covers

Getting started with Video on Instagram

Facebook on Thursday held an event to announce a "big idea," according to the invitation sent out last week. Immediately rumors started circulating that Facebook and Instagram were going to take on Twitter's Vine service by adding video to the popular filtered-photo social network.

The rumors were true.

As of today iOS and Android (the Android version has yet to show up in the Google Play store, but it should be there sometime today) users will be able to install Instagram 4.0, complete with a new Video on Instagram feature.

Once you have the update installed, … Read more

Samsung Galaxy S4 gets wireless charging help from accessories

Samsung is no stranger to peddling smartphone accessories that fit into its ever-expanding hardware portfolio. Meet the latest member of this family, the Samsung Wireless Charging Pad ($49.99).

Intended to play nicely with the company's Galaxy S4 flagship smartphone, the charging pad is actually compatible with all smartphones that use the prevalent Qi standard.

Unfortunately, your U.S. Galaxy S4 is about to prove codependent. That's because it doesn't have wireless charging built in, so to even use the charging pad, you're going to have to fork out for the charging cover, a $39.99 … Read more

Review: Cover Photo Maker for Facebook Free customizes your cover photo

Cover Photo Maker for Facebook Free lets users easily create their own custom Facebook cover photos. While a few features were off limits in the free version we tested, we were still pleased by the number of tools available to us and their ease of use.

First, to get started with Cover Photo Maker for Facebook, you'll need to choose a layout from a pretty large menu. We opted for the three blocks, side by side. Tapping each block gave us access to our iPhone's albums, where we selected a picture. With just the touch of your fingertip, … Read more

Review: Show song lyrics and cover art in iTunes with Cover Version for Mac

Frequent iTunes users may want a way to better display cover art and track information. Cover Version for Mac attempts to add information beyond the default iTunes display, but does not provide a stable user experience and ultimately fails to deliver.

Cover Version for Mac offers a free plug-in for the iTunes software. After downloading, the user must click and drag the application into the plug-ins folder. Unfortunately, there is no installer to do this for the user. While the application preferences menu lists support for updates, there did not appear to be any additional user technical support available. Once … Read more

Create customs disc covers with Disc Cover for Mac

Those users who create many DVDs or other media need the ability to create labels to suit their needs. Disc Cover for Mac allows users to apply custom graphics and create labels for their discs in a well-designed package.

Disc Cover for Mac installs quickly and is very easy to set up. Included with the installer was a file with basic introductions and requirements for the program, as well as a lengthy user agreement. The program is available as a free trial version, with a payment of $34.95 required for the full version and removal of a watermark on … Read more

Change your Facebook cover photo using the iPhone app

Facebook released an update to its iOS app this week. Included in the change log was group-messaging enhancements, along with adding the ability for users to change their cover photos.

The feature was once in the Facebook iOS app, but was removed when Facebook released the completely native, revamped iOS app. Android users received a similar native update, and shortly after its release the ability to change cover photos was added.

You will only be able to change your cover photo using the iPhone app, not from your iPad. Perhaps Facebook is trying to help stop people from taking pictures … Read more

Galaxy S4: Cool features, awful launch

CNET Update didn't expect Samsung to be sexist:

Samsung finally unveiled its flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S4. But this was no ordinary press conference. The Galaxy S4 presentation was a campy Broadway-styled spectacle that was painful to watch with sexist caricatures of women.

Despite the distasteful event, the Galaxy S4 will surely be a big seller and top rival to the iPhone. Today's video offers a quick explanation of the smartphone's new features, such as being able to navigate by waving a hand over the screen. (Many of these features will also come to Galaxy S3 users.) … Read more

Apple eyes wireless charging via the iPad's Smart Cover

iPad owners may one day be able to wirelessly charge their tablets without the need for a separate charging station.

Published today by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Apple's patent application called "Integrated Inductive Charging In Protective Cover" describes a method of using the iPad's Smart Cover itself as the wireless charger.

The cover would be built with inductive power coils and possibly a battery, both of which could provide juice to the iPad. Charging the tablet this way would be a simple matter of closing the cover, which would then power the iPad … Read more

The killer iOS 7 feature the iPad needs: Touch-pad support

It took using the Microsoft Surface Pro to make me remember an article I wrote a year ago, about productivity on an iPad.

I love using the iPad. I also love some of its keyboard accessories. As a product, it's superior to a Surface Pro. But that doesn't mean it's the perfect laptop replacement. And that's still, in my opinion, largely because of one little touch pad. Or, a lack of it.

The iPad never claimed it was a laptop replacement. It stands in its own, hard-to-define "post-PC" territory. Yet, accessories have sprung up … Read more

Outex shields adventuresome dSLRs from water, mud, snow

If you like to roll around in the mud, you might like the Outex Waterproof Camera Cover.

It features a patented seal design that keeps your camera watertight (up to about 33 feet) and weathersealed from snow, mud, and dust. The accessory is crafted from a special latex compound that makes it flexible and rugged. It also comes with a large circular window at the rear that allows users to preview images and gives a full view of your camera controls. … Read more