How-To Geek
Subaru adds hands-free highway driving to 2026 Outback—here’s how it works
2026 Subaru Outback Touring and Touring XT owners can now receive a free dealer-installed software update to activate a hands-off highway driving system.
Home Assistant 2026.3 has arrived: Here’s what’s new
Home Assistant, the open-source smart home server, just received another significant update. Home Assistant version 2026.3 is now rolling out with more automation improvements, wake words for Android devices, and much more.
What happened to USB Type-B? And why is it still important?
We have been using USB connectors for three decades now—yet many people don’t even realize there’s a Type-B connector. For most, there’s the older, rectangular USB-A connector, the modern, petite USB-C connector, and a few micro-USB connectors in between. I know folks who think the square-ish, chunky, beveled connector hiding behind their printer or connecting their audio gear is actually a proprietary connector. But guess what—that’s actually a USB Type-B connector—and here’s why this forgotten middle child of tech is still essential.
Everything coming to Paramount+ in March
There’s so much excitement happening on Paramount+ in March that, if you’re not a subscriber, you’re totally going to miss out unless you remedy that asap. Not only is the streaming giant dropping two brand-spanking-new Taylor Sheridan series on us, but it’s also hitting us with new original films, an additional new CBS series, and a new season of an original docuseries. It’s also time for March Madness, so all the college basketball fans out there will have plenty of games to watch.
Frozen light, DNA cassettes, and laser-etched glass: Sci-fi storage tech that makes your SSD look like a floppy disk
I've written extensively about how fragile our data storage technology is. So far, the most robust medium we've come up with are carvings in stone or clay tablets, which is why we can read a complaint about poor-quality copper written in 1750 BCE.
BIOS updates are no longer optional
If you own a Windows PC or laptop, you’ve probably been told to avoid BIOS updates unless something is wrong, likely to prevent a catastrophic issue like bricking your motherboard. However, with security, performance, and compatibility all at stake, I think they're essential for all machines.
The 3 best accessories to plug into your TV’s USB port
Modern TVs are smart, meaning all you need to do is plug them in and turn them on. Most of the setup involves downloading the streaming services you subscribe to and signing in to them.
Every streaming service that's raised its prices in 2026 (so far)
The streaming industry is in its "nothing stays still" era. Catalogs continuously rotate, bundles get reshuffled and dropped, services rebrand, merge, and corporate consolidation keeps rewriting the map. The latest whiplash example is Paramount Skydance’s victory over Netflix to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, a reminder that the industry is still very volatile and that these corporate wars often come with a higher monthly bill for us.
I don’t care if my phone gets long-term updates
Lengthy software support has become one of the main selling points in modern smartphones. Manufacturers that offer only three or four years of updates are often criticized when competitors promise half a decade or more of support, even on mid-range phones.
Dead laptops, old DVRs, and PS4s: How to harvest free SATA drives for your PC
You probably have a lot of old hardware that has outlived its usefulness. And if you're desperately looking for storage in these dire times of price hikes, you might be pleasantly surprised.
Stop fixing Excel formulas: 5 vital habits for data integrity
Whether you're an Excel novice or a seasoned spreadsheet pro, we all share one dream: for our formulas to just... work. These five data integrity habits ensure your data stays clean, and your formulas stay functional, giving you more time to focus on the stuff that actually matters.
These 5 Sonos features are still better than any alternative I’ve tried
I’m old enough to say that I’ve been a Sonos user pretty much since the start, and let’s be honest—the last couple of years have been tough on the brand. They’re still recovering from the app overhaul gaffe that frustrated a lot of customers (myself included), while competitors like Bluesound and Wiim have taken a few bites out of their lunch.
The $599 MacBook Neo is the new budget laptop to beat
After months of rumors, leaks, and speculation, Apple has finally revealed its new affordable laptop: the MacBook Neo. There are some notable downgrades compared to the MacBook Air, but it looks like a fantastic computer for $599, and education customers can get it for just $499.
Lossless Scaling isn't just frame generation: 5 unique ways to use your NVIDIA GPU's most versatile feature
Lossless Scaling often gets framed as cheap frame generation. It's true: It costs $7, and it can do incredible things, such as bringing your old Nvidia GTX 1060 GPU out of retirement for the purpose of being a second GPU.
Microsoft Word bloat is real, and these old versions prove it
Open Microsoft Word in 2026, and before you type a single word, you're greeted by a search bar, a ribbon full of icons, a Share button, templates, and an AI assistant in the margins. All you wanted was a blank page. Instead, you got a dashboard.
Good smart home safety starts with these 7 key sensors
Your smart home can make your life a little easier, but it can also make your home safer. There are several smart home sensors that can help to protect you and your home.
5 Milwaukee tools every new homeowner should buy from Home Depot
New homeowners getting ready for upcoming projects or maintenance will want to find power tools that balance power, price, and versatility, all in a compact form factor. You have several brands to choose from, and Milwaukee is a popular option among DIYers and professionals.
4 weird ports you'll only find on super-old Android phones
These days, new phones come with brighter screens, more RAM, and increased durability, but there was also a time when an important aspect of considering a new phone involved checking its selection of ports. Quite a few ports came and went before Android phones settled on the one USB port to rule them all.
This device keeps my smart home running when everything else fails
Your smart home going down can be a real pain. There may be automations you rely on daily that suddenly no longer work. If there's a power outage, your smart home doesn't have to give up the ghost.
I only spend $40 a year on Sling TV—here's how
Remember when cord-cutting and canceling cable were all about saving money? It's no secret that streaming services just keep getting more expensive. Sling TV started at $20 per month and now costs double that, and YouTube TV launched at $35 but slowly ballooned to over $80. Last spring, I canceled my service and went a different route that only cost me around $40 for the entire year.


