How To

Your guide to Google Now on iOS

On Monday Google released an update to the Google Search app for all iOS users that added one major feature: Google Now. Until this release, Google Now was only available on Android devices, although there have been some indications that the service will eventually show up in Chrome. But this is likely the first time iOS users have seen the service, so you might be wondering what it does and how it works. Well, let's take a look.

Get Google Now on iOS On Android, Google Now is more or less a standalone app, but on iOS, Google had … Read more

Share files between your Android device and a Mac with Droid NAS

You can share files between your Android device and a Mac by using a USB cable and running Android File Transfer on your Mac. If both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, however, there's an easier way: Droid NAS. Droid NAS is an Android app that makes your device appear in Finder as a Bonjour computer. There's no need to open a Web browser or run a separate program on your Mac.

Launch Droid NAS on your Android device, then select which profile you want to use. You can choose among the three profiles that are … Read more

Set up Reading Mode on the Galaxy Note 8

Using a tablet as an e-reader can save you money and lighten your load while on the go. Unfortunately, a lot of tablets aren't optimized for reading text for long periods of time (like e-books, RSS feeds, or just long Web posts) and may cause mild eyestrain. Luckily, the Galaxy Note 8 comes with a feature to help solve this issue: Reading Mode.

However, Reading Mode isn't turned on for all of your apps by tapping on the icon in the notification panel. Why doesn't this mode work in all apps by default? No idea, but fixing … Read more

Home networking explained, part 6: Keep your network secure

Editors' note: This post is part of an ongoing series. For the other parts, check out the related stories section below.

If you were concerned after reading CNET's recent report that most home routers can be easily hacked, I don't blame you. The study did sound ominous, but the good news is that your network is likely far less susceptible than the report suggests. And more importantly, there are things you can do to make sure it's secure.

Two things are vital to keeping your network safe: proper settings and prudence. The first step is easy; you … Read more

Making the change from iPhone to Android as easy as possible

Is iOS starting to feel a bit stale for your taste? It's something I'm hearing more and more as I talk to iOS users, or former iOS users. With some amazing Android phones hitting the market, it's tough not to get caught checking out the competition -- or even feeling a bit compelled to make the jump to Android.

But before you make the change, there are some kinks that need to be worked out to make the process go as smoothly as possible. You likely have contacts, a calendar, photos, and music that you'll want … Read more

How to unfollow a Facebook post using the mobile app

You can unfollow a Facebook post from the Web site with little effort, but unfollowing a post from your mobile device takes some work.

Unfollowing a post on Facebook allows you to comment on friend or family members post, perhaps a birth announcement or a promotion, and not be bombarded with alerts from the 50 other comments on the post all saying "congrats" or "woohoo." After you've done your social-media duty, do you really care what everyone else has to say? Take a look at this how-to for unfollowing posts on Facebook if this is … Read more

How to add multiple accounts to the new Outlook.com for Android

When Outlook.com was initially released, there were a couple of ways to access it on your Android phone. Microsoft then released an official Outlook.com Android app, but it was really just a rebranded version of the old Hotmail app.

Yesterday, Microsoft released a new version of the Outlook.com app with a completely new interface that's more consistent with Outlook.com for the Web. It has a great new look and some new features, but the ability to add multiple accounts is somewhat hidden. Here's how you can add multiple accounts to the new Outlook.com for Android app:… Read more

How to activate Facebook Chat Heads on your iOS device

Today Facebook updated its iOS app, bringing Chat Heads to the platform, although it's in a limited way. The new feature will only work while you're actively using the Facebook app.

Chat Heads will slowly roll out over the coming weeks to iOS users, but if you're the impatient kind who isn't afraid to edit some files on your device, you're going to want to head on over to this post on iMore.

The post will walk you through the process of saving, viewing, and editing a PLIST file from the Facebook app; you then … Read more

Edit, filter, and share photos with YoCam

There is a new entry in the crowded iOS photo-editing app field. Dubbed YoCam, this universal app costs 99 cents and provides a great degree of control, though there are a few drawbacks. Let's have a look.

Launch YoCam and you'll be given the option of snapping a shot with the app or loading a photo from your library. Once you have loaded a photo, you're given a menu of editing tools at the bottom of the screen. The second button from the left provides six editing tools that let you make fine adjustments to the brightness, … Read more