When I first received my HTC One M8, I was in love with the 5-inch screen size, but the icons and font just seemed too big, wasting valuable screen real estate. Phablets, like the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, have only slightly larger screens, but don't seem to have this problem since manufacturers lowered the device's DPI, or dots per inch.
Sling TV, the new over-the-top TV streaming service from DISH Network, is the first to offer live programing for cord cutters. Available for $20 a month with no contract, Sling TV is the easiest way to end the reliance on cable and satellite subscriptions for getting your content as it airs.
You didn't have to attend this year's CES to have gadget envy. There are so many great smartphones, computers, laptops, and other gadgets available in the market that the real challenge becomes choosing the right one to fit your needs and your budget.
With Android devices getting bigger by the year, you'd think there would be a native multitasking solution by now. While Samsung and LG have included such features in their customized builds of Android, the stock base that manufacturers start with still doesn't include multitasking support.
Navigating through the darkness—literal darkness, not the existential variety—is always a difficult task on its own, and my Android doesn't necessarily make it any easier. Many manufacturers offer quick access to a flashlight or torch feature, but my Galaxy S4 doesn't have an easily accessible toggle or button available to turn it on.
By now, everybody knows that overcharging a battery will reduce its overall life span. This is why many smartphone manufacturers recommend that you charge your device to 100%, then unplug it immediately. Some even go so far as to automatically stop charging when the device is fully juiced, although not all devices have this functionality.
Android 5.0 has a cool new feature called Priority Mode that allows you to silence your phone's ringer except for when certain people call you. It's something you'd enable right before bedtime, for instance, if you don't want to be disturbed unless it's someone important trying to reach you.
Notifications are an integral part of our day-to-day smartphone usage. They allow us to easily see and act upon all of the latest information that comes our way. Well, most of the time, that is.
With Nexus devices already enjoying Android 5.0 Lollipop, most other manufacturers are scrambling to get their flagships updated to Google's latest operating system. While HTC has promised Lollipop by the end of 2015, OEMs such as Motorola and Sony have already issued updates to their latest models. Then there's Samsung.
By eliminating the need for hard keys on phones, manufacturers are able to use that extra space for a larger display, which is clearly evident on the bezel-minimal LG G3. In order to replace the physical home, back, and app switcher keys, we now have stylish soft keys.
If you notice any issues with your LG G3, pinpointing the culprit can be an arduous task. It could be a hardware issue, a resource-heavy app, or a bloatware-infested operating system.
Having an open-source platform like Android is great, allowing manufacturers and developers the ability to make their own skins and apps to truly customize the end-user experience. The only downside is that when an update comes to vanilla Android, many of us are left in the cold, unless you have a Google Play Edition HTC One.
With rumors of the Active and Prime versions on the immensely popular Galaxy S5 circling the web for the past few weeks, today, we've got some clear proof of the upcoming Active variant.
Ever since Android 3.0 Honeycomb, Google has been trying to push phone manufacturers to do away with physical menu buttons. Samsung has been one of the lone holdouts, retaining the menu key up until the Galaxy S5, where they finally replaced it with a "recent apps" multitasking button.
The new HTC One and Nexus series devices have already replaced their physical navigation keys with soft keys, and it's inevitable that we'll see more and more of this on future mobiles. Samsung continues to buck the trend entirely, but no manufacturer as gone as far as to remove the volume rockers.
One draw that Samsung's Galaxy S line has had over the Google Nexus 4 and 5 and the HTC One (though the M8 appears to be following suit) is expandable storage. Pop a microSD card into the slot and you have extra storage for music, photos, and even apps themselves in some cases.
Allowing us to easily get features that would otherwise be available only through flashing mods and custom ROMs, Xposed Installer has been a godsend since its development, simplifying the sometimes tasking and potentially harmful process of changing the core components of Android's operating system.
Watch out Samsung (and you too, Pebble, Sony and the still unrealized Apple), your hold on the smartwatch market is about to get a lot less firm. Announced today, Google has released Android Wear, their platform for developing smartwatches, along with a preview of the Moto 360 smartwatch from Motorola.
Confirming a lot of what we already knew, now we have a physical walkthrough video on HTC's new flagship, the M8. Or, maybe the "New HTC One", but let's hope that's not the name of the final product. Before we get to the video, here's what we already know:
Update January 27, 2014: Samsung has released a statement to address the flip cover issue, claiming it as a bug with a "fix" coming soon:
While browsing the internet on your Samsung Galaxy S4, you've probably scrolled to the bottom of a very long webpage, Twitter feed, or down into the abyss of some other app. Depending just how far down you've scrolled, it can be a test of your patience (and fingertips) scrolling back up to the top.
Why do we still need to plug in our phones to charge them? Wireless charging exists, and has for quite some time, but most manufacturers don't include it in their devices. When it comes to the Samsung Galaxy S4, you can buy a QI-compatible wireless charging kit, but between the charging pad and the battery cover, you're looking at around $90 or more.
Android's stock appearance is easy on the eyes, but after a while, it's outright boring to look at. Unlike other tablets from some manufacturers, the Nexus 7 runs stock Android and is free from any special UI tweaks or customizations. Sure, you can download themes for a third-party launcher, but themes are launcher specific. They will not work for launchers they weren't designed for.
How can you tell if the pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses that you are about to buy online are not a fake? Follow these 9 simple steps to verify the authenticity of your purchase. Always ask the seller to use the youVerify app prior to purchase. It's Smarter Selling & Safer Shopping.
The new Samsung Galaxy S4 has something no other phone has ever had before—weather sensors. Older devices like the Galaxy Nexus, S3, Note, and Note 2 do have a atmospheric pressure sensor, aka a barometer. However, they do not have a thermometer or hygrometer like the GS4 does, which measures ambient temperature and humidity.
A lot of computers come with a ton of pre-installed software from the manufacturer, some of which you need and some of which you could most certainly live without. And over time, you may have downloaded and installed a bunch of programs and apps that you probably can't even remember. Now, you could go ahead and uninstall everything that you don't think you need, but then you run the risk of removing something that could really mess up the system. When I open up my Programs folder, I feel like...
Do you own an HP printer? If so, it may be vulnerable to malware attacks. Researchers at Columbia University discovered that 25% of Hewlett-Packard printers have significant vulnerabilities that put your printer in danger from hackers—even your home. With a budget of just $2,000, researchers Salvatore Stolfo and Ang Cui were able to hack into the printers using remote firmware to install malware, and in some cases even cause the printer to catch on fire. The main issue is with the printer's c...
Everyone loves using their cell phones for everything except actually making phone calls. Whether it's watching streaming video, listening to music or playing video games, it would seem that calling people is almost an afterthought to cell manufacturers in this day and age.
It might seem like an inconvenience but it is important to take the time to find out what has caused your oil light to come one in your car. You may just be low on oil or you may have a more serious problem but ignoring the warning will only lead to further damage.
If you want to shake up your style or pay tribute to the 90s, then bust out that crimping iron. You will bring the party with this fun and funky style that can worn down, up or added to bring a little flare to more traditional styles.
Watch to learn how to replace the HEPA filter on a Dyson DC07 vacuum. This Dyson spare parts video we show how to remove and replace the Dyson DC07 Pre Motor Filter and Dyson DC07 HEPA Post Motor Filter. This vacuum maintenance video also outlines the Dyson airflow path as well as removal and replacement of the Pre Filter Housing, Post Filter Lid and Filter Seals. Prevent loss of suction and motor cut out by changing the filters on your Dyson.
Watch to learn how to replace the blade on a Flymo Hover Compact 330 mower. You'll remove and replace the 33cm Flymo blade on a Flymo Hover Compact 330. If your mower is not cutting properly remember you need a sharp blade for the perfect lawn. We use spacers to adjust the Flymo cutting height. This lawnmower maintenance video includes cleaning and we use a scraper tool to do this.
Watch to learn how to remove and repair a Neff oven door. You'll remove and replace parts on an oven door, as well as how to remove the oven door. This oven maintenance video demonstrates removal and replacement of the oven door outer glass, oven door inner glass, door hinges and door handle. Use a professional oven cleaner and ceramic scraper to remove burnt on stains from the oven inner door glass.
Watch to learn how to replace the fan oven element in a Neff oven. You'll remove and replace the fan oven element in a Neff oven. Oven fan working but no heat? You could have a faulty fan oven element. This straightforward oven repair video also shows how to remove the oven door.
Watch to learn how to replace the door seal on a Neff refrigerator. You'll remove and replace the fridge door seal on a Neff fridge. Replacing the fridge seal is an energy saving tip: If there is a fridge door seal gap, you will not create the correct fridge temperature to store food. To increase fridge efficiency fit a new seal. As part of this fridge maintenance video we also replace the fridge door bottle shelf and use a professional fridge cleaner.
Watch to learn how to replace the wave guide cover in a Neff microwave. You'll remove and replace the waveguide cover on a Neff microwave. Microwave sparks, or arcing in the microwave, could be the result of a damaged waveguide cover. As part of this microwave maintenance video we explain that you can replace a broken glass turntable or a melted roller ring. There are also microwave cleaning tips included.
Watch to learn how to replace basket wheels in an Electrolux dishwasher. You'll remove and replace upper basket wheels and lower basket wheels on an Electrolux dishwasher. Broken dishwasher basket? Perhaps you have a missing basket wheel. As part of dishwasher maintenance we replace the wheels and explain that you can also get a replacement cutlery basket.
Watch to learn how to replace spray arms in an Electrolux dishwasher. You'll remove and replace spray arms on an Electrolux dishwasher. Dishwasher not working properly? You may have a broken upper spray arm or blocked lower spray arm. As part of dishwasher maintenance we also explain that you can replace a broken drainage channel or fit a replacement cutlery basket.
Watch to learn how to replace the filter and lightbulb in a Neff cooker hood. You'll remove and replace a Neff cooker hood filter and a blown cooker hood bulb. Replacement bulbs and replacement filters are common cooker hood spares that need replacing. Banish cooking smells and give your hob light with this cooker hood maintenance video clip.
Watch to learn how to replace a knob on a Neff gas hob. You'll remove and replace a gas hob knob on a Neff gas hob. Replacement knobs as well as burner caps and flame spreaders are easy hob spares to replace. As part of hob maintenance we also use a specialist hob cleaner to get a nice clean hob. This hob maintenance video clip illustrates the many different hob parts
