Gadget Hacks Features
News: 8th Wall & Trigger Build AR Lego Playground for Web to Promote Fox's 'Lego Masters'
Lego has shipped several apps and products that add an augmented reality dimension to their playsets. But it has taken a reality TV show from Fox to allow brick fans to build with virtual bricks in augmented reality.
News: New DigiLens Waveguide Displays for Motorcycle Helmets Are Thinner, Lighter & Cheaper
Less than a week after securing a $25 million Series C funding round for automotive HUDs, DigiLens has introduced a new waveguide display for motorcycle helmets that's thinner, lighter, brighter, and manufactured at a lower cost.
News: Samsung Doubles Down on AR Hardware Plans with Smartglasses Patent & Facebook Partnership
Just as Apple, Snapchat, and other tech giants are working on augmented reality wearables in the race to replace smartphones for the future of mobile computing, so is Samsung.
How To: Erase all the content and restore your iPad to the factory settings
If you're having problems with your iPad, sometimes restoring it to factory settings is enough to get it working again. This will erase all your data, so make sure you back up everything. Then you can use these two separate methods to restore your iPad.
News: Jeri Ellsworth's Tilt Five Teases Forthcoming Augmented Reality Twist on Board Gaming
While augmented reality industry continues to grow, analog board games are also making a comeback. So, why not join the two together?
News: iPhone 8 Leaked Without Touch ID, Includes Wireless Charging
It's Monday, and what's a Monday at Gadget Hacks without a new leak to ponder over? Thanks to known leaker Benjamin Geskin, we have a dummy iPhone 8 without one of its most-anticipated features.
How To: Make the x-axis lead screw for a CNC router
A CNC router machine is probably the most useful tool a hobbyist can own, but the price for a CNC machine on the market is way more than the average hobbyist is willing to spend. You can build your own CNC with very basic tools, little knowledge of machinery, mechanics, or electronics, but be warned, these machines are inherently dangerous, so wear the proper protection and use common sense. At the very least, read the instructions and precautions on every tool you use.
News: Magic Leap Looking into Sale of the Company, Report Says
The rumors have been circulating for months, but now there's a source attached to the notion that Magic Leap is looking to sell itself off after a rough couple of years following the launch of its Magic Leap 1 augmented reality device.
How To: Pair a Bluetooth device to a Nokia N97 Mini smartphone
Want to connect a wireless Bluetooth device with your Nokia N97 Mini? It couldn't be easier. This clip will teach you everything you need to know. For all of the details, including complete, step-by-step instructions, watch this brief, official N97 Mini owner's guide from the folks at Nokia!
How To: Shop for an eReader
These days, eReaders are everywhere. For die-hard book nerds, eReaders offer the convenience of a full library without having to sacrifice shelf space. Sure, there are the paper buffs who swear that you just can't take an eReader with you into the bathtub, but when's the last time anyone actually did that? Face it, eReaders are convenient and here to stay. But there's a dizzying array of information out there, so what should you look for in an eReader?
News: Apple Releases iOS 12.3 Developer Beta 3 for iPhone
Developers, get excited. The new iOS 12.3 dev beta 3 just dropped. While this beta doesn't introduce any major features or changes, it means Apple is continuing to address unseen bugs and potential vulnerabilities from the previous versions.
How To: 4 New & Noteworthy Indie Android Apps of the Week — March 26 Edition
I'm always looking for solutions to problems people are having with their smartphones. This means I spend a lot of time browsing forums and release sites looking for new apps. In doing so, I find a lot of apps that don't quite solve a major problem, but are nonetheless pretty cool. I came across four of those this week.
How To: Hack Google for better search results
In this tutorial, you'll learn how to use special search parameters like "site:" to improve the quality and specificity of your Google search results. For more information, and to get started using these handy search tricks yourself, watch this hacker's how-to from CNET.
How To: Share Audio & Video Clips in Overcast to Show Off Your Favorite Podcasts
In a world of seemingly endless streaming services, podcasts continue to offer free, unlimited entertainment for all. When you find a podcast that's just too good to keep to yourself, sharing it with family and friends is inevitable, but how you share may determine whether or not they listen to it or not. Links alone aren't enough. Audio and video clips are how you get them sucked in.
How To: Replace the glass digitizer on the iPhone 3G
In this how to video, you will learn how to replace the glass digitizer on your iPhone 3G. First, remove the two screws at the bottom and the SIM card at the top. Once these are removed, use the safe pry tool and run it at the bottom between the bezel and back cover. Slowly remove the cover. Pop out the three connecters at the top of the inside. The third connector is in a jaw connected. Place the pry tool in a 90 degree angle to remove it. Now that the connectors have been opened, carefully ...
How To: Sort incoming email with GMail
If you're a heavy gmail user here's a handy way to sort your incoming emails from spam with a little known trick from Tekzilla.
News: TeamViewer Adds Support for Smartglasses from Vuzix, Epson, & RealView to Enterprise AR App
Businesses that have adopted enterprise-grade wearables for their workforces now have a new option among the multitude of AR productivity apps that can help their team members communicate in AR.
How To: Increase battery life on an iPod Touch or iPhone
Isn't it annoying how fast the battery dies on your iPod or iPhone? It seems like you charge it for hours, only to have it die in half the time. Well, in this tutorial learn a few tips and tricks that will increase the battery life of your phone.
News: Mark Zuckerberg Reveals More About Facebook's Upcoming Smartglasses Set to Debut This Year
Ever since Facebook announced its partnership with Luxxotica brand Ray-Ban to produce smartglasses, the augmented reality space has been on high alert awaiting more details.
News: Google Releases Android O Developer Preview—Here's a Rundown of the New Features
The first sneak peak of Android O is finally here. The developer preview promises more features, stabilization, and better performance, according to the Android Developers Blog. Furthermore, there's speculation that the latest operating system will be code-named "Android Oreo," so it definitely sounds like we're in for a treat.
How To: iOS 13 Made Searching Much Faster in iPhone Apps
Your iPhone is full of search bars. Messages, Notes, Photos, Reminders ... these apps and more allow you to search for specific items to speed up whatever it is you're doing. But the fastest way to search in iOS might not be by typing.
How To: Track the Super Storm Hurricane Sandy Live
As Hurricane Sandy barrels towards the East Coast, 50 million people are expected to be affected in the nation's most populated corridor. The behemoth super storm is a cause for concern, evident by the massive evacuations. The picture above is an eerie snap of the mostly crowded Times Square subway station in New York. Government officials have warned over half a million people to evacuate their homes and head to higher grounds. To help prepare for this storm, the internet has provided severa...
How To: Jailbreak an Apple iPhone 4 with the JailBreakMe website
Want to jailbreak your Apple iPhone 4, iPad or iPod Touch? With JailBreakMe, it's a cinch! 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 jailbreaking your own Apple devices, take a look.
News: Volkswagen Teases AR Co-Pilot for Self-Driving Concept Car
On Tuesday, at the Geneva International Motor Show, Volkswagen gave the world an early peek at a futuristic autonomous concept car that includes a virtual AI host embodied in an augmented reality interface.
How To: Watch movies for free on the Internet
PCRescue Repair shows you how to be able to watch movies on the internet. What's special about this video though, is that he shows you how to watch them for free. He directs you to a website that gives you the ability to watch a variety of movies for free, right from the comfort of your home. From his own personal experience in using this particular website that he sends you to, he can explain in detail where to go, and how to locate the movies that you might be interested in. If you're bored...
How To: Do some basic soldering for electronic equipment
Need a little help soldering? If you can't quite figure out how to solder for your electronics and wires, maybe it's time you took a soldering 101 class. Well, no need to pay any expensive tuition, just watch this video tutorial to see how to do some basic soldering for electronic equipment or whatever you need it for. It's as simple as getting some solder and a soldering gun. The rest comes naturally, believe me. This explanation is more that enough to get your started in the world of solder.
How To: Check if a game is compatible with your PC
If you're an avid gamer save yourself from game compatibility issues and check out System Requirements Lab. While the minimum specs are compatible with more machines, Tekzilla explains that you should try to meet the recommended specs.
How To: Get directions on Google Maps
Customize your directions on Google Maps. Drag and drop the default directions to your preferred roads or highways, get walking or public transit directions, route around traffic, or add multiple stops on your way. Print directions with Street View, photos included.
News: The Incredible VR Painting Experience Tilt Brush Adds Greater Control, 3D Models & a Word Game
Google's Tilt Brush has proven to be one of the most compelling VR experiences for the HTC Vive, letting you paint with crazy materials like electricity and duct tape. It is clearly an experiment in bringing the joy of imagination to life—or creating some form of virtual LSD—and the app's latest update brings a variety of features that only continue to support that theme. There are few to no rules in virtual reality app development, and that can both be freeing or absolutely paralyzing when t...
How To: Beat level 3-1 of Plants vs Zombies HD for the iPad
Need help figuring out how to beat level 3-1 of PopCap Games' Plants vs. Zombies for the iPad? See how it's done with this gamer's guide, which presents a complete walkthrough of the process. With the right technique, the level is easy to beat. For more information, and to win stage 3-1 of this whimsical tower defense game yourself, watch this helpful video guide.
News: University of Sussex Researchers Develop Method for Making Holograms Touchable
Most augmented reality experiences are purely visual, with spatial audio gaining in popularity to make visual experiences more realistic. However, leveraging the sense of touch may be the next frontier for AR experiences.
News: Apple Built Its Augmented Reality Group with Outsiders from Oculus & Microsoft
Apple is combining internal and external talent in an effort to give them in edge in the augmented reality market, though we still don't know what form their foray into alternative realities will actually take.
News: Levitating Alarm Clock Literally Lifts You Out of Bed
Via Jeff's Arduino Blog, the Princess and the Pea Alarm Clock:
News: Oscars Fashion History Lives via New LA Times Mobile AR Experience
The Oscars are just a couple of days away when Hollywood will celebrate the best crop of films from 2019 in the US and internationally.
News: Disney Patent Previews More Star Wars AR Gaming
A newly-filed patent application from Disney Enterprises, Inc. teases more augmented reality lightsaber duels, either for at-home gaming or for the media behemoth's forthcoming Star Wars theme park.
How To: Track the Shipping Status of Your New iPhone 5
Over 2 million people are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their new iPhone 5, which has caused a few shipping problems, to say the least. There has been a considerable amount of confusion about when, exactly, the iPhone is going to ship, depending on where it was bought and how it's being delivered.
News: BMW Opens Augmented Reality Showroom for Plug-In Hybrids on the Web via 8th Wall
At its height, the COVID-19 pandemic forced many auto showrooms to close their doors. As the pandemic persists, many consumers are still hesitant to let their socially distanced guard down.
How To: Always Know When Someone's Talking About You Online with IFTTT
Too many accounts, too little time. If this sounds like the story of your life, you're not alone. That's where If This, Then That (IFTTT) comes in. It's a site that lets you automate tasks in 50 different channels including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Craigslist, WordPress, YouTube, and even your own phone and email accounts. It works by using "recipes," an infinitely customizable list of tasks that you can set up to do almost anything you want. Want to know when someone mentions you on Twi...
How To: Improve Safari with a PDF Editor, URL Shortener, Bulk Image Saver & More Features on Your iPhone
Safari saw many new features and improvements with Apple's latest iOS update, including webpage translations, privacy reports, and picture-in-picture. While the updates were well-received, Apple's mobile browser is still lacking some very basic features. Thankfully, there are shortcuts to bridge the gap.
How To: Apple Added 8 Key Android Features to iOS 14 & It's a Big Deal if You're on the Fence About iPhones
The smartphone market is stagnating. Without hordes of new users rolling in every year, the best way to boost profits nowadays is to poach customers from the competition. That's exactly what Apple appears to be doing with iOS 14.