How-Tos

Android design has come a long way -- and evidently so has at least one file explorer app. Solid Explorer is a fully featured file management app with menu organization that makes sense paired with a classy user interface.

Generally when you open a file explorer you'll just see a directory listing, a few feature buttons, and maybe even a search box to look for specific files. Solid Explorer puts apps like these to shame with its arsenal of features.

Dual-panel browsing is the next step for Android file browsers and Solid Explorer knows it. Why would … Read more

During the WWDC keynote, Apple demoed several of the new features in iOS 6, including Facebook integration, the new Maps app, turn-by-turn directions, a "Do Not Disturb" feature for when you don't want to answer your phone, and several enhancements that make Siri "smarter." In total, iOS 6 brings more than 200 new features over iOS 5 and, with today's announcement, tons of app developers are flocking to Apple's iOS Dev Center to download the beta.

Before you can even think about installing the iOS 6 beta you'll need to have an … Read more

Customization is a major perk offered by Android devices. From widgets to menus to live wallpaper, you can make the device feel like your own. For some, going the extra mile of rooting their device for ultimate customization is no big deal. However, if you're not ready to root your Android but want to learn about another feature you can customize, you're in luck. Samsung's Galaxy Android devices will let you change the system font with just a few simple steps.

Note: Depending on your device, you may have preinstalled fonts to choose from; if … Read more

Facebook keeps promising to offer a better experience on its Android app, but a lot of users still find it to be buggy and slow. Because of these complaints, companies like One Louder Apps, makers of TweetCaster and 1Weather, have created a Facebook alternative. A newer choice in this category is Fast for Facebook. This app hosts many of the classic Facebook app features, except faster and more beautifully (Android 4.0) designed.

Step 1: Download a copy of Fast for Facebook on your Android device.

Step 2: Log in to your Facebook account and then choose experience … Read more

Tired of eating the same things over and over? Or maybe you're just looking to grab a deal at your favorite spot to eat? Time to check out Restaurant.com's Android app.

With this app you'll find options for gift certificates at restaurants that are local to you, and at a much better price. For instance, when I went looking for sushi, I found a local place that had options to spend $4 for a $10 gift certificate, or $15 for $25. Those are amazing deals if you're on a budget and don't want to … Read more

A tablet is only as good as the software it runs. Unfortunately for Android tablet owners, finding great tablet-optimized software can be a struggle. Browsing Google Play (formerly known as the Android Market), there's no easy way to filter out smartphone apps and focus just on the meaty tablet stuff.

The good news is that there are some great Android tablet apps out there, and they can be found with just a little extra effort.

The above video offers some of my best tips for finding all the great app content available for Android tablets. For a step-by-step walkthrough, … Read more

There's not much you can do in the way of customizing your iPhone's hardware. Unless you bedazzle it with Swarovski crystals, apply a GelaSkin, or give it a funky case, your iPhone will continue to stand undistinguished among its cookie-cutter siblings.

iFixit, a Web site that offers tools and parts to allow owners to repair, mod, and upgrade their iPhones, has another option for customizing your iPhone: unique rear panels.

After seeing iFixit's mirrored rear panel, I knew I had to have it. No, it's not a vanity thing -- I'm just tired of firing up the front-facing camera or squinting into the black rear-panel just to see if there's something stuck in my teeth.… Read more

Now that the Apple iPad finally includes a great camera, I suspect that many of you have taken beautiful photographs that you'd like to transfer back to your computer.

In this CNET How To, I'll walk you through Apple's prescribed methods for moving iPad photos over to your computer, including Photo Stream syncing via iCloud and syncing over USB.

If you're looking for other, more-advanced methods for transferring your iPad's photos, check out CNET's How To guides on apps such as Photo Transfer, Scotty, and Bump.

Otherwise, enjoy the above video and take a … Read more

After Apple's iOS 5.1.1 update was released last week, several users began reporting that their iOS devices had taken a significant battery life hit.

While the issues are not common to most users, it appears as though some iPhone and iPad owners found that the battery life they had come to expect was not apparent after updating to iOS 5.1.1 using Apple's over-the-air updating.

If you find your device is not getting the battery life it once was, a few troubleshooting tips provided by Apple Support Communities user sbaily4 could be of help.

First, … Read more