Hot Gadget Hacks How-Tos
How To: Turn your Motorola Droid 3 smartphone into a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot
There are so many different devices today that have Wi-Fi capabilities--notebooks, handheld gaming devices, tablets, and more. Why not share some of the 3G and 4G internet that streams into your Motorola Droid 3 with the other electronics you carry with you? You can turn your Verizon Wireless Droid 3 smartphone into a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot using the mobile hotspot menu on the android phone.
How To: Listen to your favorite music by creating a station on Pandora
Pandora is a fantastic website that will let you listen to music for free. One of the greatest features of the music service is the ability to create your own station so you can listen to your favorite songs and even discover music you'll like. This segment will walk you through the process of creating a Pandora station.
How To: Block apps and people from interacting with you on Facebook
Maybe you're tired of receiving annoying messages from apps or people on Facebook? Why not block them so you don't have to deal with them ever again? Take a look at this guide for information on how to block online games and apps on Facebook from sending you notifications, requests, or other information. You can even stop people on Facebook from sending you event notifications or posting on your page by blocking them too.
How To: Play Augmented Reality Games on Your Nintendo 3DS with Android & WP7 Phones
The Nintendo 3DS comes with six AR cards that allow you to play the augmented reality games packaged with the device. Of course, if you were to lose the fragile paper cards or damage them in some way, you would be unable to continue playing them. It's easier and safer to carry constant access to the AR games by installing apps on your Android and Windows Phone 7 smartphones. Both apps are free and available through the smartphone app markets.
How To: Use QR codes to store or retrieve data within an image
QR codes allow you to quickly and easily store and retrieve data within a single image. Much like barcodes at grocery stores, QR codes are images that can be scanned to discover data, such as an online website URL. Additionally, they can also be created by inputting text data into a QR code generator. Try scanning some of the QR codes in this video with an app on your phone or tablet to see how they work!
How To: Add an email account in webOS on the HP TouchPad
One of the many features of the webOS tablet, the HP TouchPad, is a full featured mail app. Before you can use the app however, you will need to setup your email account on the tablet. Take a look at this guide to learn how to setup an account using the automatic method, or the more customizable manual mode.
How To: Overclock the hardware in your HP TouchPad for a faster tablet
In this two part segment, we learn how to properly overclock the HP TouchPad. One of the few complaints about the tablet was the occasional slow reaction time of the processor, but now you can speed up your TouchPad for a faster webOS. This guide walks you through everything from downloading Novacom drivers to inputting the Konami code.
How To: Jailbreak your HP TouchPad by installing Preware
Jailbreaking your HP TouchPad allows you to install third-party software and features on the webOS device. Before you can jailbreak the tablet, you'll first need to go through the steps necessary to install preware on it. Take a look at this walkthrough and use the download links below when necessary.
How To: Update an HP TouchPad tablet to the latest version of webOS
This guide will help you learn how to find out what version of webOS your TouchPad is running by checking the settings area of your tablet. If you find that your software is out of date, it will also help you upgrade your HP TouchPad to the latest version so that you always have the newest update!
How To: Use apps and features in webOS on an HP TouchPad
If you're interested in learning all the features and functions of webOS 3.0, look no further than this walkthrough on a HP TouchPad tablet. The video shows you how to switch between apps, configure settings, use the default programs on the device, and more!
How To: Search for and install apps on the HP TouchPad using the HP App Catalog
The HP App Catalog features thousands of apps ripe for downloading and installation on HP's webOS tablet--the TouchPad. Take a look at this guide to find out how to search for apps using HP's version of the app store. The walkthrough will even teach you how to install them, so get ready for a few rounds of Angry Birds!
How To: Setup your HP TouchPad using the initial webOS wizard
If you were one of the lucky individuals to score a TouchPad before HP discountinued them, you will need to proceed through the initial setup wizard when you turn on the device for the first time, or after performing a data wipe and reset on the tablet. This guide will walk you through everything from accepting the terms & conditions, connecting to a Wi-Fi network, and creating a webOS account for the first time.
How To: Configure the settings on an HP TouchPad tablet
The HP TouchPad is a webOS tablet capable of displaying media, browsing and connecting to the web, downloading and accessing apps, and more. This guide walks you through the process of configuring a number of settings on the device. Learn how to adjust the time, location services (GPS), screen lock, privacy features, and more.
How To: Use the power button shortcuts on a Nokia N900 phone
Did you know there are several functions accessible by shortcuts using the power button on the Nokia N900 smartphone? This tech support video from Nokia details how to bring up a menu allowing you to turn on silent mode, lock the screen and keyboard, and more.
How To: Add a shortcut to the desktop on a Nokia N900 phone
Take a look at this video from Nokia to discover how to add a shortcut to your desktop on the N900's launcher screen. Now you can quickly access your favorite web page or load an application directly from the home screen on the N900 smartphone.
How To: Navigate and use installed apps on a Nokia N900 phone
The Nokia N900 smartphone comes with a wide variety of apps including e-mail, a browser, and more. Browsing, opening, and switching between these apps is an easy task when you know the right gestures and taps to make on phone's screen.
How To: Connect to a Wi-Fi network on a Nokia N900 phone
Connecting your Nokia N900 smartphone to a wireless hotspot or your home wifi network is just a few quick taps away! Take a look at this tech support video from Nokia that will tell you exactly where to find the available internet connections on the phone and select the one you wish to connect to.
How To: Look up people and companies on social networks quickly with Tabble in Firefox
For an easy way to lookup and connect with people and companies across the web (and all of its many social media outlets) check out the Firefox extension Tabble. Tabble provides you with access to all of an individual's relevant online information and can even show you relevant e-mails in your Gmail account if applicable.
How To: Modify house clocks to run on solar power for five dollars
Power the clocks at your home with the sun! With a solar cell that costs around $5, you can convert a clock to solar power and avoid buying batteries or running up the electric bill. Instead, connect a rechargable battery to the solar panel with a few wires and some adhesive and soon you'll have enough energy to power your clock for as long as it lasts.
How To: Use Facebook keyboard shortcuts for quick social browsing
You may or may not know that Facebook has several keyboard shortcuts you can use to quickly navigate around the site without using a mouse.
How To: Share a link to a specific comment posted to a video on Youtube
Youtube comments - some of the most beautiful pieces of rhetoric displayed on the internet. There are any number of reasons why you may wish to link directly to a youtube comment. A specific youtube comment perhaps, one that captures the essence of the emotional response a viewer might have when watching that particular Youtube video.
How To: Use favicons to display extra information in Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome
Greasemonkey scripts allow Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome to be augmented in powerful ways. Take these two Greasemonkey scripts will help add information to your favicons when using Google Calendar and Gmail - now you can see the current date and unread message counts on their respective favicons.
How To: Turn an Old Scanner into a Keyboard Light
Do-it-yourselfer Kipkay salvaged parts from an old parallel port scanner and made a flexible, super-bright light in this how-to video. The modification is done by extracting the lamp and running it through clear tubing. He mounted the new lamp above his keyboard for night typing. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to turn an old scanner into a keyboard light.
How To: Increase the range of a remote control
Kipkay shows you how to increase the range of your remote control for your television. You use electrical tape to make sure that the leads do not come into contact with the reflector.
How To: Hack a toy radar gun into a real one
Turn a 'toy' radar gun into the real thing! Cops don't even have one like this! While this is a completely new and different design, the inspiration for this video is from an article by Ken Delahoussaye in MAKE Magazine. Just watch this video tutorial on how to hack a toy radar gun into a real one.
How To: Hack a megaphone into a bionic hearing spy device
Make a bionic hearing spy device by hacking a megaphone! Kipkay brings you this hack video on how to use a megaphone to spy on people. You can pull in conversations up to 100 feet away! Check out Kipkay hiding in a tree, spying on people. It also works through walls. That's how to make a bionic hearing spy device!
How To: Turn a flashlight into a laser
Kipkay demonstrates how to extract the laser from a DVD burner and mount it in a small flashlight to create a handheld laser burner that can light matches and burst balloons, all in this how-to video. All you need is a 16x DVD burner, a laser housing, and a flashlight. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to modify a flashlight into a relatively strong laser.
How To: Make a Blu-Ray Laser Phaser
Build your very own Trek-style Blu-Ray laser phaser with this hacker's how-to video from Kip Kay of Make Magazine. To replicate this hack at home, you'll need the following materials: (1) a PS3 Blu-Ray laser assembly (which can be had on eBay for roughly $45), (2) an original series-style Star Trek phaser gun (a good quality replica of which can be found for roughly $30), (3) a 9-volt battery, (4) a 9-volt battery snap, (5) a 150 Ohm resistor, and (5) a new switch to replace the phaser trigge...
How To: Mod a digital converter box into a battery powered one
Kip "Kipkay" Kedersha is known for his intriguing and clever how-to and prank videos, even when he teams up with MAKE Magazine. He will show you how to tweak, hack, mod, and bend any technology to your hacking needs. No electronic device, gadget, or household item can stand the test of Kipkay's hacks and mods.
How To: Make an exploding confetti cannon with Kipkay
Make a cool confetti cannon that's great for concerts, parties and special events! Kipkay demonstrates how to hack together this high powered cannon. Confetti bombs are super fun, pay attention to learn how to make your own confetti cannon.
How To: Make LED-enhanced anti-paparazzi glasses
This video teaches us how to prevent those pesky paparazzi from invading our privacy. It suggests buying a pair of safety glasses that have lights attached at the sides. Then, remove the lights, and replace the existing resistors with higher-powered ones, and the lights with infrared LEDs. When the press tries to film you while you're wearing these at night, the cameras will see bright, menacing lights where your face should be. This how-to is presented as a joke, but it would be hilarious to...
How To: Make an infrared home alarm system
Kip "Kipkay" Kedersha is known for his intriguing and clever how-to and prank videos, even when he teams up with MAKE Magazine. He will show you how to tweak, hack, mod, and bend any technology to your hacking needs. No electronic device, gadget, or household item can stand the test of Kipkay's hacks and mods.
How To: Recharge a TV remote control's batteries with this solar power hack
If you're tired of replacing the batteries on your remote control and you would rather have the TV remote charge by itself, grab a few solar cells, rechargable batteries, and a few extra odds and ends. With this mod to your remote, you can let light charge your remote and never buy another battery for it again!
How To: Measure current, voltage, resistance, and continuity using a multimeter
If you own or have access to an auto-ranging or manual-ranging multimeter you can measure several different aspects of circuits, resistors, and the like. For example, you can determine the resistance, voltage, continuity, and current with the multimeter to help you determine the precision of a resistor. This guide will help you learn how to use a multimeter to perform these tasks.
How To: Display your iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad screen on your computer
If you've taken the time to jailbreak your iOS device, be it an iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad, you can display the iOS screen using your computer so that you can see the device's screen on your monitor or TV. All you need is the ScreenSplitr app to take advantage of this option.
How To: Create a 365-Day Photo Diary on Your Smartphone
A diary or personal blog is a great way to recapture the days behind you, but to a photographer, the best way to remember the glory days is with a picture—one single photograph that best describes the day and your mood at the time. Do it everyday for a year and you'll have 365 pictures that will not only bring a smile to your face, but will help you understand what was important to you in life.
How To: Download Mozilla's New Firefox 6 Web Browser Before Its Official Release
Mozilla is scheduled to release their updated Firefox browser on Tuesday, bringing the popular web browser up to version 6. Lately, the Mozilla team has been releasing newer versions of Firefox without a slew of new features, focusing on fixing bugs and getting the improved product out as quickly as possible, in order to compete more rapidly with other browsers like Google Chrome.
How To: Get Rid of Promoted Tweets in Your Twitter Timeline
More than a year ago, Twitter rolled out the first phase of its Promoted Tweets ad service, which consisted of selected tweets from advertising partners like Best Buy and Sony Pictures receiving "promoted" exposure in the search results pages on Twitter and in the trends lists. These ads were clearly labeled as such, so it was never any real bother to Twitter users.
How To: Use Twitter to Optimize Your Personal Information Flow
Outside the realm of politics, where opposing sides are quite passionate and quite disagreeable, there are few areas in our society quite as divisive as Twitter. People who like Twitter love Twitter and are relentless in trying to co-opt the people they know into joining (this is both altruistic and an unsubtle attempt to boost followers).
How To: Fix OS X Lion's Reverse 2-Finger Scroll So You Can Scroll Normally (Not Backwards)
So you just upgraded your Mac to OS X Lion and it greeted you, not with a friendly welcome video as Snow Leopard did, but instead with a tiny clip informing you that the Apple powers that be, have decided to reverse the 2-finger scroll direction, without even asking if you'd like to!