HowStuffWorks Newsletter
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.
Wondering how Pokemon Go picks its locations? Niantic, the former Google company that makes the uber popular game, has had a little experience sending gamers searching.
Ever wished the dude in front of you would just put down his phone and watch the concert? Apple's one of several companies working to enable that seemingly simple desire.
You could buy about 27 iPhone 6s models for the price of just one "ultra-secure" Solarin phone, a new product from startup Sirin Labs.
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Identifying strangers with a smartphone app that scours social media sites and comparing photos? Are we one step closer to personally targeted ads and creepy stalking?
A new, always-on app harnesses the power of your smartphone's motion-sensing accelerometer to crowdsource earthquake detection.
By switching from a conventional windshield to a Gorilla Glass hybrid windshield, Ford was able to cut more than 12 pounds from its all-new Ford GT supercar.
Tech is changing how artists make music, enhancing their ability to capture, record and share. Advances in the mobile arena bring new meaning to the term "phone it in."
By Chris Opfer
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This app, which is supposed to locate your cell phone, has sent more than one person to the same wrong house. But why?
By Dave Roos
Soon, the state trooper at your car window might ask you for your vehicle registration, proof of insurance — and your smartphone.
What if you could get advance warnings before feeling depressed or craving a chocolate binge? IBM's still-in-development wearable tech Appetit could do just that..
Jailbreaking your phone can lead to a more personalized user experience. Learn more about jailbreaking in this video from TechStuff.
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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.
By Beth Brindle
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?
By Beth Brindle
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?
By Beth Brindle
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.
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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?
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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?
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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?