Hacking Emperor

After an Instagram creator created a viral sensation last holiday season with the Which Disney camera effect, Disney followed it up with a Sponsored Lens playing a similar roulette with programming from Hulu. Now, Disney is back with a Snapchat Lens that takes its Hulu promotion and adds Disney+ and ESPN+ to cover its entire streaming video bundle. In addition, the media powerhouse has elevated the experience with some additional augmented reality effects. So, should you watch "The Mandalorian" (again) or spin some Golden Girls re-runs? Here's how to let go and let RNJesus take the wheel... more http://dlvr.it/Rcmkv6

If your smartphone is running Android 10, iOS 13, or a newer version of each, you have access to a system-wide dark theme. And that dark theme works well with Google Calendar, but it's not the only way to go dark. If you have an older operating system, it's still possible to darken Calendar's theme on your phone. Calendar has supported its dark theme since May 2019 on Android, but it took almost a year for Google to push it out for the iPhone. With it, you get increased battery life, reduced eye strain, and improved readability. Plus, it just looks cooler. Not sure how to get the look? Use a... more http://dlvr.it/RcmMg1

If you live in the US, it's your civic duty to understand our governing bodies and the political system that puts them in place. It doesn't matter what your age is, knowing who to vote for is as important as voting at all. That starts with policing your own representatives to help decide whether or not we should re-elect them. To navigate the confusion and complex world of politics, your best tool is your smartphone. There are numerous apps for Android and iOS that consolidate information in an easy to navigate UI. You can learn exactly what your representatives are voting on and the details... more http://dlvr.it/RcmMZJ

Samsung's stock Galaxy Themes system leaves much to be desired with its restrictive and expensive theme packs. Back in the day, the gold standard for Android theming was CyanogenMod Theme Engine. And while it no longer exists, a successor has emerged to fill the void. Hex Installer applies Substratrum-like themes using one app. It works with all One UI versions, so Samsung smartphones as old as the Galaxy S8 can take advantage of it. With Hex Installer, you can change the look of your Samsung device in ways that used to only be possible with root. It doesn't even require ADB commands — all... more http://dlvr.it/RchM13

In the Facebook app for Android and iOS, the shortcuts bar has a few necessary tabs to go home or view notifications or settings. But there are other tabs there that can make the interface feel cluttered if you don't use them often or at all. Thankfully, there's a quick trick to get rid of them for a cleaner navigation bar. For me, I hated seeing the Marketplace tab in the navigation bar, especially when there were notifications. The version of Facebook I have now on my iPhone omits it, but my Android device still shows it as a tab. But that's not all there is to worry about. There's also... more http://dlvr.it/RcdVtB

On Android, there is a vulnerability that Google doesn't seem to want to fix — anyone can open the Quick Settings panel on your lock screen. GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, all toggles accessible in this menu, are vital tools for locating your phone in case it is ever stolen. But thanks to Xposed, you can eliminate this potential risk. Based on an older module by char101, this will prevent all access to the Quick Settings while the phone is locked. However, you will still be able to see your notifications and access your media controls — that is, of course, until Android 11 puts them in the Quick... more http://dlvr.it/Rcd5lJ

For the longest time, Instagram didn't have a native collage feature. If you wanted to post a story with an assortment of photos, you'd need to use the company's Layout app or a third-party collage maker. Thankfully, that is no longer the case since Instagram now bakes Layout directly into the story camera. Layout has been available on Instagram since Dec. 17, 2019, when the feature began rolling out, and it's simple to access. Fire up the story camera, then choose the Layout option. If you have the old-style interface, swipe over to "Layout" in the feature carousel at the bottom. On the... more http://dlvr.it/RcYjV9

It is surreal how your playlists change over time. A song you loved in January will be forgotten about in May. With hundreds of singles from different artists coming out daily, it is easy to get distracted. Tidal understood this problem and created a solution called "History Mix." With History Mix, you can jump into a collection of songs based on your listening patterns. Unlike Spotify's Your Top Songs and Repeat Rewind, this isn't one big list for the entire time you've been subsribed to the music service. Instead, Tidal categorizes songs based on individual months, so you can see the moment... more http://dlvr.it/RcYJrC

After years of complaining about rising prices, OEMs are finally listening to consumers. It couldn't have come at a better time thanks to potential recession due to COVID-19. As evident with the poor sales of Samsung's Galaxy S20 series, consumers are not looking to spending $1,000+ on a smartphone just for the latest specs. A "budget flagship" is a smartphone with the top-tier specs offered at a more affordable price tag of under $700. OnePlus once dominated this market, but price creep has pushed their main flagship over a grand now. Thanks to the release of the latest Snapdragon 700... more http://dlvr.it/RcTwtj

Bootloops are a risk inherent to rooted devices — with great power comes great destroyability, after all. While custom recovery sometimes provides a quick fix when you flash the wrong Magisk module, with TWRP becoming more challenging to implement thanks to Android 10, the solution is a bit more complicated nowadays. If you find yourself in a bootloop caused by a Magisk module and are without a custom recovery, you need a special boot image to put Magisk into "Core-Only Mode." It's like a safe mode for Magisk, allowing you to boot into Android with all modules disabled, where you could then... more http://dlvr.it/RcTXXr

New wallpapers for new smartphones are basically a tradition at this point. That tradition doesn't change with the Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra — Samsung is introducing five fresh wallpapers for the new devices. Of course, Samsung would like these wallpapers to remain Note 20-exclusive, but that's not how we roll. Here's how you can get them on your iPhone or Android right now. We have these wallpapers thanks to Ishan Agarwal, self-described tech enthusiast with a knack for smartphone leaks. Agarwal posted uncompressed images to Twitter and as part of a Google Drive link, so we don't need... more http://dlvr.it/RcT23Y

Samsung uses their own SamsungOne font for their Galaxy lineup. But if you're coming from an iPhone or another Android device, you might not love it. With the help of this mod, however, you're sure to find a font that's right for you. Samsung's Galaxy Store has fonts that you can install. The problem is, many of them aren't free, averaging around $1.79 per font. But Galaxy users on One UI 2.0, aka Android 10, have another option. Using a series of APKs, you can have access to 73 different fonts for free. And best of all, it doesn't require root, just time and a good file browser. Requirement... more http://dlvr.it/RcKJRX

Software takes time to create, and time is money, so a lot of great apps aren't free. But to generate interest, some developers will make their paid apps free for a limited time. The potential for a long-term increase in daily active users more than offsets the short-term lost revenue. So for us end users, the trick is knowing when these sales are going on. There is an app on the Play Store that solves this problem. It searches the Play Store, looking for all paid apps that are currently discounted to free (as in $0.00), and then simply lists them in the app. Even better, if you're interested... more http://dlvr.it/RcJcfw

There was a period when Google knew they were switching to gesture navigation, but felt users weren't quite ready for it. The result was Android 9's two-button nav bar that you could both tap and swipe. Android 10 has since brought full-on gestures, and that's the version the Pixel 4 shipped with, so it never had that quirky, fun two-button setup. But you can bring it back, so to speak. With a simple Magisk module, you can add the old pill-and-back-button navigation to Android 10 on the Pixel 4. The pill works both as a traditional, tappable home button and a drag handle for the upward swipe... more http://dlvr.it/RcFMn2

After disappointing sales of the Galaxy S20, Samsung is ready to get the ball rolling on its second series of flagships, the Galaxy Note. Many of the new changes will make their way to this series, including the model number jump, as the Galaxy Note 10 sequel will be called the Galaxy Note 20. So far, leaks indicate this will be a big change for existing Galaxy Note users. After delivering one of the biggest year-to-year updates in the Galaxy S20, Samsung is slowing things down with the second flagship launch. Similar to Apple's S series and OnePlus' T series, this year's Note is better than... more http://dlvr.it/RcDyXd

Google has added a flurry of new features to its YouTube Music recently to prepare it to replace Google Play Music, which will be sent to live on a farm with Google Reader, Inbox by Gmail, and other sunsetted Google products by the end of the year. The latest comes in the form of Suggestions, which leverages machine learning to suggest songs to add to Playlists based on your listening habits or contents of your existing playlists. The feature is rolling out to users on a limited basis. We're lucky to have a device that has access to the new feature. Here's how it works. Don't Miss: How to... more http://dlvr.it/Rc9XPQ

Biometrics have a major flaw: they don't work well with personal protective equipment. Whether it's a mask obscuring facial recognition or gloves blocking the fingerprint scanner, it's a lot harder to unlock your phone when you're wearing the proper PPE. Thankfully, there are a few ways to speed things up. Before you decide to remove your screen lock and just go with a swipe, there are better options. While not all solutions will be applicable to all phones, they are all faster than inputting a password and safer than removing your mask. 1. Add a Trusted Bluetooth Device If you wear a... more http://dlvr.it/Rc9703

Facebook Messenger's user base has grown so much that it has taken over text messaging as the primary contact method for many people. However, sometimes you might want to hide your online status from specific contacts and appear offline to others. There's a neat little trick you should know that can help you achieve this. To get started, you need to log into the desktop version of Facebook on your phone using a web browser. In my case, I'm using Google Chrome, but any web browser of your choosing will work just fine. View the desktop version of Facebook on your phone: facebook.com/home.php... more http://dlvr.it/Rc5H5B

Nintendo's decision to add landscape mode to Mario Kart Tour makes the game feel more like the real deal. That said, it can be annoying to rotate your phone every time you want to play in landscape orientation. It can be even more annoying when the game switches between landscape and portrait view in the middle of a heated race. Luckily, there's a way to make sure every competition is played in widescreen. To start, open the app, then tap through any initial welcome screens or download pages until you end up on the game selection screen. Now, tap "Menu" in the bottom right, then tap "Settings... more http://dlvr.it/Rc4l6R

Google lets you change the system-wide accent color on its Pixel devices, but the options are a bit muted. If you'd like something more vibrant, developer Tulsadiver created a mod that will give you a wide selection of punchier colors. The accent colors will theme things like your Quick Settings tiles, the volume menu, buttons and toggles, and even some elements within third-party apps. The stock options are very understated colors — almost pastel — but with one of these Magisk modules installed, you can change them to a set of primary and secondary colors, one with multiple shades of orange... more http://dlvr.it/Rc1rbY

TWRP has been the king of custom recovery on Android for years now, thanks to device compatibility and core features. But there's a new player in town — at least, for OnePlus devices — and it's got a lot of useful features that might finally get you to ditch TWRP. Sky Hawk Recovery Project (SHRP) is a new custom recovery for OnePlus devices that offers some exciting features. Sky Hawk is actually based on the latest 3.4.0-0 version of TWRP, but you wouldn't guess it from looking at it. The team has integrated so many visual changes and extra options to Sky Hawk that it easily stands on its... more http://dlvr.it/Rc1SPf

Google has recently been pushing to replace the decades-old messaging technology we've been stuck with. SMS was never meant to handle the high-quality multimedia content we consume with our smartphones today, so in comes RCS, which is a universal platform that aims to change our messaging game forever. It's not an easy feat by any means, but Google has slowly been chipping away at making a real universal chat platform to bring everyone together rather than isolating them. The bigger picture here is to allow everyone around the world, not just the US, to communicate with one another using... more http://dlvr.it/Rbx4zQ

Twitter replies have traditionally acted like public spaces. Once a tweet is out there, pretty much anyone can reply to it. In some cases, that makes for good discussion. In others, it can lead to disaster, abuse, and harassment. Twitter's looking to change that by giving you more control over who can reply to tweets. The feature, announced in January 2020, is called "Conversation participants." Since then, it has changed a bit. In Twitter's most recent post on the subject, as well as in a conversations help page, the company doesn't name the option outright. More importantly, however, is... more http://dlvr.it/Rbv9Sq

OnePlus offers a variety of features that you don't get with some other Android phones. Parallel Apps is one of those standout extras you didn't know you might enjoy until you've tried it. It allows you to clone compatible apps installed on your device, which means you can use the same app with two different accounts, for example. But since the default OnePlus Parallel Apps feature only works with a select few supported apps, it might seem very limited. Luckily, there's an Xposed module by developer Alex193a called OnePlus PA Extender to make it more useful for power users. The module will... more http://dlvr.it/RbrgRb

If you don't use the stock clock app, you've probably run into an issue when using Google Assistant on Android. By default, it'll only use the clock app that came with your device to set timers and alarms, effectively ignoring your third-party clock. But there's a way to fix this. Open the Google app, tap the microphone icon, then simply say "set a timer." Tap the clock icon or the three-dot menu on the right, then a list of clock apps from the expanded menu will appear. Tap the clock app you want to use by default for your timers, set the "Duration" for one minute, then hit "Done." Now... more http://dlvr.it/RbrgNK

The next time you need to build some IKEA furniture or assemble a shelf in the bathroom, bring your Samsung Galaxy S20. It has a hidden feature that replaces one tool you will need for the job. While it's not exactly this feature's intended purpose, the stock camera app can very easily be used as a bubble level. To try it, switch to the Photo tab in the camera, tap the gear icon in the upper-left corner, then enable the "Grid lines" toggle. Place the phone with its display facing up on the surface you wish to test. Two indicators will appear in the center rectangle of the grid: a grey dot... more http://dlvr.it/RbrFhZ

Everyone has that internal checklist on the way out the door. Keys? ID? Phone? Check, check, check. But it still feels like you're missing something as you head off to work. It's not until your ringtone starts blasting at full volume in an important meeting that you realize what you forgot to do: put your phone on vibrate. On phones running Android 9 Pie or later, hold down the volume up button and the power button at the same time. A toast message will appear indicating your phone is on vibrate in about a half-second flat. Yep! It's really that simple. You can also make this key combination... more http://dlvr.it/RbmT9m

Google Fi Is a great wireless carrier alternative and can be quite beneficial when used correctly. If you don't require much data, you can easily get away with a $30 or less bill. However, if you wanted to crank out more data during your current billing cycle, there's a setting you should use to keep your data in check. To start, download or update the Google Fi app (Android | iOS) if needed, then open it to the main screen. Under "Data Usage" at the top, you'll need to tap the "Edit alert" button to set a limit on your data usage. Now, drag the slider under "You" to anywhere from 0.5 to 6.0... more http://dlvr.it/RblwKk

Google Maps Live View is already one of the more useful examples of augmented reality on smartphones that is available to the average consumer today. Leveraging Google's massive Street View library, Maps uses computer vision to identify your surroundings and then overlay virtual guidance on the camera view of compatible iPhones and Android devices. Now, Live View can also help you quickly calibrate your orientation in Maps in areas where GPS is finicky. Here's how to take advantage of it. Don't Miss: Hands-on with Google Maps Walking AR Navigation Experiment, A Peek into Our Smartglasses... more http://dlvr.it/RblwFR

You will likely have a 5G-capable phone within two years. Each carrier is working hard to improve its coverage for the next standard in mobile networks, and though the technology is fairly new and only a handful of phones support it right now, this will change very soon. Currently, only certain Android phones support 5G — no iPhones, even if it says "5G" in the status bar. However, the industry fully expects the next iPhone (iPhone 12 or whatever it will be called) to include 5G modems for the first time. When that occurs, expect 5G phones to flood the market. Jump to a Section: LG |... more http://dlvr.it/Rbh1Z3

On Android, you can connect your PayPal account to Google Pay so that you can use that as a payment option when checking out with Google's digital wallet platform. It even works across Google services like the Play Store, Gmail, YouTube, and the Google Store. If you have an iPhone, you can also use PayPal via Google Pay, but what you can do is limited. Having PayPal as a Google Pay payment option is most helpful on Android since there are so many places you can use it to purchase goods and services. You can even use PayPal to check out in stores using Google Pay. There is a Google Pay app for... more http://dlvr.it/RbdT9k

Instead of using a single APK, YouTube Vanced recently started being distributed as a bundle that requires a third-party app to install. Some fans found this too difficult, so the Vanced developers decide to make the process easier. The team behind YouTube Vanced created a new app called Vanced Manager. It has all the necessary files and tools, so you don't have to worry about downloading the right files anymore. And thanks to this new app, the installation process for YouTube Vanced is now dead simple. Step 1: Install Vanced Manager Head to Vanced Manager's download page at the GitHub link... more http://dlvr.it/Rbd7RJ

Fake news was one of the main driving factors for Google News taking its current form. It offers verified sources to ensure more accuracy in your news feed to help control the spread of false information. Something you may not know, however, is that you can view your favorite Google News topics from your home screen with a single tap. Open the Google News app to the main screen, go to the Following tab, scroll through your "Topics" list at the top and select one by tapping it. Now that you're at the home page for the topic, you can hit the three-dot menu in the upper right, choose "Add to... more http://dlvr.it/RbYJmV

Android 10 added the framework for OS-wide chat bubbles, a feature popularized by Facebook Messenger. The new system allows you to interact with incoming messages as if you were in the app — all without having to leave your current app. In Android 11, this feature is finally activated. Whereas in Android 10, only a few apps supported these features (basically Android Messages and few others), in Android 11, all messaging apps support Bubbles. You need only to turn it on first. Currently, this feature recently stopped working in DP4. However, we are confident it will return in the Beta and... more http://dlvr.it/RbQJmg

Not trying to gatekeep here, but if you're not customizing things on your Android phone, you're doing it wrong. Still, I won't shame you for not knowing what to do if you take this time to learn how to make one of the biggest changes you can make. Believe it or not, you can get an icon pack for your phone and it will completely transform the home screen and many other parts of the UI. These packs are collections of icons that usually share similar aesthetics. Some icon packs only modify a handful of apps designed by the OEMs, but for a complete makeover, third party icon packs from the Play... more http://dlvr.it/RbNDVK

One of the things you've likely gotten used to if you have a rooted Android phone is not installing OTA system updates in a typical fashion. Depending on your version of Android, you might not actually be able to swipe away that nagging update notification at all. Thankfully, there's a way to prevent your system from automatically checking for OTA updates. Step 1: Enable Developer Options The setting you need is buried within the developer options of your device, which means you have to do one extra step before you can stop the automatic OTA updates. To enable the developer options, open... more http://dlvr.it/RbMKMX

Android has finally got a proper alternative to Apple's AirDrop. With a few touches, Nearby Share lets you send files, links, and even tweets to Android, Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, or Linux. But AirDrop has not been without its share of issues, and thankfully, Google has learned from them. One alarming trend that emerged with AirDrop was users receiving unwarranted nude photos. Strangers would transfer exploitative images to nearby iPhones. Known as "cyber flashing," the photos could be sent anonymously as long as the sender is in a crowded area. As you can imagine, this has some users... more http://dlvr.it/RbJX69

We've seen some Android phones in the past make answering calls as simple as lifting the phone to your ear. Although it's not a highly mentioned feature, you can enable this setting on your OnePlus device in a few taps and stop having to fumble with an on-screen slider or button. Open your Settings app and go to Buttons & gestures –> Quick gestures –> Raise to answer/switch. Enable the "Raise to answer" option and you're all set. Close the settings menu, then wait for your next phone call to arrive. When it does, just lift the phone to your ear like you usually would, and it should... more http://dlvr.it/RbJX5X

Ever typed out a long message on your phone only to find several errors after you hit send? Proofreading would fix this, but anyone who's spent time trying to edit on a smartphone knows how difficult it is. Thankfully, Gboard makes this task easier. Gboard has a text editor feature that lets you jump around text with ease. Tap the circular menu icon in the top-left corner of the keyboard itself. This will expand a few options — tap the three-dot menu button here, then drag the "Text Editing" icon to the top row. Tap the back arrow in the top row to save your changes. Now when you need to... more http://dlvr.it/RbDChL

After teasing the feature in Android 10, Google finally added proper native screen recording to Android 11. But when you start a capture, you'll see a small red indicator in your status bar as long as recording is ongoing, which can really distract from your video. Thankfully, it can be removed with a little ingenuity. When initiating a screen recording in stock Android 11 (or stock-like skins), a countdown will appear on the right side of the status bar. Upon reaching zero, a red dot will appear, indicating your screen is currently being recorded. Thankfully, there's an app that can remove... more http://dlvr.it/RbCdjL

Android phones finally have a true AirDrop alternative called "Nearby Share." The new feature was added through an update to the Google Play Services app that comes pre-installed on all Android devices in the US, so you don't even have to wait on a firmware upgrade — it's just there. Nearby Share finally gives Android a universal file transferring system. It works for large files and links just the same, and it makes it super easy to share things with someone who's physically nearby. The beautiful part is that it's not a OEM skin feature, so every phone running Android 6.0 and up can use it... more http://dlvr.it/Rb8pzZ

After shipping a redesign of Google Photos and adding a neat new Map View feature for exploring photos, Google has made another change to manage the volume of photos and videos the app is handling during the Social Distancing Era. According to a post in its support forum, Google has turned off backup and sync on device folders for social media and messaging apps in the Android version of the app. So by default, it won't sync media from Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat, and essentially any other folder outside of your regular camera. Here's how to flip it and reverse. Don't Miss: How to See All... more http://dlvr.it/RZtvDf

On the Android version of the Telegram app, the attachment icon disappears when you input your first letter or emoji. This "feature" forces you to either delete what you wrote to attach a picture first, or just send the file afterward. Since both of those options suck, we were happy to find a hidden third way. Whenever you type a message and want to attach a file, just select the menu button in the upper-right corner of the display. Instead of the normal overflow menu with options like "Call" and "Search," it will reveal the attachment menu if you've already started typing — it even works the... more http://dlvr.it/RZtv8V

On the Android version of the Telegram app, the attachment icon disappears when you input your first letter or emoji. This "feature" forces you to either delete what you wrote to attach a picture first, or just send the file afterward. Since both of those options suck, we were happy to find a hidden third way. Whenever you type a message and want to attach a file, just select the menu button in the upper-right corner of the display. Instead of the normal overflow menu with options like "Call" and "Search," it will reveal the attachment menu if you've already started typing — it even works the... more http://dlvr.it/RZqhnJ

Picture in Picture mode is one of Android's best multitasking tools. Ever since its introduction in Android 8.0 Oreo, you've been able to watch videos in a floating window while you use other apps. In Android 11, this feature is getting its first real upgrade. In Android 11, you can now adjust the size of the PiP window. Instead of being stuck with a small, static thumbnail, you can can expand the window so you can enjoy your video — all while still not compromising your ability to use another app. With a supporting app, trigger PiP by playing a video or activating turn-by-turn navigation... more http://dlvr.it/RZq4Sk

After disappointing sales of the Galaxy S20, Samsung is ready to get the ball rolling on its second series of flagships, the Galaxy Note. Many of the new changes will make their way to this series, including the model number jump, as the Galaxy Note 10 sequel will be called the Galaxy Note 20. So far, leaks indicate this will be a big change for existing Galaxy Note users. After delivering one of the biggest year-to-year updates in the Galaxy S20, Samsung is slowing things down with the second flagship launch. Similar to Apple's S series and OnePlus's T series, this year's Note is better than... more http://dlvr.it/RZq4Qv