Smartphones posts - How To- Page 104

How to launch Android apps by plugging in headphones

The built-in speakers on most Android smartphones are OK in a pinch, but a nice pair of earphones always sounds better. Now, you can automatically launch TuneIn Radio, Slacker, Winamp, or any other audio app when you plug your earphones into your Android phone. Here's how:

First, search the Android market for Plug In Launcher and install it.

When you start Plug In Launcher, it'll go straight to the Headset tab and display four options. To select your favorite music app to launch, touch the area where it says, "Click Here to Assign," marked here with … Read more

How to optimize your Wi-Fi network with Wifi Analyzer

Wireless routers have quickly become an essential appliance in the modern home. Here's how to use the Android app, Wifi Analyzer, to optimize your WiFi network.

Wireless channel

Wireless networks use specific channels within the wireless spectrum. An overcrowded wireless channel results in decreased bandwidth and/or connectivity issues for your network. Use Wifi Analyzer to see what channels are in use and to identify the best channel to set on your router.

Step 1: The first time Wifi Analyzer is launched, it goes straight into the Channel graph view. To switch to Channel rating view, press the Menu … Read more

Pandora apps put comedy in your pocket

Recently I finished a three-month trial of SiriusXM Radio. And despite a relentless onslaught of calls and e-mails from the company, I elected not to continue my subscription. The only channels I really wanted were the comedy ones, which, frankly, weren't that great.

Pandora to the rescue! Yesterday, the incomparably awesome Internet-radio service introduced comedy stations. My first thought: "Please let them be available in the mobile apps. Please let them be available in the mobile apps." Because I figured that such an incomparably awesome addition to the service must come with a catch.

Huzzah! Turns out I can enjoy the likes of Daniel Tosh, Bill Cosby, Steven Wright, and Mitch Hedberg on my iPad, iPhone, Android phone, and so on--wherever there's a Pandora app. And make no mistake: Pandora's comedy stations are infinitely better than the ones on SiriusXM, if only because the mix caters directly to my tastes.… Read more

How to take screenshots on your Android device

There are lots of reasons you might want to take a screenshot on your Android device. Maybe you want to show off your amazing home screen, or maybe you want to show a distant friend something cool they can't do with their iPhone. Unless you've got the native screen-capture function that comes with Android 2.3.3 or better (and that's not very many of you at the time of this writing), your options are limited, but you can still do it without paying a cent or rooting your device. Setting up your Android device to take … Read more

Piclings: Use your iPhone photos to create custom levels

If you have ever wanted to be able to create your own iPhone game, Piclings gets you a step farther, offering users a way to use their own photographs to make custom levels for Picazzo, a little flying Picling that must gather coins and special objects while avoiding buzzing enemies.

Piclings uses a floating joystick to control Picazzo as he flies his way around one of their several levels, or ones that you create. The Piclings custom level creation analyzes your selected photo and creates ledges and walls using lines within your picture.

The level creation technology seems to be … Read more

How to connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network

In four easy steps we will walk you through connecting your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network. Whether you are at home, a local coffee shop, or at the office, Wi-Fi is a great way to get a boost in speed while browsing the Internet, or even help cut back and the amount of data consumed by your device. The importance of limiting data consumption on your device is especially important if your carrier has rolled out tiered data plans.

Google Voice officially integrates with Sprint phones

Starting today, almost all Sprint subscribers will have the option to conjoin Google Voice to their Sprint phone numbers. This gives smartphones and feature phones alike call forwarding and visual voice mail that you can read on the phone or online, in addition to other features, including cheaper international calls.

Sprint and Google first announced this partnership in March at CTIA, spelling out two options for linking the Sprint phone number to the Google Voice service. … Read more

How to sync music over Wi-Fi with Winamp for Android

Why bother with data cables and constantly reconnecting your phone to your computer to transfer new music? With Winamp for Android, music can be synced over Wi-Fi after a one-time pairing between phone and PC. Follow these five steps so you can spend less time tethered to the PC and more time enjoying your music on the go.

Note: You must have both Winamp for PC (5.9 beta or later) and Winamp for Android (in this example) for wireless sync to work.

1. Open the Settings menu in Winamp for Android and check the box to enable wireless sync.… Read more

Adding accounts on Android in 3 easy steps

Sometimes it's nice to separate business and personal communications by use of multiple e-mail addresses. When an Android phone is initially set up, it only asks for one Google account to associate with the phone. However, more accounts can be added, along with the same syncing features that accompany the primary account. Here's how to add multiple e-mail accounts, sync their contacts, calendars, and other associated services in just three steps:

1. Access the Settings menu and then choose Accounts & sync.

2. At the bottom of this screen, there will be an area showing the current … Read more

How to send your favorite iPhone picture on a postcard

We recently covered the launch of Postagram, an iPhone app that allows you to send your Instagram pictures as a postcard via snail mail. This simple guide will walk you through using both your Instagram pictures as well as the pictures stored in your iPhone's photo album with the Postagram app.… Read more