Apple's classic Marimba ringtone. And just like with ringtones, that AirDrop alert on your iPhone doesn't need to sound like everyone else's. In just a few taps, you can make it sound like anything you want.
How To: Start Managing Your Money & Investments Like a Pro with This Affordable Course Bundle
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit everyone hard. With over 36 million American workers filing unemployment claims, finances are at the front of everyone's mind. Understanding your accounts has never been as important.
How To: Become an SEO Wiz & Increase Your Brand's Exposure for Just $25
SEO is the name of the game. If you want your business or brand to succeed, ranking on the front page of Google is a boon. Getting to the front page of search engines takes work, but it's not impossible when you master SEO best practices.
How To: Learn How to Grow Your Instagram Following for Under $14
Celebrities and influencers learned how to leverage Instagram's platform to build their brands. While some effortlessly amassed a following, many had to do the legwork to reach a vast audience. Understanding their secrets will help you grow your own following.
How To: The Simple Way to Enable Caps Lock on Your iPhone
When you need to type in all caps on a computer, you just press the "caps lock" key. But no such key seems to exist on iOS. The "shift" key appears to work at first but will deactivate once you type one capital letter. Holding down the shift key while you type gets the job done, but it's a pain. While it might not be obvious, enabling caps lock is actually really simple.
How To: Your iPhone's Using More Data Than It Needs, but This Could Stop It
While mobile data caps are larger than they used to be, many of us still have limits to contend with. If you find yourself up against that ceiling month after month, your iPhone itself might be to blame. Luckily, there's an easy fix to stop your iOS device from burning through data in the background.
How To: Here's What That 5G+ Icon in Your Status Bar Really Means
When you look at the top corner of your phone, what do you see? Upon upgrading to Android 11 or iOS 14, you'll see either "5G," "5G+," or "5G E" if you're connected to the right network. But what exactly do these symbols mean? They indicate not only if you're using 5G, but also what type you're connected to.
How To: Turn Your Pixel into a Dead Man's Switch That Texts Your Emergency Contacts if You Don't Arrive in Time
Google's feature drops for Pixel devices have added fun and useful new abilities, such as AR effects for Duo, Call Screen automation, scheduling Dark Mode, and Quick Access Wallet for Google Pay, that are exclusive to the company's line of smartphones.
How To: The One Android Feature You Must Enable Before Protesting
Before you go out to protest, understand what you are facing. Sometimes these demonstrations become infected with looters and rioters, which could mean interaction with law enforcement and potentially arrest. And if your phone is on you, it can be used as a tool against you.
How To: Don't Record Police with Your Regular Camera App — Use the ACLU's to Make Sure It Gets Uploaded Right Away
With thousands of people across the country protesting, you might be thinking about joining the march. But as is too often the case, law enforcement has been called to oversee the protests, and interactions aren't always peaceful or lawful.
How To: Permanently Disable the 'Software Update' Notification on Your Samsung Galaxy — No Root Needed
Updating your Galaxy to the latest software version is optional, but you wouldn't know that from the persistent notification and status bar icon that are constantly reminding you to. Thankfully, you're just an app away from hiding these eyesores without the need to update your phone.
How To: Show Your Support for Social Causes with AR Lenses from Snapchat, Instagram & More
For the average consumer, augmented reality is a fun way of dressing up photos and videos for social media. However, AR is also gaining momentum as a medium for storytelling, particularly in sharing powerful messages.
How To: Charge Up Anywhere with This Compact Solar Power Generator
As sheltering at home orders ease up, we still have to remain respectful of social distancing. Camping is one of your best options. You'll avoid the crowded beaches and trails while still soaking up nature. Right now we can all use some fresh air and sunshine.
How To: 4 Smartphone Tips to Help You Stay Safe During the Country's Reopening
It is a scary time to be alive. As states start to ease back shelter-in-place restrictions, the new world you're entering is still unsafe. With a vaccine months away, your best bet is to follow CDC guidelines and use the tools at your disposal.
How To: Download HBO Max Movies & TV Shows in the Highest Quality on Your Phone
Whether you're binging "Friends," "Game of Thrones," or Harry Potter movies, if you want to watch HBO Max downloads in the highest quality possible, you can't just use the default settings. Without doing the legwork, the TV shows and films you download onto your iPhone or Android phone will be lower quality than the full HD version you can have.
How To: 5 Major Privacy Concerns with 5G
For all the benefits 5G brings to cellular data, it isn't without weaknesses, the biggest being privacy. Yes, the latest standard comes with breakneck downloads speeds up to 4.3 Gbps, but at what cost? Like with all things on the internet, 5G devices open opportunities for both good and bad actors.
How To: Everything You Should Do Before Posting Protest Photos & Videos on Social Media
As protests surge in the wake of George Floyd's murder by a Minneapolis police officer, powerful photographs and videos from the demonstrations have gripped the world, putting our nation's very real and very justifiable widespread civil unrest out into the digital world. Unfortunately, these pictures could put you or others in danger if precautions aren't taken before uploading them online.
How To: Ensure You Never Lose a File Again for Just $49
You might know the feeling: the sinking stomach that informs you something terrible has happened. You click on your trash bin. Nothing is there. Your hard drive has been wiped clean.
How To: Add Dropbox, Google Drive & Other Cloud Storage Apps to Files on Your iPhone (& Manage All Your Docs from One Place)
The built-in Files app on your iPhone has only gotten better since it was introduced in iOS 11, with small improvements after each new iOS version. You can manage files on your internal storage as well as in iCloud Drive, but one of the best features is being able to manage media and documents from all of your cloud storage accounts in one place.
How To: There's a Quick Gesture to Open Hidden Camera Settings on Your iPhone
The camera on models in the iPhone 11 series includes an ultra-wide lens to take wider images, Night mode for taking better-looking photos in low-light environments, and a 16:9 frame for shooting. With these new features comes a slightly redesigned interface in the Camera app, one that even the second-generation iPhone SE received despite only having one of those three features.
How To: Make Sure You're Getting the Fastest 5G Speeds on Your Phone
Not all 5G is equal. Even if you dropped the cash on a true 5G phone and you see it's connected to 5G in the status bar, that doesn't mean you're surfing the web, streaming Spotify, and binging Netflix faster than your friends with LTE phones.
How To: Spur Your Child's Interest in STEM with This Discounted Toy
How much screen time is too much for a child? Should you let your children have a smartphone or tablet? What age is appropriate to introduce them to technology?