How To

When you said hello to iOS 6, you said goodbye to your iPhone's preinstalled YouTube app. Earlier this month, Google released a YouTube app for the iPhone and iPod Touch that introduces a new design and functionality. Google says there are "tens of thousands more videos" available with this app than you had with the old, built-in app. The downside is now that Google and Apple have parted ways here, Google can start serving ads on its iPhone app. I've watched dozens of videos with the new app, and can happily report that I was served … Read more

Let me give you a glimpse into my household's organizational strategy. When the occasional need arises for a run to Bed Bath & Beyond, I rummage through the junk drawer in the kitchen to see if any of the half dozen or so BB&B coupons scattered in there are still valid, only to discover the sad fact that all have reached their expiration date. I then trudge off to the store empty handed, fully expecting a coupon to arrive in the mail within a day or two. It is no way to live, but now that I am using SnipSnap, my fruitless junk-drawer searches are a thing of the past.

SnipSnap is a free coupon app for the iPhone. With it, you can either scan a printed coupon or search for previously scanned coupons by other SnipSnap users. I downloaded the app because I was hoping to be able to use it with iOS 6's new Passbook app, but such functionality won't be ready until October. Even without Passbook integration, SnipSnap is a, well, snap to use. Here's how it works:… Read more

A while back I told you about Keepsy, a Web site (at the time) that allowed you to use your Facebook and Instagram photos to create a personalized calendar. Fast-forward to today and Keepsy has released an iPhone app, allowing its users to create Sets of photos, which can then be turned into physical photo books.

To make a pocket book, as it's referred to by Keepsy, you'll need to download and install the free Keepsy app from the App Store. Create a Keepsy account or log in to your current account and then begin creating a Set … Read more

In-ear headphones, also known as IEMs (in-ear monitors), have become very popular in recent years, replacing the old-style earbuds. One of the annoyances with IEMs, however, is microphonics. Microphonics refers to the rustling and thumping noises you hear when you tap the cord or when the cord brushes up against something.

The old earbud style isn't susceptible to microphonics because it rests just inside your ear, whereas IEMs go in the ear canal. To reduce microphonics, some manufacturers have tried braided cords and other custom solutions. If your in-ear headphones didn't come with these modifications, there are a … Read more

When upgrading from one iPhone to another, transferring your existing data and settings to your new device is easy. But, when you're faced with the task of moving content from an Android phone to an iPhone, the process can be a bit trickier.

Although you can't transfer some operating system-dependent things like text messages and call history, it is possible to move your contacts, files, photos, and videos from your Android to your iPhone.

Once you've set up and activated your new iPhone, grab your Android phone and follow this step-by-step guide.

1. On your Android phone, … Read more

Thieves love smartphones. They're easy to snatch, easy to conceal, and most importantly, easy to resell.

If you're the victim of a smartphone robbery, you have more to lose than the phone itself. The thief may attempt to use or sell the personal data stored on the device to make fraudulent purchases or otherwise steal your identity -- and maybe empty your bank account.

There are two things every smartphone user should do to minimize the damage resulting from loss of the device: lock the screen and activate a remote-location and remote-wipe service.

In a post from earlier this month … Read more

Do a quick search on Twitter and you'll find many iOS users sending request after request (or in some cases, demand after demand) to retailers, airlines, and merchants for Passbook integration. Passbook is clearly one feature iOS users are eager to use, but the delay in adoption is driving them mad.

Enter Gyft.

Gyft is a gift card app for iOS that allows you to store gift card information in a single, easy-to-access place. Sound familiar?

As TechCrunch pointed out this morning, Gyft received a big update last night, bringing with it the ability to add any gift card … Read more

As we've already discussed, the new Panorama feature on iOS 6 for the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 is extremely easy to use. But, my biggest issue when first using it was always being forced to go from left to right while taking a photo. This may not be a big deal in most situations, but there are times when being able to pan from right to left would be ideal.

It took me a few times using the new feature before I accidentally discovered you're able to switch the direction by tapping on the … Read more

I came across this tutorial last week that showed how you can turn an ordinary phone camera into something capable of capturing extreme close-up macro photos. You know, the ones where you can see the hairs on a fly's head.

After the dust settled on the iOS 6 release, over the weekend I dug through the junk drawer in my kitchen and found an old laser pointer. I then located a bobby pin in the bathroom and some painter's tape in the basement. I now had the three necessary ingredients and the time to see if this thing … Read more