4 Hacks for Turning Your Technology into Something It's Not

If you have an electronic device, whether it's a high-tech tablet or an everyday laptop, you can easily turn it into something else. In fact, take it one step further and become a hacker yourself.

If you know the right hacks, you can even rule the world—or at least your TV—with your smartphone.

Smartphone Hacks

Experts argue about whether you can honestly unlock your car using your phone, but they agree that advancing technology makes it a possibility—although only if you have remote keyless entry, of course. However, there are still convenient hacks for the new Windows phone and other smartphones.

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For example, there are apps and hacks that allow you to work your TV or cable boxes right from your phone, turning it into a brilliant universal remote. Right now, the ones for television sets work perfectly but cable providers are definitely working on their own hacks for operating DVRs.

Never pay for ringtones again. Find a song you like and either download it from your app store or turn the YouTube video into an MP3, then find one of many mixers that turn songs into ringtones, fully customized by you.

Tablet Hacks

It's just as easy to turn your tablet into a TV remote—or you can turn it into a TV with things like Netflix, Hulu, or HBO2Go. You can also hack someone else's cell phone and use your tablet as a super spy. All it takes is a special app or remote entry via your subject's phone number, plus a secret email address set up on your tablet. Never miss a text message, and never get caught—if you play it smart.

Turn your tablet into a debit or credit card if you like. Ask your bank for a new card, then look for the RFID chip. After locating it on the card, you have to cut it out. The hack involves your ability to slip it right into your tablet. Can you imagine never having to carry a plastic card around again? No one would ever realize what you were doing.

Laptop Hacks

Laptops have lots of hacks. They make fantastic displays for movies and TV shows, especially in HD, and they're awesome gaming consoles. You can also create a second monitor for a desktop PC, which increases your productivity.

If your laptop's worn out or obsolete, don't throw it away. You can actually hack parts of it for many uses. There's a stellar laptop battery hack that will let you get the most for your money, especially since it seems like such a waste to get rid of those powerful batteries. Failing that, did you ever think about turning it into a tablet?

Miscellaneous Hacks

Several hacks work for all of your devices. If you're handy with wires, try turning your laptop, tablet, or phone into its own hotspot device. Use materials you have on hand at home to create your own backseat TV in your car or create phone or tablet holders without spending money on store-bought items.

A simple HDMI cable allows you to hook up any one of your devices to your flat screen TV, instantly turning it into a computer monitor or a phone screen. Just because a certain item has an intended purpose doesn't mean you can't use it in different ways. It helps to have a tech-savvy side when you're coming up with hacks, however, so feel free to share some of your best kept secrets.

Todd Hawkins

About the Guest Author:

Software Engineer Todd Hawkins enjoys creating useful and marketable programs, but for him part of the fun is testing the limits of technology.