Phones, Cell Phones & Wireless Telephony
Telecommunications devices, including cell phones, satellite radio or Voice over IP, connect us to one another and to the world of information at our fingertips. Learn all about the technologies we depend upon for efficient communication.
This "Fight Club" app turned out to be a hoax, but could it have served a positive purpose by being real?
At long last, the new HowStuffWorks is here! We've completely rebuilt the app for iOS 8 and Android. A new look, new content and endless hours of getting smarter, all from the team at HowStuffWorks!
Jailbreaking your phone can lead to a more personalized user experience. Learn more about jailbreaking in this video from TechStuff.
It's drive time. You open up your Google Maps app to see where the traffic bottlenecks are. But where does the app get its information? Here's a hint: It might come from you.
An ever-expanding network of cell towers means you can call a friend from some of the world's most remote spots. But can you do it from the bottom of the ocean?
You just sent someone a text message on your iPhone, and now you're waiting for him to text back. You know he's typing something because you see those three little bubbles. But how does your phone know that?
Your latest selfie might reveal more about what's going on in your community or country than what's going on with your hair today.
Amazon's jumped into the smartphone market with a device that's loaded with bells and whistles. But does the Fire phone pose a threat to privacy? And is it just geared to making us buy more things from Amazon?
Strolling along with your attention focused on your smartphone screen is a recipe for disaster. Well, there's an app for that.
Cell phone theft accounts for nearly half of all U.S. robberies. That's why some big city mayors are calling for mandatory kill switches on phones to make them inoperable if stolen. But mobile carriers are fighting the requirement. Why?
You may have seen ads for the MagicJack on late night TV or seen them displayed in retail outlets. Can the MagicJack's promise of low-cost phone service be for real?
You may have been awakened in the night by loud blaring noise and an alert text on your phone. Who sends these alerts, and why are you getting them?
Thefts of hand-held devices are on the rise, and iPhones are very popular with thieves. Apple's working on a solution -- a new use of the phone's accelerometer that can actually tell if it's in the hand of a bandit.
Whether it’s slow to respond or flat-out broken, a failing home button is a major iPhone annoyance. Will you have to pay to have it serviced or replaced, or can you address the problem on your own?
There are lots of reasons why you might want to snag a screen capture of your smartphone: an epic texting conversation that you want to immortalize, for example. But do you know how to do it?
Is it smarter to use a retailer's mobile app or their Web site to shop with them?
Mobile e-commerce is all the rage these days. So is the argument over mobile apps versus the Web. So which is the better option for online shopping on the go: a company's app, or its Web site?
Millions of people enjoy the games and other applications on Facebook. But to participate, they have to give the apps permission. Do the developers have something up their sleeves?
Why buy an expensive e-reader when you can e-read any book you want on your phone? Go ahead and download one of these e-reader apps, then devour a juicy novel.
In the past, if you wanted to own an iPhone, AT&T was the service provider you had to live with. Now you can get an "unlocked" iPhone and select any carrier you choose -- but it'll cost you.
Is your texting app taking a little longer to open, not responding well to typing or won't send texts quickly? You might have way too many old text messages hanging around.
Protecting a smartphone with a case is a no-brainer for a lot of phone owners. Others, however, don't think smartphone case protection is all it's cracked up to be.
If I put my smartphone in an armband or pocket while I run, can it overheat?
Smartphones can get a little hot when they're engaging in some heavy activity. But can that and their owners' exercise push them over the edge and make them overheat?
You may use your iPhone for everything from paying for groceries to helping you with your taxes, but it can also help you when you're out boating. Hurricane warnings? Yeah, there's an app for that.
Finding the best TV apps for your Android phone can be a bit boring compared to actually watching the shows. See if you agree with our picks for the best TV apps.
Even old-school, nature-loving birders can appreciate the usefulness of a good app. Which birding apps are best, and how can they help you pursue your favorite hobby?
