Deep down at the core of Android lies the system kernel, which serves as a bridge between software and hardware. Custom kernels can be installed in place of the stock offering, and these are generally optimized for better performance or increased battery efficiency.
Hangouts is a great cross-platform messaging service from Google that works with almost any device, making it one of the few messengers that can be installed on Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android gadgets alike. With its many useful features, one of the few debatable downsides is its not-so-attractive color scheme.
If you're a fan of double-tap to wake gestures, you're going to love the newest app from ElementalX developer Aaron Segaert. On supported kernels, it allows you to associate custom apps and activities with each of the wake gestures you've set up, which will immediately be launched even with the screen off.
With the Nexus 6, you get a very clean software experience with minimal bloat. While this is generally the main selling point for most Nexus fans, it can be a bit of a detraction for some.
The AMOLED display on the Nexus 6 wastes no power to show black pixels. This is because pixels on such a screen emit their own light, and black can be easily achieved by simply not lighting any given pixel.
Samsung's Galaxy Note 4 is a beautiful device worthy of all the critical acclaim it has received thus far. But aside from the S Pen features, most of the Note's user interface has a great deal of overlap with the Galaxy S5 that we all know and love.
If you've ever noticed that the stock launcher on an Android device seems to just feel faster than any third-party home screen replacement app, this is not a placebo effect. Most manufacturers, Samsung included, force their stock launchers to reside permanently in your phone's memory, thus reducing the risk of redraws.
Straight out of the box, the Nexus 5 is an awesome device, but even it can be faster with better battery life. Luckily, one of the things that makes it so awesome is that there are tons of developers creating mods for it, since it runs stock Android by default. When it comes to gaining speed and better battery life, flashing a custom kernel is the way to go.
The Galaxy S5 is definitely not lacking when it comes to computing power. With a Snapdragon 801 processor, an Adreno 330 GPU, and 2 gigabytes of RAM, it can take almost anything you throw at it.
The bootloaders on the AT&T and Verizon Wireless variants of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 still cannot be unlocked, despite the $1,400+ bounty that arose late last year. Nine months later and still nothing. But just because we can't "unlock" the bootloader doesn't mean we can't get around it.
Google Now is a wonderfully powerful service—with its predictive cards and voice search, it serves as a great starting point for any searches you need done. In fact, Samsung liked it so much that they decided to build the "Okay, Google" hotword detection right into the Galaxy S5's stock launcher.
It is really quite easy to flash a custom recovery to your Nexus, and there are many excellent tutorials on how to do so (see the How-To below): The Easiest Way to Install a Custom Recovery on Your Nexus 7 Tablet « Nexus 7.
Sometimes, stock just doesn't cut it. When you're sick of the limitations in Sense on your HTC One, a new ROM can be a ray of sunshine. By installing a custom ROM, you can add or unlock new features in Sense, or you can get a pure Android experience instead. It's all up to you.
After lots of waiting and anticipation, the OnePlus One Android smartphone has been unveiled, and it's ready to take down the Nexus.
While rooting your Galaxy Note 2 certainly has its advantages—everything from increasing security to relieving the Power button of its duties—it's definitely not for everyone.
Third-party ROMs like CyanogenMod are the ultimate form of customization for softModders. Hard-working developers offer us alternate Android experiences to replace our often bloatware-riddled stock ROMs.
If you've been keeping up with anything Android these days, you've no doubt heard about a little dandy called Xposed Framework kicking around. Xposed, by XDA developer rovo89, is a framework for Android devices that lets you easily modify your stock or custom ROM.
The video explains how to unbrick a fully bricked PSP using a hard modded pandora battery and magic memory stick. This method does NOT need a 2nd custom PSP. Your PSP is fully bricked if it is not powering on/no recovery. You won't need anything else other then a PC (OS must be XP for the MMS creator to work, VISTA doesn't work) a bricked PSP and a 1gb memory stick. In order to create the Magic Memory Stick, you'll want to go here and follow the instructions.
YoVille is a pretty cool game, but wouldn't it be cooler if you could get in and tweak a few things? Maybe make some art? Well, you can! This how-to takes you through the steps to let you make your own art on the whiteboard in the game. You can find the necessary file here.
Are you a "Tron" fanatic? Then this laptop case will blow your mind. Styled after the streamlined, glow-in-the-dark "Tron" cinematography, this laptop bag looks like a "Tron" suit and will shine even at night.
In this video, we learn how to do the Smasher achievement in Soul Calibur IV. To do this, you will knock three pieces of equipment off of your enemy. To start, you will first need to hit your enemy using anything that you can. To help, make your own custom character before you start. After this, you will kick the person you are up against and continue to hammer away until you finish knocking three pieces off of them. There will be a status bar at the top that has your health on it to help you...
Starcraft 2, like so many modern games in this age of modding, has a really robust level editor that's going to extend the lifespan of the game for years. You can edit almost anything about any of the game's many units buildings and maps, and make the game however you want it to be. This video will show you how to use Galaxy Editor to make Warcraft 3 style shops in your custom map where you heros can buy and sell items. If you want to make a Starcraft 2 RPG (you aren't alone) watch this.
Starcraft 2, like so many modern games in this age of modding, has a really robust level editor that's going to extend the lifespan of the game for years. You can edit almost anything about any of the game's many units buildings and maps, and make the game however you want it to be. This video will show you how to create a map, add custom abilities to a Terran unit, then blow up some Zerg with it. It's quick, fun, and a great place for beginners at Starcraft level editing to get started.
The iPad is one of the most popular devices that Apple has ever released, and they've released some doozies. Unfortunately for those who have bought them, their capabilities out of the box are very limited. But they need not be. This video wills how you how to use a free program called Spirit to load Cydia on your iPad, which will allow you to add custom themes, use unofficial software, and do all sorts of other fun things with your iPad. Enjoy!
If you've already flashed your XBox 360's disc drive, then congratulations, you've accomplished the most challenging step involved in hacking you XBox. You aren't done though. As Microsoft keeps updating it's firmware to try and fend off hackers, you must keep updating your custom firmware to thwart their efforts. This video will show you how to upgrade your flashed BenQ XBox 360 disc drive's firmware to IXtreme 1.61 using Jungle Flasher 1.61. NOw you can play your burned games with a greater...
The Canon EOS 7D can be fine-tuned to adjust its auto focus to suit nearly any subject. See how you can customize your AF functions to get the best focusing options needed for your desired result. This video breaks down everything.
People like shiny things. Especially titles it would seem, since so many modern titles seem to have had shine effects put on them using After Effects. Now you can do so at home! This two-part video will show you how to create shine effects in After Effects without downloading any expensive plugins like Shine. It does use some custom presets which are available for download below and should help you speed up the process.
In this Blender 2.5 video tutorial, you'll see how to use driven shape-keys to dilate the pupil of an eye. The tutorial also demonstrates how to use custom bone shapes and limiting the transformation of a bone via constraints. Whether you're new to the Blender Foundation's popular open-source 3D computer graphics application or are a seasoned digital artist merely on the lookout for new tips and tricks, you're sure to be well served by this free video software tutorial from the folks at CG Co...
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make custom drawer icons for their stacks in Mac OS X. Users will need to go to the site provided in the video. There users will need to follow the instructions and download the icon sets. Once downloaded, place the icons into the appropriate folders. Users may need to restart the computer. Once restarted, the icons will be neatly overlapped in drawer icons. To add a folder to Stack, simply drag it to the dock. This video will benefit those viewers...
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to remove/change the arrow on the shortcut icons in Windows. These arrows allows the user to know that the icon is only a shortcut. Users will need to download the program, Vista Shortcut Overlay Remover. The program allows users to display an arrow, light arrow, custom arrow or no arrow. This program also provides an option to disable the " - Shortcut" extension on any shortcut icon. This video will benefit those viewers who use a Windows Vista compu...
Do you still think that Michael Jackson is the King of Pop, even in light of the many controversies that surround the end of his life and his untimely death? Do you also love Legos? The show your love for both. This video will teach you how to make a custom Lego minifigure that resembles Michael (Michael from the "Beat It" music video to be exact) using only paint and some hobby tools. Memorialize the King of Pop in a special using the instructions from this video.
In this Computers & Programming video tutorial you will learn how to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 with CNET. You need to do these 3 things. 1st - run the Windows 7 upgrade advisor to know if your computer can handle any version of Windows 7. 2nd – check the Windows 7 compatibility center to know if you need to upgrade your drivers or apps. 3rd – make a copy of your hard drive. Down load and run the ‘windows easy transfer’ wizard. This will back up all your files and settings to an ext...
A lot of the available shooting benches on the market today are well-made, but it's really hard to find one that you're completely comfortable with. That's why it's best to make your own custom shooting bench, made especially for you, how you want it.
Household Hacker brings you fun hack how to projects in a variety of areas: electronic hacks, computer hacks, pranks, etc. Search Household Hacker on WonderHowTo for more videos by this creator. In this video, learn how to make YouTube paper.
Rich Myers of Circle of Harmony Aikido and Rei-Mon Buki shows you step by step how to make and carve your own Bokken (Bokutou), including how to choose the proper wood, Custom designing the japanese sword, carving techniqe, and oil finishing.
Still waiting for that guest spot on the Simpsons? Until you get the phone call from Matt Groening, keep the dream alive with an awesome custom Simpsons avatar. You can set it as your Facebook profile pic and be a virtual resident of Springfield.
In this clip, you'll learn how to speed up the Internet connection on a PC running the Microsoft Windows 7 operating system by using custom external DNS servers. For more information, including a complete demonstration of the process and detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this home-computing how-to.
In this clip, you'll learn how to change the colors of the default iOS tab bar. Whether you're new to the Objective-C operating language and Xcode IDE or are a seasoned developer merely looking to pick up a few new tips and tricks, you're certain to be well served by this tutorial. For more information, including a complete overview and detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this free video Objective-C programming lesson for iPhone & iPod Touch developers.
For the indie film maker, Hollywood graphic artist, or anyone who just likes playing around in Adobe Photoshop, this tutorial shows you how to start with a template and use it to create your own custom movie poster. Use it to advertise anything, not just movies!
In this clip, you'll learn how to make use of the Symbol tool when doing design work in Adobe Illustrator CS4 or CS5. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular vector graphics editing software or a seasoned professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with the program and its various features and filters, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this free video guide.
