Hot Smartphones How-Tos

How To: Take apart a Google Nexus One

In this tutorial, we learn how to take apart the Google Nexus One. First, take the battery cover off, then remove all the screws along the side and top of the phone on the back. Next, use an opening tool to pry the case off of the back. Then, pry the bottom cover off and then remove the two T5 screws underneath that. After this, take the casing tool off of the back and then remove all the Philips screws. Now, remove the three flex connections and the cable connected and set them aside. Pry th...

How To: Use the Calendar and Contacts apps on a BlackBerry Torch 9800 smartphone

This quick clip provides a lesson on how to use the newly-updated Calendar and Contacts applications on a BlackBerry Torch 9800 smartphone running version 6 of the BlackBerry OS. 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 official video guide from the folks at Blackberry. For detailed information, including step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Do a free reverse cell phone lookup for call records

In this video, we learn how to do a free reverse cell phone look up for call records. This will work for some cell phones, but not all of them. First, go to the website Your Spying Eyes. This is a great search tool where you can look through records of cell phones to find out who someone is and more information about them. There is a small fee you will have to pay to get this information, but it's worth it. You can also look up phone numbers on Google, by simply searching for the phone number...

How To: Untethered jailbreak any iDevice with Spirit (<3.2)

Now that you're officially allowed to do it, jailbreaking your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad is a better idea than ever before! This video will show you everything you need to jailbreak a wide variety of Apple devices, including the iPhone 3G and 3GS, the iPod Touch 2G and 3G, and the iPad wifi or 3G model. All you need is a program called Spirit, iTunes version 9.2, and you device and you're good to go! This particular method is great because the jailbreak is untethered, meaning that you can t...

How To: Root the Motorola Droid X smartphone with ADB

Yes, the Droid X from Motorola can be rooted, and yes, you can do it at home. Just make sure you follow the directions precisely. If you succeed, you'll have a completely rooted smartphone. eFuse doesn't matter. If you want to expand your options on Verizon Wireless's Droid X, then you just have to take a chance… use this video in conjunction with the links and description below.

How To: Make a custom ringtone for your iPhone through iTunes

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make free custom ring tones for an iPhone. Begin by clicking on the Start menu and select Control Panel. Then click on the Folder Options and deselect "Hide extensions for known file types". Now open iTunes and select the desired song. Right-click on it and select Get Info. Click on the Options tab and make the song lasts only 29 seconds. Then right-click on the song and select Create AAC version and wait for it to finish converting. Now open the c...

How To: Take a screenshot on an Apple iPhone 4

This video tutorial offers an overview of how to capture screenshots on an Apple iPhone 4. Whether you're the proud owner of an Apple iPhone 4 or perhaps just considering picking one up, you're sure to benefit from this free video tutorial. For more information, including complete, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

How To: Map a walking route with MapMyWalks on Android

Take walks for exercise, to roam around your neighborhood, or just to get outside? Want to know how far you walked? Well, it's easy to do with MapMyWalks and Google Maps! One of the salient advantages of a Google Android smartphone over, say, an Apple iPhone, is the inherent extendibility of the open-source Android mobile OS. There are a seemingly infinite number of settings to tweak and advanced features to discover and use. This free video tutorial will show you how to map out your walks us...

How To: Shake to undo typing errors on your Apple iPhone

Shaking your cell phone is no longer a bad thing with the iPhone. Now, shaking is an actual feature, rather than a risky move. It really comes in handy when you're typing and you misspell a word. So how does shaking your iPhone work? Best Buy has answers. The Best Buy Mobile team explains how simple it is to shake to undo typing errors on your Apple iPhone.

How To: Make an international telephone call

Making international calls have always been tricky and confusing. There's access codes, different digit formats, and unsupportive telephone operators. But in all actuality, making an worldwide phone call is relatively simple, but there are some numbers that you need to know. The access code, country code, city codes, and the telephone number. Once you have this down, you'll have more successful connections abroad.

How To: Add a contact to your Android cell phone

No matter what Android enabled mobile device you have, if you want to add a contact to it, it's easy and the process of adding contacts (phone numbers, names, email addresses, etc) is practically the same. But how do you do it? Best Buy has answers. The Best Buy Mobile team explains how simple it is to add a contact to your Android enabled cell phone.

How To: Recycle an old cell phone at Best Buy

Not sure what to do with your old cell phone? Best Buy has answers. There's a recycling program directly inside the store that allows you to drop off any old phone you may have so it can be reused or sent to a proper landfill. The Best Buy Mobile team explains how simple it is to recycle an old cell phone at Best Buy.

How To: SSH into a jailbroken iPod Touch or iPhone

In this video from rscp1050 we learn how to SSH into a jailbroken ipod touch or iphone. First go into Cydia and search for SSH. You need to download OpenSSH. Then also install Toggle SSH. After installed, restart the iphone. Now on your computer, download WinSCP. Once installed, open it. Type in your IP address which can be found by going to your settings on your iphone. Click wifi, and click the blue arrow next to your network. There is your IP address. Then, User name is root. Password is a...

How To: Jailbreak & unlock your iPhone 3G or 3Gs cell phone

A step by step demonstration of jail breaking and unlocking both your iPhone and iPhone 3G. To do this you'll need redsn0w version 0.8, the firmware needed for your iPhone and for the first generation iPhone you will need a boot loader. Oppen redsn0w and find the firmware for your iPhone. Once the IPSW is successfully identified you will need to install Cydia. For the first generation iPhone there is an unlock option and this is where you'll need the boot loader to unlock and viola you're done!

How To: Reverse look up phone numbers

Everybody gets phone calls from those strange numbers you kinda sorta recognize. Is that an old friend? Is it the guy you met last week? What's that area code anyway? Get to the bottom of the mystery by using reverse phone book services. This video will show you to find the source of a phone number.

How To: SSH by USB using iFunbox with firmware 3.0

This will work for 1st gen to 3Gs Iphones and Ipod touch 1st and 2nd gen. The Ipod or ipone needs to be jailbroken and SSH needs to downloaded to the iphone or ipod touch. Now on your computer you need ifunbox downloaded (http://www.iphonepunker.site40.net/). should take a few seconds to download. After its set up, click on and the program should detect your iphone or ipod touch automatically in appose to alpine. Hit the plus sign to the left, and you should see a number of new options. They ...

How To: Remove & clean the trackball on a BlackBerry phone

In this video, Anthony from Gazelle GadgetLab shows you how to replace the trackball or make it like new on many Blackberry versions, the BlackBerry Pearl, Curve, and 8800 series. This simple procedure is used to clean up your trackball when it starts malfunctioning. What you need is basically some alcohol or lens cleaning solution, air can, a tool to pry with and some cue tips to clean with. First, take the silver ring off the area which holds in the trackball with the prying tool. After pop...

How To: Change the lock pattern on my Android phone

In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to change the lock pattern on an Android phone. The lock pattern allows minimum security on the phone to prevent other people from tampering with your mobile files. Begin by going into the Settings and click on Location & security. Under Screen unlock pattern, select Change unlock pattern. In order to change the unlock pattern, users will have to type in the current unlock pattern. Now type in the new unlock pattern and press Continue. Then retype the...

How To: Browse your music in coverflow on an iPhone

This video shows how you can very easily listen to your Favorite music. There is an icon where you can go directly to listen to music and it doesn't matter in which position you hold your iPhone because the screen turns in right position. The icon for iTunes is in the right bottom corner of iPhone screen. When you click it leads you to your music and you can easily browse the albums and the songs on that albums. It is very simple because you can browse and listen to your favorite music just b...

How To: SSH into your iPhone or iPod Touch with an easy method

Crakintosh.tk shows viewers how to easily SSH into their iPhone of iPod Touch with an easy method! First, you will need Cydia. Open up the program then go to Manage and click Packages. You will need to click Authorize SSH and Install this. Wait for this to download. Next, go to WinSCP to SSH into your device. The password will be Root and the login Alpine. Once you do this, you can now view all of your files and really do what you want with them. You have now just SSH'd into your device. This...

How To: Silence the ring on your iPhone

This quick video shows you how to silence the ring on your iPhone in a few simple steps. When a call comes in, all you have to do is just push the sleep button once to silence the ring. If you want to send the call to voicemail, push it twice. You can turn off all sounds with the silent ringer switch.

How To: Get free ringtones for slider and flip phones

This method works for anything except sidekicks. First open your browser then in the address bar go to MYXERTONES. Look through the site and choose a ring tone that you think you might like. Click the song and upload it, then type in your phone number, or edit the song to just get the part you like. Make sure you keep in mind that this is a free service. The song will take a while to download, but as long as you have a web enabled phone, it should work.

How To: Download Google Maps on your Blackberry

Dana Strauss from Best Buy teaches you how to download Google Maps onto your Blackberry. Press your Menu button, click on "Applications". Find "Maps" and click on it and your Blackberry will pull up Google Maps for you. The application will show you exactly where you are and will allow you to enter the address of your destination. It will also give you exact directions to where you're going.

How To: Import any ringtone to an iPhone

Ringtones are such a cool invention, aren't they? They give your phone personality and can be changed on a whim..unless you have an iPhone, right? Wrong! In this tutorial, you will learn how to bypass all of iTunes' confusing fees and ringtone editing steps and make your own custom tones fast and easy.

How To: Do a hard reset on a G1 T-Mobile HTC phone

This video is made specifically for G1 T-Mobile users. The author explains to us that there are no instructions in the manual on how to do a hard reset so this video will explain how. The first step to reset the phone is to power down the phone by pressing the end key and then Power Off. Then the next step is to hold the End key and the Home key at the same time when powering the phone on. Once that is done the reset graphic will show up. Once you see the reset graphic show up press the home ...

How To: Find your Blackberry Messenger PIN

One of the coolest features on a Blackberry is BBM or Blackberry Messenger. BBM allows you to talk to anyone with a Blackberry, anywhere in the world, absolutely free! You can send messages back and forth and you phone will even keep a record of the conversation in case you need to reference something later.

How To: Install & remove an iPhone cover

Want to protect your investment and add some personal style to your cell phone, but aren't quite sure how to install that cool new skin? We've got you covered - just check out this quick video on how to install and remove an iPhone case. If only getting ready for work could be so easy!

How To: Play the Comets and Craters iPhone tower defense game

Need a new iPhone app? Check out Comets and Craters, a new iPhone tower defense strategy game. These ten video tutorials cover all of the gameplay troubles you may have. Steve explains the features and gameplay to help you get the most out of playing Comets and Craters on your Apple iPhone. For those more seasoned Tower Defense players, the video's also provide some insight regarding scoring, upgrades, plus Tower and Enemy capabilities.

How To: Hack the iPhone or iPod Touch

Xeni checks in with the authors of the forthcoming O'Reilly HOWTO book "iPhone Hacks" (David Jurick, Adam and Damien Stolarz) for a demonstration of how to unlock and jailbreak your iPhone or iPod Touch. The authors promise to teach you how to coax more out of these devices: little-known features, performance tweaks, and tips on great web-based apps to install -- video game emulators, IM and VoIP apps, and media players that can handle a wider range of filetypes.