The stereotypical geek is not good at sports. Think about it, we’re known for spending time in dark basements doing weird stuff that has nothing to do with running around and being active. So we’re known for our inability to play sports, but I wouldn't call it an inability so ...more
For the first time ever, iPhones will be getting live panoramic wallpapers in iOS 7, but it's something Android devices have always embraced. On your Samsung Galaxy S3, you can have anything as your Home or Lock screen background, from a static wallpaper, to a live interactiv ...more
People fear virtual reality will isolate us, but the right experience can prove it does the opposite. AltspaceVR is a virtual world you can utilize to chat with others around the world, but that's not all. You can also play card and board games, a game of laser tag, or a song ...more
Smartphones have become such a big part of our lives these days that they're now closely associated with our personal identities. No longer is it Ford versus Chevy, rock versus rap, or PC versus Mac—now, you're either an Android person or an iOS person. Don't Miss: 10 Things ...more
If you've read or watched anything Harry Potter before, you know friendship and teamwork are huge parts of the story. The same goes for Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, with its "Wizarding Challenges." Here, you can tackle Fortresses full of Foes alone, but why do that when you ca ...more
When it comes to playing videos from your personal media library, VLC is hard to beat. But let's say you want to play videos from an Android device by connecting it to your TV — what app should you use then? VLC is still the answer, particularly once you've enabled its TV-frie ...more
When it comes to mobile gaming, it's tough to beat Apple Arcade. With over 100 games and counting, there's something for everyone to play. That said, the ever-growing list of titles can make it difficult to find the games that are right for you. That's why Apple Arcade's sorti ...more
Most of the time, the LED notification light on the front of your Android device just sits there doing nothing. Other than that brief period of time between when you receive a notification and when you turn your screen on, it's practically useless for anything other than showi ...more
You've likely seen light-up musical keyboards that teach you how to play a song with visual cues, but few of those devices exist and have a limited number of songs you can actually learn. But Karl Baumann and his HoloLens Hackathon team figured out that in mixed reality, you c ...more
Being able to take screenshots on Android isn't something we were always able to do. It was added to stock Android in Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 (Gingerbread 2.3, if you were a Samsung TouchWiz user) as a simple full screen screenshot, and that's the way it's remained ever since—u ...more
Minesweeper is one of those games that everyone plays, but hardly anyone actually knows how to play. Most people just click random squares and see how far they can get. If you don't want to take the time to learn how it works, but still hate losing, computer science student B ...more
BioShock: Infinite just came out today, and some people will no doubt play the game all of the way through with the object of beating the game. Others, though, will not only want to beat the game, but will want to earn every single achievement (or trophy) possible—and the A Re ...more
Let's say you're flush with Google Opinion Rewards credits, or you just got a Google Play gift card for your birthday. This is a perfect opportunity to remove ads and unlock new features by upgrading some of your free apps to their paid counterparts, or to finally purchase tha ...more
Nothing can beat a portable system designed specifically for gaming. There are tons of emulators available on Google Play, but most have awkward controls, large game files, resolution issues, and hardware compatibility problems. The list could go on... The only problem with t ...more
Your phone's keyboard is one of the most commonly used apps. Whether you're typing out status updates, sending private messages, or just bombarding everyone in sight with as many emoji as you possibly can, you probably couldn't get by without a good keyboard app. Since Androi ...more
This year's I/O was all about bringing Android into the future and onto new devices. On top of announcing the upcoming "L" release of its mobile OS, Google showcased Android Wear, Android Auto, and Android TV. With a unified design language and notification mirroring, the var ...more
Soon all Android users will be able to use Samsung's cool Soundcamp app to write and record music. The announcement was made at the Samsung Developer Conference 2016, stating that the app, which was released last year for Samsung devices only, will become available to all phon ...more
Full disclosure — I have almost zero Street Fighter experience. The first time I played the game was at Barcade, way back in ... 2017. Yes, to the shame of gamers everywhere, this reviewer is a Street Fighter noob. Fortunately, my inexperience does nothing to hinder my apprec ...more
It may not be as large as the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, but the Galaxy S3's screen size is still big enough to make iPhone owners cry themselves to sleep. The 4.8-inch AMOLED display with 720 x 1280 pixels makes the GS3 a great mobile companion—and an even better portable gaming ...more
Old habits die hard. It may be a cliché, but it's undeniably true, especially when it comes to the bad ones. Nail-biting, fidgeting, and overspending can label you as someone who is obsessive-compulsive, overly nervous, and routinely stressed out, but you can make the break le ...more
A modern iPhone is capable of running sophisticated, exquisitely-rendered games that rival titles on current-generation consoles. However, there is some value in classic video game titles, whether you grew up playing games on the Atari 2600, Nintendo Entertainment System, and ...more
CyanogenMod, the popular custom ROM available for many Android devices, has a nice little feature that displays a music visualizer beneath your on-screen navigation keys while you're listening to your favorite songs. It's a subtle touch, but it makes for a more immersive exper ...more
If I could win a trophy for waking up to go to work or for eating a bowl of Frosted Mini-Wheats without any of the biscuits getting soggy, I think my life would be so much more awesome. The gaming industry has cornered the market when it comes to achievement-based rewards, bec ...more
Gaming just got easier, thanks to Apple. A secret feature on your iPhone or iPad makes it so much easier to beat that level or opponent you can't seem to defeat, and it can even help you learn to play a new game faster. Apple's secret weapon against challenging levels and see ...more
Zenge came to my attention as a free game on the Google Play store — it will remain free until midnight, so anyone catching this review on the 25th, download it ASAP — but I imagine it would be worth the typical $0.99. While it can be mentally-frustrating to purchase a game — ...more
Improving your experience online is getting easier every year. Browsing can be safe, easy, and boundary-less with the right VPN, and gaming online is working better than ever to connect and compete with other players. If you're looking to get the most out of your browsing and ...more
Swedish advertising company, Rolighetsteorin, recently created musical stairs reminiscent of Tom Hanks and Robert Loggia's beloved FAO Schwartz piano scene in Big. The campaign is for Volkswagen, though I'm fuzzy on the connection between the two. From the campaign site (Goog ...more
We love these Gomi Style guys. Creators of past sensations like the cardboard chair and aqua mirror, here they come with a new inspiration. Steampunk! Steampunk can be traced back to the mid-80s cyberpunk movement out of Silicone Valley. Steampunk enthusiasts make all sorts c ...more
My autistic son loves music. One afternoon, when he was nine, I downloaded GarageBand to his iPhone to help with the boredom of a long wait at a doctor's office. Instead of pacing or escalating into a meltdown, he spent the entire hour and a half practicing, learning, and comp ...more
While there aren't as many ways to customize your iPhone like there is on Android, there are still a lot of apps out there that can help streamline and enhance your experience beyond Apple's own default options — and we've hand-picked over 100 essentials. No matter if you've ...more
Sony's Xperia Z, which has generated quite a deal of excitement since its launch at the CES in Las Vegas last month, is already sold out in France with its expected U.S. release to be sometime in March. It's 5-inch, 1080p display puts it up there with some of the best smartpho ...more
When it comes to platform games on mobile, endless runners are some of the hardest to play since they can go on seemingly forever. There's always room for improvement since your goal is to beat your previous score (or someone else's high score). But which endless running games ...more
Whether you've celebrated multiple cake days or you're just now getting your feet wet with Reddit, it's a rite of passage to choose your preferred smartphone client. Quick spoiler: Your best option most certainly is not the official Reddit app. Reddit's mobile site is pretty ...more
Welcome back, my hackers apprentices! To own a network and retrieve the key data, we only need to find ONE weak link in the network. It makes little sense to beat our heads against heavily fortified systems like the file and database server when we can take advantage of the b ...more
This lesson covers six odd-time beats that are played in the 5/4 time signature. Unlike most rock drum beats, that are played in 4/4 with four quarter notes per measure, these beats are played with five quarter notes per measure. Watch the included video for step-by-step train ...more
This video lesson covers five fun drum beats that are played on the toms. Unlike most drum beats that are centered around the hi-hats or ride-cymbal, these grooves are built around tom-tom patterns. They aren't too difficult to play, and work well in a wide range of playing st ...more
Before you can start playing piano, you need to understand how the piano is set up, and how to read music. Pete Sears explains the alphabetic representation of the different piano notes, and discusses octaves and the relationship between notes. Then he teaches you everything a ...more
This lesson covers some of the most popular punk drum beats. Many of the patterns are relatively simple, but can still be challenging. This is due to the fact that they are typically played at fast tempos when performed in punk rock music. Play punk drum beats. Click through t ...more
This video covers six popular funk drum beats that you can use when playing at a funk gig! Funk is a popular style of music that has a lot of similarities to rock, especially as far as drums are concerned. Play funk drum beats. Click through to watch this video on howcast.com
In this video lesson, you will learn how to play the rumba clave, which is common within Latin drum beats. The clave is an essential pattern for Latin music that must be practiced regularly. The rumba clave is similar to the son clave, however it is different enough to give it ...more
This lesson includes six drum beats that are played in the 7/4 time signature. They are all considered odd-time, due to the fact that they aren't counted like popular 4/4 drum beats. The beats are still counted with quarter notes, but include seven in each measure instead of f ...more
This drum lesson teaches six popular jazz drumming beats that you can use at your next jazz gig. They build upon the basic jazz pattern covered in one of our previous drum lessons, and take your independence to the next level. Play jazz drum beats. Click through to watch this ...more
Pete Sears teaches you how to experiment with your chords while playing the piano. This is a great way to begin learning how to improvise.
The Bossa Nova is one of Brazil's most popular forms of Latin music. It is one of the more simple grooves to play, however it is extremely effective. The Bossa Nova is usually played at slower tempos, and is eighth-note based. You will notice there is a standard "Bossa Nova" c ...more
Learning how to play the son clave is essential for any serious Latin drummer. In this lesson, you will learn how to incorporate the son clave (a five note pattern) into common Latin grooves.
Sullivan is one of the harder and final bosses in Dead Rising 2. This video has some spoilers, so be wary! This video shows you how to fight Sullivan using R-trigger and the X buttons in a combo to take him out.
This lesson covers six unique sixteenth note accent beats. These are ideal for intermediate to advanced drummers that are looking for new ways to spice up their grooves. The patterns are somewhat similar to the two-handed sixteenth note beats, but they incorporate accents on c ...more
In music theory, the circle of fifths (or cycle of fifths) is an imaginary geometrical space that depicts relationships among the 12 equal-tempered pitch classes comprising the familiar chromatic scale.
1. First of all you have to place your hands on the piano in such a manner that they are level with the piano. 2. Your wrists must not be too low or too high. 3. Make sure that when you strike the keys then you must not flick the keys. 4. You must push your fingers down str ...more
Get an introduction on how to play the drums; get professional tips and instruction from an expert drummer on playing percussion instruments in this free music lesson video series. Part 1 of 39 - How to Play beginner drum beats. Play beginner drum beats - Part 2 of 39. Click t ...more
Play drums using basic beats and time signatures, different equipment and musical styles like jazz, funk and rock; learn how from our professional drummer this free drum tutorial video series. Part 1 of 15 - How to Play rock drum beats. Play rock drum beats - Part 2 of 15. Cli ...more
There are countless types of drum beats for every musical style and genre. Learn a few basic beats for different types of music with tips from a drumming instructor in this free music lesson video series. Part 1 of 15 - How to Play basic drum beats for different types of music ...more
Welcome to Minecraft World! Check out our advanced tutorials and come play on our free server. We've done musical workshops before, but for this Saturday's Weekly Workshop we will be creating a multi-channel music sequencer made famous by YouTuber FVDisco! The multi-channel m ...more
Smartphone technology has become as ubiquitous as automobiles. In Austin, Texas, a city that is widely known as the "Live Music Capital of the World," smartphones have been embraced by the music community not just as a way to document and promote, but to create music. A rock ...more
Steampunk music is an oft-debated genre, full of bands playing all sorts of different sounds. While this can make it difficult to generalize about the genre as a whole, it means that the average person is bound to like at least some Steampunk bands. That's why it's a great ide ...more
This fun video set to some piano playing is perfect to put you in the mood to make some delicious classic strawberry cheesecake. Cheesecake factory and the rest of the family with be envying you for years to come. Step 1: Ingredients: 1 Cup graham cracker crumbs 2 1/2 tbs. un ...more
SCRABBLE. To some it's just a game, but to me it's life or death. Well, not really, but it feels that way anyway. On a normal weekend, a game becomes much like Jon Thomas' "friendly game of death Scrabble." Video: . When I'm playing a game of SCRABBLE, my friends are not frien ...more
Kill with skill. That's the motto of the newly released Bulletstorm, available on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Windows. It may sound ridiculous and somewhat obnoxious by itself, but it's actually in regards to its many "ridiculous skillshots" that a player can perform. And yes, ...more
In this video, we learn how to play sixteenth notes and sixteenth rests. Start with the whole note and figure out how many beats it is worth. Treat this as a whole and then find the half note for each whole notes. If you continue to divide, you will end with two quarter notes ...more
Did you know that StarCraft 2 has a secret mission in it's campaign mode? It's called Piercing the Shroud, and if you've already played through the game and missed it or are playing through now and don't want to miss it, watch this video, which shows you how to unlock the miss ...more