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4 Phone hacks

Released on: 2022-08-08

Here are 4 easy phone hacks that make your phone more useful and enjoyable to use.

  • 00:00 Ominous intro.
  • 00:10 4 - Matte screen protector on a curved display.
  • 00:31 3 - Magnetic phone ring.
  • 01:17 2 - Tea bag (hook).
  • 01:52 Fumbling.
  • 01:56 1 - Keyboard.
  • 03:11 Wrap-up.

Table of contents

How to apply a matte screen protector to a curved display

How to apply a matte screen protector to a curved display.

My phone is just curved enough that screen-protector manufacturers choose not to cover the curved area. It’s not actually difficult to achieve; it just takes a little trial and error. So this is a tutorial for how to do that.

  • 00:00 Intro.
  • 00:10 The problem.
  • 00:26 What I did instead.
  • 00:45 Steps.
  • 00:50 Tips.
  • 01:47 Wrap-up.

A better magnetic ring for your phone

A ring on your phone makes it easier to reach more of your screen, and gives you confidence that you’re not going to drop it.

A magnetic phone ring gives you the ability to customise it for what you’re doing at a given moment, while still having the advantages of a convention phone ring.

When there were no phone rings on the market, I developed my own, and have reached a design that I like much more.

  • 00:00 Intro.
  • 00:08 Why?
  • 00:32 What do you need?
  • 01:07 Magnet considerations.
  • 02:56 Back to what’s needed.
  • 03:03 Step 1: Remove original glue from the phone ring.
  • 03:15 Step 2: Lay the ring out in preparation for gluing.
  • 03:39 Step 3: Mix the epoxy glue, and apply to the ring.
  • 03:44 Step 4: Apply the magnet to the ring.
  • 04:44 Step 5: Apply glue to the other side of the magnet.
  • 04:46 Step 6: Cut a large square of rubber.
  • 04:59 Step 7: Apply rubber to the magnet.
  • 05:14 Step 8: Turn assembly over to store while the glue dries.
  • 05:28 Step 9: Let dry.
  • 05:30 Step 10: Cut off excess rubber.
  • 05:34 Wrap-up.

Magnetic teabag to attach your phone to metal surfaces

A magnetic hook/teabag to attach your phone to a metal surface like the back of the seat in front of you.

  • 00:00 Intro.
  • 00:04 What and why?
  • 00:35 Original design.
  • 01:02 A better way…
  • 01:25 What you need.
  • 01:31 Step 1: Harvest rubber from the glove.
  • 02:05 Step 2: Apply glue to one side of the magnet.
  • 02:14 Step 3: Glue in the string.
  • 02:24 Step 4: Apply glue to the other side of the magnet.
  • 02:35 Step 5: Find a way to keep it flat while drying.
  • 02:59 Step 6: Carefully cut away excess rubber.

Make a slide out keyboard for your phone

Here’s how I made a slide out keyboard for my phone.

  • 00:00 Intro.
  • 00:05 Why?
  • 00:44 Warning about my method, and suggestions for doing it more safely.
  • 01:03 What you need.
  • 01:45 Step 1: Prototype in paper.
  • 02:00 Things to think about while designing it.
  • 02:17 Step 2: Create the housing.
  • 03:08 Step 3: Attach the housing to the keyboard.
  • 04:08 Step 4: Attach small neodymium magnets and the large main magnet.
  • 05:07 Step 5: Fix sharp edges.
  • 05:15 Step 6: Let it dry.
  • 05:16 Step 6: Enjoy it.
  • 05:17 A note about how much glue is needed.
  • 05:47: Wrap-up.

This post references

2022-03-07
The RandomKSandom series is the spiritual successor to FunnyHacks. Here, you can find all of the posts about it.
2023-08-22
After 4 non-stop intensely challenging years, it was time for a change. Here are some highlights so far.

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