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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In order to create 3D lettered signs in lights, you will need to first create an object. Open Illustrator. Type your letters on the page. Adjust the font to the style you would like. Click on "effect". Then, click on "3D". This will allow you to rotate the image for the angle that you will want to see it at.
In this tutorial, learn how to jailbreak your new iOS 4 on your iPhone or iPod. This jailbreak will let you take advantage of cool new features including the huge app superstore: Cydia. Enjoy!
Pixel Perfect is the "perfect" show to help you with your Photoshop skills. Be amazed and learn as master digital artist Bert Monroy takes a stylus and a digital pad and treats it as Monet and Picasso do with oil and canvas. Learn the tips and tricks you need to whip those digital pictures into shape with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. In this episode, Ben shows you how to create hair and fur with the pen tool in Photoshop.
This is a tutorial showing you how to mod a ps2 slim. This will allow you to play backups as well as Guitar Hero 2 customs. If you want to learn how to make your own copy I might put up a video for that. This tutorial also shows the swap trick in action.
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.
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...
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.
For a new user, Adobe Premier Pro can be overwhelming. There's just so much you can do! So, a little guidance, or shall we say "basic training," is what you'll need to get started editing your own home video or professional film. This five-part series is your basic training, taught by Jordy Vandeput, showing you the basic, need-to-know stuff in Premiere Pro CS3.
Looking for instructions on how to create custom boot discs and bootable flash drives? It's easy! So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from the folks at Britec can present a complete overview of the process in just over eight minutes. For more information, including step-by-step instructions, take a look.
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.
