As the developer behind the most popular root methods for hundreds of Android devices, Chainfire knows the ins and outs of Android root procedures. But this doesn't mean he's infallible—occasionally, some of his root utilities can cause minor bugs.
An app called Launcher was released for iOS 8 last September that let users open any installed app directly from a widget in the Notification Center pull-down. For some reason, Apple didn't take too kindly to this and banned Launcher from the iOS App Store just a few days after its release.
The display on the Apple Watch is way too small to even attempt typing on it, which is why the Messages app only allows for responses using default replies or by speaking a message. But you won't always be able to speak a message, and often the default replies will be too generic to want to use.
Carriers really suck, don't they? We constantly have to monitor our data usage, even though many of us are on "unlimited" plans, which, in reality, will just be throttled to a slower 2G or 3G connection when we hit a certain download threshold.
In general, we never really put much thought into fonts, but they comprise a huge portion of our online experience. A whimsical mood can easily be set by using something like Segoe Script, but switch it up to Sentinel and you've got a more sophisticated feel all of a sudden.
The king of all Xposed modules is alive and kicking on Android Lollipop. GravityBox received an update over the weekend that will bring its bevy of UI tweaks to folks who have installed the framework on their Android 5.0+ devices.
In an effort to make things simple and more secure, Google decided to slim down the power menu in Android 5.0. What once provided a quick link to shut your device down, turn on Airplane mode, and toggle volume states, has now been relegated to a simple power switch. Lucky for us, developer Gar Ynych has created a flashable ZIP that will revert these changes and restore functionality to the Nexus 5's power menu. In a few simple steps, you can add the volume toggles and Airplane mode switch rig...
Emojis are a huge part of communication these days. In fact, I'm beginning to think that in a thousand years, historians will come across our then-ancient texts and speculate that we used a writing system that evolved from hieroglyphics.
By default, any app that requests a certain permission can run automatically as soon as you start your device. Since Android doesn't offer a granular permission control system like iOS, this gets lumped in with all of the other permissions that you have to accept when you're installing an app from the Google Play Store, and you effectively have no choice in the matter.
For some strange reason, when the Nexus 5 got its Lollipop update, the new stock system sounds were left out. These include updated versions of all of the ringtones and notifications, which Google revamped with a more mature sound that matches Android 5.0's elegant Material Design.
OnePlus One's CyanogenMod firmware comes packed with personalization options that standard Android devices could only achieve with root-level access. By simply entering the Settings app, OPO owners can make changes to their lock screen, status bar, and notification drawer, as well as apply themes and gestures to make their device a little more customized.
Like cigars and whiskey, Lapsang Souchong tea is an acquired taste. Some people never get over the pungent, tarry flavor and intense smell of the beverage, but using it as a rub, marinade, or other seasoning is totally smart. The tea adds a smoky yet not overwhelming flavor to dishes of all kinds. With it, you can easily get barbecue-like results for meats and vegetables, all without breaking out the grill. Lapsang Souchong tea smells like a dry campfire and tastes like a smoked sausage cooke...
If you utilize strong passwords—which you absolutely should be—you've probably had to go back and forth between keyboard screens multiple times to input various letters, numbers, and symbols.
At $349 off contract, the Nexus 5 has always been one of the best bang-for-your-buck smartphones on the market. In order to keep the price that low, however, Google had to pass up on some of the minor features that other flagship phones offer.
If you're like me, things just seem to look better when they're symmetrical. While Android's status bar icons are indeed weighted against the notifications that show up on the left side of this area, the balance still seems skewed to the right.
There were over 1.2 million changes made to Android when the OS got updated from KitKat to Lollipop, but a minor front-facing modification has many users in an uproar.
Allowing the use of third-party keyboards on iOS 8 was a great move on Apple's part, providing iPhone users with choices when it came to an often-used and important aspect of their operating system. Unfortunately, as cool as all these keyboards are, they all use the same boring, stock font.
This rustic floating shelf project is one of the easiest pallet jobs that l have ever done. Floating shelves look great as there aren't any shelving brackets visible, which makes the whole look very streamlined. My floating bookshelf also has the added feature of movable bookends with a handmade wooden nut!
How to build a simple planter box from reclaimed pallet wood and hardwood fence palings. Planter boxes come in all shapes and sizes and mine is a little different than most. It's taller and narrower than many of the ones you see.
Pallets, Pallets, Pallets. You have to love them! How to build an outdoor play kitchen for the kids using old pallets and recycled / reclaimed wood. I came up with the idea after seeing how my young son loved playing with the one at childcare. Pallet projects and Pallet Ideas are never far from my mind so l couldn't wait to get stuck into building my play kitchen.
To say that there are a lot of app switchers and launchers available is an understatement. We've covered a few ourselves, including Loopr and Switchr. But why not check out one more?
Holidays can be challenging, especially around Christmastime—but not if you invoke your inner MacGyver spirit. In my latest "life hacks" guide, I show you 10 amazing tips and tricks that'll hopefully make your holiday season a little more merry.
Customization of our Android devices, outside of what Google and mobile carriers allow us to do, used to mandate that our devices were rooted and running a custom ROM.
As our society and population grows, more developments such as housing and restaurants are built. While this is beneficial for us, it's not so great for the environment and the animals that occupy it. Some of the victims of our prosperity have been the birds, forced from their natural habitats.
We see Steampunk props all the time and wonder where the maker found all their pieces. In fact, for some people it's almost like a game to examine each prop and see if they can name all of the original parts.
One of the hardest, most intimidating parts of making your own Steampunk guns from scratch is the wooden stock of the gun. To be fair, it's probably the hardest part. It requires the most artistry, and is the easiest to mess up.
If you're lucky enough to have a large backyard, or perhaps even a plot of land, then you probably have several trees on hand. If for whatever reason one or two of these trees needs to be cut down, don't just dispose of the wood!
If you work with wood on a regular basis then your band saw probably gets a lot of play time. The more you use your band saw, however, the faster your band saw tire will wear out.
In this tutorial, we learn how to sharpen your chisel inexpensively. This is an art you have to learn if you are going to have to learn to work with tools. To start, you will first need to lay down a piece of paper down on a block of wood. After this, lay a piece of grit down on top of the and grab your chisel. Spray the grit with some water and then use the bevel on the chisel to move it around. Use your body to move the chisel, not just your hands. Continue to do this around the sides until...
In this tutorial, we learn how to organize your closet by establishing a wardrobe system. If you have tops that you wear during the day, put these on a different colored hanger than your nighttime tops. Color code these in your closet and then hang up your nighttime tops with a light wood or your choice hanger. If you have other random tops, you can hang them according to how you would wear them the most. Dresses can be hung on another color hanger and then pants can be worn on another color ...
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a homemade compost tumbler. Find a large barrel and mount it on a wood frame. You can use recycled materials, like an old pickle barrel if you can find one. There should be an axle in the middle of the wooden posts that runs through the tumbler as well. There should be a pipe in the middle bottom of the barrel to run air through, that will exit through the top where the handles are at. The aeration system will help your compost work properly, so you can ...
In this tutorial, we learn how to make a miniature table. Materials you will need are: a wood slat, 4 popsicle sticks cut in half, paint, paintbrush, and glue. Heat up your hot glue gun and then grab your popsicle sticks. Glue one stick to the side of every corner of the slat. After this, you should have two on each side of all four corners of the wooden slat. After you're finished placing them on, let the glue cool and then harden. To finish, you can paint this and decorate it and use it ins...
In this tutorial, we learn how to use foam to make diorama terrain. Foam will make a realistic diorama because it comes in so many different shapes and sizes. You can buy this from hobby shops and even online. To put these together, you will simply use some wood glue. You can easily cut this with a sharp knife, scissors, and anything else that is sharp! You can use a hot wire cutting tool to mold and sculpt the foam as well. You can also use a hot glue gun to connect the pieces of foam togeth...
In this video, we learn how to make a small windmill from a permanent magnet motor. You will need: a motor, a rotor, and a stand to make this. First, you need to find a motor that has permanent magnets on it, like one from a printer. Then, grab a windmill like one from the garden and make a stand by combining three pieces of wood. Then, heat up the side of the motor and connect it to the middle of the windmill so that it spins around. After this, you will connect it to the stand with a fiberg...
In this tutorial, we learn how to begin composting. When you compost, you have a lot of choices of where you want to compost. You can do it inside of a metal bin, in a small tumble type of container, or a wood cedar box. If you are doing a lot of composting, use a large composting bin that you will turn with a shovel. It's important to get oxygen into the pile to keep the bacteria growing. You can use compost accelerator to help get things going and make it more successful. You can compost co...
The great thing about dressing up as a forest nymph/wood nymph/fairy/mermaid this Halloween? You can more or less get away with doing the same makeup look for all of them, with a few modifications, of course.
In this tutorial, we learn how to make dogbane cordage. Dogbane is also known as Indian hemp, which is a plant which is used to make cordage. Once you identify the plant outside, you can process it into a raw and finished product. First, you will simply peel the bark off of a branch of the dogbane. After this, you will squeeze along the inside of it and start to peel the layers back. You will then get a bushy type of wood that looks like it's hair. After this, you can tie these together or br...
In this tutorial, we learn how to get perfect red lips for African American skin. First, take a dark red lip line from Studio Gear named "red wood" and apply it to the lines of the lips. Once your lips are fully lines, grab your lipstick and apply it to your lips carefully. The liner will be darker than the lipstick, so make sure you blend them in together lightly. After you are finished applying, clean up any smudges on the edges of your mouth. Then, apply makeup on the bottom an sides of th...
In this video we learn how to build a snowboard box. First, decide on a size for your box and write out the dimensions. Then, buy your frame for the box and follow the structure of the box with it having four sides. After you have built the frame, put on the wood to complete the sides and make the box enclosed. Use screws placed into the frame to make sure it's completely secure. You may also want to install handles so this is easier to handle. Once you're finished with your box you can paint...
In this tutorial, we learn how to draw a tree branch. Start out drawing two lines for the trunk of the tree. Work these lines up until you reach the top where the branches are located. Then, draw outward lines that will be the branches. Do not make all of them the same size. You want this to look realistic, so make them all vary in size. Draw small lines at the tip of every branch to make it look like wood coming off of them. When finished, add in lines along the branches to show bark on them...
