November 16, 2012
This ads will tell you that 4G is awesome. Fast as lightening, or a motorbike, or a race car. But what does that mean in the real world? Is a 4G phone really going to blow away a 3G one, or is the difference subtle. And are all 4G networks built the same? Let’s take a closer look.
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November 16, 2012
The Surface tablet is a flagship Microsoft product -- its first foray into the tablet market as a hardware manufacturer. It’s almost as locked-down as the iPad - the only applications you can install and run being those that come from the Windows Store -- yet you can also plug in a USB drive and have a full file manager at your disposal. Is the quirky Windows 8 interface truly better on a tablet? Are the touch gestures intuitive? Is there actually a desktop mode? All these questions and more will be answered; read on for the full MakeUseOf review and giveaway of the Microsoft Surface. We purchased this 32GB Microsoft Surface with a black touch cover for $599 in order to prepare this review. And now, we're giving it away to one lucky reader!
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November 16, 2012
You might have heard the acronym “IMEI” and know it relates loosely to the identity of your phone, but do you know exactly what it’s function is and what it is used for? Every new phone sold should have a unique IMEI number that is meant to remain the same for the lifetime of that product. In this article we’ll explore why our mobile devices need an IMEI and run through the basic methods that will enable you to find and record yours.
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November 15, 2012
From time to time I have to venture outside and this can mean using my phone, tablet or even (in rare cases) a laptop to get work done while in transit. Extremes of weather can wreak havoc on digital hardware, so it pays to be aware of just what you need to do to keep using your smartphone on extremely hot days, heavy rain and freezing cold weather.
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November 15, 2012
About 10% of an average home’s power use is dedicated to computers. That is the average for the United States, however, and is only an average. Users who are computer enthusiasts may find that their computer accounts for a much larger portion of their power bill. It’s simple logic. The more the computer is used, the more power it draws.Yet not all computers are the same, and they are not all used the same way.
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November 14, 2012
When Nintendo released the WiiMote, it was arguably a console industry game changer. The concept of interacting with a game using your physical body was born. Lifelike motion controls enabled it to appeal to a wide audience that might otherwise never have touched a video game. Like any new piece of technology, the humble WiiMote was quickly subverted to other uses beyond the Wii.
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November 14, 2012
If you're looking for a way to get the most out of old everyday objects that have become obsolete, like cassette tapes and CD's, or want to put everyday objects like binder clips, bread clips and ceramic bowls to good use, we've put together a list of 10 really cool geeky ideas to upcycle, hack and reuse things lying around your house. There is no end to the ways that you can put all your old gadgets and bits and pieces to good use.
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November 11, 2012
Are smartphones getting too big? When the iPhone first came into our lives, its 3.5” screen seemed pretty big, and the smartphones that followed were about the same impressive size. Five years later, we have a 4.8” Galaxy S3, a 4.7” new Nexus 4, a humongous 5.5” Galaxy Note 2, not to mention the 4” iPhone 5, which is bigger than 3.5” for the first time since its launch. The genera; direction seems to be toward bigger and bigger screens, but is that a good thing?
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November 11, 2012
Lots of people, including myself, love their smartphone. Mine is virtually an extension of my arm and goes with me everywhere. But that innocent looking phone in your hand is also a weapon if handled by the wrong person. Which is why it is essential that you put a PIN lock on the phone, to prevent any unnecessary access, and limit what information apps have access to, about yourself.
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November 9, 2012
If you follow us on Twitter, you might have taken part in our latest "best eReader" contest. Just in case you happened to miss it, over the past three weeks, we asked our followers to send us suggestions for the best eReader available out there today. We gave you free rein to tell us exactly which eReader would be the best for your needs, and surprising consensus emerged pretty quickly. Continue reading to find out what the majority on our followers want to be reading their books on.
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November 8, 2012
I'm sure you've heard of the Raspberry Pi by now. If not, you're in for a treat. It's a tiny little computer that's dirt cheap and incredibly customisable. Here at MakeUseOf, along with most geeky places online, we've fallen in love with the Raspberry Pi. Many of us have one or more and have come up with some fantastic ways to use them for play or for work.
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November 8, 2012
There's a current craze emerging for standing desks, literally desks that you stand at while working. Having spent the last five years as a self-employed freelance writer who spends most of his days sat at a desk, I've experienced back problems as well as instances of the seemingly unavoidable repetitive strain injury. Perhaps a standing desk is the solution to my problems.
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November 2, 2012
If you’re like me, you probably make good use of USB on your PC, from connecting keyboards and printers to smartphones, USB flash memory, Bluetooth, 3G or Wi-Fi dongles, headsets, game controllers and more. USB is a versatile and easy-to-use connection format, but there is one thing that bugs many people (including me) about it.
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November 1, 2012
Computers age rapidly. In one year they mature, in three years they become elderly and after five they are ready for retirement. Both geeks and casual users have become accustomed to – or annoyed by – the quick replacement cycle. Part of the annoyance is the uncertainty of replacement. When do you upgrade or repair a computer, and when do you just give up and build or buy a new one?
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October 26, 2012
If there’s any hardware released in 2012 that you’re likely to fall in love with, it’s the sweet-as-sugar Raspberry Pi, a mini computer designed and built in the UK that has shipped all around the world. Equipped with an ARM processor and capable of running various operating systems, the Raspberry Pi is small enough to fit into a cigarette box and powerful enough to run a home server, media centre and much more.
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