Gadget Hacks: Page 299

Charge your cell phone, mp3 player or other USB-equipped device with the power of the Sun! All you need is a 6-volt solar panel and a female USB cable. Solder them together (this video demonstrates how), and then you have a solar powered USB charger!

In this clip, you'll learn how to view zip code boundaries with Google Earth. It's easy. So easy, in fact, that this video tutorial can present a complete, step-by-step overview of the process in just over two minutes. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

Cell phones and mobile devices are getting more and more advanced everyday, and so is the equipped camera technology. You can now shoot HD (high-definition) video on newer mobile phones, which makes it easier to start your filmmaking projects, because it's a lot cheaper to buy a phone than a video camcorder. But, phones come in small packages, which means the video from your camera will be extremely shaky, no matter how steady of a hand you have. That's when it's necessary to have a camera...

Swype is a function for the Android phones which lets you input words by dragging your fingers across the keyboard instead of tapping. While newer phones have this feature, some older phones may not. This tutorial shows you how to equip your Android phone with Swype.

Trigger dock mode on your phone using a few strong magnets or a Palm Touchstone to attach a little bit of metal (you can even use duct tape!). You'll still need the USB cord to charge it, but this makes a handy holder for your device!

Send text messages, conduct Google searches, play music, get directions and even send emails (complete with emoticons!) using the voice actions function available on your Android phone. This tutorial demonstrates this awesome new voice input functionality for your Google Phone.

If you're having problems with your iPad, sometimes restoring it to factory settings is enough to get it working again. This will erase all your data, so make sure you back up everything. Then you can use these two separate methods to restore your iPad.

Not only can your T-Mobile G1 phone get Internet access by itself, you can also use it as a router or modem for your home wifi network. All you need is to download a single app from the market, install it, and you're ready to set up your home wifi network!

Get an inexpensive second monitor for your Mac computer! Well, assuming you already have an iPad. If you do, then all you need is the Air Desk app from the Apple store (it only costs $9.99), and then set it up for dual screen computing!

Purchased an app for your iPhone that was actually designed for an iPad? Apple provides for purchasers to get a refund for apps you don't want or you bought in the wrong format. Make sure not to abuse this feature!

Here's a quick tutorial on how to set up a connection which will let your computer talk to a PS3 controller, so you can use it as an input device to play games on! All you need is to download the software and then update the driver!

In this quick clip, you'll learn how to score a baseball game with the ESPN iScore Baseball Scorekeeper application for the Apple iPad. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started using ESPN iSCore Baseball Scorekeeper yourself, take a look.

Out of the millions of people who use internet across various countries, almost everyone must have used Google to search one or the other thing. Google is undoubtedly an indispensable searching means for many people. But the question is that whether people know how to make efficient searches on Google? Do people really get the desired results when they punch in the search criteria? “Yes, everyone knows it” is definitely not the answer. Here are some tips on how to make your Google search more...

In this clip, you'll learn how to adjust database parameters using phpMyAdmin and order MySQL pages with SQL ORDER BY. Whether you're new to the PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor scripting language or are a seasoned web developer merely looking to improve your chops, you're sure to find benefit in this free video programming lesson. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

Looking for an easy way to protect your privacy when using Google Search? With the right habits, it's easy. So easy, in fact, that this home-computing how-to from the folks at CNET can present a complete overview of the process in just over a minute. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

Looking for an easy way to get around Kindle's sharing limitations? With the right technique, it's easy. So easy, in fact, that this how-to from the folks at CNET can present a complete overview of the process in just over a minute. For more information, including a complete demonstration detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

In this clip, you'll learn how to use the SMS and MMS text messaging features on a Verizon Wireless Salute. For more information, including a complete demonstration and detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started messaging on your own Salute, watch this helpful video guide.

In this clip, you'll learn how to extract serial data from the $80 Mattel Mindflex or Star Wars Force Trainer. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started creating your own working EEG/BCI, watch this very-neat hacker's how-to.

In this clip, you'll learn how to unlock NAND and install a recovery menu on a rooted HTC Evo 4G. Whether you're the proud owner of an HTC Evo 4G Google Android smartphone or are merely considering picking one up, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, including a complete demonstration and detailed, step-by-step instructions, take a look.

In this clip, you'll learn how to set up and use free wireless tethering with a Motorola Droid 2 Google Android mobile phone. Whether you're the proud owner of a Moto Droid 2 Google Android smartphone or are merely considering picking one up, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, including a complete demonstration of the rooting process and detailed, step-by-step instructions, and to get started turning your own Droid 2 into a wireless hotspot, watch this...