Dan Graziano/CNET Phones these days can be used for more than making calls. In an effort to compete and stay relevant in an increasingly crowded market, smartphone manufacturers are incorporating more features into their devices. One feature that is gaining traction is the inclusion of an IR blaster, which can be used to transform a …

Josh Miller/CNET You may have noticed over the past few months that your once-speedy Android device has slowed down considerably. Simple tasks such as switching between apps or returning home are proving more troublesome than before, and you are now experiencing lag in all the wrong places. Things don’t have to be this way, however. These simple tips and tricks …

Sarah Tew/CNET Demand appears to be sky-high for Google’s $35 TV dongle. The low price tag proved to be appealing to consumers, who have been quick to adopt the company’s latest gadget. Hours after being announced late last month, the Chromecast had already sold out across a variety of outlets. Despite there being only a handful of compatible applications, such …

Sarah Tew/CNET The Moto X is one of the most talked about smartphones of the year. Despite not being equipped with a full HD display and a quad-core processor like other high-end devices, Motorola still managed to bring something special to the market. The company tweaked the Android operating system just enough to deliver a unique user experience that helps …

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are designed to alert mobile users in the United States about missing children (also known as Amber Alerts), severe weather, and presidential announcements for national emergencies. Alerts are geographically targeted, meaning you won’t receive a notification for a missing child in San Francisco if you live in New York, and vice versa.  The system has proven …