During a power outage at my apartment this year, I watched movies on my MacBook Pro instead of on my television. While I had no complaints about the screen size, I did have an issue with how low the audio coming from my speakers was. External speakers would help, but I don’t want to buy them or lug them around every time I want to watch a movie.

I didn’t do anything about it at the time, but then I realized that I should be able to crank up the volume to any unsafe level I want. Turns out, there are a few different ways to boost a Mac’s volume level, some of which work system-wide, and others… more

Welcome back, my amateur hackers!

Over the course of the next year, we will be developing our own zero-day exploits. In my first article in this series, I introduced you to buffer overflows, which are the source of some of the most lethal exploits, particularly the “remote code execution,” so we are focusing our exploit development here on a buffer overflow.

Developing your own exploits requires considerable knowledge and skill, so this series will toggle between providing you background material and information and labs to test and expand your skills.

In this tutorial, we will build a… more

The upcoming W3D gaming smartphone by Snail isn’t like anything you’ve ever seen before. It’s pretty much a cross between an Android phone, Nintendo 3DS, and PlayStation Vita. It runs on Android, has a 3D screen similar to the 3DS, and gamepad controls like the Vita, making it one hell of a portable gaming device (that’s also a phone).

It uses Android 4.4 KitKat as its base (though it could be upgradeable to 5.0 Lollipop when released), has a gorgeous 5.5-inch 1080p display, a 2.2GHz octa-core MTK6595 processor, 16GB internal storage, 2GB of RAM, a 13MP rear camera, 4,000mAh battery, stereo… more

By default, any app that requests a certain permission can run automatically as soon as you start your device. Since Android doesn’t offer a granular permission control system like iOS, this gets lumped in with all of the other permissions that you have to accept when you’re installing an app from the Google Play Store, and you effectively have no choice in the matter.

Considering the fact that apps running in the background are a big draw on RAM and battery life, more apps running on startup means lower efficiency. That’s why developer Gard Ynych created a mod that will add a settings menu… more

Oops… did you forget to connect to a Wi-Fi network before streaming HBO GO on your iPhone? While those episodes of The Wire may have been absolutely life-changing, your three-digit cellular bill is definitely going to hit you a little harder.

Managing data usage is a constant task in the world of capped data and outrageous overage fees. No matter what you need your data for (email, Instagram, Waze, Netflix, etc.), it’s always good to know exactly how much data you are using during the month if you’re not on an unlimited data plan.
Video: .
Using the Default iPhone Option

While you can… more

Samsung’s Gear VR headset is a thing of beauty; unfortunately, it only works with the Samsung Galaxy Note 4. That’s where ImmersiON-VRelia’s Head-Mounted Displays come in to play. With four different HMD models, we got a hands-on look at “The Go,” which is not only affordable (at $125), but also compatible with the majority of Android and iOS devices.
Video: .
To use it, you just open up the front section, insert your smartphone, close, and enjoy. Apps that are compatible right now include The Hobbit VR Experience, Proton Pulse, and VR Player (for watching videos/movies). The complete list can… more

I’ve known eaters who will fearlessly bite into even the hottest of peppers, but even they have quailed before durian, the fruit that hails from Southeast Asia and whose smell has been compared to garbage, rotting flesh, and the bathroom post-use. However, this hefty globe with its spiny, prickly outer covering isn’t called “the king of fruits” for nothing. According to its many fans, its stench does not correlate to its taste, which has been described in extremely flattering terms. Monica Tan of The Guardian writes, “The taste is mildly sweet, almondy, and very creamy, not unlike a rich… more

Sometimes specs aren’t everything, especially if you prefer value over the bleeding-edge. Enter the ZTE ZMAX, an Android phone that you can get right now for less than $200—cheaper than even the Nexus 5 or OnePlus One. If you’re looking for a cheap high-end phone, it’s hard to go wrong with one that sports a 5.7-inch display, expandable storage, and a massive 3400mAh battery that’ll easily get you through a full day of use.
Video: .
Now, of course, there will be some drawbacks. The device is currently stuck on Android 4.4 KitKat, and while the representative we spoke with hoped that an… more

Add-on smartphone lenses are nothing new, but they have definitely gotten better as time goes on. Case in point: the Olloclip series of lenses for iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices (the S4 and S5 only at the moment).

Their newer 4-in-1 lenses give you fisheye, wide angle, 10x macro, and 15x macro capabilities. Each model works on the rear-facing camera, except the one for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, which not only works on the rear-facing camera, but also the front-facing one for enhanced selfies.

Check out the quick demo below for more information, and to see just how well the macro lenses… more

Creating giant, reusable bubbles at home is easy, and it’s a fun project for children. Just dump a whole bottle of non-toxic Elmer’s Clear School Glue into a bowl, add fine glitter and watercolors (or food coloring), and slowly mix together Sta-Flo Liquid Starch to form a pliable concoction.

Once you are done creating the concoction, simply stick a large, wide straw (like the ones used for bubble teas) into a mound and blow hard. Experiment with different sizes, and simply squish bubbles back into a mound to reuse and repeat.

For more bubble fun, make sure to check out my guide on making… more