How-To Geek

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We explain technology. Learn more with our articles, reviews, tips, and the best answers to your most pressing tech questions.
Updated: 39 min 57 sec ago

Photoshop's new AI Editor is faster, but it costs you something the old way doesn't

1 hour 2 min ago

Adobe is constantly adding new features to its Creative Cloud toolbox, and Photoshop’s new AI-assisted Editor is the latest player in the mix. It should make editing tasks, from background removal to adding new objects, easier and faster.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Samsung's Secure Folder is basically a second phone hiding inside your Galaxy

1 hour 32 min ago

My phone is full of apps with various accounts for email, social media, messaging, banking, work, etc. I don't mind most of these apps being together on the same device, but there are some I'd like to keep separate. Thankfully, my Samsung Galaxy allows me to do that without needing a second phone.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The battery spec Ryobi and Milwaukee don't put on the box (and why it's a big deal)

2 hours 2 min ago

We all love our cordless power tools, especially with how easy it is to snap on a battery and get to work. And even though many of us own several tools from big names like Ryobi or Milwaukee, knowing which battery pack is the best one to buy or use is still somewhat confusing. That's by design, and here's the battery spec that neither brand puts on the box or label.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop chasing trendy Linux distros: pick one based on these 5 real problems instead

12 hours 2 min ago

With so many Linux distros out there, how do you know you're using the right one? Choosing a Linux distro is easy when you have to solve real problems, not made-up ones. Here's what you should focus on instead of what's trendy.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 Android privacy features that sound complicated but aren't

12 hours 32 min ago

Android gives you surprising control over your privacy and security, but some of the most useful settings are easy to overlook. The problem is that some features can sound like they're meant for people who know their way around a network or security console. If you're not particularly technical, it's tempting to leave them alone and assume they're either too complicated or already configured properly.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I ditched my Google Pixel for a Samsung Galaxy and immediately missed these 3 features

13 hours 2 min ago

I first got into Google Pixel with my Pixel 6a — and I loved it. But the longer I used it, the more it felt too minimal and lacking in functionality. That feeling was amplified by the fact that all my friends, and Android users in general, seemed to favor Samsung phones and all the cool features Galaxy smartphones bring to the table. Eventually, I got curious enough to upgrade to the Galaxy S24.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Upgrade what really matters with incredible back-to-school offers from ASUS UK

13 hours 8 min ago

Replacing an entire computer is a costly prospect these days, but in most cases it’s not actually necessary to replace your whole computer to keep using it for your studies. Spending money on the right component (or two) can add years of usable life to your PC. After all, upgradability is one of the greatest perks of having a desktop PC, so why not make use of it?

Categories: IT General, Technology

These 5 movies prove Prime Video is the king of action

13 hours 32 min ago

Each streaming service has its own calling card. Netflix has exciting thrillers, while HBO Max owns prestige TV. At Prime Video, action is one of its best genres. Most subscribers know about the show's prominent action television slate, which includes Reacher, Neagley, and The Terminal List.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Pi-hole won't stop your smart TV from spying, here's what actually works

14 hours 2 min ago

One of the tech industry's worst-kept secrets is that smart TVs spy on us. There are countless articles and videos online discussing it, as well as plenty of guides on how to fix it while maintaining the smart functionality of your TV.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Qualcomm is officially working on Linux support for X2 ARM laptops

Wed, 09/23/2026 - 23:48

Qualcomm flew us out to Snapdragon Summit 2026 for a hands-on experience with the all-new, cutting-edge Googlebooks and Microsoft Surface laptops. And although the event has been relatively predictable, Wednesday's briefing closed out with a big surprise—Qualcomm is officially working to support Linux on Snapdragon X2 laptops, brands like ASUS have already committed to offer Linux-flavored versions of their X2-powered devices, and a developer preview is available today for those with the hardware to test it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I built a Tamagotchi that dies when my homelab goes down

Wed, 09/23/2026 - 23:30

My Mini PC hosts several homelab services, including Home Assistant, Jellyfin, Audiobookshelf, Calibre, Uptime Kuma, and more. It also hosts some local LLMs, and in recent weeks, one of these has been hogging so much RAM that it's brought down other services. I decided to set up a fun way to monitor my homelab using a cheap ESP32 board.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 sideloaded Android apps that give you the privacy controls Android is missing

Wed, 09/23/2026 - 23:00

Android phones have come a long way when it comes to privacy. Private Space on Pixels and Secure Folder on Samsung phones are really handy. Android's permission system has also become very granular in recent years, giving you a high level of control over what apps can access on your phone, and the Privacy Dashboard is a solid way to audit what your installed apps have been up to. But there's always room to grow, and some third-party apps offer privacy controls Google doesn't match yet, and in some cases probably never will. The only downside is that you have to sideload them.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Disney+ prices are going up again—what do you pay now?

Wed, 09/23/2026 - 22:59

Disney+ has rolled out its second price increase in as many months. Its standalone and Hulu bundle subscriptions now cost slightly more, with a notable exception.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Spotify's cache is wasting gigabytes on your phone, but this feature could solve it for good

Wed, 09/23/2026 - 22:43

If you use Spotify for streaming music, podcasts, and audiobooks, you may have noticed that your phone’s storage gets filled up too quickly. The streaming service quietly eats up gigabytes of storage space in the form of temporary cache. But now, the streaming service appears to be working on a new feature that would limit the cache, allowing better optimization of storage.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Microsoft's most affordable Surface PCs get a Snapdragon X2 speed boost

Wed, 09/23/2026 - 22:30

Thanks to Snapdragon for covering a trip to Snapdragon Summit. All experiences were hosted, but we received no extra compensation. The company did not influence editorial output.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 Home Assistant projects to stay connected without the internet this weekend (Sep 25-27)

Wed, 09/23/2026 - 22:00

One of the biggest benefits of Home Assistant is that it offers local control, so your smart home doesn't stop working when the internet is down. If you're away from home when the internet connection dies, however, then you may be unable to reach your Home Assistant server even if it's still working fine. These projects offer some alternative ways to communicate with your smart home without relying on the internet.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Galaxy Watch made me ditch my Pixel Watch by simply nailing the basics

Wed, 09/23/2026 - 21:30

I’m a Pixel person through and through and have been daily driving one since I bought my Pixel 6a. And, for what it’s worth, I’ve had plenty of time with Samsung phones because I review them, so my preference is an informed choice. However, that’s only when it comes to smartphones. I don’t get many smartwatches sent my way, so I wasn’t very familiar with the hands-on differences until I bought a few with my own money — and boy, was I shocked.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Windows has a hidden setting that's making your laptop overheat while charging

Wed, 09/23/2026 - 21:00

There's nothing worse than a laptop that overheats. I've been there; the last two decades are lined with less-than-stellar laptops for me, actually. One was so bad that it'd turn off within 45 seconds if it didn't have a hair dryer on the cold setting constantly blowing into its vents. Yes, I've tried to fix it. But when you're a broke college student, you make do with what you have.

Categories: IT General, Technology

SNL is back this weekend—5 movies born from the show's most iconic sketches

Wed, 09/23/2026 - 20:30

The legendary comedy institution that is Saturday Night Live returns this weekend, September 26, for its 52nd season with Knicks star Jalen Brunson hosting and Katseye as musical guest. I've never watched a lot of sports in my life, but SNL's storied history of golden eras, seasonal slumps, "The Weird Year," controversies, iconic cast members (many gone too soon), and ever-rotating roster have made it the team I've followed for almost my entire life.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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