tech sectiontech sectionYou can view your network keys and passphrases for your mobile network and your Wi-Fi networks on your Android device. When you store a network key on the device, the key is stored in a hidden file. You must have root access to the phone’s operating system, as well as a file management utility with root-level access, to open and view the hidden file.
Never worry about accidentally ruining your phone with water again. In this video clip, see how Liquipel invisibly protects a phone while submerged in water.
In a world full of text messaging, social media websites and increasingly important phone calls, keeping your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel can be difficult. But, the good people at Ford, in association with Microsoft, has a solution to the distractions that plague modern drivers: they call it SYNC, a wireless, hands-free media and communication system built right into properly equipped Ford vehicles. While the SYNC system in your 2010 Explorer is simple enough to use via steering wheel-mounted buttons and a keen voice-activated interface, getting SYNC to sync with your Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone requires a…
The Android operating system lacks a native file browser for viewing files on your phone memory. However, you can browse and manipulate the files on your Android device when you plug it in to your computer's USB port. Alternatively, you can install one of the many apps that enable you to search, edit, create and delete the files and folders in your phone's memory. Each app is slightly different in its appearance and extra functions.
As with many other cell phones, the default settings for the Motorola Razr enable keypad sounds when dialing or sending text messages. Although the beeps emitted when pressing keys on the Razr are softer and less obtrusive than some other models, they still may be distracting in some situations. Fortunately, there are several ways to turn off keypad beeps on your Razr to keep the phone silent when using it.
Connecting your Android smartphone to your car radio is useful for more than just listening to music. Phone calls, voicemails, and even text-to-voice SMS messages are just a few of the things you can play over your stereo with the right equipment. Depending on your needs, as well as your current setup, playing your phone through your radio could cost you nothing -- or all the way up to $80 or $90.
When you deactivate a Motorola phone and upgrade to a newer model, some cell phone providers offer to transfer your pictures from the original phone to the new one. If the provider didn’t transfer the photos, however, you may be worried about losing those precious images. While you can't make calls or send emails on a deactivated Motorola phone, you can transfer your media files by connecting the device to your computer and selecting the “Media Device (MTP)” mode. The Media Device (MTP) mode enables you to access pictures saved to the phone’s internal storage and the memory card.
Hewlett-Packard offers the free HP ePrint app for Android phones; it allows you to print any photo, Web page or document from your phone to your HP wireless printer without having to turn on your computer. If your HP printer is ePrint-enabled, you can use the app to print from a remote location by enabling the ePrint Web Services feature on the device. If you’re using a non ePrint-enabled printer, you can use the app without having to configure your printer. When using a non ePrint-enabled printer, however, the Android phone and printer must be on the same Wi-Fi network.
The GSM Arena website compiles a database of a variety of specifications for each phone it reviews. It also runs a battery of tests on each device, including one that reveals the nominal contrast ratio of each phone's display. The value of this test is that it evaluates each display's contrast ratio objectively, rather than relying on data provided by phone manufacturers. Of the phones tested by GSM Arena, the HTC One X+, Google Nexus 4, Apple iPhone 5 and HTC Butterfly have the highest nominal contrast ratios when set to 100 percent brightness in indoor conditions, as of March…
The Motorola Droid uses phone vibration to provide tactile alerts for notifications from your phone and other apps. The physical keyboard on your Droid also vibrates whenever you type. If you would rather your phone didn't vibrate every time you receive a call or type a text message, you can turn off this feature from the settings app on your Droid.
Tracfone offers the affordable Samsung T105G cell phone as part of its prepaid service. Although the phone's small, lightweight design and impressive battery makes the phone perfect for tossing into your bag before a long trip, it lacks advanced features found in many smartphones. One feature that is lacking is a touch-sensitive screen, so navigating your inbox uses old-school techniques that might seem unintuitive to smartphone users.
Tethering a laptop to an Android smartphone allows you to then use that smartphone to get your laptop onto the Internet. Tether a laptop to an Android smartphone with help from a Microsoft certified technology specialist in this free video clip.
Smartphone apps help make our lives simpler and more convenient, even within the often difficult and complicated arena of taxes. In 2012, no fewer than 130 apps related to income taxes were listed in the iPhone App store (most of which focus on the Android and iOS platforms). Some of these apps help you file your taxes, others answer tax questions and still others track your refund. This guide will help you understand why you'd want to use your smartphone for tax issues, as well as some of the major tax apps on the market.
Recording sound on a Motorola Droid is easy, so long as you've got the right application. Record the sound on a Motorola Droid with help from an electronics expert in this free video clip.
Hooking up an Ally Android LG phone to Bluetooth requires you to put both devices in "Pairing" mode. Hook up an Ally Android LG phone to Bluetooth with help from an electronics expert in this free video clip.
The stock browser on your Android isn't actually something you can delete. Get the stock Android browser on your phone with help from an electronics expert in this free video clip.
The iPhone 5 is the latest and greatest mobile phone and portable data assistant from Apple. Unbox the iPhone 5 with help from your friends at eHow Tech in this free video clip.
Whether or not a cell phone adapter can work with a Garmin GPS depends entirely on which type of adapter you actually have. Find out if you can use a cell phone adapter with a Garmin GPS with help from The GPS Wizard in this free video clip.
Mobile computing with smartphones and tablets frees you to access news, weather, sports and social updates from just about anywhere. This convenience comes with a price, though -- the apps and services on mobile devices use data, often served up through a cellular network. Most cell carriers impose caps on how much data may be consumed in a 30-day billing cycle. Some all-you-can-eat plans still exist, but many consumers have hard limits that, when exceeded, can result in overage charges or significantly reduced Internet speeds. Avoid the hassle of blowing your top by keeping track of where you are in…
iOS and Android are the two most popular mobile operating systems on the planet. Find out about the differences between iOS and Android with help from a professional consumer electronics journalist in this free video clip.
The Samsung Omnia has access to thousands of free and paid applications via the Windows Phone Marketplace, including themes that can alter the layout of the device. Download an iPhone theme for the Samsung Omnia, such as "iScreen", "IphoneSkin" or "Fake iphone", to mimic the look of an Apple smartphone. Some applications available in the Windows Phone Marketplace only serve to display a fake iPhone home screen and have no functional icons, while others are working themes that allow you to access your applications.
The Motorola Razr is a series of flip-style cell phones first released by Motorola in 2004. This phone has a slim profile and sold extensively during the four years it was on the market, but was discontinued in favor of the Razr 2 in 2007, though many Razr phones are still in service. Like many other cell phones, the Razr includes several difficult-to-access menus and features, some of which require special codes.
Constructed from hard plastics, tubs in modular and mobile homes are not as durable as the fiberglass units often installed in stick-built homes. When this material is damaged, it continues to weaken and cannot be permanently repaired. The answer to a damaged or scratched tub in a modular or mobile home is to replace the tub unit. Although there are many steps involved in replacing a tub in a mobile home, the process is a simple one.
If you have a business with a physical address, then you're likely already aware that getting it listed on Google Places can mean increased traffic, and with it the possibility of increased numbers of customers. If you've opted for the Google Places phone verification to verify your business and get it "on the map," it can be frustrating to run into problems with the phone verification process. While some patience can be a benefit, there are some things you can do to try to remedy the problem.
VCast is Verizon's content service that customers can use to download music, videos and other media. If your phone wants to dial contacts while you're listening to VCast, you may have a software issue that requires attention. Depending on the cause of your problem, you may be able to resolve the issue without contacting customer service.
Audio equipment such as headsets may list a size, and that can be confusing because most headsets are adjustable. In this instances, the H6 does not refer to how the headset fits you. In fact, you can find the same notification on microphones and other wireless devices. Learning more about how wireless audio works will give you some insight to selecting the proper headset.
The TomTom Go 930 can connect to a wide variety of phones, but not all phones support all the features it offers. The TomTom uses Bluetooth to communicate with the phone, much like a Bluetooth headset. Some phones are fully supported, while others support only hands-free calling features.
A cell phone power supply plugs into a wall socket and your phone to charge its battery. When it works, the phone should indicate that the battery is charging a few seconds after plugging it in. If a good battery is properly installed and the phone doesn't show that it's charging, the power supply needs repair. Some repairs require soldering skills.
The Motorola W230 hit the market in 2008 as a low-end, inexpensive cellphone offering basic cellular functionality. If the date is missing on your W230, don’t panic, there are a few things you can do to fix the situation that don’t require a lot of tech knowledge. There are some problems, however, that are more complicated to remedy and might require you to take drastic measures.
Apple's iSync software allowed you to sync data from supported third-party mobile devices with your Mac via USB or Bluetooth. Since 2008, Apple has stopped adding new phones to its native support, and modern phones allow you to use third-party software to sync your data. However, if you have an older phone on Verizon's network, you can use iSync to transfer contacts from your phone to your computer.
The kernel is the main component of the Android mobile operating system. It controls everything from the processor and memory to the I/O devices. Furthermore, Android kernels can be customized, compiled and installed on Android phones, such as the Motorola Droid (Milestone). The Chevy kernel was designed to prolong your Motorola Droid's battery life. It does this by decreasing your phone's performance, so it may not be the best solution if you need to run complex apps.
The active standby mode on Nokia E65 cell phone lets you access your favorite applications and plugins more quickly, but the feature will disappear if you change your settings. Active standby will also be turned off if you restore the phone to its factory settings. You can always get active standby back and customize it again if you have accidentally disabled it.
Depending on your phone’s design, it may offer you multiple ways to enter data and commands, including a physical or virtual touchpad. Each design has pros and cons, and some phones include games and applications that take advantage of touch-screen technologies. Understanding how your phone's input system works can help you master its capabilities and avoid data-entry frustrations.
Upgrading the firmware stored in your Samsung Omnia's read-only memory chip, a process also known as flashing the ROM, can allow you to enjoy new features and bug fixes introduced in the latest version of the Windows Phone operating system. You can upgrade your Samsung Omnia's firmware by using Zune, the computer application you normally use to manage your device's contents.
If you want to get around or bypass the firewall on your Android phone, you can download the free software applications SSH Tunnel, Proxy Mobile and Mozilla Firefox from Android Market. You will also need to establish a user account with a SSH service. There are several free SSH services available online that you can use. After you've created a SSH Tunnel on your phone, you will be able to prevent intruders from viewing your Internet activities.
If you have 3G enabled on your HTC Touch Pro, it drains your battery relatively quickly. Whenever you browse the Internet or check your mail, the 3G connection is activated. If you close the browser, the 3G connection isn't terminated and continues to draw power from the battery. If you don't want to manually disable 3G every time, you must edit your HTC Touch Pro's registry and force the phone to auto disconnect from data. Fortunately, the phone runs on Windows Mobile 6.1, so you can use PHM Registry Editor or iSS Registry Editor to set it to disconnect if…
The Electronic Security Number (commonly abbreviated ESN) was created to uniquely identify mobile devices, mainly CDMA (Code division multiple access) phones. Whenever you use the phone, its ESN is automatically registered on the network and used by the wireless provider's switch to validate the call. Although there are very rare cases in which you must to change the ESN, it is illegal. Most users looking for a way to program their ESN are actually trying to unlock their mobile devices. For this, you need the MEID (Mobile Equipment Identifier), a code derived from the ESN. There are plenty of third-party…
The Samsung SCH-R451C is a basic smartphone manufactured for Tracfone, a prepaid cellular service provider in the United States. Tracfone uses the same Global Systems for Mobile Communications technology as GoPhone, AT&T Wireless's prepaid cellular service. Tracfone sells its phones with a carrier lock. However, by removing this carrier lock, you can change your Samsung SCH-R451C to a GoPhone.
The Symbian platform is a mobile computing platform and operating system used by many Nokia smartphones. It provides a wide range of features, including gesture interaction, multiple home screens and conversation threading, and is designed to respond to both keypad and mini-QUERTY keyboards. As of February 2011 new phones use Windows Phone 7, but many older models still operate on Symbian.
The mobile hotspot function first became available on Android devices with the release of Android 2.2, also called Froyo. Subsequent releases, including Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), continue to support mobile hotspots. Although the function isn't available on every phone, it is supported by at least a few phones from all four major carriers: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon. HTC, Motorola, Samsung and LG all make phones capable of creating a mobile hotspot. If you're away from a Wi-Fi connection, you can use the portable hotspot function on your Android smartphone to share your connection with a laptop or tablet, making it…
Location-based services add real convenience and value to your smartphone’s repertoire of functions. Using signals from GPS, cellular and Wi-Fi sources, your phone automatically determines its location and combines this information with maps, business addresses and other data. Apps for navigation, transportation, bargain hunting and geotagging use this information. If you have concerns about nosy organizations tracking your whereabouts through your phone, you can turn the location services off at any time.
Full or nearly full memory invariably leads to slow performance, crashes and errors within any system. With their vast computing power, today's smartphones are certainly not immune from the issues associated with memory overload. Good memory management begins with understanding how your phone works and what would make it perform below expectations. Learn how to properly maintain the storage space on your phone so you can avert future problems. While no smartphone can be immune from the occasional glitch or freeze, a phone with lots of memory to spare will always run more smoothly.
Smartphones and their mobile operating systems are just platforms: the applications, or apps, that actually use the hardware and operating system to perform the tasks programmers dream up are what give a smartphone its true functionality. The apps that developers have uploaded to different app stores run the gamut from solidly useful to quirky novelties, but a few stand out as truly unusual.
Containing over 12 million lines of code and based on the Linux kernel, the Android mobile operating system allows you to easily play your favorite tunes on your smartphone. Although it's possible to move audio files from your computer to your Android phone with a USB cable or an SD card, you have another option: Cloud-sync apps available in the Google Play store, such as Dropbox or SugarSync, which tout their ease-of-use and speed, or Box, which emphasizes security.
Navigation for road trips has come a long way since Hansel and Gretel used a trail of gingerbread crumbs to find their way back home. The popularity of GPS devices for cars has spawned a variety of navigation apps for all major mobile platforms. Use them before you leave home and while you are on the road to obtain information about your location and to plan the best route to your destination. With accuracy that would make Magellan envious, smartphone apps help you travel with confidence.
When it comes to smartphones, the biggest expense usually isn't the phone itself -- it’s the cost of the contract and all the extras that make a smartphone worth using. Learn how to buy a smartphone with help from an expert in this free video clip.
Although a Google account isn't required to use an Android phone, it opens the full functionality of the operating system, as Google owns the Android mobile device OS. Your Google account allows you access to all your Google services, including Gmail and Google Maps, through your Android 2.3 device. Your Android phone can store your Google account password to make it faster to log in. If you've deleted or lost the password, you can recover it using your phone.
If you're a veteran consumer of mobile music, you already know that your device's app store includes a list of music-oriented options as long as your arm. By jumping straight to these six proven winners among competing music-oriented services, you'll enjoy specific aspects of music on a broad range of devices, including set-top boxes in your living room as well as the smartphone in your pocket. Some offer free versions with fewer options, in addition to paid versions with more bells and whistles, while others give you a full list of features in a free or cheap app. As of…
With high-speed 3G and 4G networks available in many parts of the country, more people are using their mobile phones not only to make calls and surf the Internet, but to watch their favorite video content as well. From free major network broadcasts to premium cable channel programming, almost every type of video content is available for viewing on your Android or iOS-powered phone, as well as for other popular platforms such as Windows Phone 7 and webOS. Just as there are many sources for mobile video content, a wide assortment of streaming apps allows you to watch that content…
If you use a cell phone, you know that sometimes it can be difficult to get a solid signal indoors. Different types of construction, distance to the local cell tower, and electronic interference can all attenuate your signal, causing distortion, dropouts, and lost calls. If you find yourself having to regularly move near the window or step outside to make clear calls, you might consider purchasing a cell amplifier, a device that helps improve reception inside your home.
