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How to print from the Nexus 7

So, you received your Nexus 7. You have it all set up, you've answering some e-mails, you've watched a movie or two, and now you need to print something. But, how?

Unlike Apple's iPad, the Nexus 7 doesn't have an "AirPrint"-like feature built into the operating system. Google does have Google Cloud Print, but it still requires you to use the mobile Web version of Gmail (and the like) to print.

Wouldn't it be great if there was a way to add Cloud Print as a share action? There is, and it'… Read more

Add text to your iPhone photos with Tiny Post

If you've grown bored with Instagram and are looking for a new photo-sharing app, Tiny Post might fit the bill. This free iPhone app lets you add three lines of text to photos, creating one of those hilarious or poignant images you undoubtedly see daily in your Facebook News Feed or elsewhere on the Internet.

Tiny Post boasts a slick interface and a number of sharing options. After signing in via Facebook, Twitter, or e-mail, you can find other Tiny Post users to follow by tapping the people button in the upper-right corner. Tap the camera button in the … Read more

How to root your Samsung Galaxy S3

So you've just bagged yourself a gleaming new Samsung Galaxy S3 and you already want to root around in Android's murky depths? Step this way, friend, and let me take you through the process.

If you think of your phone as a computer, rooting it is like being given administrator rights; you can edit and mess around with things that normally would be restricted, including the operating system and start-up animations, and clearing out any software pre-installed by your operator that they don't want you to get rid of. You effectively have complete control over everything on … Read more

DIY: Turn a book into a sleek charging phone dock

Remember when it was taboo to write in books? Well, a college career of in-book highlighting and two e-readers later, I'm ready to admit that I have absolutely no guilt about writing in books. Or tearing them apart, for that matter.

So when I was looking for inspiration for a DIY charging dock and found myself staring at a shelf of books, I knew I had the answer.

With this guide, you'll turn a hardcover book into a charging station for your Android or iPhone. And, if you have an Android phone that's equipped with NFC, I'll also show you how to make your DIY dock automate tasks with NFC tags.… Read more

Password-protect e-mail on your iPhone and iPad

After last week's post describing two apps that keep your iPhone and iPad data private, a reader posed this question:

Is there any app that allows you to use it like the 'mail' app on an iPhone etc., but has a password lock facility? Else children will be reading all my mail.

I'm sure Apple had a reason for not allowing iPhone and iPad users to require a passcode to access the device's mail app, but I don't know what that reason was.

I came up with a free workaround that requires creation of a send-only … Read more

How to replace a broken screen on your iPhone

Crack the front panel on your iPhone and you have three choices: live with it, buy a new one, or get it fixed.

If you have AppleCare+ or another warranty that covers accidental damage, the choice is easy. Get your phone fixed or replaced under the warranty. If your iPhone isn't under warranty, you don't want to buy a new one, and you're ready to tackle a challenging, but satisfying, do-it-yourself fix, here's a guide for replacing the entire display assembly.

Should you try this fix? Before you jump into this DIY project, I suggest you … Read more

Automate file transfers between Dropbox and Android devices

Cloud storage is changing the way we think about out files and our media. We are far from the end of this stage of digital evolution, but many of us are already exploring options for keeping important files accessible wherever we go. Dropbox is a great tool for storing and sharing media and other files, and Cloudpipes is a app that helps automate transferring files between your Dropbox folders and your Android devices. Here's how to use it:

Install Cloudpipes here. Run the app and sign in using your Dropbox credentials. Tap the menu button, then select … Read more

Restore contacts on Android after the Facebook e-mail sync

Still sorting out the Facebook e-mail sync kerfuffle that happened upon your defenseless contacts list? Luckily, Gmail will allow you to restore your contacts within 30 days of changes made to them. Google is known for having handy tools like this, but sometimes they're not in the most obvious place.

Here's how to get your contact e-mail addresses back from the cyber abyss:

Step 1: Make sure Facebook contact sync is now off!In the app, it will be under Menu > Settings > Sync Contacts. If you don't see the option, go back to your Home … Read more

Get the Jelly Bean keyboard on your Android 4.0 device

The new features of Android 4.1 are being ported to custom ROMs, but if that's not your scene, there are a few goodies that have landed in the Google Play Store. One of these is the new Jelly Bean keyboard, which boasts better prediction (among other things) -- and that's something all of our fast fingertips are craving.

Ready to check it out on your Android 4.0 devices? Here's how to make it happen:

Step 1: Install a copy of Jelly Bean Keyboard, by Beansoft, on your Android.

Step 2: Open the Settings … Read more

How to stop Android from adding new apps to the home screen

Have you ever noticed after installing an app on your Android device, the icon for that app is already on your home screen? Sure it can come in handy, but it also can be pretty annoying. Nicole Cozma showed us how to disable this annoying feature on Honeycomb tablets a while back, and now I'm going to show you how to disable it on other Android devices.

Disabling the auto-add widgets (or shortcuts) feature is easy.

Launch the Google Play Store on your Android device. Tap on Menu and then Settings. Uncheck the box next to "auto-add widgets.&… Read more