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How to force nonmobile Web site versions on Android browsers

The native HTML browser on Android phones often load mobile versions of websites automatically. Devices with large, beautiful screens, like the Samsung Galaxy 10.1, can easily take advantage of full versions. Sometimes Web sites give you the option to view the full version of the site, but not always. There's an easy way to force desktop versions to load, but first you'll need to access some hidden settings. Here's how:

Step 1: In the address bar of the Android browser, type, "about:debug" and hit the Enter key.

Step 2: Hit the Menu key … Read more

Green iPhone 4 case: The EcoShield+

Alas, going green always seems to cost a little extra, and at $39.99, Agent 18's EcoShield+ iPhone 4 case borders on the exorbitant.

That "+" stands for the nifty integrated kickstand, and while the case is expensive, we did check out a sample, and have to say that it's really pretty nice. Agent 18 also makes the same case without a kickstand for $5 less, but we think that added feature helps distinguish the case--and it does come in handy.

So what makes this black case green? Well, Agent 18 promises that it uses one recycled … Read more

Seagate GoFlex portable drive gets USB 3.0

Owners of Seagate's FreeAgent GoFlex Pro who've been wishing the portable hard drive came with USB 3.0 rather than merely USB 2.0 just got their wish.

Seagate announced today a new portable drive in its FreeAgent GoFlex family, the 1.5TB GoFlex Ultra-portable. The drive not only comes with USB 3.0 standard but boasts 1.5TB of storage, making it what appears to be the largest single-volume portable external hard drive currently on the market.

Other than the amount of storage, the new drive has the same superflexible design as the GoFlex Pro, meaning it can be used with any type of connection--be it USB, FireWire, or eSATA--merely by swapping out the adapters.

The GoFlex Ultra-portable comes with a USB 3.0 adapter, while the GoFlex Pro comes with a USB 2.0 adapter. These two adapters, like all GoFlex adapters, can be used interchangeably.

Note, however, that while the GoFlex Pro supports USB 3.0 too, you'll need to buy a separate adapter that costs around $40. Notably, the GoFlex Ultra-portable is the first portable external drive in the GoFlex family to support USB 3.0 out of the box.… Read more

State Farm Android app texts while you drive, so you don't have to

In an effort to curb the temptation to text while behind the wheel, State Farm Insurance Company is updating its Pocket Agent application for Android with a widget that will do your texting for you, sort of. The On the Move widget is essentially an SMS auto-responder that will intercept incoming text messages and automatically reply with a canned response.

After loading the app, users are able to compose and save their automated responses. Although the widget is primarily designed for use while in a moving vehicle, multiple responses can be saved and used for different situations or moods. For … Read more

Seagate GoFlex TV: Compelling option for file hoarders

Last year we reviewed Seagate's FreeAgent Theater+ Media Player and generally liked what we saw, particularly the device's ability to play back most file formats. For 2010, Seagate has put out an updated version of that product that offers very similar features but has a more compact design and a built-in slot for the company's GoFlex external USB hard drives, which conveniently work with both Windows and Mac computers.

A USB media player allows you to view on your TV multimedia files that are stored on your computer, without much fuss. Of course, game consoles such as … Read more