Android Into A TV Remote

How To Turn Your Old Android Into A TV Remote

As far as gadget-hacks go, it probably doesn’t get any better than this: turning your old Android into a TV remote.  The fact is, universal remotes are great.

But: universal remotes are also very expensive.  What better way to circumvent the niggly issue of forking out bags full of money for a television remote than to up-cycle an existing device to do the same job?

So, if you own an Android device with an Infrared (IR) blaster, we’ll show you how to navigate your television set without having to spend an additional dime on the project. Continue reading “How To Turn Your Old Android Into A TV Remote”

The History Of The Mobile Phones

Today, we take many of our luxuries for granted. Whether it’s our modern, home desktop computers or our smart cars, many of the technologies we have at present were once no more than the stuff of dreams to older generations. These technologies have become such an integral part of our lives that we sometimes completely forget that they all started somewhere, and few other devices have a history as rich as the mobile phone. Continue reading “The History Of The Mobile Phones”

Apps Make Life Easy in the Kitchen

It’s never a good feeling when you are on dinner duty and you know the family are expecting little more than blackened lumps that may have once been food, and a whole lot of smoke. Thankfully, as with much of life, mobile tech has come to the rescue.

Think about it. Smartphones and tablets are small and easy enough to use in a space that can get as cluttered as a kitchen can. They are a great way of creating a link between the pantry and the butcher, grocer, or supermarket, and, if you are really careful, you won’t drop them into the batter to serve them up in a Victoria sponge at tea that afternoon. Continue reading “Apps Make Life Easy in the Kitchen”

The Top Hacks Available For Android Devices

The Top Hacks Available For Android Devices

Hacking An Android

When you think of hacking, one of the first things that may come to mind is a seedy criminal sitting in a basement, writing lines of code on his computer as he attempts to break into a bank to steal money or steal personal information.

The truth of the matter, however, is that hacking can apply to modifying a device in a way that wasn’t thought of by the people that created the device. This can mean making your mobile phone more convenient, or give it more processing power. Continue reading “The Top Hacks Available For Android Devices”

life hacks for your Smartphone

10 Easy-As-Pie Life Hacks for Your Smartphone

Smartphones have completely revolutionised the way we live our lives.

From navigating through an unknown city, online shopping, or monitoring our spending, smartphones have made our lives a whole lot easier.

But what if we told you that your smartphone had a few tricks up its sleeve? Check out these 10 mobile life hacks.

Make a Water Bottle Lamp

Yes, we know…water and smartphones aren’t generally an advised combination, but it’s the perfect combination if you need to illuminate a dark area.

Turn on your phones torch function, put your phone face down, and place a (lid on!) clear plastic water bottle over the beam – the water bottle will disperse the light further than the single torch beam.

Pump Up the Jams

Tired of the soft, tinny sound of your tiny smartphone speaker? Well then this mobile lack hack is for you! Placing your smartphone, speaker side down, into an empty glass or bowl will amplify the sound and will improve the sound quality ever so slightly.

Find Out If the Milk Is Sour

This might sound like something out of a science fiction movie, but researchers in the United States have developed sensors which can be read by a smartphone to detect gasses such as ammonia and hydrogen peroxide.

This technology could eventually be used to help detect pollutants, harmful chemicals, or explosives, but at the moment it can be used to create smart packaging which will detect if the food contained has gone off.

Play on the Go

So you’re a fan of online pokies real money NZ, but what about those hours when you’re away from personal computer and can’t play your favourite online casino games?

The good news is that most operators now offer smartphone online casino solutions which allow you to access your account no matter where you are in the world.

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall

The selfie has revolutionised the way people take photos and you would be hard-pressed to find a smartphone without a front facing camera, but have you considered that the front facing camera has another handy use?

Needing to check your hair or make-up while on the go, but you don’t have a compact? Use your front facing camera as a mirror in a bind.

Save Your Own Life

Many people have contacts saved in their phone under ICE (In Case of Emergency), but what about other pertinent information that would be useful to a rapid response team should you be incapacitated?

Good news for iPhone users which run on iOS 8 or later such as the iPhone 7: you will have the use of the Medical ID in the Health App.

Even if your phone is passcode protected, Medical ID is accessible from the lock screen.

Monitor Your Health

The Smartphone Cholesterol Application for Rapid Diagnostics, or SmartCARD, is a device which clamps over your smartphone’s camera and can be used to detect cholesterol and vitamin D levels with a single drop of blood, saliva, or sweat.

Using this device might just inspire you to make a few changes to way you live your everyday life.

life hacks for your Smartphone

Control Your Television

It might sound outlandish, but did you know that you can control your television with your smartphone?

Many of the new smartphones come with built-in infrared (IR) blasters which, coupled with a remote app, can control your TV, DVD player, games console, stereo and more. It can even be used to play sneaky tricks on your housemates – change the channel from your phone without them realising!