Smartphones How-Tos
How To: Remove Ads in Flappy Bird on Both Android & iOS Devices
Flappy Bird is the extremely difficult, overly frustrating, strangely similar, yet highly addictive smartphone game from .GEARS STUDIOS that has catapulted its way to the top of the charts on both Google Play and the iOS App Store—seemingly out of nowhere.
Stop Yelling at Your Roommates: How to Sync Bills, Chores, & Groceries Across Android & iOS
We've all heard our fair share of roommate horror stories, or have some of our own, because we never truly know who someone is until we've lived with them. Cohabitation issues generally revolve around things like bills, chores, cleaning, and groceries. Approaching a roommate, especially an adult one, to remind them to do their chores can be an anxiety-ridden and daunting task. After all, we're roommates, not parents!
How To: Snapchat Increases Its Security Push, Adds Image Captcha Feature
Snapchat has had more than its fair share of security failures and mishaps. The photo-sharing company is looking to better address some of these security gaps by adding new features, and today its most recent addition is live: the Captcha. New users will be asked to verify their "humanness" by selecting the infamous Snapchat ghost out of a selection of images. The feature is supposed to help block hacker-made bots from creating fake accounts or accessing existing ones. But rather than using t...
Pro Tip: How to Text Best Buy & Other Businesses for Quick Information on Gadget Availability
I wonder if Best Buy has any Note 3's for sale?? When trying to figure out when something is in stock, we usually either check online or call the store to talk to someone. If certain products are out of stock the process might be tedious, with having to find phone numbers and calling several stores.
How To: Over 4 Million Snapchat Accounts Have Been Compromised—Is Yours One of Them?
Just days after news spread that Snapchat could be exploited by spammers, an anonymous group of hackers have released the private information of over 4 million users of the popular photo-sharing application.
How To: Transform Gift Card Balances into Cash from Any ATM with Google Wallet
Most people don't ask for gift cards, but they're always a popular gift choice for notoriously hard-to-shop-for people—or the time-constrained gift-giver. While most gift cards are attached to certain stores, many folks will get a prepaid Visa or MasterCard card that allows them to make purchases wherever those companies are accepted.
How To: Text a Girl Like a Boss
Who needs to talk to a girl when you can just text them? I mean, am I right? There's even a movie about a guy who falls in love with a girl inside his cell phone (and it actually looks pretty good too). For all you clowns, the girl is not actually inside of his phone.
How To: Congress Wants to Make Unlocking Smartphones Legal Again—Here's How You Can Help
Whether you have AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, or any other mobile carrier, chances are your smartphone is sold locked to only work on that specific carrier's network. Sure, you could unlock your carrier-subsidized device, but that would mean breaching the Library of Congress' latest Interpretation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act—making the whole process illegal. As softModders, boundaries and regulations are things that we don't take lightly, although many times we have to begrudg...
How To: Take Back the Photos & Videos You Send via Instagram Direct
It seems that Facebook doesn't take rejection lightly. After being denied for a $3 billion buyout of Snapchat, Facebook-owned Instagram has updated their popular photo-sharing service with Instagram Direct—a new feature that allows users to send private photos/videos.
How To: Block Instagram Users from Sending You Direct Photo & Video Messages
Instagram recently released their new Instagram Direct messaging feature in their Android and iOS apps, which lets users share private photos and videos directly with individuals or groups of up to 15 users. However, there are no restrictions on who you can send private photos or videos to.
How To: Make Your Own Smartphone Camera Stand
This is how I made my smartphone camera stand using everyday items laying around in my garage. This is also a great rainy day project for anyone who uses a smartphone for their youtube or social media videos. It cost me almost nothing to build since I already had most of the items. This is a great project for anyone looking to start out on since it is really simple. It literally took me only 10 minutes to build.
How To: Remove Those Annoying Image Previews on the Updated Twitter Apps for Android & iPhone
Twitter is now forcing you to look at pictures that you might now even want to look at with their newly implemented Image Preview feature, which automatically displays image and Vine video thumbnails directly in your timeline on the updated Android and iPhone apps. That photo of your friend's baby that you don't want to see? It's there.That video of a stupid cat doing something stupid? That's also there.
How To: Turn Your Smartphone into a 175X Digital Microscope for Incredible Macro Photos
If you're into photography, you're probably no stranger to the myriad of ways you can take macros with your smartphone. Your phone's built-in camera may not take great pictures up close, but you can modify it to do so with anything from a magnifying glass to a drop of water. However, those types of DIY macro lenses can only get so close.
How To: Keep Your Pocket Belongings Safe with Help from OtterBox (Sponsored)
When you're on the go, it's important to keep your belongings organized and at an arm's distance so you're not fumbling in public for your keys, cards, or phone.
How To: Keep Your Android, iPhone, or Other Smartphone's Cracked Screen from Splintering with Sugru
Just about everyone I know has broken a phone at least once in their life. It's almost inevitable considering we carry them everywhere we go, but that doesn't make it any less irritating. A cracked screen is difficult to read and can actually be a little dangerous if there are loose pieces of glass. Simon, a designer and producer over at Sugru, came up with a quick fix that'll help hold your screen together in the meantime until you can get it fixed properly. He figured out that a paper-thin ...
How To: Screw the NVIDIA Shield, Try This Cheaper DIY Ghetto Shield Instead
The NVIDIA Shield is essentially a game controller with a screen attached so you can take your music, movies and games wherever you go. It lets you stream the PC games you already have over Wi-Fi so you don't have to be in front of the computer to play them. LinusTechTips was supposed to receive a Shield to test, but it was late getting there, so they decided to make their own using an Android phone and an Xbox 360 controller. They've dubbed the project "Ghetto Shield."
How To: Remove Seoul Clock from Korean Anycall Galaxy S [SHW-M110S]
Many people all around the world have been using Korean Anycall Galaxy S (SHW-m110s), because the price is reasonable and easy to used. But after they buy this phone they always saw two clocks in the front screen while the phone locked, one is Local clock and the second is Seoul clock. The most of the user always want to remove it but they can’t do it, now I’ll show you how to remove it step by step. Step 1: Go to Settings Step 2: Wireless and Network Step 3: Mobile Networks Step 4: T Roaming...
How To: Turn Your Phone into a Wallet for Cards & Keys Using Sugru
When you're on the go a lot, the amount of stuff you have to drag around can get pretty ridiculous. And sometimes, the items that are supposed to help you carry your stuff just make it worse.
How To: Prevent AT&T from Selling Your Behavior to Advertisers
How much privacy are you getting as an AT&T customer? With the recent leaks confirming the National Security Agency's surveillance on AT&T users, and the ongoing trial of Jewel v. NSA, it seems not much at all.
How To: Get Out of Your AT&T Contract Early Without an Early Termination Fee (ETF)
Earlier this month, AT&T quietly introduced a new "Mobility Administrative Fee" which levies a $0.61 monthly charge to all postpaid contracts. While it's a seemingly small amount on an individual basis adding up to $7.32 per year, with its huge customer base, AT&T stands to make around half a billion from the tight-lipped move. AT&T has stated that the fee will "help cover certain expenses, such as interconnection and cell site rents and maintenance" that's consistent with other phone carrier...
How To: The Good Samaritan's Guide to Returning Lost Smartphones
Sometimes, doing the right thing is way more difficult than it should be, like trying to return a lost smartphone. Despite having the best intentions, it's often hard to track down the rightful owner, especially if the device is armed with a passcode. On the other hand, there are plenty of people who see an unattended iPhone or Samsung Galaxy S3 as a chance for profit. In 2011 alone, the number of lost and stolen cell phones in America was worth over 30 billion dollars. That's right, billion....
How To: Hack Your Old Phone Line into an Emergency Power Supply for Your Cell Phone
"Ahoy-hoy." If telephone titan Alexander Graham Bell had his way, we'd all be answering phones like Mr. Burns. Thankfully, frienemy Thomas Edison had enough sense to realize we weren't always on the briny. He preferred "hello" as our standard telephone greeting, which he is credited with coining in 1877. Fellow American pioneer Davy Crockett actually used it as a greeting first in 1833 (as compared to an exclamation)—but in print, not over the phone.
How To: Get Around Vine's Time Restriction and Upload Videos Longer Than 6 Seconds
As we all know, our attention spans are much shorter now that we're accustomed to getting information and news in tiny snippets via text messages, tweets, instagrams, and other constant updates.
How To: Charge a Lumia 920 or Nexus 4 with No Cables or Wireless Charging Stations in Sight
Most of us have a designated spot where we like to charge our devices, but no one likes to look at a giant, tangled mess of cords. That's why inductive chargers are so awesome. They allow for wireless charging, and are a lot easier on the eyes. But what if you don't even want to leave the charging module sitting out? This relatively simple hack by YouTube user lobbamobba lets you hide the charging module inside a nightstand or other piece of furniture so that you can juice up your device with...
How To: Tired of Paying for Calls & Texts? These 6 Free Apps Can Cut Down Your Cell Phone Bill
Smartphones are great. They help you keep in touch with your loved ones and stay up to date on what's going on in the world. The problem is that like everything else that's useful, they cost money to use, and between calling, texting, and data plans, it can get really expensive.
How To: Can't Spare Two Fingers? Use This Secret Trick for Smooth Zooming in Google Maps with One Finger
Every single year technology companies have a little bit of fun on April Fool's Day by releasing absurd, yet almost believable stories of some new product or feature. Yesterday, Google publicized the release of Google Nose—a new project in beta—that supposedly allowed users to sniff a variety of smells through their smartphone screens.
How To: Turn Your iPad or iPhone into a Wi-Fi Party Jukebox That Anyone Can Add Songs To
I've had the thankless duty of choosing the music for far too many get-togethers, and no matter how good you think your music taste is, or how many new tracks you have on your iPhone or iPod, you will never—ever—satisfy everyone.
How To: Eliminate Excess Junk Data on Your Windows Phone 8 to Free Up More Storage Space
There is no such thing as too much space when it comes to our smartphones. Space is the great equalizer of all things. No matter how many awesome features a device has, the amount of storage space available will always be a determining factor. Be it music, apps or photos, it's easy to fill up your phone's memory fast.
How To: Have Real People with Real Voices Read Top News Stories to You Every Day
Having to read a bunch of articles and tweets everyday can be tiresome, but if you can have a sweet-ass personal assistant read them for you, you're pretty golden.
How To: Dumping Your iPhone for a New Sony Xperia Z? Here's How You Seamlessly Transfer Your Data
With the Xperia Z release for most major U.S. carriers expected sometime very shortly, many are both excited and curious at Sony's new flagship device. Much of the hype surrounding the new smartphone has stemmed from several ads that Sony has released, touting their waterproof phone to be as innovative as their Trinitron, PlayStation, and Walkman brands. Your worries about dropping your phone in a tiny fishbowl are finally over.
How To: Create a Mobile Website
Video: . Optimize your Marketing with a Mobile Website
How To: Use Speech Commands on the Nokia Lumia 920 and Other Windows Phone 8 Devices
I used to have nightmares when I watched Terminator 2. I mean, I didn't step on a playground for a least two months after I saw that movie. There was something terrifying about computers having so much intelligence.
How To: Play Your PSP Games on Your Android Device with PPSSPP
While there is definitely no shortage of video game emulators in the Android Market, it lacks in modern gaming consoles. Nintendo 64, Game Boys, and Sega Genesis are all accounted for, but what about emulators for some of the gaming consoles that have come out in the, let's say...past decade?
How To: Completely Hide Your Status Bar on Your Android Device
The great thing about Android's customization is that you can either clutter up your home and lock screen with an infinite amount of awesome features and tweaks—or choose more of a stripped down minimalistic look. If you're someone who leans more towards a minimalistic look, a new mod by XDA member enryea123 will show you how to hide the status bar at the top of the phone, while still retaining its full functionality and ability to swipe it down.
How To: Share Any Photo on Instagram Without Cropping It (Using #NoCrop)
Even though I am not cool enough to use Instagram on a daily basis, I still try to stay in the loop. I did take photography in high school, so I know a thing or two about picture taking. I just can't seem to find the motivation to take a picture of random crap during my daily routine, but I guess that's why I'm Instalame.
Deal Alert: Plants vs. Zombies Is Now Free in the iOS App Store Until the End of February
Free stuff is awesome. Zombies are awesome. And plants...well, plants are okay, but two out of three isn't bad. So, for this week only, PopCap is offering one of its all-time best sellers, Plants vs. Zombies, for FREE for being the Game Center's App of the Week in the iTunes App Store. All you need to do is go to the App Store on your iOS device and search for and download Plants vs. Zombies. You can also just click the following links for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad version, and the iPa...
How To: Root the New Sony Xperia Z Android Phone
Sony's Xperia Z, which has generated quite a deal of excitement since its launch at the CES in Las Vegas last month, is already sold out in France with its expected U.S. release to be sometime in March. It's 5-inch, 1080p display puts it up there with some of the best smartphones in the market. It runs on Jelly Bean 4.1.2 and comes with expandable storage. Also, the Z comes with an incredible 13MP rear camera with the capability to dish out 9MP photos at 14fps, shooting roughly 999 stills in ...
How To: Work Around the Copy/Paste Bug on the Samsung Galaxy S3, Note 2, and Other TouchWiz Devices
If you have a Samsung Galaxy S3 or Galaxy Note 2, you might not have noticed it yet, but there's an annoying little bug that centers around your clipboard. If you tend to do a lot of copy/pasting on your device, you've probably seen it happen—your phone crashes.
How To: Google Is Now Accepting Applications for Adventurous Glass Explorers: What Would You Do If You Had Glass?
Google Glass, the augmented reality head-mounted display, has sent ripples through the technology world ever since its inception in 2012—even warranting Time Magazine to recognize it as one of the "Best Inventions of the Year 2012". Today, Google announced that it’s now opening up an exclusive opportunity to become a Glass Explorer. What this entails is that if you're chosen to be a Glass Explorer, you'll have the opportunity to purchase one Glass device, long before it becomes available to t...
How To: use private Browse in Android?
Step 1: New User for Android System in Galaxy Note 2..Need Advice for How to Protect My Privacy