How To

How to use your Android device as a cordless mouse and keyboard

An Android app called RemoteDroid allows Android smartphones to become wireless computer touch pads and keyboards. It's a great solution for people using computers as their entertainment hub. Here's how get it up and running:

Computer setup

RemoteDroid requires a client application to be installed on your Android phone and the server to be application installed on your computer. In order to use RemoteDroid, you'll need to make sure Java is installed on your computer. You'll also need a Wi-Fi network. Once these two requirements have been met, you're ready to install RemoteDroid.

Step 1: … Read more

7 fun ways to interact with your Foursquare account

Foursquare is set to reach 10 million users this month. With the continued increase in popularity, developers are beginning to use Foursquare's API in some very fun and intriguing ways. This guide will show you seven fun ways to interact with your Foursquare account.

1. 4sqmap 4sqmap is a great way to visualize many different aspects of not only your own, but your friends' Foursquare activity. In addition to viewing activity, you can view a full map of nearby specials, tips, trending venues, and even use Foursquare's recently launched Explore feature on your computer, which is a feature … Read more

How to use multitouch key-chording on the Droid X

The Gingerbread update to the Droid X added a new multitouch keyboard feature called key-chording. It allows you to quickly use numbers and symbols on the multitouch keyboard. Here's how to use it: Key-chording is achieved by using the ?123 key as a shift key. While typing, press the ?123 key and hold it. When the number and symbol key layout displays, without lifting it, drag your finger to the number or symbol you want. Once you've selected the number or symbol, let go. The keyboard will automatically return to letters.

Pretty simple, right? Now you can type … Read more

How to set custom vibration alerts on iOS 5

Please keep in mind that this post is based off of a beta version of iOS 5. Apple can (and often does) change the behavior of features before the latest OS hits consumers hands. If anything drastically changes in regards to this feature in iOS 5, we will be sure to update the post.

When Apple announced a new Notification Center with iOS 5, it also revealed that iOS 5 would come with a couple of widgets: weather and stocks. The widgets are active in the Notification Center, the same place you will find the rest of your app alerts … Read more

7 Swype keyboard tips for better Swyping

Swype is one of the most popular alternative keyboards for Android devices. Here are seven tips for better Swyping:

Tip 1: Displaying numeric keyboard Press the Swype Key + 5 to open the numeric keyboard.

Tip 2: Displaying editing keyboard Press the Swype key + SYM to open the editing keyboard.

Tip 3: Swype punctuation Rather than pressing and holding punctuation, like periods, commas, question marks, and quotation marks, Swype them to the spacebar to enter the punctuation mark followed by a space.

Tip 4: Easy capitalization To capitilize letters, Swype the letter, then go above the keyboard before returning the finish … Read more

How to stay synced with iCloud

Finally, Apple has given users a way to sync their purchased music, apps, and books wirelessly. With iCloud, whatever you download on one device--your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, or computer--can be set to automatically download on all other devices.

For example, when you purchase a song from iTunes using your computer, it'll immediately be downloaded onto your iPad also. Or, if you purchase a book on your iPhone, it'll be downloaded to your computer and your iPad as well.

More iCloud features, including calendar syncing and Photo Stream, will launch in the fall. Until then, you can use the iCloud beta for free to sync your music, apps, and books. Here's how:

Note: iCloud syncing is not yet available for Verizon subscribers.

… Read more

iCloud, iTunes Match: Your questions answered

When Steve Jobs announced iCloud last week at WWDC in San Francisco, he left us all asking questions about how exactly the product will function.

The books, apps, and music (U.S. only) components of iCloud are already available, but since the full product will only launch in September, Apple won't provide any support until then.

Below are your questions from throughout CNET, including e-mails, Twitter, and Facebook. Apple will offer complete details in September, but here's what we know so far.

iCloud

Q: Can I use iCloud as a backup service for my music if my computer … Read more

How to do a factory reset on Android

There are many different reasons that a phone may need to have a factory reset performed. You may be experiencing too many issues with apps loading slowly, or malfunctioning when they finally do load. Or perhaps a friend or customer service person suggested the process to help with connection issues. Luckily, a factory reset doesn't actually involve sending your phone off to the factory, just these few steps that you can do at home:

Important note: Make sure you save any information that does not sync to the cloud on your phone before performing this process. Your photos … Read more

How to customize AutoText shortcuts on iOS 5

Please keep in mind that this post is based off of a beta version of iOS 5. Apple can (and often does) change the behavior of features before the latest OS hits consumers hands. If anything drastically changes in regards to this feature in iOS 5, we will be sure to update the post.

When Apple announced a new Notification Center with iOS 5, it also revealed that iOS 5 would come with a couple of widgets: weather and stocks. The widgets are active in the Notification Center, the same place you will find the rest of your app alerts on iOS 5.

iOS 5 has been released to developers, packed with 200 features new to the popular mobile platform. One of the features not discussed during the keynote was Shortcuts. Shortcuts allows you to make your own AutoText corrections for common phrases. We will show you how easy it is to use Shortcuts. Follow along!

… Read more