How To

How to set up your BlackBerry Z10

Before you begin setting up your brand-new BlackBerry Z10, make sure you have a few minutes to spare and a speedy Wi-Fi connection available. Part of the setup process for BlackBerry 10 is ensuring that your new device is running the latest version of the new operating system.

The first time I ran through the setup process on my Z10, the update came in at several hundred MBs, with the latest update (as seen in the video) coming in at just 2MB. Of course your experience will likely vary depending on your location and wireless carrier.

If you don't … Read more

How to take a screenshot in BlackBerry 10

BlackBerry recently launched its BlackBerry 10 platform with the Z10, with the keyboard-equipped Q10 on the horizon. While the new operating system does come with the ability to share your screen with fellow BBM users, not everyone has a BlackBerry 10 device. In those situations, taking and sharing a screenshot is the best way to show off your home screen layout, or perhaps troubleshoot an issue with another user.

To take a screenshot on your BlackBerry 10 device, you simply need to press and hold both the volume up and volume down keys at the same time for a few … Read more

Set Twitter's Connect tab to only show mentions on Android, iOS

When using Twitter on your Android or iOS device, the Connect tab is where you can find all of your interactions (by default as of an update in February) such as mentions, retweets, and new followers. While this may be the desired view for some, for others it can lead to a cluttered experience.

Luckily there's a simple solution to remove retweets and new followers from the Connect tab.

Using either the iOS or Android version of the app, you'll first need to navigate to your "Me" or profile tab. From there tap on the Settings … Read more

Pocket Filmmaker: How to record better sound with your phone

In this series, the Pocket Filmmaker shows you how to turn the smartphone in your pocket into a camera capable of shooting video projects that are worthy of sharing with family and friends, online, and even with the judges of short-film festivals.

In this episode, we look at the pitfalls faced by smartphone video-makers in recording pro-quality audio. We show you the best microphones to have on set with you, or attached to your phone, to make sure your films sound as good as they look.

Editors' note: Jason Van Genderen was the winner of several short film-making awards at … Read more

Preview BlackBerry 10 on your iPhone, Android device

There's been a lot of talk and attention regarding BlackBerry and its launch of BlackBerry 10. If all the hype has piqued your interest -- even the slightest bit -- you can catch a glimpse of the new operating system directly from your iPhone or Android browser.

To walk through some of BlackBerry 10's main features, point your mobile browser to BlackBerry.com/glimpse.

Once the page loads you'll be walked through basic gestures for navigating the OS, how to use the Hub, the predictive keyboard, BBM Video and Screen Share, and the camera's Time Shift … Read more

Track blocked calls and texts on Android with Current Caller ID

When someone can't take the hint and keeps calling or texting you, it might be time to disable their ability to do so. The Android contact app allows you to send callers directly to voice mail, which is fine in most cases; however, if you're still getting flooded with voice mails, or even texts, Current Caller ID can help.

The app's new blocking feature -- suggested by users to WhitePages -- will let you quickly send callers to voice mail without fumbling through the contacts app, or perform a pickup and hang up operation when they call. … Read more

How to merge duplicate contacts in iOS 6

I went to merge two duplicate contacts on my iPhone this morning and noticed the option to merge -- or link -- them was gone. In previous iOS versions, a Linked Contacts section at the bottom of the Edit screen in the Phone or Contacts app let you link two contacts where you had, say, one with a person's home phone number and another with that person's cell number or e-mail. After hunting through a few Apple forums, I found the solution.

When iOS 6 was released last fall, it featured tighter integration with Facebook. After updating, my … Read more

Forecast.io is a beautiful weather app for any Web device

Earlier this week Forecast.io was announced by the same team behind the iOS weather app Dark Sky. The app would provide alerts based on the immediate weather forecast, allowing you to get inside just moments before the weather would get nasty. With the launch of Forecast.io, the team is able to get the same type of forecasting into the hands of more users since it's a Web based app.

To use the app simply visit Forecast.io using your browser. You can then create a Web shortcut and save it to your mobile device, or a bookmark … Read more

How to pad a recording using the Xfinity TV Remote app

With opening day a mere three days away, and the second weekend of the NCAA tournament under way, there is much in the way of great sporting events to consume in the coming days and weeks.

If you find yourself at work or otherwise away from your Comcast, er, Xfinity cable box and realize you forgot to record a game, fear not: you can set a recording using the Xfinity TV Remote app for iPhone or for Android. I would always recommend adding some extra time to your recording, but the process is a bit more involved with the mobile … Read more