Hot Gadget Hacks How-Tos
How To: Hack a 64 bit WiFi wireless network using Ubuntu v. 9.04
Oh how we love open source software. If it wasn't for Open Office, we never would have been able to write that seven-page English paper while on our friend's Microsoft Office-lacking laptop during an impromptu road trip to Mexico. And Ubuntu, an open source secure operating system, offers you similar convenience. A much more intuitive computer operating software than your standard Windows or Mac OS, Ubuntu is great if you know what you're doing.
Strengthen Your Password: Watch an 8-Bit Striptease
About two months ago, the massive Gawker Media hack was a wake up call for many web denizens on the importance of proper password security. Data analyzed by the Wall Street Journal revealed the three most popular passwords recovered from the hack were downright idiotic—123456, password, and 12345678. If past events weren't motivation enough for crafting a strong password, then maybe a racy 8-bit stripper is. Naked Password is a jQuery plugin by Platform45 that rewards you with an accelerating...
How To: Upgrade Your Motorola XOOM 3G to Verizon's 4G LTE
The Motorola XOOM was just released last week to Android-hungry fans waiting the next best thing to Apple's iPad. But should it have been released, considering Verizon's switching to the 4G LTE network soon?
How To: Master the Motorola XOOM Android Tablet (10 Video Tips)
Some of you may stick with your iPads, but for those looking for a similar Android version, you finally have a winner.
How To: Sen an anonymous text message
Want to send text messages, but don't want your recipient to know they're from you? You can use a website called AnonText.com, which lets you send anonymized text messages to any cell phone number. Use your computer, or, if you have a smartphone (like an iPhone, Droid HTC Evo), then you can navigate to the website using your phone's browser capabilities.
How To: Easily Download Online Videos with Savevid
Want to download your favorite online video from YouTube? I'm going to show you how to download your favorites videos very easily from YouTube, along with other media streaming websites using Savevid. It also supports the downloading of videos from Dailymotion, Metacafe, Break, Veoh, MySpace, Revver, Blip.tv, WeGame, Tangle, 5min, Game Trailers, LiveVideo.com, RuTube, FaceBook, Vimeo, current, Funny Or Die, eHow, and Megavideo.
How To: Safeguard Your Facebook User Information from Third-Party Apps and Websites
Facebook is at it again. First they invaded your privacy with Instant Personalization, now they plan to take it a step further with their controversial plans to share users' home addresses and mobile phone numbers with third-party developers and websites.
How To: Add Flash Capability to an iOS Device
We all remember that feeling, when we first held our very own iPad—there was an excitement running through your body, and a smile on your face. And you say to yourself, "It’s true the iPad can do just about everything." But as you’re surfing the internet, you get a constant screen that says, “!!!Flash not supported!!!”. Then, there you are moping and downloading app after app just to get the iPad to do what Safari should do in the first place. Getting Flash on your iPad or other Apple devices...
How To: Make Your Oscar Night Interactive with 2 Apps for Your iPhone
Movie fans—it's that time again—the Oscars. You can finally see who wins for Best Actress, Best Director or Best Screenplay tomorrow night during the 83rd Academy Awards at 8 p.m. (EST) on ABC. For those of you on the west coast, that would be 5 p.m. (PST).
How To: Make Your Own Mobile Apps for the Android Market
The Android App Market is flooded with tons of new mobile applications each day. But there can't be that many developers out there familiar with the Android OS, so where are all of these apps coming from?
How To: Fix 'no service' issue on iphone after unlocking it
Hey iPhone jailbreakers! Did you jailbreak your 2G/3G iPhone and then update to firmware 4.1? Yeaah. Now you've got a shiny little brick, don't you. Well, this video will help you get free (again) from the clutches of those clever guys in Cupertino. Apple doesn't like people messing with "their" phones, but come one, didn't YOU buy it? So hack it, crack it, load it up with 3rd party apps and when you get 'no service' check out this how to and bring your phone back to life.
How To: Stop Advertising Companies from Tracking Your Online Activity for Targeted Web Ads
Back in the eighties, I used to hate television commercials, but I eventually got used to them. Had to, in order to enjoy my favorite shows. Then, the increasing number of billboard ads annoyed me in the nineties. They followed me everywhere I went—no escape—persuading me to buy the newest whatever. It seemed like Big Brotherism—like They Live. But, I got used to it. When I finally entered the digital age and became a web addict, I was peeved at the constant sight of online ads everywhere I v...
How To: Understand capacitors and replace broken ones on circuit boards
The capacitor is one of the most recognizable and important electronic components, and a part of nearly every electronic device. This video will teach you the basics of capacitor theory and then teach you how to replace a faulty or broken on on a circuit board. This skill will help you fix all sorts of devices you thought were dead forever; try it out!
How To: Use a transistor or N channel MOSFET to turn any device on or off
The transistor is the most basic and important part of electronics, allowing small changes in voltage to turn things on and off. On, off. 0, 1. There's electronics. The grandaddy of them all is the N channel MOSFET, the most important transistor. This video will teach you how the MOSFET works and how to build some example circuits. This video is an absolute must-watch if you are interested in electronics at all.
How To: Use a function generator to make waveforms for electronics projects
A function or signal generator is an electronic device that can create different types of waves and send them through a circuit without building oscillators. This video will teach you how they work and how to build a basic LED dimmer that uses one as an example.
How To: Use an operational amplifier to amplify voltage and build a microphone circuit
An amplifier is something that amplified the voltage on a circuit. The most basic kind is an operational amplifier, and this video will show you how these work and how to use them in your electronics. As an example you'll learn how to make a microphone circuit for spying on people or listening to your heartbeat.
How To: Build a PWN circuit to control power that can dim an LED, control a motor etc.
Many types of circuits are useless and less useful if you cannot control the amount of power going through them. For that, you need a PWN (pulse with modulation) switch. This electronic component will let your control the power going through the circuit, enabling you to dim LED lights, control the speed of a motor, and other useful tasks. This video will teach you all PWN switches and how tom make your own.
How To: Use UberCurrent (formerly UberSocial) to use Twitter from your iOS device
UberCurrent is a great new Twitter App for iOS that allows you to follow and tweet with greater ease and elegance than any other App. This video will walk you through the App, showing you how and why to use it.
How To: Hack any webcam easily using Google
Given that megastar internet search engine Google became its own verb a few years ago, we've all come to acknowledge that the wide and ever-expanding engine is becoming more powerful than ever before. You can take a look at your own house from outer space via Google Earth, you can look at famous paintings - down to the very last grizzly brushstroke - via Google Art Project, and you can look at what's hot and what's not in Spain - or anywhere in the world - with Google Trends.
How to Spy on Tweeters: Viewing Someone Else's Twitter Timeline with TwtRoulette
In today's world of social media, there's really only two powerhouses—Facebook and Twitter. And those of you with Twitter accounts know the power of a Tweet. Getting more followers means reaching more people, but the vast majority of Tweeters are following only a handful of Twitterers themselves. Do you ever wonder why them? What's so special about these selected followed users? Is it worth it to follow them, too? That's up to you, but if you're searching for more people to follow, then it's ...
How To: Use your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch as an external display
Are you looking to connect your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch to use as a second monitor? If so, you've come to the right place. With a app called ScreenRecycler, available here you can do just that. You'll need a Mac or a PC and you'l need an iPad, iPod or an iPhone and you'll need the ScreenRecycler app as well. You can never have enough screen real estate so check this out and get yourself a little more!
How To: Use your iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad as a 2nd monitor on OS X
Looking for a bigger monitor? How about a smaller monitor? With a little app called Screen Recycler, you can hook up your Apple iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad and use it as a second monitor. The app is available in the Apple App store and will let you view things on your hand held Apple device. No need to always think bigger, or rush out to the store to buy more hardware. You may already have what you need at home!
How To: Use your iPhone or iPod touch as a 2nd monitor
If you're looking to expand your viewing space, and haven an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you can follow this how-to and learn how to do it. You'll need to get an app from the Apple App Store called SideMonitor. With this little app, you'll be able to connect your Mac or PC to your hand held device to get a bit more viewing room. It seems like you can never have enough viewing space, so don't poo poo the idea of hooking up some smaller devices.
How To: Make an iPhone secret spy camera
This how to demonstrates how to use your Apple iphone as a spy camera to spy on others. If you're suspicious, paranoid or just downright creepy, this video can show you how to convert your Apple smart phone into a device for surveillance on others.
How To: Root, unlock, S-OFF, and load DesireHD ROMs on a HTC Inspire 4G phone
The Inspire 4G is AT&T's hot new budget 4G handset, and it's a powerful little unit thanks to a fast processor and AT&T's new 4G LTE network. This video will show you how to root, unlock, and S-OFF your device so that you can do whatever you want with it. The second part of the video shows you how to fix the sound issue from the first part AND install DesireHD ROM games on the phone. All of the advantages of jailbreaking without the cool name. You will need this software.
How To: Make a Kindle Cover from a Hollowed Out Hardback Book
Kindle users love reading. But let's face it—nothing compares to the feel of a book in your hands.
How to Hack Netflix: Free DVDs and Money Saving Tips
I remember a time when I had to rent a VHS from the local video rental store. It wasn't all that bad, with the only real annoyances being the trip to and fro, having to rewind the movie and the possible malfunction of my VHS player, which liked to eat tape from time to time.
How To: Text bomb your friends with the iPhone 3G, 3Gs, and 4
Text bombing isn't a very nice thing to do, and sucks for whoever you're doing it to, but it's certainly fun for you! Annoy the hell out of a frenemy, or simply pass the time in your boring Biology class with affably evil fun, by spaming your friend's text inbox with loads of messages.
How To: Tether and use your MetroPCS phone for internet access
This video will show you how to tether your Samsung Messager 2, (the MetroPCS phone) to your PC to use as a modem for internet access. This will allow you to use your cell phone as your internet connection point, meaning you'll connect to the net for the cost of your cell phone's data plan. You will need your Samsung USB cable, a PC with Windows 2000 or higher, all current drivers for your phone and PC, and you will also need to head here to get the Samsung PC Studio program. This is part 1 o...
How To: Tether your MetroPCS phone to your PC for internet access
If you're a MetroPCS user and would like to tether your phone to your PCS to use it as a modem, this video will show you how it's done. First of all, hit the subtitles button to make sure you're getting the instructions in english. Next, you'l want to go here to get the Samsun PC Studio link tool which will let the connection be made. Enjoy!
How To: Jailbreak an iPhone without a sim card
If you want to jailbreak an iPhone without a sim card, check out this video and learn how. Initially this video was only for PC, but it now includes instructions on how to perform the same feat on your Mac as well. You'll need a program here to get it done, and you'll need to be connected between your PC/Mac and your iPhone. Break free from the clutches of Apple today and feel the cellular freedom! Now YOU can jailbreak and iPhone without a sim card!
How To: Change your iphone email notification sound
If you're an iPhone owner tired of have the same email notification sound as every other iPhone owner on the planet, check out this video to see how to change it to what YOU want! You will need to have a jailbroken iPhone, you'll need a little program called Green Poison, and you'll need to have the iPhone jailbroken app Cydia to get it all done. So go for it and tweak it today!
How to Make GTA: Chinatown Wars for iPod work on lower firmwares than 3.1.2
So you have gotten Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars for your iPhone or iPod Touch, but now it turns out that your firmware is too low to be able to play the game! If you have a firmware older than 3.1.2, this tutorial shows you how to get everything working so you can proceed to play your game. The process is easy - get to your app through the iTunes interface and then use Payload to change a few things around.
How To: Enable Chrome Instant for Faster Searching and Browsing
I don't know anyone who doesn't use Google to explore the web. And I don't know anyone who hates Google's Instant Search feature, which is available in all web browsers, as long as you're searching from Google's website.
How To: Craft a Homemade Digital Music Box with a Cheap MP3 Player
Musical boxes are best known for their kitschy designs and somewhat trivial renditions of musical masterpieces. They tend to frequent the dresser of young girls or elderly woman hanging on to their youth, and for the most part, they remain cutesy and harmless, but when featured in movies like The Silence of the Lambs and Black Swan, they become downright creepy.
How To: Take apart an old broken power supply and turn it into a battery charger
Do you have an old uninterruptable power supply you're not using or that's broken? Most people have scads of them these days, and they contain all sorts of useful electronics parts, including all of the stuff to make a little batter charger, which you'll learn how to do by watching this video and checking out the circuit diagram here.
How To: Use the new HTC Inspire AT&T Android phone
The HTC Inspire is a $99 4G-capable Android handset with a 4+ inch touchscreen. Really? That's pretty awesome. If you're an AT&T customer or thinking about switching to them, check out this video review and guide to the phone to learn all about it. Also check it out if you've already taken the plunge and want to get to know the phone faster.
How To: Transfer music from your iPhone or iPod Touch to your PS3
If you have an iPhone or an iPod Touch then you probably think that the only places you can listen to your MP3 files are on your laptop, your i-gadget of choice, and your car. But in reality anything that you can groove to on your iPhone or iPod Touch can be listened to - and transferred to - your PlayStation 3.
How To: Use your iPhone to tether WiFi for your XBOX 360 or PS3
Paying for internet WiFi? That's SO 2010. If you have one internet connection on your iPhone 3G then you can share that connection with just about any other device, such as the iPad, iPhone, iPod, laptop, XBOX 360, and PS3.
How To: Use bluetooth and PS3 to listen to the iPod or iPhone on your TV
Don't get us wrong - we love our iPhones and iPods - but sometimes we just want to kick back on the couch, pour ourselves a glass of Chardonnay, and go for the full surround sound musical experience. Get a more visceral exerpience of your favorite tunes by listening to them on your TV.