Hot Gadget Hacks How-Tos

How To: Convert Protected M4P Files to MP3 Songs with iMovie and iTunes

I'm not sure exactly when it happened, but it's awesome that you can now download music from the iTunes Store that's free of DRM (digital rights management) limitations. That was always my biggest problem with buying music from iTunes. Paying a buck for a song that I can only play on Apple devices? Really? That's what finally led me away to other legal music downloading services like eMusic and Amazon.

How To: Excellbook Hides Your Facebook Addiction at Work in a Fake Spreadsheet

There's an epidemic on the Internet, and the disease—Facebook. It's an addiction comparable to a hot cup of coffee in the morning or a soothing cigarette throughout the day—in worse case scenarios, a hit from the crack pipe. If you're on Facebook, you know what I'm talking about. You're addicted to finding out what's going on with your friends and addicted to telling those friends everything you're doing. You can't stop, even when you're at work.

How To: Copy a downloaded eBook to a Kobo Wireless eReader

Through Thursday, January 19th, Borders is offering the Kobo Wireless eReader for $99 with coupon—that's $40 off its typical retail price of $139! Though the Kobo Wireless eReader comes preloaded with 100 out-of-copyright classics, new users will nevertheless be interested in filling their new eReaders with their own books.

How To: Make phone calls from the Samsung Galaxy Tab

The new Samsung Galaxy Tab isn't a cell phone, but that doesn't stop you from making phone calls! With this Android tablet, it's a breeze to make phone calls. Just hit the PHONE icon on the homescreen and dial your number. Press CALL and wait for the connection. You can MUTE the mic, use a HEADSET or MINIMIZE the dial pad. See how!

How To: Install a custom ROM onto a Samsung Galaxy Google Android smartphone

Learn how to load a custom ROM onto a rooted Samsung Galaxy Google Android smartphone! Custom ROMs help you to unlock your phone's hidden potential and allow you to, among other things, turn your mobile phone into a 3G wireless modem with free WiFi tethering. For all of the details, and to get started running custom ROMs on your own rooted Samsung Galaxy, watch this three-minute hacker's how-to.

How To: Flash a custom recovery image & load custom ROMs on an HTC Droid Eris

Learn how to flash a custom recovery image and load a custom ROM onto a rooted Droid Eris Google Android smartphone! Custom ROMs help you to unlock your phone's hidden potential and allow you to, among other things, turn your mobile phone into a 3G wireless modem with free WiFi tethering. For all of the details, and to get started running custom ROMs on your own rooted HTC Droid Eris, watch this three-minute hacker's how-to.

How To: Receive Facebook notifications on your Windows desktop

This Facebook user's guide will see to it that you never miss another poke, comment, friend request, tag or wall post. Receive Facebook notifications on your Windows PC desktop. This clip will show you how it's done. It's simple! So simple, in fact, that this home-computing how-to can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in just over a minute. For more information, including complete, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Side load private files (music/photos) onto your Nook

In this clip, learn how to add your own personal files to your Barnes and Noble Nook and make it a portable carrying device. This tutorial will show you all the steps you need to get anything from photos, videos, music files and personal documents onto your e-reader. This process is pretty easy and once you view the clip, you should be all set to start side loading. Who needs an iPad when you have a Nook?

How To: Block a cell phone number

Jordy with AT&T teaches us how to block your cell phone number when making outgoing calls. By doing this, any person you call cannot read your ten digit cell phone number. It's as simple as entering a code before you dial the desired number. The code is *67 followed by the ten digit number and then placing it as a regular call. This does not allow the person you are calling to see your number. Instead it will show up on their caller ID and read as "Private Caller". Follow Jordy's advice and k...

How To: Change audio on an already uploaded YouTube video

This video describes the process of changing the audio on a YouTube video that you have already uploaded. The video is presented by Helplines.com and is in their technology series. We start out logged into YouTube and click on Uploaded Videos, then choose the video you would like to change. Click on the Audio Swap button that is just below the video. You can then choose the I'm Feeling Lucky button to have YouTube pick the audio for you. Or browse through the selections to find an appropriate...

How To: Hack a Vending Machine in 3 Easy Steps

How to get a vending machine to pay you for its goodies, instead of you paying for them. First off, find a older vending machine, and insert your dollar bill as you normally would. Once you have entered it, you can select which ever item you want. Then quickly, before the item dispenses, hold up on the gate to prevent the item from falling. When it falls, it should rest on the back of the gate you're holding up—don't let go yet. After a long wait, the vending machine will think nothing dispen...

How To: Clear Your Cookies and Cache in Windows XP

This video explains how to delete cookies in Windows XP, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer and Opera. To delete cookies in Mozilla Firefox, choose the "tools" option from the tool bar, then choose "options", then choose "privacy". Many options will be given under the "privacy" menu, but make sure to choose the following options- "accept cookies from site" and "accept third party cookies", then choose the option "I close Firefox option" under "keep until" then choose "ok" to delete the cookie...

How To: Cut, copy, and paste on your iPhone

You love your iPhone and you can't live without it, but it's lacked the basic ability to cut, copy, and paste across multiple apps. With Apple's OS 3.0 upgrade, you can do it all with just a few taps. Watch this Howcast guide to learn how to cut, copy, and paste on your iPhone.

How To: Hack a Smartphone Using SMS

How many of you have or know people who have a smartphone? There's a lot of you, right? Well, depending on how most of you use those smartphones, there could be all kind of sensitive information stored on it, and that doesn't just mean sensitive personal information, but it could also contain all sorts of sensitive corporate data for work.

How To: Eavesdrop with a cell phone

Want to bug a room on the cheap? This video how-to demonstrates how to make a simple eavesdropping device using a cell phone with auto-answer support and conventional plug-in type headset. For detailed advice on setting up this expedient spy bugging device, consult this friendly how-to. Eavesdrop with a cell phone.

How To: Turn a cheap MIDI keyboard into a custom audio control

Controllerism is a lot like turn table-ism, except through its exclusive use of controllers and music software. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to turn a simple and inexpensive MIDI keyboard into a custom audio controller. First, you'll want to rearrange the keys to line up with the knobs. Then, cut up an old DVD case and a bicycle tube to glue the rubber onto the keys to make it more tactile. Lastly, you'll need to set up the software to assign the keys with controls on...

How To: Make a high-tech spy stethoscope

A stethoscope, often considered the symbol of a doctor's profession, but also used by safe-crackers and auto mechanics to hear sounds that otherwise couldn't be heard. Well, it's time to make a high-tech electronic spy stethoscope with Kip Kay in this gadget video tutorial, for only twenty-five bucks! You can hear and record heartbeats with this spy gadget, or even listen through walls!

How To: Make your own DIY film projector

Finding a film projector for those who still shoot film, or those who still house film can be tough. They're either sparce or extremely expensive. In this six part tutorial, learn how to make your own DIY homemade film projector for your home without shelling out tons of cash. This presentation is hosted by Dan Mikesell at Pratt Institute.

How To: Apple's iOS 17.5 Gives Your iPhone 32 New Features and Changes — Here's Everything You Need to Know About

Apple's latest iPhone software update — iOS 17.5 — is finally ready for prime time. Released on May 13, it includes at least 32 new features and changes you need to know about, from a new game and offline news access to new wallpapers and anti-stalking capabilities.