Hot Gadget Hacks How-Tos
HowTo: Turn Your iPad Into a Violin
You can now become quite the accomplished violinist (on your iPad) for just $2.99 with the release of Smule's Magic Fiddle app. You may be a little rusty at first, but Smule will walk you through it, and with a little practice, you'll be as fantastic as this group in no time at all:
How To: Make DIY conductive glass with Stannous Fluoride and toothpaste
Glass normally doesn't conduct electricity, but there are all sorts of cosmetic and industrial applications for conductive glass. There are easy and hard ways to make it. This video will show you one so easy you can do it at home with only four ingredients: glass, Stannous Chloride, toothpaste, and alcohol.
How To: Make an OLED demonstration cell with blue glow stick juice
Glow sticks are one of the few things used commonly by ravers and military personnel, but their uses extend far beyond dancing and illuminating. The juice contained in blue glow sticks can be used to make an organic LED (OLED) test board, and this video will show you how to do it.
How To: Create a contact shortcut on the home screen of an HTC 7 Trophy
If you're not unlike most people, you probably find yourself the same people over and over again. In this clip, you'll learn how to create a custom contact shortcut on the home screen of your HTC 7 Trophy Windows Phone 7 smartphone.
How To: Use voice commands on an HTC 7 Trophy WP7 smartphone
Go hands free by using voice commands on your HTC 7 Trophy! This Windows Phone 7 owner's guide will teach you everything you'll need to know. For all of the details, and to get started using voice commands on your own HTC 7 Trophy, watch the clip!
How To: View your signal strength on an HTC 7 Trophy Windows Phone 7 smartphone
Want to know how many bars you're getting on your HTC 7 Trophy? Though not immediately intuitive, it isn't so hard as you might fear. This quick, unofficial HTC 7 Trophy owner's guide will walk you through the process. Learn how to see your HTC 7 Trophy's signal strength with this helpful tutorial.
How To: Change the color of your homescreen icons on an HTC 7 Trophy WP7 smartphone
Customize the colors of your homescreen icons on your HTC 7 Trophy Windows 7 smartphone! It's easy and only takes a few seconds. This WP7 user's guide will walk you step-by-step through the process. For more information, and to learn how to set up custom-colored icons on your own HTC 7, watch the clip!
How To: Use voice search & speech recognition on an HTC 7 Trophy WP7 smartphone
Like its Google-branded Android counterparts, the HTC 7 Trophy Windows Phone 7 smartphone supports voice searching and speech recognition. Interested in using voice searching on your own HTC WP7 smartphone? This HTC 7 Trophy owner's guide will walk you through the entire process.
How To: Use Bing Local Search on an HTC 7 Trophy Windows Phone 7 smartphone
One of the upsides to having a Windows-branded phone is that, if you're Google averse, it's a piece of cake to access Microsoft's official internet search engine, Bing. In this clip, you'll learn how to use Bing Local Search on your HTC 7 Trophy WP7 cell phone.
How To: Buy a new eBook on an Amazon Kindle 2 eReader
Interested in adding a new book to your digital collection? It's easy! And this brief video tutorial from the folks at Butterscotch will teach you everything you need to know. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started buying and downloading eBooks from the Amazon bookstore to your own Kindle 2 or Kindle 3 eReader, take a look.
How To: Build a radar from cheap satellite dish parts or a toy radar gun
Radar has made much of modern life possible, and if you're into building your own electronics building one is a fun and useful project. Watch this video for instructions on how to build your own simple radar out of cheap spare parts from a satellite dish or a toy radar gun.
How To: Make a digital color organ with high-powered LEDs
Collin of MAKE is back with another inspiring project. You may remember his analog light organ. Well, he's decided to upgrade and make his light organ a digital one. One thing to watch out for is the amount of heat emitted by high-powered LEDs, but as long as you find a way to dissipate the heat, this will work out just fine. Watch, and don't forget to read the thorough instructions before building this!
How To: Use the apps and software on a T-Mobile myTouch 4G Android smartphone
Get the most out of your T-Mobie myTouch 4G! This guide offers a software tour of the myTouch 4G Google Android smartphone. Android novice? Not a problem. This exhaustive, eleven-minute guide will teach you everything you need to know. Become an Android pro with this video guide.
How To: Get started using a Microsoft Windows Phone 7 (WP7) smartphone
Get the most out of your Windows Phone 7 smartphone with the tips and tricks on offer in this two-part video guide from the folks at Intomobile! Learn the ins and outs of the WP7 user interface and discover how to perform essential, everyday tasks like how to make and receive phone calls.
How To: Jailbreak an iOS 4.1 Apple iPhone 4, iPad or iPod with Sn0wbreeze 2.1
Whether you use an iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch or any combination of the three, if it runs version 4.1 of the iOS mobile operating system, Sn0wbreeze 2.1 can jailbreak it! Learn how to use Sno0wbreeze 2.1 to Jailbreak your iOS 4.1 Apple mobile device.
How To: Control YouTube clips with keyboard shortcuts
In this home-computing how-to from the team at Tekzilla, we learn how to use a number of essential, must-know keyboard shortcuts when watching videos on YouTube. They're easy! So easy, in fact, that this clip can present a complete overview in just over two minutes. For all of the details, take a look!
How To: Use the Google Maps Navigation app on a Motorola Droid smartphone
Learn how to use Google's official Google Maps app on your Motorola Droid Android smartphone with this video demo from the folks at IntoMobile. Get where you're going with GPS-style turn-by-turn directions. This clip will teach you everything you'll need to know.
How To: Take advantage of the new features of iOS 4.2 on an iPhone or iPad
This clip offers a whirligig tour of the best and brightest new features of Apple's iOS 4.2, the latest version of the mobile operating system that runs on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Learn how to get the most out of your iOS 4.2 Apple mobile device with this video guide.
How To: Hack Facebook Places on Android 2.2 (Froyo) with My Fake Location
Enjoying the many benefits of Facebook Places? But what if you want to check in somewhere you're not? Your smartphone can automatically detect your geographical location, preventing you from just checking in just anywhere, but like all technology… it's a long way from perfect, even Android mobile devices.
How To: Tether a Samsung Galaxy Tab to a rooted Motorola Droid smartphone
Don't be suckered into buying two separate data plans! In this clip, you'll learn how to share your rooted Motorola Droid Android smartphone's 3G data connection with a Samsung Galaxy Tab over WiFi! For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Enable and fix AirPrint on any iOS 4.2 device (iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch)
With the new iOS 4.2 (and 4.2.1) firmware for all mobile Apple devices, printing from your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch has become easy… well, maybe not. Despite the new AirPrint software in iOS 4.2, it can still be difficult to print papers and photos from your mobile device since Apple removed AirPrint from the Mac OS X 10.6.5 software update, due to some kind of legal dispute.
How To: Install an .apk file on a Google Android smartphone
If you're interested in installing an application that you can't find in the Android Market, you'll need to use an apk (or Android packet) file. Don't know how to load an apk onto your phone? No problem: this Android owner's guide will walk you through the process. You'll find that, with a file manager application like Astro File Manager, it's a snap.
How To: Root an HTC Evo in under five minutes with unrEVOked
With unrEVOked, it's now easier than ever to root your HTC Evo mobile phone. So easy, in fact, that this hacker's how-to can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in just four minutes.
How To: Root an EVO, Desire, Incredible, Eris, Aria, or Wildfire phone with unrEVOked
Interested in rooting your HTC Evo, Desire, Incredible, Aria or Wildfire phone? With the unrEVOked jailbreaking tool, it's easy! So easy, in fact, that this hacker's how-to can present a complete overview of the process in about four and a half minutes. Learn how to root your Google Android smartphone with this video jailbreaking walkthrough.
How To: Use Redsn0w 0.9.6b4 to jailbreak an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch (iOS 4.2.1/4.2)
Jailbreak your iOS 4.2.1, 4.2 or 4.1 mobile device with Redsn0w 0.9.6b4! One catch: If you're using an iPhone 4, 3GS (new boot ROM), iPad, iPod Touch 3g or 4g, this will be a tethered jailbreak. That is, you'll need to rejailbreak your iOS device every time your battery dies. Which is a bummer. But, hey, jailbroken iPhone/iPod/iPad!
How To: Disassemble an HTC Desire Google Android smartphone
In this video teardown, we learn how to take apart an Desire HTC Desire Google Android smartphone, the first step in any repair. This video presents a step-by-step guide of the reassembly process. To follow along, you will need an air gun to reduce dust, an anti-static (ESD) wrist strap, a wedge, a pair of tweezers, and a small screwdriver.
How To: Reassemble an HTC Desire smartphone after taking it apart
Put your Desire HTC Desire Google Android smartphone back together after taking it apart. This video presents a step-by-step guide of the reassembly process. To follow along, you will need an air gun to reduce dust, an anti-static (ESD) wrist strap, a wedge, a pair of tweezers, and a small screwdriver.
How To: Play and record guitar tracks on the iPad or iPhone with AmpliTude iRig
Apple's range of iOS devices have something for everyone, even musicians, and especially guitarists. The AmpliTude App for the iPad and iPhone, along with the AmpliTude iRig is sure to win the hearts of tech-savvy guitar players. In these two videos, you'll learn how to use the application to make some sweet mixes.
How To: Boost the speed of Firefox 4 with the BarTab tweak
Did you get the latest Firefox browser? If you're a tab addict, you know how much memory all those tabs can hog. Enter BarTab, which will help speed up your web browsing experience, and still allow you to keep as many tabs open on your Firefox browser as you wish.
How To: Plug the data cable into the Samsung Galaxy Tab
Okay, so you might not need a how-to for this one, but nonetheless, just in case, here you go— plugging in the data cable to your Samsung Galaxy Tab. It's basically the same way you plug in all mobile devices these days, and it's just like any other Android tablet, so you should be able to do it with little difficulty. Just don't force it in, or you risk damaging it and your device.
How To: Tag your friends in photos, notes, and status updates on Facebook
By now most of us have a Facebook page. But if you've tried to steer clear of the social revolution and have finally given in, how everything works on the site may seem confusing to you.
How To: Remove the Yahoo! search widget on a Motorola Backflip Android smartphone
In this clip, we learn how to get rid of the Motorola Backflip's default Yahoo! search widget. It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this mobile phone owner's guide can present a complete overview of the process in about three minutes. For all of the details, and step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Install a SIM card in a T-Mobile G1 Google Android smartphone
In this clip, we learn how to install a SIM card into a G1 Google Android cell phone. It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this mobile phone owner's guide can present a complete overview of the process in about two minutes. For all of the details, and step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Connect the Samsung Galaxy Tab's data cable and charger plug together
Just got the new Android-powered Samsung Galaxy Tab? A little confused by all of those cables that came with it? No problem. This video will show you how to connect the AC charger and the PC data cable that came with your Galaxy Tab. But really, it's one of the easiest things you can do on this new mobile device.
How To: Change the wallpaper background image on the Samsung Galaxy Tab
If you don't like the background image on your Samsung Galaxy Tab homescreen, it's easy to switch it out with another picture. To change the background wallpaper on this Android device, simply go to MENU < WALLPAPER < WALLPAPER GALLERY and find the one you want. Click SET WALLPAPER to save it.
How To: Install a SIM card into a GSM phone like the Motorola Razr2
In this clip, we learn how to install a SIM card into a standard GSM cell phone. It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this mobile phone owner's guide can present a complete overview of the process in about three minutes. For all of the details, and step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Change the live wallpaper background image on the Samsung Galaxy Tab
Forget regular backgrounds. The new Samsung Galaxy Tab has live wallpapers, which are essentially backgrounds for your homescreen, but with a lively feel. It reacts to you. But if you want to change it, you can, and this is how you do on the Android OS. Press MENU < WALLPAPER < LIVE WALLPAPER and then browse and select the one you want. The click SET WALLPAPER to save it.
How To: Use the Daily Briefing, Calendar, Contacts & Clock apps on a Galaxy Tab
Learn everything you need to know to set up and get started using the apps on a Samsung Samsung Galaxy Tab Google Android tablet. This video guide presents a general overview of the phone's hardware. For all of the details, and to get started using your own Galaxy Tab, watch this video guide.
How To: Change your phone and video ringtones on the Samsung Galaxy Tab
Every device has ringtones these days, even tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Maybe it's because you can actually make phone calls from this Android tablet, or maybe it's just because of the alarm clock. But either way, you're going to want to change them every now and then. Go to MENU < SETTINGS < SOUND SETTINGS < PHONE RINGTONE and select the ringtone of your choice. Press OK to save. You can also change the VIDEO CALL RINGTONE.
How To: Navigate the hardware features on a Samsung Galaxy Tab Android tablet
Learn everything you need to know to set up and get started using a Verizon Samsung Spring Samsung Galaxy Tab Google Android tablet. This video guide presents a general overview of the phone's hardware. For all of the details, and to get started using your own Galaxy Tab, watch this video guide.