Gadget Hacks Features

How To: Easily SSH into your iPhone without Wifi

If you don't have a Wi-Fi network, you can still easily SSH into your iPhone. Just follow the steps outlined in this video tutorial. First, you will need a Mac or iPhone along with Fuju. Just download the program. Once you have all of this, click on the Wi-Fi bar and click on Create New Network. As a name, click on iPhone SSH and click Manual. This creates your new network, which you will see on the desktop. Double click on it and then look at your iPhone. Go to iPhone. Connect to the network...

How To: Face ID Works with Masks Now So You Can Unlock Your iPhone Faster

It's 2022, and the coronavirus pandemic is still going strong, meaning many people still wear masks. If that's you, unlocking your iPhone with Face ID is still very inconvenient when donning a face covering — until now.

News: Magic Leap Achieves Full Hand Tracking & Lays Foundation for Magicverse with Latest Lumin Update

After improving hand-tracking and adding multi-user sharing features in the last Lumin OS update, Magic Leap has upped the ante yet again.

How To: Find & Delete Dumb, Offensive Posts on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter

One tweet can get your fired from your job. At least, in the cases of Gilbert Gottfried, Rashard Mendenhall, Ozzie Guillen, and Mike Bacsik, who were all either fired or forced to resign from their jobs after posting regrettable tweets online.

How To: Bluesnarf a Nokia 6310i handset (cell phone)

Check out this video tutorial to see how to bluesnarf a Nokia 6310i handset (cell phone). What is Bluesnarfing exactly?

How To: Enable MMS for iPhone 3G

This video tutorial shows how to get MMS on iPhone 3G for Tmobile on 3.0 or 3.0.1. Not that this works on T-Mobile's Network ONLY

News: L'Oreal Acquires Leading Augmented Reality Makeup Provider ModiFace

The cosmetics industry faced a rude awakening on Friday as beauty behemoth L'Oréal gobbled up ModiFace, one of the leading providers of augmented reality technology to the cosmetics industry (price details for the acquisition were not disclosed).

How To: Set up Gmail delegation to allow limited access for administrative assistants

When you're personal assistant needs to handle your e-mails for you, it can be quite daunting having to give out your personal account information just so they can have access to your e-mail. And more importantly, having to battle for log in time might also be quite the hassle. With Gmail you can actually delegate your personal assistant so they have access to your inbox and can reply and send messages on your behalf, but they cannot change settings, passwords, or chat on your behalf. In this...

How To: Personalize Your Snapchat Stories with Drawings, Emoji, GIFs & More

Snapchat is one of the best ways for people to communicate with pictures, but it has a ton of other features baked into it. From the Memories feature to My Story, there are many ways to save save and share snaps among friends. Sometimes though, you want to add a little more pizzaz to your snaps. Luckily, Snapchat gives users a myriad of ways to interact with snaps before they're sent.

How To: Surf the web anonymously using TOR and Privoxy

Want to protect your privacy when surfing the Internet? Thwart would-be snoopers with this free video guide from CNET TV, which presents an overview of a number of services and good practices one can observe to project one's privacy when using the web. For specifics, and to get started surfing the Internet anonymously yourself, watch this free video guide.

News: Microsoft's Windows Holographic Is Breaking Free from the HoloLens

Not content with bringing the first untethered mixed reality headset to market, Microsoft wants to expand their Windows Holographic operating system beyond HoloLens into vastly more robust technologies.

How To: Play 'Final Fantasy Awakening' on Your iPhone Before Its Official Release

Despite numerous reports announcing its stateside arrival, "Final Fantasy Awakening" has yet to show up in the iOS App Store, much to the chagrin of millions of fans in the U.S. Unfortunately, the game seems to be stuck in soft-launch limbo, with no word as to when it'll land stateside. With a little hack, however, you can give this immersive game a try right now.

How To: Why You Should Open the Wallet App Before You Tap & Pay with Your iPhone

When you place your iPhone over a card reader for Apple Pay, it'll always pull up your default card. That might work fine for you, but perhaps that isn't the card you want to use. The problem is, you don't have time to switch cards before the payment goes through. That might result in using your rewardless debit card to buy groceries when you could've snagged 2% back by using your Apple Card.

News: The 10 Biggest AR Investments of 2020

The economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been felt in practically every business sector. Now, as we look back at the top augmented reality investments of 2020, the AR industry has been no exception.

News: If You Want a Samsung Galaxy S7, Don't Buy It on Verizon

Verizon customers who use the Samsung Galaxy S7, beware: a recent update installs new bloatware over your existing bloatware that installs new bloatware. Confused or pissed off? You should be, as this app can install new apps onto your phone without you knowing.

How To: Everything You Need to Know About iOS 16.1's Changes for Shortcuts

The latest iPhone update introduces big features like Live Activities and Clean Energy Charging, but those aren't the only things you'll notice different on iOS 16.1. If you build your own shortcuts in the Shortcuts app, there are a few things you'll definitely want to know about the new software. It's not a massive feature drop as with iOS 16.0, but they are important changes.

Video: HoleLenz Adds Magic Windows to HoloLens & Gives Portals to New Worlds

When I first started with HoloLens development last April, one of the first things I created was a window. The purpose of that window was to be attached to a wall and give the illusion of being in a different space—an effect that is often referred to as a "magic window" effect by developers. My goal was to create the feeling of being in the penthouse of a skyscraper, and it's one that I hope to get back to working on soon.

How To: Lock OneDrive Files with Your Fingerprint or Face ID

If you're concerned about someone accessing your OneDrive files, you may want to upgrade your protection by enabling fingerprint or Face ID unlocking. Your sensitive information deserves to be protected, and now you can do so easily. Worry no longer — if you need to let someone else use your phone, with a password-protected OneDrive, sneaky file grabbers will be out of luck.

How To: Make a mellotron

Rocketboom Field Correspondent Bre Pettis on how to make a mellotron. You might remember this organ-like, polyphonic keyboard from the Beatles song "Strawberry Fields Forever." With a Walkman tape players, a keyboard, and a speaker, you can create your own musical instrument. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to make a modified mellotron musical instrument.

News: Coca-Cola Opens a Can of Augmented Reality to Get Consumers into the Holiday Spirit

Halloween is barely in the rearview mirror, but Coca-Cola is ready to bypass Thanksgiving altogether to accelerate the arrival of Christmas, and the brand has enlisted augmented reality as an accomplice.

News: NFL Fans Can Paint Their Faces in AR Without Looking Like Complete Maniacs

The bandwagon for NFL teams using augmented reality to engage fans isn't exactly full, but it is starting to get a bit crowded.

News: The Pixel 3a XL Is Shaping Up to Be the Best Google Phone This Year

Unlike past Pixel releases, it appears Google isn't done with their current lineup. Rumors have it that Google plans to put out two new phones that act as budget variants for their existing devices. And based on the leaks, it looks like one of these variants might be better than its non-budget counterpart.

News: Microsoft Japan Concept Video Demos How HoloLens Will Help Pilot the Drone Ships of the Future

Although the HoloLens is still primarily the domain of developers and researchers, the device is nevertheless on the cutting edge of showing us what will be possible with augmented reality in the coming years. The latest example comes via Microsoft Japan and a new concept video that shows off how the HoloLens will be used in the relatively near future to pilot autonomous ships.

News: WhatsApp Is Now Sharing Your Data with Facebook, but Opting Out Doesn't Solve the Problem

When Facebook purchased WhatsApp for $19.3 billion back in 2014, we all knew this was coming—it just took longer than we thought. But starting today, the data mining became official, and now, information from your favorite messaging app is no longer out of reach for the world's biggest social media site.

News: Apple Brings People Occlusion & Motion Capture to ARKit 3 Alongside RealityKit & RealityComposer for AR Development

Like clockwork, Apple has unveiled the latest additions to its ARKit tookit at the annual Worldwide Developers Conference, where ARKit first said hello to the world in 2017, as well as some new tools that take a direct shot at Unity, Unreal Engine, and others.

How To: Just Got a New Android Phone? Here's All the Apps & Info You Need to Get Started

If you were a particularly good little girl or boy this year, Santa might have finally brought you that cool new smartphone you've been wanting. Or perhaps you just took advantage of a great sale and treated yourself to a new gadget this holiday season—totally justifiable, and surely a well-deserved gift.

How To: Enable HomeKit Secure Video on Your Logitech Circle 2 Cameras

In iOS 13, Apple introduced HomeKit Secure Video, which allows smart home devices with cameras to give iPhone users a private and secure way to store recorded videos. Plus, it has benefits such as object detection and activity notifications. Logitech is the first to add support for HomeKit Secure Video with its Circle 2 cameras, and all it takes is a quick firmware update to get started.

News: Preorder & Release Dates for the iPhone XR, XS & XS Max

The world finally received its first official look at the iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max, Apple's 2018 suite of smartphones, on Wednesday, Sept. 12. If you're someone looking to get their hands on one, two, or three of these new iPhones as soon as possible, you'll need to know all of the important dates so you don't end up missing out to others ahead of the line.

News: Bitcoin Cash Is Now Available on Coinbase

Bitcoin Cash (BCH) has officially arrived on Coinbase, which means you can now easily buy, sell, send, and receive the digital currency without having to manually set up a wallet or trade on an exchange like Poloniex. This addition has boosted the price of BCH, which is currently trading at around $3,400 a coin.

How To: Repair an HP iPAQ 110, 111, 112, 114, or 116 PDA

Need a quick repair job for your HP iPAQ Classic Handheld Pocket PC 110, 111, 112, 114, or 116? Well, this video tutorial will show you how to disassemble the phone after it's been damaged. You'll see exactly how to take it apart, then simply reverse the instructions to put the HP iPAQ 110, 111, 112, 114, or 116 back together.

News: Children's Book Classic Peter Rabbit & Other Tales Come to AR via iOS App

The landscape for mobile augmented reality apps is still mostly filled with utility and gaming apps, but a new entrant into the space is looking to pull children into the mix.

How To: Block Facebook messages from your email

In this how-to video, you will learn how to block Facebook messages going to your email address. First, go and open Google in your web browser. Next, go to the Facebook website. Click on settings and edit your information. Click on the notifications tab. Now, you will be presented with a list of items that will be sent to your email if checked. Uncheck any items that you do not want to happen, such as receiving an email if someone sends you a message. Once this is done, click on the button la...

How To: Take apart a Samsung Blackjack i607

Learn how to take apart a Samsung Blackjack i607 PDA for repair. Includes screen removal. Helpful voiceover guides you through the process.

HBO Now 101: How to Manage Parental Controls to Block Mature Content

It's no secret that HBO has some ... mature content. Just watch the first five minutes of Game of Thrones. Yeah, I know. What a ride. But here's the thing — HBO has kids content, too, and it's good stuff!

How To: Own a Ton of Digital Movies? Let Others Watch Them for Free with Screen Passes

One of the benefits of Blu-ray and DVD is the ability to share discs with friends and family without any hassle. Want to show off your favorite movie? Just lend them your copy. A digital movie isn't so kind, as it's typically locked to the account that purchased it. But now there is a way to share your digitally purchased movies with friends and family — and it won't cost you or them a dime.

News: Google Charts Course for Location-Based AR Apps via Maps API

Franchises left and right are releasing Pokémon Go-style augmented reality games, and Google is making it even easier to churn out the apps.

News: Sports Illustrated Brings Its Latest Issue to Life Using AR/VR

UPDATED 5/4/17: SI has stated that they won't be augmenting its Swimsuit Edition. Although, this could be a sign that the company may do so in the future. If they already have all the tech set up for the latest feature, then they are already half way ready to augment other SI editions. So get ready SI fans and download the designated Life VR app, because you are going to need it to point it at these specially marked SI pages.

How To: Add a “Define Word” Option to the Copy/Paste Menu on Your Nexus 5

Even as a writer by trade, I'm not intimately familiar with every word in the English language. When you're typing something out on your Nexus, sometimes you think to yourself, "Is that right? Am I using the correct word here?" Then, you have no choice but to bring up Google Now and do a search for that word to make sure you're using it correctly.

News: An Augmented Reality Game Brings the Monsters of The Rock's 'Rampage' to Your City Skyline

Given Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's blockbuster movie pedigree and the promotional power that usually accompanies his work, there's a certain predictable symmetry in the news that Rampage, a movie adaptation of the classic arcade game, has now become an augmented reality mobile app.

How To: Auror, Magizoologist & Professor — Which Profession Do You Pick in Harry Potter: Wizards Unite

Niantic's Harry Potter: Wizards Unite offers players an augmented reality look into the world of witchcraft and wizardry. The Wizarding World and Harry Potter novel series is full of unique and interesting characters, which is why it makes sense that Wizards Unite offers you to take the role of one of three "Professions" — Auror, Magizoologist, and Professor. The question is, which one do you pick?