11 must-have apps for your new Android phone

<div class="imageContainer580xX" style="width:320px;height:auto;clear:both;margin:auto;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:19px"><img alt="th phoneapps primary" class="largeImage imgId100221536 " itemprop="image" src="http://zapt3.staticworld.net/images/article/2013/12/th_phoneapps_primary-100221536-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 320px; max-width: 100%;"></div> <div class="department" style="margin:0px 0px 10px;overflow:hidden"><a class="topCatLink" href="http://www.techhive.com/category/android" style="color:rgb(215,114,39);float:left;font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;margin-right:5px"><br> </a></div><div id="article-meta-target" style></div><span itemprop="articleBody description text" style><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Welcome to your shiny new Android phone! I know that new phones can feel a little overwhelming at first, but you should feel comfortable in no time. Naturally, your Android phone came bundled with many of Google's own applications, like Google Maps and Google Keep, but to really trick out your new smartphone, you should head to the Google Play store for some killer apps. These 11 are must-haves for any Android phone—most are free and none is over $7.</p> <h2 style="font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Dropbox</h2><a class="zoom" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/dropbox_android-100220726-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="dropbox android" height="249" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/dropbox_android-100220726-small.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="140"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> Cloud services are all the rage, but Dropbox is especially helpful in the way it pairs with your mobile device. A Dropbox account lets you sync files and folders between your mobile device and PC or Mac, seamlessly. You get 2GB free, and can buy extra space or earn it through referring friends. The best part of the app, however, is its automatic camera upload abilities, which backs up all of your photos and videos to the cloud so you'll always have a copy stowed away somewhere safe.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Price</strong>: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dropbox.android" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Free</a></p><h2 style="font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em"> AirDroid</h2><a class="zoom" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/airdroid_android-100210563-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="airdroid android" height="249" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/airdroid_android-100210563-small.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="140"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> You don't have to use a cable to transfer media from your computer to your phone, or even dig your phone out of your bag to send text messages. Instead, you can use AirDroid to control your smartphone from your computer's Web browser.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">AirDroid lets you easily move things on and off your device. You can send a text message from your desktop, peruse call logs, and drag-and-drop pictures, music, and ringtones. There's even the ability to locate and lock your Android phone should you lose it, though this feature is already natively built-in to most devices with Android 4.2.2 and up via the Android Device Manager. If you're feeling silly, you can even set up your Android phone as a spy camera with the Camera mode.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Price</strong>: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sand.airdroid" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Free</a></p><h2 style="font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em"> Astro File Manager</h2><a class="zoom" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/astrofilemanager_android-100220725-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="astrofilemanager android" height="249" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/astrofilemanager_android-100220725-small.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="140"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> Navigating the files on your Android devices can be a bit of a pain. Although AirDroid can help facilitate getting those files on and off of the device, sometimes finding files and media on your phone can be a chore.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> With Astro File Manager, you can organize, view, and find almost any file contained on your Android device. You can also use the app to browse through various cloud-based accounts, including Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, and SkyDrive, and even move files between them. The app works with your SD card (if your phone has one) and can open almost any archived ZIP files and email attachments too. The paid version removes ads. </p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Price</strong>:free</p><h2 style="font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Google Voice</h2><a class="zoom" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/googlevoice_android-100220727-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="googlevoice android" height="249" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/googlevoice_android-100220727-small.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="140"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> We've <a href="http://www.techhive.com/article/2029995/use-a-google-voice-phone-number-to-keep-your-personal-number-private.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">said it before</a> and we'll say it again: anyone with an Android device should have a Google Voice number, at least as backup. The service is mostly free, though limited in some of its offerings—there's no way to send photos through text messages, for instance—but it makes up for it in things it <em style>can</em> do.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Google Voice assigns you a phone number, in addition to the one already associated with your phone through your carrier, so that you can send free texts, make cheap phone calls to your friends and family overseas, or even use it as the default voicemail system to take full advantage of its transcription abilities.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Price</strong>: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.googlevoice" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Free</a></p><h2 style="font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em"> Google Keyboard</h2><img alt="googlekeyboard android" height="358" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/googlekeyboard_android-100210559-large.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> Unless your phone is emblazoned with the word "Nexus," it's likely you're dealing with a seriously skinned version of Android—and a virtual keyboard that's forced on you by the manufacturer. If you just can't stand it, try on the official Google Keyboard for size.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Google Keyboard is the default keyboard application that Google supplies in stock version of Android. It's mostly bare-bones, though it features gesture typing, voice typing, and dictionaries for 26 languages. There's even emoji support, though only in Android 4.4 KitKat. Alternatively, if you're looking for keyboard apps that are a little more feature filled, we've got a <a href="http://www.techhive.com/article/2052142/the-keys-are-alright-6-android-keyboard-apps-to-try.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">list of those</a>for you, too.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Price</strong>: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.inputmethod.latin" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Free</a></p><h2 style="font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em"> VSCO Cam</h2><a class="zoom" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/vscocam_android-100220730-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="vscocam android" height="249" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/vscocam_android-100220730-small.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="140"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> You're not sure if your phone came with enough vintage photo filters, you say? Luckily for you, iOS favorite VSCO Cam just recently hit the Google Play store.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">The free application features the usual arsenal of photo-editing tools, but you'll mostly get a kick out of its faux-realist vintage filters. You can choose the strength of each individual filter and then tweak it further even after you've applied it. Want to make the photo look even more weathered? Add a fade or drop the color saturation just a little bit. Once you're finished, you can share the photo across different social networks, like Google+, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and even VSCO's own VSCO Grid photo-sharing network.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Price</strong>: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vsco.cam" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Free</a></p><h2 style="font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em"> Podkicker</h2><a class="zoom" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/podkickerpro_android-100220728-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="podkickerpro android" height="249" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/podkickerpro_android-100220728-small.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="140"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> There is no need for a bloated, busy podcast app, which is why Podkicker is so highly recommended. You can download podcasts for offline listening and then delete them after you're finished, or engage car mode so that you're not distracted trying to navigate the menus to get to the episode you want to play. The paid version gets you even more features and removes all advertisements.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Then go subscribe to <a href="http://www.techhive.com/column/clockwise/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Clockwise</a>, our very own tech podcast.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> <strong style>Price</strong>: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ait.podka" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Free</a> or <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.podkicker" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">$3</a></p> <h2 style="font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">TuneIn Radio</h2><a class="zoom" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/2013-12-19-05.35.29-100211138-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="TuneIn_Android" height="249" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/2013-12-19-05.35.29-100211138-small.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="140"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> Whether you like to listen to a broadcast of your favorite team up to bat, or you just miss some of the radio stations from back home, TuneIn offers free access to more than 10,000 radio stations from around the world. If you're a fan of live radio shows, you can send yourself a reminder to "tune in" when it's on. Or if you miss the days of clock radios, you can even set your phone to wake you up to the radio. The paid version lets you record live radio shows and play them back later.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Price</strong>: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tunein.player" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Free</a>, or <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=radiotime.player" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">$7</a></p> <h2 style="font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Yelp</h2><a class="zoom" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/yelp_android-100210565-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="yelp android" height="249" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/yelp_android-100210565-small.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="140"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> Looking for a place to get a bite to eat? Or perhaps you're in the mood for some roller disco? Whatever you're hungering for, Yelp is the de facto service for checking out crowd-sourced reviews. Can't decide what you want to do at all? Just hit the Nearby button to see what's in the area. The best part of Yelp on your mobile phone is that it provides an easy-access button to get directions to where you're going.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Price</strong>: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yelp.android" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Free</a></p><br style><br style><h2 style="font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em"> ESPN SportsCenter</h2><a class="zoom" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/sportscenter_android-100210566-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="sportscenter android" height="249" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/sportscenter_android-100210566-small.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="140"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> Hey, sports buff. You don't have to lose track of your team just because they're not in season. ESPN SportsCenter can keep you connected with personalized news for your favorite teams, live scores, video highlights, and personalized alerts. And if you couldn't make it to the game, you can even follow along with the buzz on Twitter.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Price</strong>: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.espn.score_center" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Free</a></p><br style><h2 style="font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em"> Pocket</h2><a class="zoom" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/pocket_android-100210564-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="pocket android" height="249" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/pocket_android-100210564-small.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="140"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> The Web is a treasure trove of awesome content (hey, you're reading some right now!), but it's impossible to read every interesting thing you find the moment you find it. With a free <a href="http://getpocket.com/add/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Pocket account</a>, you can save articles, videos, and pictures from any of your computers' web browsers to the cloud. Then pull them up on your Android phone later when you've got some time to read.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Price</strong>: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ideashower.readitlater.pro" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Free</a></p></span>

11 must-have apps for your new Android phone

Welcome to your shiny new Android phone! I know that new phones can feel a little overwhelming at first, but you should feel comfortable...

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11 must-have apps for your new Android phone

<div class="imageContainer580xX" style="width:320px;height:auto;clear:both;margin:auto;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:19px"><img alt="th phoneapps primary" class="largeImage imgId100221536 " itemprop="image" src="http://zapt3.staticworld.net/images/article/2013/12/th_phoneapps_primary-100221536-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 320px; max-width: 100%;"></div> <div class="department" style="margin:0px 0px 10px;overflow:hidden"><a class="topCatLink" href="http://www.techhive.com/category/android" style="color:rgb(215,114,39);float:left;font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;margin-right:5px"><br> </a></div><div id="article-meta-target" style></div><span itemprop="articleBody description text" style><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Welcome to your shiny new Android phone! I know that new phones can feel a little overwhelming at first, but you should feel comfortable in no time. Naturally, your Android phone came bundled with many of Google's own applications, like Google Maps and Google Keep, but to really trick out your new smartphone, you should head to the Google Play store for some killer apps. These 11 are must-haves for any Android phone—most are free and none is over $7.</p> <h2 style="font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Dropbox</h2><a class="zoom" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/dropbox_android-100220726-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="dropbox android" height="249" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/dropbox_android-100220726-small.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="140"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> Cloud services are all the rage, but Dropbox is especially helpful in the way it pairs with your mobile device. A Dropbox account lets you sync files and folders between your mobile device and PC or Mac, seamlessly. You get 2GB free, and can buy extra space or earn it through referring friends. The best part of the app, however, is its automatic camera upload abilities, which backs up all of your photos and videos to the cloud so you'll always have a copy stowed away somewhere safe.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Price</strong>: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dropbox.android" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Free</a></p><h2 style="font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em"> AirDroid</h2><a class="zoom" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/airdroid_android-100210563-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="airdroid android" height="249" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/airdroid_android-100210563-small.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="140"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> You don't have to use a cable to transfer media from your computer to your phone, or even dig your phone out of your bag to send text messages. Instead, you can use AirDroid to control your smartphone from your computer's Web browser.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">AirDroid lets you easily move things on and off your device. You can send a text message from your desktop, peruse call logs, and drag-and-drop pictures, music, and ringtones. There's even the ability to locate and lock your Android phone should you lose it, though this feature is already natively built-in to most devices with Android 4.2.2 and up via the Android Device Manager. If you're feeling silly, you can even set up your Android phone as a spy camera with the Camera mode.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Price</strong>: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sand.airdroid" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Free</a></p><h2 style="font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em"> Astro File Manager</h2><a class="zoom" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/astrofilemanager_android-100220725-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="astrofilemanager android" height="249" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/astrofilemanager_android-100220725-small.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="140"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> Navigating the files on your Android devices can be a bit of a pain. Although AirDroid can help facilitate getting those files on and off of the device, sometimes finding files and media on your phone can be a chore.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> With Astro File Manager, you can organize, view, and find almost any file contained on your Android device. You can also use the app to browse through various cloud-based accounts, including Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, and SkyDrive, and even move files between them. The app works with your SD card (if your phone has one) and can open almost any archived ZIP files and email attachments too. The paid version removes ads. </p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Price</strong>:free</p><h2 style="font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Google Voice</h2><a class="zoom" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/googlevoice_android-100220727-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="googlevoice android" height="249" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/googlevoice_android-100220727-small.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="140"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> We've <a href="http://www.techhive.com/article/2029995/use-a-google-voice-phone-number-to-keep-your-personal-number-private.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">said it before</a> and we'll say it again: anyone with an Android device should have a Google Voice number, at least as backup. The service is mostly free, though limited in some of its offerings—there's no way to send photos through text messages, for instance—but it makes up for it in things it <em style>can</em> do.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Google Voice assigns you a phone number, in addition to the one already associated with your phone through your carrier, so that you can send free texts, make cheap phone calls to your friends and family overseas, or even use it as the default voicemail system to take full advantage of its transcription abilities.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Price</strong>: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.googlevoice" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Free</a></p><h2 style="font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em"> Google Keyboard</h2><img alt="googlekeyboard android" height="358" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/googlekeyboard_android-100210559-large.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> Unless your phone is emblazoned with the word "Nexus," it's likely you're dealing with a seriously skinned version of Android—and a virtual keyboard that's forced on you by the manufacturer. If you just can't stand it, try on the official Google Keyboard for size.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Google Keyboard is the default keyboard application that Google supplies in stock version of Android. It's mostly bare-bones, though it features gesture typing, voice typing, and dictionaries for 26 languages. There's even emoji support, though only in Android 4.4 KitKat. Alternatively, if you're looking for keyboard apps that are a little more feature filled, we've got a <a href="http://www.techhive.com/article/2052142/the-keys-are-alright-6-android-keyboard-apps-to-try.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">list of those</a>for you, too.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Price</strong>: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.inputmethod.latin" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Free</a></p><h2 style="font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em"> VSCO Cam</h2><a class="zoom" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/vscocam_android-100220730-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="vscocam android" height="249" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/vscocam_android-100220730-small.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="140"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> You're not sure if your phone came with enough vintage photo filters, you say? Luckily for you, iOS favorite VSCO Cam just recently hit the Google Play store.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">The free application features the usual arsenal of photo-editing tools, but you'll mostly get a kick out of its faux-realist vintage filters. You can choose the strength of each individual filter and then tweak it further even after you've applied it. Want to make the photo look even more weathered? Add a fade or drop the color saturation just a little bit. Once you're finished, you can share the photo across different social networks, like Google+, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and even VSCO's own VSCO Grid photo-sharing network.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Price</strong>: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vsco.cam" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Free</a></p><h2 style="font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em"> Podkicker</h2><a class="zoom" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/podkickerpro_android-100220728-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="podkickerpro android" height="249" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/podkickerpro_android-100220728-small.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="140"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> There is no need for a bloated, busy podcast app, which is why Podkicker is so highly recommended. You can download podcasts for offline listening and then delete them after you're finished, or engage car mode so that you're not distracted trying to navigate the menus to get to the episode you want to play. The paid version gets you even more features and removes all advertisements.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Then go subscribe to <a href="http://www.techhive.com/column/clockwise/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Clockwise</a>, our very own tech podcast.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> <strong style>Price</strong>: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ait.podka" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Free</a> or <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.podkicker" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">$3</a></p> <h2 style="font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">TuneIn Radio</h2><a class="zoom" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/2013-12-19-05.35.29-100211138-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="TuneIn_Android" height="249" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/2013-12-19-05.35.29-100211138-small.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="140"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> Whether you like to listen to a broadcast of your favorite team up to bat, or you just miss some of the radio stations from back home, TuneIn offers free access to more than 10,000 radio stations from around the world. If you're a fan of live radio shows, you can send yourself a reminder to "tune in" when it's on. Or if you miss the days of clock radios, you can even set your phone to wake you up to the radio. The paid version lets you record live radio shows and play them back later.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Price</strong>: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tunein.player" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Free</a>, or <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=radiotime.player" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">$7</a></p> <h2 style="font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">Yelp</h2><a class="zoom" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/yelp_android-100210565-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="yelp android" height="249" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/yelp_android-100210565-small.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="140"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> Looking for a place to get a bite to eat? Or perhaps you're in the mood for some roller disco? Whatever you're hungering for, Yelp is the de facto service for checking out crowd-sourced reviews. Can't decide what you want to do at all? Just hit the Nearby button to see what's in the area. The best part of Yelp on your mobile phone is that it provides an easy-access button to get directions to where you're going.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Price</strong>: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yelp.android" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Free</a></p><br style><br style><h2 style="font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em"> ESPN SportsCenter</h2><a class="zoom" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/sportscenter_android-100210566-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="sportscenter android" height="249" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/sportscenter_android-100210566-small.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="140"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> Hey, sports buff. You don't have to lose track of your team just because they're not in season. ESPN SportsCenter can keep you connected with personalized news for your favorite teams, live scores, video highlights, and personalized alerts. And if you couldn't make it to the game, you can even follow along with the buzz on Twitter.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Price</strong>: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.espn.score_center" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Free</a></p><br style><h2 style="font-family:ff-enzo-web,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em"> Pocket</h2><a class="zoom" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/pocket_android-100210564-orig.png" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="pocket android" height="249" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/pocket_android-100210564-small.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="140"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> The Web is a treasure trove of awesome content (hey, you're reading some right now!), but it's impossible to read every interesting thing you find the moment you find it. With a free <a href="http://getpocket.com/add/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Pocket account</a>, you can save articles, videos, and pictures from any of your computers' web browsers to the cloud. Then pull them up on your Android phone later when you've got some time to read.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Price</strong>: <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ideashower.readitlater.pro" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Free</a></p></span>

11 must-have apps for your new Android phone

Welcome to your shiny new Android phone! I know that new phones can feel a little overwhelming at first, but you should feel comfortable...

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Save your power cables with a little help from twist-ties

<div class="imageContainer580xX" style="width:320px;height:auto;clear:both;margin:auto;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:19px"><img alt="twist ties primary" class="largeImage imgId100221596 " itemprop="image" src="http://zapt1.staticworld.net/images/article/2013/12/twist-ties_primary-100221596-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 320px; max-width: 100%;"></div> <div class="department" style="margin:0px 0px 10px;overflow:hidden"><a class="topCatLink" href="http://www.pcworld.com/category/gadgets" style="color:rgb(172,31,43);float:left;font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;margin-right:5px"><span style="line-height:1.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:15px">I've owned four Mac laptops over the last decade or so, but I've gone through countless power adapters. Invariably, the adapters fail because the cord frays where it meets the brick or the connector that plugs into the computer. Argh. So annoying. While you might not be able to prevent power adapters from failing, this simple hack could help extend the life of your power adapter or computer cables.</span><br> </a></div><span itemprop="articleBody description text" style><h2 dir="ltr" style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">What you'll need</h2><img alt="supplies" height="435" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/supplies-100221592-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"><ul style="margin:1em 0px;padding:0px 0px 0px 40px"> <li dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.45em">The power brick or cable that you want to help protect</li><li dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.45em">2 twist-ties</li><li dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.45em"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanoacrylate" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Cyanoacrylate</a>-based glue (like <a href="http://www.supergluecorp.com/super-glue" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Super Glue</a> or <a href="http://www.krazyglue.com/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Krazy Glue</a>)</li> <li dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.45em">A sheet of newspaper or plastic to place on your work surface</li><li dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.45em">About 15 minutes</li></ul><h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em"> How to do it</h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Step 1:</strong> To start, take a twist-tie and snugly loop it around the connector end (or brick end) of the cable, about a half inch from where the cable meets the brick or connector. Place a small amount of glue on the very end of the cable, slide the twist-tie loop down onto the glue, and let it dry for a couple minutes.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the glue and heed any warnings it provides. You may want to protect your work surface from damage with a sheet of newspaper or plastic. And make sure you don't get glue on any connectors; otherwise, you might render the cable unusable.</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/start-100221593-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="start" height="435" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/start-100221593-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> Hook the twist-tie around the end closest to the connector or power brick, then use a little glue to hold it in place.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Step 2:</strong> Wrap the twist-tie on the cable in a helix fashion. It should be in a fairly tight helix to provide the cable with ample protection.</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/helix-100221594-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="helix" height="435" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/helix-100221594-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> Cable-wrapping in progress.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Step 3:</strong> Once you reach the end of the twist-tie, loop it snugly around the cord as you did in step 1, and apply a small about of glue to the end to keep the twist-tie in place.</p> <h2 dir="ltr" style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">The end result</h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">And that's it. Once you're done, you should get something that looks like this:</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/finished_product-100221595-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="finished product" height="387" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/finished_product-100221595-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> The finished product.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">At this point, go ahead and repeat these steps on the other end of the cable.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> We use this trick on various power adapters in our lab, and so far, it's worked pretty well for us.</p></span>

Save your power cables with a little help from twist-ties

I've owned four Mac laptops over the last decade or so, but I've gone through countless power adapters. Invariably, the adapters f...

Read more »

Save your power cables with a little help from twist-ties

<div class="imageContainer580xX" style="width:320px;height:auto;clear:both;margin:auto;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:19px"><img alt="twist ties primary" class="largeImage imgId100221596 " itemprop="image" src="http://zapt1.staticworld.net/images/article/2013/12/twist-ties_primary-100221596-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 320px; max-width: 100%;"></div> <div class="department" style="margin:0px 0px 10px;overflow:hidden"><a class="topCatLink" href="http://www.pcworld.com/category/gadgets" style="color:rgb(172,31,43);float:left;font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;margin-right:5px"><span style="line-height:1.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:15px">I've owned four Mac laptops over the last decade or so, but I've gone through countless power adapters. Invariably, the adapters fail because the cord frays where it meets the brick or the connector that plugs into the computer. Argh. So annoying. While you might not be able to prevent power adapters from failing, this simple hack could help extend the life of your power adapter or computer cables.</span><br> </a></div><span itemprop="articleBody description text" style><h2 dir="ltr" style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">What you'll need</h2><img alt="supplies" height="435" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/supplies-100221592-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"><ul style="margin:1em 0px;padding:0px 0px 0px 40px"> <li dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.45em">The power brick or cable that you want to help protect</li><li dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.45em">2 twist-ties</li><li dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.45em"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanoacrylate" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Cyanoacrylate</a>-based glue (like <a href="http://www.supergluecorp.com/super-glue" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Super Glue</a> or <a href="http://www.krazyglue.com/" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">Krazy Glue</a>)</li> <li dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.45em">A sheet of newspaper or plastic to place on your work surface</li><li dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.45em">About 15 minutes</li></ul><h2 style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em"> How to do it</h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Step 1:</strong> To start, take a twist-tie and snugly loop it around the connector end (or brick end) of the cable, about a half inch from where the cable meets the brick or connector. Place a small amount of glue on the very end of the cable, slide the twist-tie loop down onto the glue, and let it dry for a couple minutes.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Be sure to follow the instructions that came with the glue and heed any warnings it provides. You may want to protect your work surface from damage with a sheet of newspaper or plastic. And make sure you don't get glue on any connectors; otherwise, you might render the cable unusable.</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/start-100221593-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="start" height="435" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/start-100221593-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> Hook the twist-tie around the end closest to the connector or power brick, then use a little glue to hold it in place.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Step 2:</strong> Wrap the twist-tie on the cable in a helix fashion. It should be in a fairly tight helix to provide the cable with ample protection.</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/helix-100221594-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="helix" height="435" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/helix-100221594-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> Cable-wrapping in progress.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"><strong style>Step 3:</strong> Once you reach the end of the twist-tie, loop it snugly around the cord as you did in step 1, and apply a small about of glue to the end to keep the twist-tie in place.</p> <h2 dir="ltr" style="font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.25em">The end result</h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">And that's it. Once you're done, you should get something that looks like this:</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/finished_product-100221595-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="finished product" height="387" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/12/finished_product-100221595-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> The finished product.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">At this point, go ahead and repeat these steps on the other end of the cable.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> We use this trick on various power adapters in our lab, and so far, it's worked pretty well for us.</p></span>

Save your power cables with a little help from twist-ties

I've owned four Mac laptops over the last decade or so, but I've gone through countless power adapters. Invariably, the adapters f...

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Cool down an overheated laptop

<div class="imageContainer580xX" style="width:320px;height:auto;clear:both;margin:auto;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:19px"><img class="largeImage imgId100039102 " itemprop="image" src="http://zapt2.staticworld.net/images/article/2013/05/0606-thumb-100039102-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 320px; max-width: 100%;"></div> <div class="department" style="margin:0px 0px 10px;overflow:hidden"><a class="topCatLink" href="http://www.pcworld.com/category/laptop-computers" style="color:rgb(172,31,43);float:left;font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;margin-right:5px"><br> </a></div><span itemprop="articleBody description text" style><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">A hot computer is a bad computer. Excess heat can cause malfunctions and crashes, and permanently damage your hardware. And although laptops generally put out less heat than desktops (energy efficiency is a higher design priority), they have their own unique problems. They're rarely as well ventilated as a desktop, and much more difficult to clean.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Keeping a laptop cool is all about ventilation. If the hot air can't escape, you're going to have a problem.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Whenever your laptop is on, make sure that nothing blocks the vents (which are probably on the sides). Don't put the PC on a pillow or a soft mattress, where it's likely to sink in and get blocked.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">And never, ever put your laptop in a bag unless it's off, hybernated, or in sleep mode.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">You'll rarely find vents at the bottom of a laptop, yet heat tends to accumulate there. If the bottom is hot to the touch, consider buying a laptop cooler--a pad that goes under the laptop and whisks away the heat. Many of them have fans. Prices range from about $8 to $40.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">I'm not going to recommend a particular model because I don't use one. At least for my laptop, an empty but sturdy cardboard box is sufficient.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> If you let dust accumulate in a PC, you're bound to have problems. And you'll have to fix those problems with a good cleaning.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Marco Chiappetta described the cleaning process in <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2037100/youre-a-dirty-dirty-dusty-pc.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">You're a dirty, dirty, dusty PC</a>. But he used a desktop, and desktop PCs are designed for easy user maintenance.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Laptops are trickier. You can try using a can of compressed air (I bought one recently for $4) to blow the dust away from the vents. But that's a very limited solution. The dust may get away from the vent, but it's still inside the PC.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Try this: Shut down the laptop and turn it over. Examine the bottom. You'll likely find panels that can be removed with a small screwdriver. Open them up and see what you get access to. If you see dust, clean it away with compressed air.</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/05/0606-laptop-apart-1500-100039105-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="269" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/05/0606-laptop-apart-1500-100039105-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>Click for full size<a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/05/0606-dust-bunny-1500-100039104-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="264" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/05/0606-dust-bunny-1500-100039104-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>Click for full size<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> Unfortunately, the real dust problem may be in places that require a more complicated dismantling. If you feel comfortable taking apart a laptop, go ahead. Otherwise, you may want to take it to a professional.</p></span>

Cool down an overheated laptop

A hot computer is a bad computer. Excess heat can cause malfunctions and crashes, and permanently damage your hardware. And although lap...

Read more »

Cool down an overheated laptop

<div class="imageContainer580xX" style="width:320px;height:auto;clear:both;margin:auto;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:19px"><img class="largeImage imgId100039102 " itemprop="image" src="http://zapt2.staticworld.net/images/article/2013/05/0606-thumb-100039102-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 320px; max-width: 100%;"></div> <div class="department" style="margin:0px 0px 10px;overflow:hidden"><a class="topCatLink" href="http://www.pcworld.com/category/laptop-computers" style="color:rgb(172,31,43);float:left;font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;margin-right:5px"><br> </a></div><span itemprop="articleBody description text" style><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">A hot computer is a bad computer. Excess heat can cause malfunctions and crashes, and permanently damage your hardware. And although laptops generally put out less heat than desktops (energy efficiency is a higher design priority), they have their own unique problems. They're rarely as well ventilated as a desktop, and much more difficult to clean.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Keeping a laptop cool is all about ventilation. If the hot air can't escape, you're going to have a problem.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Whenever your laptop is on, make sure that nothing blocks the vents (which are probably on the sides). Don't put the PC on a pillow or a soft mattress, where it's likely to sink in and get blocked.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">And never, ever put your laptop in a bag unless it's off, hybernated, or in sleep mode.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">You'll rarely find vents at the bottom of a laptop, yet heat tends to accumulate there. If the bottom is hot to the touch, consider buying a laptop cooler--a pad that goes under the laptop and whisks away the heat. Many of them have fans. Prices range from about $8 to $40.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">I'm not going to recommend a particular model because I don't use one. At least for my laptop, an empty but sturdy cardboard box is sufficient.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> If you let dust accumulate in a PC, you're bound to have problems. And you'll have to fix those problems with a good cleaning.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Marco Chiappetta described the cleaning process in <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2037100/youre-a-dirty-dirty-dusty-pc.html" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">You're a dirty, dirty, dusty PC</a>. But he used a desktop, and desktop PCs are designed for easy user maintenance.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Laptops are trickier. You can try using a can of compressed air (I bought one recently for $4) to blow the dust away from the vents. But that's a very limited solution. The dust may get away from the vent, but it's still inside the PC.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Try this: Shut down the laptop and turn it over. Examine the bottom. You'll likely find panels that can be removed with a small screwdriver. Open them up and see what you get access to. If you see dust, clean it away with compressed air.</p> <a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/05/0606-laptop-apart-1500-100039105-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="269" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/05/0606-laptop-apart-1500-100039105-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>Click for full size<a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/05/0606-dust-bunny-1500-100039104-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="264" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/05/0606-dust-bunny-1500-100039104-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>Click for full size<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> Unfortunately, the real dust problem may be in places that require a more complicated dismantling. If you feel comfortable taking apart a laptop, go ahead. Otherwise, you may want to take it to a professional.</p></span>

Cool down an overheated laptop

A hot computer is a bad computer. Excess heat can cause malfunctions and crashes, and permanently damage your hardware. And although lap...

Read more »

Spruce up your Windows Media Center TV guide with My Channel Logos XL

<div class="department" style="margin:0px 0px 10px;overflow:hidden;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;line-height:21px"><a class="topCatLink" href="http://www.pcworld.com/category/windows" style="color:rgb(172,31,43);float:left;font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;margin-right:5px"><br> </a></div><span itemprop="articleBody description text" style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;line-height:21px"><a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/06/my-channel-logos-xl-guide-100040701-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="335" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/06/my-channel-logos-xl-guide-100040701-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>My Channel Logos XL enhances your Windows Media Center program guide in many cool ways.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> Despite Microsoft's endless attempts to crush my enthusiasm, I continue to be a fan of Windows Media Center. At least, I'm trying to be: It's not included with Windows 8. I'd literally have to spend $100 to get it as part of Microsoft's Pro Pack. (Windows 8 Pro users can buy WMC for $9.99, a slap in the face to the rest of us.)</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Thankfully, I still run Windows 7 on my tuner-equipped media-center PC, and therefore still get to enjoy the benefits of the software.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> Especially the add-ons. WMC is nothing if not customizable, and one of my all-time-favorite additions is My Channel Logos. The latest version, <a href="http://www.mychannellogos.com/predownload" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">My Channel Logos XL</a>, is the best one yet.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">True to its name, My Channel Logos adds TV-network logos to the program guide in Windows Media Center. That may not sound like a big deal, but it really enhances the look of the guide, while at the same time making your favorite channels easier to spot at a glance.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">The new XL version brings a few nifty updates to the table, including the option of making the logos 25 percent wider. The developer also improved their visual quality, while at the same time letting you reduce the wasted "white space" around them.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">I especially like the new guide-sizing features. For example, with one tick of a check-box you can switch to a three-hour view (meaning the guide shows three hours' worth of listings instead of the usual two).</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">You can also add more rows to the guide—anywhere from seven to 12. MCL accomplishes this without changing the font size, instead simply leveraging all that extra empty space that's usually around the guide.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">See for yourself: In the accompanying screenshot, I've got 10 rows and a three-hour view. Nothing is lost; much is gained. I am <em style>so</em> loving this.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> To get My Channel Logos XL, you'll need to donate either $5 or $10 via PayPal. If you're a hardcore Windows Media Center user, that's a fair price for such a cool add-on.</p></span>

Spruce up your Windows Media Center TV guide with My Channel Logos XL

My Channel Logos XL enhances your Windows Media Center program guide in many cool ways. Despite Microsoft's endless attempts to crus...

Read more »

Spruce up your Windows Media Center TV guide with My Channel Logos XL

<div class="department" style="margin:0px 0px 10px;overflow:hidden;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;line-height:21px"><a class="topCatLink" href="http://www.pcworld.com/category/windows" style="color:rgb(172,31,43);float:left;font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;margin-right:5px"><br> </a></div><span itemprop="articleBody description text" style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;line-height:21px"><a class="zoom cboxElement" href="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/06/my-channel-logos-xl-guide-100040701-orig.jpg" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)"><img alt="" border="0" height="335" src="http://images.techhive.com/images/article/2013/06/my-channel-logos-xl-guide-100040701-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: auto; height: auto; max-width: 100%; float: left;" width="580"></a>My Channel Logos XL enhances your Windows Media Center program guide in many cool ways.<p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> Despite Microsoft's endless attempts to crush my enthusiasm, I continue to be a fan of Windows Media Center. At least, I'm trying to be: It's not included with Windows 8. I'd literally have to spend $100 to get it as part of Microsoft's Pro Pack. (Windows 8 Pro users can buy WMC for $9.99, a slap in the face to the rest of us.)</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Thankfully, I still run Windows 7 on my tuner-equipped media-center PC, and therefore still get to enjoy the benefits of the software.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> Especially the add-ons. WMC is nothing if not customizable, and one of my all-time-favorite additions is My Channel Logos. The latest version, <a href="http://www.mychannellogos.com/predownload" style="color:rgb(37,167,215)">My Channel Logos XL</a>, is the best one yet.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">True to its name, My Channel Logos adds TV-network logos to the program guide in Windows Media Center. That may not sound like a big deal, but it really enhances the look of the guide, while at the same time making your favorite channels easier to spot at a glance.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">The new XL version brings a few nifty updates to the table, including the option of making the logos 25 percent wider. The developer also improved their visual quality, while at the same time letting you reduce the wasted "white space" around them.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">I especially like the new guide-sizing features. For example, with one tick of a check-box you can switch to a three-hour view (meaning the guide shows three hours' worth of listings instead of the usual two).</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">You can also add more rows to the guide—anywhere from seven to 12. MCL accomplishes this without changing the font size, instead simply leveraging all that extra empty space that's usually around the guide.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">See for yourself: In the accompanying screenshot, I've got 10 rows and a three-hour view. Nothing is lost; much is gained. I am <em style>so</em> loving this.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> To get My Channel Logos XL, you'll need to donate either $5 or $10 via PayPal. If you're a hardcore Windows Media Center user, that's a fair price for such a cool add-on.</p></span>

Spruce up your Windows Media Center TV guide with My Channel Logos XL

My Channel Logos XL enhances your Windows Media Center program guide in many cool ways. Despite Microsoft's endless attempts to crus...

Read more »

How to do smarter file searches in Windows 8

<div class="imageContainer580xX" style="width:320px;height:auto;clear:both;margin:auto;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:19px"><img class="largeImage imgId100040091 " itemprop="image" src="http://zapt5.staticworld.net/images/article/2013/06/windows-8-file-explorer-search-100040091-large.jpg" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: middle; width: 320px; max-width: 100%;"></div> <div class="department" style="margin:0px 0px 10px;overflow:hidden"><a class="topCatLink" href="http://www.pcworld.com/category/windows-8" style="color:rgb(172,31,43);float:left;font-family:facitweb,sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:700;text-transform:uppercase;margin-right:5px"><span style="line-height:1.7em;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:'Helvetica Neue',Arial,sans-serif;font-size:15px">For me, one of the most awkward aspects of the Windows 8 Start screen (you know, the one with all the tiles) is file management.</span><br> </a></div><span itemprop="articleBody description text" style><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Specifically, if I want to browse or search my files (Word documents, PDFs, etc.), it's not immediately clear how to do so. There's no file manager to speak of, at least not amidst the tiles, so anyone accustomed to an earlier version of Windows might be left thinking, "Dude, where's my data?"</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">As you may have learned, you can search for files the same way you can search for apps and settings: just start typing. Windows 8's dynamic search option immediately displays and filters results as you type.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">Just one problem: File searches don't extend beyond what's contained in your Libraries. So if you've migrated over some folders that exist outside Libraries or prefer to organize documents and such in a different way, your searches will be fruitless--and frustrating.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">In that case, you're better off using File Explorer, the file manager formerly known as Windows Explorer. With it you can conduct much more comprehensive searches and review a more detailed batch of results.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">To access File Explorer from the Start screen, perform any of these three steps:</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">1. Type <strong style>file</strong>, then click the <em style>File Explorer</em>app.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">2. Move your mouse to the lower-left corner of the screen, right-click, and then choose <em style>File Explorer</em> from the pop-up menu.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em"> 3. Press <strong style>Win-E</strong> (i.e. the Windows key and E key). This is without question the fastest way to get there.</p><p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">By default, File Explorer points to Libraries, but you can make it search more broadly by clicking your desired drive or folder in the navigation pane at left, then typing your search parameters in the Search field.</p> <p style="line-height:1.7em;margin:0px 0px 0.7em">If Windows 8's standard search option works for you, by all means stick with it. But my preference is definitely a quick tap of <strong style>Win-E</strong> for a more old-school file manager.</p> </span>

How to do smarter file searches in Windows 8

For me, one of the most awkward aspects of the Windows 8 Start screen (you know, the one with all the tiles) is file management. Specifi...

Read more »