Gadget Hacks Features
News: Samsung to Debut Galaxy S7 & Others in March 2016
A slide shown during a China Mobile conference indicates that Samsung's Galaxy S7 handsets should be hitting the market next March. If this chart is to be believed, it strongly suggests that Samsung will unveil its flagships at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona (Feb. 22-25, 2016). For reference, the public got its first look at the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge on March 1st at last year's MWC; the handsets were released a little over a month later on April 10th.
News: Facebook's Riff App Makes Snapchat Stories (But with Friends)
In the shadow of Facebook's announcement for third-party app development on Messenger, the company has announced the release of a whole new application called Riff, a creative tool for making videos with friends.
News: Join Microsoft's Office Beta Program for Early Android, iOS, Mac, & Windows Apps
Microsoft finally unveiled dedicated iPad apps for their Office suite earlier this year, but it seems that that was just a preview of things to come.
How To: Watch Apple's Sept. 12 'Gather Round' Event on Your Computer, Smartphone, or Apple TV
Apple revealed three new iPhone models on Wednesday, Sept. 12, at its "Gather Round" event in Cupertino, as well as announced the official release date of iOS 12, its newest mobile operating system. If you missed it and want to watch the full event, here's how to do it on your computer, smartphone, or Apple TV.
How To: Get started using a Samsung Epic 4G Google Android smartphone
In this clip, you'll learn how to navigate and use the basic features and functions of a Samsung Epic 4G mobile phone. Whether you're the proud owner of a Sprint Epic 4G Google Android smartphone or are merely considering picking one up, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, including a complete demonstration of the rooting process and detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started using your own new Epic 4G phone, watch this helpful how-to.
News: Magic Leap & SK Telecom Seal Exclusive Wireless Partnership for South Korean Market
As Magic Leap continues to spread its influence in the US with the help of wireless carrier AT&T, the augmented reality startup is also working its way into East Asia.
Market Reality: Sketchfab Opens AR Content Store, Amazon Pushes Fitness Gear with AR & DAQRI Capitalizes on AR Training
While it may seem to some like investors are just throwing their money at augmented reality companies simply because the tech is heavily hyped, these money managers do actually want to see a return on their investments.
How To: Spend Less on Textbooks This Semester, More on Dorm Room Pranks
It's already August, which means school will be back in just a few short weeks. If you're getting ready to start or go back to college, that means you'll probably be dropping a few hundred bucks on textbooks. Here are some of the best places online to buy, sell and rent textbooks so that you can get back to more important things, like making your papers look longer than they really are and getting around your school's website blockers. Plus you can spend your money on more exciting things, li...
SWEAT: A Better Way to Edit and Replace Your Text in Windows 8
Editing and formatting large amounts of text can be a hassle. From finding and replacing words to creating uniform spacing, text editing can be a real drag. But with this Windows application, you can take your text edit skills to the next level.
How To: Integrate Facebook chat with iChat
In this tutorial, we learn how to integrate Facebook chat with iChat. To do this, go into your Facebook account and copy your profile name. Now, go into your iChat account and click on "preferences". Next, click on the "add" button and select "jabber" from the drop down menu. Now, add your account name with "@chat.facebook.com" and type in your Facebook password the same as you would do so in Facebook. Under server options, enter "chat.facebook.com" and the port will be 5212. Now your Faceboo...
News: Is Facebook Trolling the Winklevoss Twins with Its New AR Smartglasses Project Code-Named Gemini?
The initiative known as Project Aria has been the focus of curiosity around Facebook's augmented reality plans ever since Mark Zuckerberg revealed the device around this time last year.
AR Snapshots: Celebrate Black History Month & Get Ready for Valentine's Day with These Snapchat Lenses
February is the shortest month, but it's marked by the celebration of Black history and the celebration of romantic love.
News: Rewatch Google's Livestream Announcement of the New Pixel Smartphones
Today is the day you've been waiting for. At 9:00 a.m. PDT (12:00 p.m. EDT), Google announced a number of new products, including the new #MadeByGoogle Pixel smartphones and the Daydream VR headset.
News: Snapchat Adds Speech-Activated Lenses to Its Augmented Reality Capabilities
Snapchat users are used to raising their eyebrows or opening their mouths to activate augmented reality face effects. Now, they get to use their voices as well.
News: Lampix Exec Gordon Meyer Podcast Interview, Says the Future of AR Isn't in Wearables
The future of augmented reality isn't on your smartphone or face, it's in the everyday items all around us. At least that's the belief of Gordon Meyer, the vice president of marketing at New York-based startup Lampix.
News: OnePlus 3T 128 GB May Be Discontinued
UPDATE: It was previously reported that the OnePlus 3T 128 GB in Gunmetal would be discontinued. GSM Arena received an official rebuttal from the company which noted that the phone is not discontinued, but rather, out of stock. Though, it seems like the company has more of a problem keeping track with what its reps report, rather than its phone supply.
How To: Add a Facebook fan page badge to any website for free
In this tutorial, learn how to gain new Facebook "fans" wherever you may be on the web. If you have a personal or business website that you would like to link to your viewer's Facebook accounts, check this out. By adding a badge elsewhere online you are bound to increase traffic to both your site and your Facebook page and get the word out there.
Exclusive: Meta Patent Infringement Case Moves Step Closer to Resolution, New Asset Owner Revealed
The story of Meta and its Meta 2 augmented reality headset isn't over, there's a new development that could impact its ultimate fate.
News: Magic Leap Sheds Light on Lumin OS, Disney Creates AR's Future, & The New York Times Innovates on AR Strategy
Magic Leap has earned a reputation for overt secrecy, but as it nears the highly-anticipated launch of the Magic Leap One, the company is spilling some of the beans. This week, we get a heaping helping of information on the Lumin OS, as well as a couple of great demos.
How To: Find your IP address without using a 3rd party site
In this how-to video, you will learn how to find the IP address you are using on your computer without using any third party sites. First, go to the start menu and click run. If you are using Vista, go to search in order to the run the file. Next, you should type in cmd.exe into the prompt. A window should now open up. In this window, type in ipconfig /all. From there, your IP address should be listed. This simple video shows you a very easy way to find your IP address without having to use a...
How To: Not Sure What to Play Next? Use This App to Help You Find Hot New Mobile Games
Discovering great mobile games is difficult. With over 300 thousand games on the Play Store — not including the hundreds more available by sideloading — finding the right one to invest your time and money in can be hard. The Play Store's rating system is helpful, but ratings are often skewed by external factors.
How To: Share your location only with your friends on Facebook
With a few quick changes to your Facebook privacy settings, you can share your location with only your friends (or disable Facebook's location-tracking feature, Places, altogether). Whether you're completely new to the Facebook's popular social networking site or simply require a small amount of clarification on how to deal with the Places feature, you're sure to benefit from this helpful video guide. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Navigate the home screen on Droid smartphones
In this video tutorial, anyone who owns a Droid smartphone can learn how to better navigate their home screen. With this Droid phone tips, you'll be able to maximize your time and create shortcuts to your most used applications. The Droid's home screen in much like a computer's desktop; putting an icon on one of your Droid home screens allows you quick access to a program or app. There are numerous Android phones, but this video focuses on the "Droid" versions, but you may need to play around...
News: Snap Spectacles Used to Turn Spoken Word Poetry into an Augmented Reality Experience
From the front lines of mainstreaming augmented reality smartglasses comes the latest update from Snap and its Spectacles wearable.
How To: Change your status in Messenger on a BlackBerry phone
Learn how to change your status in BlackBerry Messenger on your BlackBerry phone. This clip will show you how it's done. Whether you're the proud owner of a BlackBerry smartphone or are merely considering picking one up, you're sure to be well served by this video guide. For detailed information, including step-by-step instructions, take a look.
How To: Start using AT&T Online Account Management for small businesses
If you're a small business operator and AT&T is your carrier, you'll want to take advantage of the AT&T Online Account Management portal for small business customers. This video shows how to request an online registration code (required to register your account), how to use it to register your account, and how to set up your username and password.
How To: Configure & control Facebook privacy settings
Do the new Facebook changes scare you? Are you not sure what information on your Facebook profile is and isn't accessible to people outside your network? Larry Magid will walk you through each privacy setting in this video, beginning with Facebook's newest feature, Instant Personalization. The next part covers controlling individual content like events, photos, and status updates. The more you know, the more control you'll be able to maintain over your information.
How To: Access the US Government's Coronavirus Testing Website Without a Computer
On March 13, President Trump announced during a briefing in the Rose Garden that Google was building a COVID-19 screening website to help Americans understand if they might have the new coronavirus. If likely infected, the site would also include the location of a local drive-through testing site to visit. So how can you access the screening website?
News: This May Be the Cutest Way to Get Directions Ever
Have you ever looked down to your phone and said "This GPS app works well, but why isn't it cuter?" Well, you're in luck! Tokyo's Sunrise Aquarium has what might be the cutest way to navigate to their facility—just follow the penguins!
News: CGTrader Arms Retailers with Augmented Reality Content via ARsenal Platform
If online retail is war (and who says it isn't), then CGTrader is prepared to arm its allies with augmented reality ammunition.
Dev Report: Microsoft's New Telepresence Tutorial Makes Entry Point for Sharing Easier
We know your time is valuable to you, so starting this week — and continuing every Wednesday — we are going to release weekly Dev Reports that quickly highlight important news and updates that augmented and mixed reality developers should know about.
Market Reality: Magic Leap Demotes Execs, Artie Makes AR Smarter, & Walmart Adds AR to Its Shopping Cart
Signaling a new direction forward for the company, Magic Leap shook up its executive suite by re-assigning to top leaders to new advisory roles. Meanwhile, a new startup backed by Hollywood executives, tech venture firms, and notable angel investors plans to bring new life to AR for marketing entertainment properties.
How To: Replace the battery in your Apple iPhone
If your battery in your Apple iPhone is acting up, maybe it's time you had it replaced. Don't waste money taking it to a repair shop though, learn how to do it yourself.
News: European Space Agency Wants to Bring Their Own HoloLens Tools to the ISS
At Next Reality, we've been following the Microsoft Hololens because of its enormous potential. Unlike virtual reality, which enshrouds the user in a complete virtual world, augmented reality melds the virtual with what's really there in front of you. And while some of us may use AR technology to stealthily surf the web during working hours, others are looking towards using AR for the betterment of society. Like putting the HoloLens in space.
CES 2015: Solar-Powered WakaWaka Is a Light & Charger That Helps You Be More Socially Conscious
With over 1.5 billion people on this planet without electricity, it's hard for those of us in developed nations to even fathom how anyone can read, write, repair, or do anything else that we take for granted without any lights. While some of our First World problems pale in comparison, they remain issues nonetheless, one of the biggest being constant battery drain from portable electronics.
How To: Create an app group in the Android OS on the Motorola Droid Bionic
There are many different applications available on the Android market today, and if you want to download and use a lot of them on your Droid Bionic smartphone, you'll need a great way to organize them. Thankfully, Motorola has provided this guide on creating "app groups" which serve to better categorize your apps into folders.
How To: Make Google black
This video shows on-screen instructions on how to make the background of your Google page black. It says that you should go to this page: Black Google and make that your home page. This shows everything you see on a normal Google search page, except the background is black, and all the black type is white, shown in reverse. You can still read everything on the page. You can also find add-ons for Firefox that make different backgrounds, and another one that will make the background of a YouTub...
News: 8th Wall Revs Up Realism for Web AR Experiences with Real-Time Reflective Surfaces
Since launching its web-based AR platform in 2018, 8th Wall has continued to push the boundaries of what brands can do with AR experiences outside of native apps.
News: Corona Taps Blippar to Promote Its Hard Seltzer Line with AR Games & Recipes
Despite the unfortunate social media-driven association of Corona beer with the virus behind a global pandemic, beverage maker Constellation Brands has pushed its marketing forward like a lime through the mouth of a beer bottle.
How To: Improve battery life on a Google Android smartphone with a battery widget
In this video tutorial, we learn how to use a battery widget to improve and bettery manage the battery life on a Google Android smartphone. Whether you own a Google Android smartphone or are merely considering picking one up, you're sure to find much to take away from this brief clip and its advice. For detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.