When Apple wanted to bring their Notification Center to Mac OS X, I loved the idea. But after using it since its integration in Mountain Lion, it's been more annoying and distracting than anything. More and more apps incorporate notifications, so I'm constantly getting sound alerts and banners in the top right corner that I don't want.
Android's Quick Settings menu is quite handy—just swipe down with two fingers from the top of your screen and you're ready to toggle several different system settings on or off. It got even better with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, since you can even use the hidden System UI Tuner to rearrange and remove your Quick Settings tiles now.
NANDroid backups are one of the best reasons to root your Android device and install a custom recovery. They're essentially a snapshot of your phone's entire operating system and all installed apps, so if you ever screw something up when installing a flashable ZIP or custom ROM, you can restore your NANDroid backup to get everything back to normal.
If you're a rooted user, you've probably heard the term "BusyBox" by now. Many mods require these powerful root commands, but the process of installing BusyBox can be a bit confusing for the uninitiated.
After receiving the fourth beta for iOS 8.3, we can assume that the official release shouldn't be too far behind. Along with plenty of bug fixes from prior iOS versions, Apple is also ushering in a few minor features that are sure to ease some annoyances.
For some odd reason, the Netflix app likes to disable the Nexus Player's built-in screensaver. It doesn't use its own, it simply keeps your screen on indefinitely, which of course can lead to screen burn-in. This is not just an Android TV issue, as the Netflix app does the same thing on Roku and smart TVs.
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.
Google's text-to-speech engine is getting pretty good these days. In a recent update, the computerized voice that reads on screen text (like Google Now search results) got an audio quality bump that brought its clarity up to its highest level yet. And with each update, that robotic voice becomes a bit more human.
I am not a morning person. This is a fact that has been proven with science. I need every bit of help to get me out of bed in the morning—multiple alarms, extremely loud tones, Pandora—I've tried everything.
Text input on a touchscreen device is constantly evolving. From early beginnings of pecking out each individual character to today's predictive text and gesture keyboards, we've already come a long way.
Owning an Android device is almost like having a PC in your pocket. Android's ability to easily navigate the file system on your phone is one of many features that separate it from the competition. Just plug your phone into a computer, drag the file over, and you're all set.
It used to be easy to hack tethering—root your device and install a third-party or modded tethering app. But snuck in amongst the changes in Android 4.3, a new data-monitoring service of sorts made its debut. There used to be a time when your data connection was yours. You paid for it, so you were free to use it for whatever you wanted. Unfortunately, those days are long gone.
3D has been all the rage for the past few years. It seems like every other film has a 3D aspect to it, our TVs have 3D capabilities, and we can even print functional objects using increasingly affordable 3D printers. And after some trial and error (ahem, Evo 3D), it's finally taking shape on mobiles.
With popular remote desktop app LogMeIn recently ending its free service, lots of Android users have begun looking for alternatives. There are some good ones out there like TeamViewer and Microsoft Remote Desktop, but today, Google released an app that makes a pretty good contender.
There are many impressive features on a Samsung Galaxy Note 2, but just like any other smartphone on the market, the most used one is the camera. How many times did you take a picture today? Or admire all the selfies in your gallery? Or upload a video to Instagram, Vine, or Snapchat?
It may not seem like it, but the Status bar at the top of your Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is one of the most important and heavily utilized features. From checking the time, to finding out your battery percentage, to viewing Wi-Fi and cellular connections, the Status bar is critical for keeping tabs on your device.
Siri makes it easy to call almost any contact on your iPhone with just a quick verbal command. I say almost because counterintuitive name pronunciations such as Caoimhe, which is actually pronounced "Keeva," will confuse the hell out of Siri. Luckily, there's a way to get Siri to understand pronunciations for the tricky names in your contact list ... it just takes a little grunt work on your part.
If you've tried watching a video that requires Adobe Flash Player installed on your Samsung Galaxy Note 2, then you're probably well acquainted with the "Flash Player is not installed" message. If you try tapping the deceiving Install Flash Player button it takes you directly to the Adobe website, where you're greeted with a message saying:
Want the convenience of a throwaway email address without all the hassle? How about anonymous text messaging so you can get to know someone before giving them your real information? Gliph has you covered. Gliph is a service that lets you create an identity around a set of three to five symbols called "artifacts" instead of your name, phone number, or email address. You choose how much information you reveal, and anytime you communicate with someone else who has Gliph, the data is protected us...
Online shopping is way more convenient than brick-and-mortar stores in a number of ways, not the least of which are the discounts. But with so many online stores and sites like Amazon which feature thousands of retailers, how can you know you're getting the best deal?
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to make a ballerina tutu. The materials required are: 4 yards of tulle, 3 yards of satin ribbon, scissors and a ruler. Cut the ribbon to waist size, with 40 more inches. Place knots on ribbon to mark the waist size. Cut the tulle into 3" strips. Apply the tulle from knot to knot. You may remove knots when finished. Finish the tulle by adding your own embellishments to decorate it. Add more tulle as the child grows. This video will benefit those viewer...
Bringing a pet into your household is an important decision. Consider these factors when choosing a breed. Watch this video to learn how to choose the right dog breed for you.
Traditional bookbinding can be a complicated job requiring specific tools and crafts. But when you're making a personalized homemade journal or diary at home, anything goes. This video will show you the basics of making a simple, small book using easy methods with materials you likely have around the house, like index cards (for the folios), a cereal box (book cover), paper, duct tape, scissors, dental floss (binding), glue, Sharpie marker, and an awl or sewing needle.
Give me a break! Better yet, give me a working brake light on my 2003 Ford Focus! OK, if that's what you want, this video is going to show you how to get it. Follow the steps and see how to take that burned out bulb out of the car and replace it with a new, working one. This tutorial shows you how to replace a rear light on a 2003 Ford Focus. Specifically, the video shows fixing the rear brake light, but this tutorial shows how to fix any rear light (including brake/tail, reverse, and turn si...
3D modeling tool Mayafrom Autodesk is a monster of a program, able to do SO many things. One of the things you'll need to learn is how to use the CV Curve tool. This will allow you to create objects with curves of any shape or dimension you desire. Let's be honest, most of your models will require curves, so check out this tutorial and find out how to do it. Maya is used in everything from small animation to feature films like Spiderman. If you want to be in the biz, expand your skill set wit...
If you'd like to create a cool presentation with Flash, check out this video and the Flash plug-in flipdoo. Flipdoo allows you to build stunning flash flip books for both online and offline use in minutes. You don't need any additional software. Import your PDFs, configure book look & feel and publish. This is the best way to create digital ( electronic ) editions such as any type of publications, magazines, brochures and catalogues. Flipdoo Publisher is a Windows desktop application that hel...
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.
Cavities are an unfortunate sideeffect of our sugar-infused society, and getting them filled is time-consuming, expensive, and requires a trip to the dentist. Do you have some serious courage and want your dental work done on the cheap? Watch this video for an amazing guide to filling your own tooth cavity at home using simple and cheap ingredients. It's amazing what you can do with a little DIY know-how.
If your iPad, iPhone 4 or iPod Touch is already on a tethered jailbreak, this is the tutorial on the new Redsn0w release for all you experienced users. An untethered jailbreak is a type of jailbreak where the device does not require rebooting with a connection to an external jailbreak tool to power up the iDevice. Jailbreaking allows users to get root access to the command line of the operating system, to download otherwise unaccessible extensions and themes, or install non-Apple operating sy...
When you're surviving in the wild there's no running to 7-11 to grab some snacks. It's all up to you. This excellent instructional video teaches you how to build and set an Asian trail spring trap. Primarily, this trap would be used for medium sides animals as they make their way along a forest trail. The trap requires a heavy object near the trail (ideally a rock, or fallen log), a length of fine, strong cordage, a 4ft piece of sapling and several small branches for this device's triggering ...
This video will show you how to get the "Poetry in motion" and "Masterpiece" achievements. When you enter the Fraud Circle towards the end of the game, you will be faced with ten challenges on ten levels. The fourth challenge (the save point is Malebolge 4) requires you to stay in the air for eight seconds. Instead of doing this, keep hitting the two demons until you get a 666 hit combo and the "Poetry in Motion" achievement. This can be done easier with the "Coin Of Plutus" and "Wings Of Fur...
Looking for a weapon that will completely destroy your opponents in Fallout New Vegas? It has a limited rare ammo supply, but it does a total of 461 DPS, and it's called the Alien Blaster, the same as the one in Fallout 3! If you're wondering how to find this awesome weapon as well as where the Aliens themselves are, check out this video on the location and how to obtain it! Just remember you need the Wild Wasteland perk in order to see the Aliens. If you do not have the perk you'll find a gr...
Warping is one of the many beatmatching tools at the disposal of the modern electronic music producer, and allows you to stretch out notes to make them match the required beat. Watch this video to learn how to warp tracks live on the fly using Ableton Live.
In this video, we learn how to get the Menace to Society achievement in Fable II. This requires you to commit an act of public indecency. So, start off the level completely naked and approach people in public places. Then, go purchase The Perv's Handbook from the worker and head out of the book store. Now, you will go down to items and read this to learn it. From here, you will continue to run around and find some whores that don't like being yelled at. Then, dance around showing people our n...
Too lazy to even stand up to exercise today? No problemo, because you can complete an entire circuit of exercises without ever leaving your chair!
For the normal woodworker at home, the table saw, router and lathe are the prime tools used for making fine furniture, but when you hit the outdoors, the backwoodsman's tool of trade is the chainsaw. Mastering furniture-making with a chainsaw is the key to being a great woodworker, and in this three-part video, you'll learn the techniques to chainsawing your way to a beautiful log bench.
There is a very special easter egg in Halo: Reach on "The Package", that is almost impossible to find unless someone told you about it. It's going to require a second player at minimum to help you, as well as having to play on Legendary. If you can do it, you will get the holy grail of easter eggs in the game: a fan tribute room built by Bungie for the community! In this video, the guys over at Achievement Hunter show you how to activate the room, and also geek out over seeing themselves in t...
The Invulnerable Achievement / Trophy (depending on your console) in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game requires you to play through a whole level and reach the boss without taking any damage. This might seem like a challenge, but there's a very easy trick to doing it. This video will show you just that.
Sewing your own cosplay costume requires a massive investment of time, energy, and sewing skills. Before you get started, you should watch all of this three-part video tutorial on sewing cosplay costumes. It covers everything from buying fabric to the actual sewing and everything in between, and should have you ready for you next anime convention in no time.
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World has become a multimedia empire, and the game for the Playstation 3 and XBox 360 is fun and deep. This video will show you how to unlock the two hardest achievements in the game: Gourmet and Chaudown. Gourmet requires you to buy every food item in the game, and to that end the video show you where to find every store in every level. Then you'll learn how to unlock Mr. Chau and Mrs. Chau as strikers to get the Chaudown achievement.
