Widget toggles, or "power toggles" as they're often called, have been around for quite a while. They serve their purpose nicely as an easy way to add switches to your home screen or notification area for functions that don't come with the stock software on your device.
If you pay close attention, you might notice that the screen on your Android begins to flicker or pulsate when you lower the brightness past a certain point. This is a result of the AMOLED technology Samsung, among other manufacturers, use in their displays, and the way that these types of screens operate.
Coffee mugs: nothing proliferates more quickly in my kitchen cabinets. People are always handing them out as gifts or as swag, plus I always seem to find a vintage model or two at a garage sale that I'm compelled to buy. I used to do a yearly purge of my excess muggage, but it turns out it's a good idea to hold on to one or two extras.
Pushbullet is one of those apps that helps separate Android from its competition. By pushing the boundaries of cross-platform data syncing and file sharing, the service truly demonstrates how flexible and robust the world's leading mobile operating system can be.
Whenever you need to record a quick message to yourself or someone else, the stock Voice Recorder app on the Galaxy Note 2 does a fine job. However, the situations when you need it the most are when you forget or don't care to actually use it, like during a heated argument or a random police stop where your words can be misconstrued or altogether unheard.
To-do list and reminder apps are a dime a dozen on Google Play, so trying to find the right one for you could take hours as you sift through hundreds of similar apps and widgets. Well, search no more, as we've found one of the most well-designed and easy-to-use reminder apps out there.
With limited storage options available on the Nexus 5, cloud storage can definitely come in handy. But sometimes, with the seemingly endless options of cloud services for us to choose from, our online data can get a bit disorganized.
The act of viewing a new notification on your Nexus 5 can feel a bit clunky and cumbersome at times. When a new message comes in, you hear the notification sound, you see the LED blinking, but you can't see what the actual notification says without waking the device and opening the notification tray.
Silence can therapeutic at times, but unsettling at others. When I'm in bed at night, I need some sort of background or white noise to help me fall asleep. Pure silence just does not do it for me. Whether it's a fan oscillating left to right, or the TV playing, I need background noise to soothe me to sleep.
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.
The new HTC One (M8) is a large phone, no doubt about it. Still, with those BoomSound speakers, 5-inch display, and 2600mAh battery, it's a wonder they managed to cram everything in that gorgeous, unibody metal shell. By that logic, it makes sense that the M8 makes the switch from a micro-SIM card to nano-SIM to save as much space as possible.
Parlez-vous français? While we all wish we were fluent in multiple languages like Jason Bourne, most of us are probably one-trick ponies. When traveling abroad, or even when taking language courses, having a translator handy is extremely important.
Sometimes, you just don't want to hit the Power button to turn your screen off. In the current age of touchscreens, you've got to wonder why we even have physical keys anymore.
The space on your phone is extremely valuable, so getting the most out of your screen real estate can help you out when multitasking or for just making your device feel bigger. One thing that is often overlooked when it comes to saving space on the screen is the keyboard.
If you have an Android device, you most definitely have the Google Play Store. It's the main hub for finding and downloading apps, games, music, movies, and more, as well as updating them. It's where all the magic happens, but you're not getting the full effect unless you're running the latest and greatest version of the Google Play Store app.
There are a lot of cool things in iOS 7, but there are also a lot of annoying things about it. One of the biggest issues I have is Apple's stock wallpaper options. I was really hyped about the new dynamic wallpapers, but they turned out to be a real disappointment because of the new interface.
One of the things I hate most about Android's alarm clock is that you get the alarm icon in your status bar way ahead of time. Regardless of whether the alarm is in five minutes, five hours, or five days, that icon just sits in your status bar.
Customization is one of Android's popular selling points, and going hand-in-hand with that is being able to set default apps for different actions. Whether you want to play a song, navigate somewhere, or send a text, you can set a go-to app for each of those tasks.
Apple may have unabashedly lifted their upcoming "Control Center" from Android devices, but visually speaking, it's an awesome take on Quick Settings that would look pretty good on a Samsung Galaxy S3.
From a very early age we have an intrinsic obsession with things that float. Why do you think we love balloons and bubbles so much? So, it's no surprise that our smartphones are being invaded by floating features.
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.
While it may not always be practical, controlling your smartphone with air gestures can be pretty awesome. I would bet that if someone in public saw you using gestures to maneuver through your device, they'd be pretty impressed—and also kind of creepy for watching you.
I remember how fast my Nexus 7 was the first time I turned it on. Boy, do I miss it. Now my tablet is pretty buggy and crashes happen frequently, and I'm sure that goes for many of your Nexus 7s as well. Even if you upgrade to the new Nexus 7 next week, it will eventually develop similar issues.
A few weeks ago, Bluebox Security uncovered a bug that could potentially effect 99% of Android devices. Bug 8219321, dubbed the Master Key bug, works by allowing applications with modified code to pass Android's signature verification system, thereby bypassing security measures that normally wouldn't allow these apps to be installed.
These days, we increasingly have more and more devices in our everyday possession. While a notebook computer, a tablet, and a smartphone may seem like overkill, they do work to make our lives easier and even help reduce clutter in certain ways.
What can't coconut oil do? This edible oil, extracted from the copra or meat of a coconut, has done what most other food, beauty, and health trends have not: demonstrated real lasting power. Indeed, the "superfood" continues to make headlines, with its many uses the subject of debate, study, and fervent support. From the obvious (cooking) to the less so (home improvement), there are likely many coconut oil uses you're not yet aware of.
Enjoy the sweet and satisfying taste of pears mixed with walnuts in a dessert designed (unintentionally) by Stéphanie Tatin. Her accidental classic, Tarte Tatin is revitalized with this Holiday Kitchen upside-down cake recipe, where pears take the place of apples, and puff pastry makes all of the kitchen work easier! You can't pass this dessert up!
How to make warm, fresh homemade bread
Fish & chips is the most popular fish meal in the country, & you can make it yourself instead of paying a fortune at your local fish eatery. The special ingredient for these fish and chips… beer.
This is a bare bones science experiment using only items that would be sitting around the average household. Set up, research, and clean up of this volcano experiment will take under five minutes. Watch this video tutorial and learn how to make a model volcano. All you need is a bottle, water, shampoo, vingegar, baking soda, and paprika.
Looking for a great nutty dessert? Then we have a great black walnut recipe for you. Watch this how to video and learn how to make a black walnut cake that everyone will enjoy.
Wilton helps you make elegant, whimsical and plain old silly cupcakes and more. Ideas include easy flower, monster and funny footed-cupcake designs. Different sized tins, cast pans and decorating booklet help you with every idea. Learn how to decorate beautiful cupcakes by watching this video baking tutorial.
Forget the store bought rhubarb, grow your own in your back yard and use it to make some delicious homemade pies. Watch this how to video as our host shows you how to prepare rhubarb for delicious pie. All you need for this rhubarb pie recipe is: rhubarb, puff pastry, brown sugar, cinnamon, cloves, apples, and canned fruits.
This naan is much better than any restaurant you have ever been too. Watch this how to video to see how its done. Naan can be eaten with just about anything. Serve as an appetizer with curries or soups.
Learn how you can create a shimmery green and copper brown eyeshadow look with this makeup tutorial. The following products were used in this video: MAC pigments in Chartruese, Copper, Emerald Green and Vanilla, MAC kohl liner in Lichen, Kanebo liquid liner pen, MAC cream color base in Luna, and Models Prefer Baked Goodies lipgloss.
Sail away with this shimmery nautical inspired eyeshadow look in this makeup tutorial. You can achieve the look from this how to video with the following products:
Get a smokey green and gold eyeshadow look with this makeup tutorial. This sexy look can be achieved with the following cosmetic products:
Create this soft pink and gold eye shadow look with this how to video. This light and pretty look is achieved with this following products:
Add some Christmas cheer to your holiday baking. This how to video shows you how to pipe melted chocolate into the shape of a Christmas tree. Decorate with your favorite candy for an added holiday look.
Forget the store bought loafs of bread. Watch this how to video and learn how to mix up a great dough recipe for making bread from scratch. Visit www.pineapple-tarts.blogspot.com for the full recipe.
