Gadget Hacks Features

News: Apple Releases iOS 13 Public Beta 5 for iPhone with New Dark Mode Shortcut, Hide Link Previews Feature & More

Life's pretty good for iOS public testers — we get to check out new iPhone features months before the general public even knows they exist. That said, we aren't first to the party. Developers get priority during beta testing, as evidenced by yesterday's iOS 13 dev beta 6 release. It's not all bad though since Apple just released the public version of that software, public beta 5, this afternoon.

How To: Get an Automatic Light & Dark Theme on Android

Perhaps the best thing about Android is the endless amount of customization you can add to your device. From icon packs to custom launchers and even custom ROMs, there's truly something for everyone. One of the most popular options among Android enthusiasts is adding a system wide dark theme. The methods to do this vary, but you can now automate this process thanks to Android Oreo.

News: The Best Black Friday 2017 Deals for iPhones

There's a good chance that an iPhone is on one of your Christmas shopping lists, but these things are uber-expensive now, making it hard to justify as a holiday gift — even for yourself. That's what Black Friday is for, though, which can help you save a little bit of cash on an iPhone purchase — or at least, give you something in return to help you get even more holiday presents.

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: Trace any IP hostname or web address

Tracing any IP hostname or web address free online is demonstrated in this video. To trace any IP, website and hostname free online firstly go to the websiteGeoLocationWhen the webpage appears you will get a find option. Enter your IP address, website or hostname here. Then click the find option. Your IP hostname or web address is traced. So easy. Quick and simple to use. Your IP address, city, country, continent and time zone will be displayed in a rectangular box in your location in the wor...

How To: Illuminate a regular computer keyboard

Light up your keyboard with this illuminating tutorial from Make Magazine's Kipkay. To get started on this hack, which should take roughly a half an hour and cost no more than $5, you'll need the following: (1) a regular computer keyboard (most any model will do), (2) a screwdriver, (3) a drill, (4) telephone wire, (5) heat shrink tubing, and (6) two 5 mm high-brightness, white LEDs. For comprehensive, step-by-step instructions on building your own light-up keyboard, simply watch this hacker'...

How To: Charge your phone with USB

This is a great way to charge your phone if you ever loose your car charger. Simply splicing a USB cable with an adaptor for your cell phone will create a homemade charger that can easily hook up to your computer and charge your cell phone.

How To: Find Songs by Lyrics in Apple Music for iOS 12 — With or Without a Subscription

Has this ever happened to you: You're singing a song in your head and want to look it up on Apple Music but you just can't think of its name or even who recorded it? In iOS 12, if you can sing it, you can search for it, as the update lets you find songs in Apple Music by lyrics alone. It's like Shazam, only instead of identifying music by sound, it uses the lyrics in your head.

How To: Create Your Own Augmented Reality Filter for Instagram Stories Using Spark AR on Mac or Windows

There's a new trend on Instagram Stories: People are making viral AR filters where images of popular characters from TV shows, movies, and other mediums shuffle above your head until one sticks. The filters range from Disney and Pokémon characters to Harry Potter and Friends, but you're not limited to just that because you can create your own "which are you?" filter.

HoloToolkit: How to Add Voice Commands to Your HoloLens App

The HoloToolkit offers a great many, simple ways to add what seems like extremely complex features of the HoloLens, but it can be a bit tricky if you're new to Windows Holographic. So this will be the first in an ongoing series designed to help new developers understand what exactly we can do with the HoloLens, and we'll start with voice commands.

How To: Play Apex Legends on Your Phone Right Now

With EA chief executive Andrew Wilson stating the official mobile version of Apex Legends won't arrive until the 2021 fiscal year, fans have to wait at least another year to enjoy their favorite battle royale game on the go. But for those who can't wait, there are ways to play the game on iPhone and Android right now.

VSCO 101: How to Use Presets (or Filters) on Your Photos

One of the best features VSCO has to offer is its presets, also known as filters — they reduce the labor it takes to make your images look better by applying unique preset edits to each. Presets can make your photo look like it came from a professional studio or a black and white camera from the '70s. Sounds great, right? So, how do you get started?

Opinion: Why Microsoft Not Releasing a New HoloLens Until 2019 Should Not Be a Surprise

If the rumors are right, Microsoft has decided to cancel the second version of the HoloLens, and they will instead move onto version three of their mixed reality headset. In the latest report, Thurrott's Brad Sams states that the expected release date of this new Windows Holographic device wouldn't be until 2019, a long two years away for those of us putting full effort into HoloLens app development.

News: Samsung's 'Monitorless' Remote Desktop Smartglasses Blur the Line Between Virtual & Augmented Reality

There are already a few ways to use your home computer on the go, but none of them feel very natural when you're out and about, and are clunky options at best. Samsung wants to change that with Monitorless, their upcoming augmented reality smartglasses, which offer remote desktop viewing capabilities as well as the ability to switch between augmented and virtual reality modes using electrochromic glass.

How To: Make a steam candle

Have you ever seen a steam candle? It's essentially a simple-as-pie steam engine that revolves on top of a water surface. They are relatively easy to make if you know how to do it. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to "hack" together your own steam candle.