Gadget Hacks Features

PSA: Updating to Nougat Through the Android Beta Program Is Risky

Google just released Android 7.0 Nougat, and as usual, they're doing a staged rollout. This means that most users won't actually get the update on their Nexus devices for a few weeks—that is, unless they take matters into their own hands.

How To: Unblock Facebook or Myspace at school or work

In this tutorial, we learn how to unblock Facebook or MySpace at school or work. First, go to your start menu and run "services". After this window pops up, look for DNS client and then right click on it. Then, click "stop". After this, restart the browser that you are on with your computer. From here, type in the address of the website that you want to go to. It should not be working and you will be able to go onto the website without any problems! This is a great way to get past blocks your...

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: Set Up Wippien VPN in Windows XP

This video tutorial from ruralgeek shows how to set up and use Wippien VPN on Windows XP. First, download Wippien client from here: www.wippien.com.

News: Startup Phiar Prepares Beta Launch of AR Driving Navigation App for iPhone

Google pushed a new kind of augmented reality walking navigation to the mainstream last year, and now startup Phiar is hoping users will use its AR app in the same way for driving navigation.

How To: Control iPhone/iPod Touch from a computer

In this video from iPT2gGeec we learn how to control an iPhone from your computer. You need a jailbroken iPhone to do this and use a program called Veency. Open Cydia. Search for Veency. Install it. That is all you need to do with your iPhone.

News: Find Out How Much Time You're Wasting Using Facebook & Other Apps on Your Galaxy S3

In today's dog-eat-dog world, every minute matters. Whether you're in school or working for the Man, a huge amount of your day is consumed by tasks, assignments, and other kinds of work. Then there's the time you spend playing video games, watching TV, or screwing around on your Samsung Galaxy S3.

News: The Lazy Man's Beer Machine (Catapult Into Mouth, Please)

Purdue mechanical engineering undergrad Ross Wehner built a gadget Homer Simpson would envy- a working, arduino-powered beer catapult fridge.

News: The World's First LED Buddha Board Delivers Evaporative 'Water Light Graffiti'

From dynamite to lasers to LEDs, you can make graffiti with a lot of different things. Parisian artist Antonin Fourneau has added water to that list. He created this incredible LED wall that lights up wherever it's touched by water to create what he's dubbed "Water Light Graffiti," which can be simply described as being an LED Buddha Board.

How To: Use a custom wallpaper or ringtone on a Verizon Pantech Crux phone

Whether you're the proud owner of a Pantech Crux phone or are merely considering picking one up, you're sure to benefit from this free video guide, which presents a general overview of how to set the phone up. For details, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to see what it takes to set custom wallpapers and ringtones (or ring tones) on your own Pantech Crux, take a look.

News: iOS 12 Public Beta 3 Released for iPhone Software Testers

The updates just keep on coming. Apple released the third beta for iOS 12 to public testers Wednesday, July 18, just after seeding the fourth iOS 12 developer beta to registered developers the previous day. This update comes thirteen days after the release of the second public beta, which itself came hot on the heels of the third developer beta.

News: Apple Releases iOS 12.5.1 for iPhone 5S, 6 & 6 Plus with Fix for Exposure Notifications

Apple just released iOS 12.5.1 (build number 16H22) for iPhone 5S, 6, and 6 Plus, as well as iPod touch 6th generation, in addition to iPadOS 12.5.1 for iPad Air, mini 2, and mini 3. The update fixes an issue in iOS 12.5 where Exposure Notifications could incorrectly display logging profile language.

How To: Solder for beginners

This video is for beginning solderers taught by Make Magazine's Bre Pettis. Soldering is a necessary skill for anyone wanting to get into DIY electronics, and this video teaches you all the tips and tricks soldering and desoldering.

How To: Keep Better Track of Your Battery Life on the Nexus 7

There were some pretty amazing things included in the Android 4.4 KitKat update, but unfortunately, most of them were left inactive on our Nexus 7 tablets. Some, like full-screen immersive mode and the hidden battery percentage status bar icon, could be enabled on rooted devices, but not everyone wants to root.

HowTo: Make 3D Video With Two iPod Nanos

The ZURBLog cleverly demonstrates how to make 3D video in 3 easy steps, using two iPod Nanos, some rubber bands and a yardstick.

News: This Creepy Holographic AI Concierge Could Be Following You Around Hotels Soon

Back to the Future Part II missed wildly on many technological advances for the year 2015, such as flying cars and rehydration ovens. However, it connected on several predictions, such as video calling and biometric security, and it was in the ballpark (pun intended) on others, such as the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series.

News: HoloLens Passes Protective Eyewear Tests for Use in the Workplace

Last week, Next Reality wrote about how the Microsoft HoloLens team is partnering with thyssenkrupp. Their mission? To bring mixed reality to the workplace. Now, Microsoft has just confirmed in a blog post that the HoloLens has passed the basic impact tests for protective eyewear in North America and Europe.

How To: Surf the web secretly

Kipkay details how to surf the web secretly and leave no trace behind on your computer. Many websites collect personal data without you knowing it and you should surf anonymously.

How To: Put your magnets to use around the house

Magnetism is one of the most incredible forces in the world. Did you know you can use magnets to get more out of a number of household appliances- from screwdrivers to electric toothbrushes? They're also great fun, so check out this video to learn how to make magnets work for you!

How To: Make a wind powered LED pinwheel

This is a video tutorial that explains how to make a wind powered LED out of a pinwheel and an old VCR. Why have just a pinwheel when you can have an LED pinwheel?

News: The 10 Best Soft-Launched iPhone Games Out Right Now [June 2018]

If you're looking for your gaming fix and nothing on the App Store is piquing your interest, you should give soft-launched games a try. These are games that haven't been released in the US yet because they're getting tested in smaller markets first. Using a simple workaround, you can install them on your iPhone in any country.

News: Google Finally Releases ARCore 1.0 for Android Users, Adds Google Lens to Photos App

In one of the worst-kept secrets of the upcoming Mobile World Congress, Google has officially released ARCore on the Play Store for owners of the latest flagship Android smartphones.

News: Merge VR's Holo Cube—An Augmented Reality Toy That Transforms into Interactive Holograms

Merge VR, a company mostly known for its virtual reality experiences, is moving into and creating an augmented reality experience that combines an iPhone or Android smartphone, a set of goggles to put your phone in, and a box about the size of a Rubik's Cube which looks more akin to the Lament Configuration seen in the Hellraiser film series. When used in concert with the smartphone and goggles, the toy cube, called Holo Cube, becomes one of many AR experiences.

News: How 'Ready Player One' Used Microsoft's HoloLens to Help Build Its VR Cinematic Universe

A funny thing happened on the way to the release of the virtual reality epic Ready Player One — augmented reality grabbed a major piece of the spotlight. Specifically, Microsoft's HoloLens.

How To: Buy a USB Type-C Cable That Won't Fry the Battery on Your Nexus, MacBook, or Pixel

Ready or not, the USB-C cable is about to take over your electronics. The new industry standard is fully reversible and packed with enough power to serve as a laptop charger or an HDMI cable, so it actually has the potential to replace every cord, wire, and connector in your house. In fact, the conversion has already started: The latest MacBook, Chromebook Pixel, and Nexus phones are sporting USB-C connectors out of the box.

News: Marvel's 'Avengers — Infinity War' Leads Debut Issue of Moviebill's AR Magazine at Regal Movie Theaters

Riding the coattails of one of the biggest movies this year, the first edition of the new Moviebill augmented reality magazine will be available at Regal Cinema theaters nationwide this weekend alongside the release Avengers: Infinity War.

News: Air Guitar + Kinect Hack = Pure Awesomeness

Thanks to Microsoft’s XBOX 360 motion-detecting system, Kinect, the world is becoming a play place for sci-fi style virtual reality. One of the latest hacks demonstrates the next best thing to regular old air guitar... virtual reality air guitar: Artist Chris O'Shea explains how it works:

News: Big Changes for Facebook Messenger: Multiple Accounts, SMS, & Material Design

Earlier this week we showed you how to use multiple accounts on Instagram, and now Facebook is rolling out a similar feature for its Messenger app, as well as a few other features.

How To: Play the Insanely Addictive 2048 Game for Android on Your TV

Just like some of its popular puzzle predecessors, 2048 is an extremely simple yet insanely addicting game that pits you against a slew of blocks, to be configured into increasing sums with fervid, high-paced moves. If you have yet to play it, check out either the iOS (by Ketchapp) or Android (by Estoty) versions of the game. Due to its overwhelming popularity, dev TalkLittle has ported the puzzle game as 2048 for Chromecast (available for Android only), which lets you play the game solo or b...

News: Pokémon GO Is Dropping Support for Older Android Devices — Is Yours on the Chopping Block?

Even three years after its initial release, Niantic's Pokémon GO is still going strong. If you're an Android user still on the hunt for your city's latest Pokémon haul, however, you'll want to listen up — Niantic is cutting support for aging Android devices, meaning soon your dream of catching 'em all may be coming to an end.

How To: Convert a high power supply with an adapter supply

Hate those cheap multi-adapter power supplies that only provide up to 500ma of power? Here's how to use one high-output power supply (up to 3.5A in this case) to run all of your power hungry gadgets, like laptops, LCD monitors, etc...

How To: Program your Android phone to respond to voice commands

The future is here! Your Android phone can respond to a wide variety of voice commands - and not just to call people, you can use voice commands to send e-mail, search for directions or find the nearest gas station!

How To: Build an electric recumbent bicycle

Sit back and ride as G Word correspondent David Newsom finds out the benefits of an electric bicycle. Watch and see how to convert a conventional bike to a battery-powered riding machine.

How To: Pull a noisy car ignition SpongeBob toy prank

If you just happen to have one of those SpongeBob SquarePants chatterbox toys that were distributed at fast food restaurants a while back, then you just might be able to pull of this "Evil SpongeBob Toy Prank" from mastermind Kipkay.

IFTTT 101: 8 Useful Applets to Help You Get Started with Smartphone Automation

IFTTT is an application that allows you to automate certain tasks on your iPhone or Android. It can communicate with a myriad of apps and services on your phone by creating applets that perform actions automatically — actions you'd normally have to do manually. Finding those applets, however, can be a little difficult.

How To: Replace All Remaining Holo Blue Elements on Your Nexus 5 with KitKat White

Android has come a long way in a very short period of time. One of its largest leaps, at least in terms of aesthetic value, was a design pattern called Holo UI. Originally debuting in Android 4.0, many of these design elements are still in place today.

News: Creepy Theremin Utensils Howl the Pain of Slaughtered Ghost Chickens

One of the creepiest musical instruments ever is undoubtedly the theremin, a device originating from the early 20s that emits eerie sounds with a just a wave of the hand. If you've seen the original movie The Day the Earth Stood Still, you know what I mean—freakishly creepy. Playing the theremin can be off-putting for some, since it's a relatively pricy gizmo, but a new geek gadget called the EaTheremin aims to make all of us professional, dinnertime theremists.

How To: Customize Your Apple TV's Name

Your Apple TV is just that — your Apple TV, which means you probably want to personalize it a bit, to make yours stand out from everybody else's. And the easiest way to do this is by renaming it. If you live in an apartment building, this will help differentiate your Apple TV from your neighbors' when trying to use AirPlay.

HowTo: Get FREE In-flight Wi-Fi From Google

If you're flying AirTran Airways, Delta, or Virgin America over the holidays, Google has teamed up with the aforementioned airlines to offer free in-flight wi-fi from November 20 to January 2, 2011 on all domestic flights. Why? Out of good will and holiday cheer, of course (plus promotion for the Google Chrome web browser).

How To: Set Up & Use Apple Pay on Your Apple Watch

As you're probably well aware by now, the Apple Watch isn't just for sending text messages and checking Instagram—you can also use it as your wallet. With Apple Pay compatibility, you can use your Watch to make purchases at any retailer that accepts the payment service.