Gadget Hacks Features
How To: You Can Update Your Android Apps in 2 Quick Taps Using This Simple Trick
If you're like me, you habitually check the Play Store for app updates a few times a day. Whether it's because I'm hoping a buggy app gets fixed or a new feature gets added (such as dark mode), instead of waiting for that "Updates Available" notification, I want it now. Well, what if I told you there is a faster way to do that?
How To: Show Website Icons on Safari Tabs in iOS 12
Outside of a few headlining features, Apple focused on polishing things up in iOS 12. Instead of revamping functionality left and right and running the risk of releasing a buggy mess like iOS 11, this year's feature additions are smaller. Case in point, you can now show favicons in Safari — nothing groundbreaking, but a nice touch.
How To: Use Your Smartphone to Check for Dead Batteries
We've all been there. Channel surfing lazily whilst reclining on the sofa—then all of a sudden, the remote stops working. Out of frustration, you hold the remote up higher, press the buttons harder, or maybe a even give it a good smack hoping that will fix it. Right around this time, you start to wonder if your trusty old remote has finally called it quits or if it's just a dead battery.
How To: Use a Firewall to Control Web Access for Apps & Stay Private on Your Nexus 7
Apps that have no business accessing the internet can share your location, device ID, and other personal information with potentially malicious data snatchers. If you're connected to the internet on your Nexus 7 tablet, you're a potential target for cyber threats.
How To: Fix Laggy Touchscreen Responsiveness on the OnePlus 3 & 3T
The OnePlus 3 and 3T are a pair of phones which allow you to do practically anything you want, because OnePlus is such a developer-friendly company. They almost always release kernel sources, and their phones sport an unlockable bootloader that doesn't void the warranty. But while their software is certainly solid (miles ahead of Samsung's TouchWiz), it still has room for improvement.
How To: Delete a message on an iPhone
In this video, we learn how to delete an SMS or email message on an iPhone. Not only is this quick and easy, it can be done for multiple messages that you don't want to keep in your inbox. First, turn your iPhone on and go to your inbox (email or SMS). Next, slide your finger left to right on the message you don't want to keep and then click on the red "delete" button. This will then delete your message! Click anywhere other than the red delete button and this will cancel out the deletion of ...
How To: Use the Nokia E71 cell phone
Some cell phones have so many functions, they're almost more like mini-computers and can thus, be somewhat tricky to use. This instructional video slide show explains the different functions and features on a Nokia E71 mobile phone. Click around this tutorial and learn how to optimize your experience with the handy Nokia E71. Use the Nokia E71 cell phone.
How To: Get the New iPad Pro Wallpapers on Any iPhone
The current iPhone lineup inarguably features Apple's best displays to date, but the stock wallpapers don't really do the screens justice. There are plenty of third-party wallpapers you can use, as well as ones you create yourself. However, if you want that typical Apple feeling, you're better off sticking with Apple wallpapers, and the iPad Pro has some beautiful ones that look awesome on an iPhone.
How To: Capture Action on Your Nexus 7 Using the "Exclusive" Sony Xperia Motion Shot Camera
Sometimes, taking a picture of your friend doing a crazy stunt just doesn't suffice. Getting the progression of the stunt in one image does!
How To: Add Custom Colors & Google Voice Typing to Swype on Your Galaxy S5
Most variants of the Galaxy S5 come with the gesture-based Swype keyboard preinstalled. If you're into gesture typing, you probably already switched to this input method from the default Samsung keyboard (whose gesture service is nice, but it's no Swype).
How To: Add Ambient Album Art to Your Lock Screen When Listening to Music in iOS 7
One of many cool features in iOS is the ability to listen to your Music app and have the player options, as well as album art, available on your lock screen. While that's super convenient, it's not all that easy on the eyes. The player is placed over a blurred version of whatever your lock screen wallpaper is.
News: Netflix DVD Rentals Becomes Qwikster… Now What Are Your Alternatives?
It's been a long journey for Netflix users. At first, it was a rough ride as Netflix struggled to find its place in the homes and hearts of movie watchers everywhere. Once monthly subscriptions bumped off the pay-per-rental charges, Netflix soared to great heights, known for their flat-fee unlimited rentals without due dates, late fees, or shipping and handling fees. And it was smooth sailing when streaming services were incorporated into monthly plans, with customers being able to rent DVDs ...
How To: Turn Your Samsung or Other Android Phone into a Personal “Black Box” Audio Recorder
Whenever you need to record a quick message to yourself or someone else, the stock Voice Recorder app on the Galaxy Note 2 does a fine job. However, the situations when you need it the most are when you forget or don't care to actually use it, like during a heated argument or a random police stop where your words can be misconstrued or altogether unheard.
How To: Unblock a Facebook firewall at school
In this video, we learn how to unblock a Facebook firewall at school. First, you will need to try to go to the website you want to go. If you try this and you can't reach the site, go to the top of the bar where you typed the website in at. Once here, you will find where it says "http". Type in an "s" after the "http" so you end with "https" then type in the website that you want to visit. After this, you should be able to go to the website you want to go to without any trouble, just make sur...
How To: Install an .apk file on a Google Android smartphone
If you're interested in installing an application that you can't find in the Android Market, you'll need to use an apk (or Android packet) file. Don't know how to load an apk onto your phone? No problem: this Android owner's guide will walk you through the process. You'll find that, with a file manager application like Astro File Manager, it's a snap.
How To: Build an organic LED (OLED) light
Organic LEDs (OLED) are even more efficient than their standard LED cousins, but does that mean they're harder to make? Perhaps somewhat, but no excessively. Watch this video to learn how to make a DIY OLED at home, allowing you to make really cool light-up displays.
How To: Convert Your LG Optimus G into a Google Nexus 4
Since the introduction of the Nexus 4 to the Google Play Store last November, the phone's been in constant demand thanks to the low price and sleek design. Even today, the phone is still listed as sold out. LG's Nexus 4 is also the only smartphone in circulation that can run a naked version of the Android operating system; one that does not come loaded with a manufacturer UI running over top of it.
How To: Use the split-screen Mail, Notes & Calendar apps on a Samsung Galaxy Tab
New owner of a Samsung Galaxy Tab? Thinking of picking one up? In this Galaxy tablet owner's guide, you'll learn how to use split-screen applications. For all of the details, including step-by-step instructions, watch this Samsung Galaxy Tab Google Android smart tablet owner's guide.
News: People Keep Making Weird Useless Machines—Here Are Our Favorites
For the past couple of years, random internet dwellers have embarked on an ambitious quest to see just how useless a box can be in hopes of earning sweet, sweet internet points. Welcome to the world of useless machines.
How To: Make an infrared pen to use with the Wiimote
Here are some step-by-step instructions on how to make an IR LED Pen to use with a Wiimote to create an inexpensive interactive whiteboard. It's a student video production of the WHS Tech Club.
How To: Set Google as the Default Search Engine for the Taskbar in Windows 10
Out of the box, Windows 10 allows you to search the web right from the taskbar. However, the search engine is set to Bing, and there is no option to change it like you can in the Edge browser.
How To: Add a "Recycle Bin" to Your Nexus 5 for Easier File Recovery
If you've ever used a computer, you're surely familiar with the concept of a Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash Can (Mac). To sum it up, files that you've deleted are not actually gone from your storage, they've just been moved to a different location. You can then restore the files if need be, or empty them, permanently deleting them forever to free up space.
News: US Army Outfits Soldiers with Augmented Reality Headsets
Modern warfare takes on a more literal translation with the advent of new augmented reality displays revealed recently by the US Army to improve soldiers' situational awareness on the battlefield.
How To: Use a multimeter
Learn how to use a multimeter. Multimeters are amazing measuring devices that are an absolute necessity for anybody who wants to works with electronics. However, if you don't know how to use one, you might as well not have one, a problem this video remedies by teaching you various measuring methods and there purposes.
How To: The Most Annoying iOS 16 Issues on Your iPhone and How to Fix Them
The iOS 16 update for iPhone has many new and exciting options, most of which improve the user experience overall. Some of the features and changes fix frustrating issues from iOS 15 and older, and some of those "fixes" can seem annoying if you're used to doing things a certain way.
How To: Galaxy Note7 Keyboard Slow & Unresponsive? Here's How to Fix It
Despite its battery issues, the Samsung Galaxy Note7 is one impressive piece of machinery. Packed to the brim with loads of RAM, a top-notch GPU, and one of the best processors on the market, this thing should be able to zip through any task you throw at it with lightning-fast speed.
How To: Make the Scariac (A Poor Man's Variable Power Controller)
Mixing water and electricity is extremely risky and potentially lethal, yet that's exactly what I did with the Scariac. In its simplest form, the Scariac is just a glorified version of two wires in a bucket of water, but it's actually one of the cheapest power controllers you can make.
How To: Work around the Apple iPhone 4G antenna problem
See how to solve iPhone antenna woes. Whether you're the proud owner of an Apple iPhone 4G HD or perhaps just considering picking one up, you're sure to benefit from this free video tutorial, which presents a complete overview how to solve the unfortunate GSM/WiFi antenna bridge problem. For details, to get full bars on an iPhone 4G yourself, take a look.
News: DIY 3D-Printed Arduino Robot
This is a nice project that you can continue to work on and modify as you learn more Arduino projects. The Instructable linked below goes through the complete build for the Bluetooth-enabled robot seen in the first half of the video.
Gaming: The 9 Best Paid Action Games for Android & iPhone
Thanks to ever more powerful smartphones — the iPhone X with its advanced A11 processor and the Galaxy Note 8 powered by Snapdragon's 835 come to mind — the mobile industry is fast closing in on consoles and PCs with regards to gaming. Game developers have been aware of this fact, and have ported many games once dedicated to computers onto our handheld devices.
How To: 15 New iOS 15.1 Features You Need to Know About for iPhone
Apple's next big iOS update is ready for your iPhone, and it's out just a little bit more than a month after the iOS 15.0 update was released — and 14 days after iOS 15.0.2. The hottest feature you'll find in iOS 15.1 is definitely SharePlay, but what else is hiding within Oct. 25's new firmware?
How To: Watch TV on the Internet for free—legally
Looking to catch up on your favorite programs while breaking neither the law nor the bank? Believe it or not, you have quite a few options. And this free video guide from the folks at CNET TV will walk you through them. For details, and to get started watching full episodes of your favorite TV shows for free online, give this clip a gander.
News: The iPhone's Lack of a Headphone Jack Creates a Serious MacBook Problem
The hatred is almost universal—by now, even late night TV hosts are bashing Apple's move to ditch the headphone jack in the iPhone 7. It's not like the disdain is baseless, either, because there are plenty of problems that come along with removing the iPhone's only analog sound output.
Instagram 101: How to Frame Your Instagram Stories with the Letter O
Instagram Stories is one of the most flexible ways to share creative and original content with your followers. It allows you to alter text, markup images, and add cool graphics and stickers, along with other fun ways of expressing yourself.
News: Thyssenkrupp Claims Up to 4x Faster Workflow with HoloLens
Microsoft announced yet another exciting partnership for HoloLens today — thyssenkrupp, an industrial engineering company best known for their elevators — continuing to prove how useful augmented reality is in the workplace.
How To: Access blocked websites on school computers
In this video you will learn how to get past website blocks on your school network. Some school computers have command prompts blocked. If this is the case then you will want to open a notepad. In the notepad type command, then save as something school related, making sure the file name ends with .bat. Do not save it on the desktop, but rather in a folder deeper on the unit. Once you've saved it, make sure no one is looking, then open the file. It will bring up a blank black window. In the bl...
How To: Perform a master reset on a BlackBerry Curve
Alright BlackBerry users, it's time to wipe all that information before you sell, or pass on your BB to someone else. This simple how-to video will let you wipe it all, simply and easily. If you desire you can also choose to leave in your sim card and wipe the contents of that as well. The tutorial hose will guide you you step by step on how to remove your personal information from your Blackberry 8350i Curve. This instructional video is a simple but very detailed tutorial that instructs you ...
How To: 9 Ways to Improve Your Mobile Gaming Experience
While the portability of mobile phones makes gaming convenient, it isn't a perfect playing experience. With touch controls, small screens, and limited specs, smartphones lack the comfortability of dedicated gaming devices. But with a few tips, you can enjoy games as if you were playing on the Nintendo Switch.
How To: Create a Gamertag in Google Play Games
Android's Google Play Games app has let you track your feats and accomplishments in the games you play for quite a while now, but for some, the immersion experience might be broken after you finish dominating a game only to see your regular-ass name from your Google account on the leaderboard.
How To: Use ShapeWriter for iPhone to text extremely fast
ShapeWriter is the iPhone version of Swype. With this app you can type texts extremely fast without ever lifting your finger off the keypad! In this tutorial, learn all about how to type at the speed of light using ShapeWriter and send messages so fast you'll wonder why you ever bothered to type things out in the first place. Have fun!