How-To Geek

Home Assistant works with a huge number of smart home devices, but it doesn't work with everything. If you have smart home tech that you've not been able to connect to Home Assistant in the past, it's worth checking again.

Google is building upon the features of the Linux Terminal app for Android with the newly released beta update, allowing you to change the display resolution of the graphical user interface. Moreover, you now have a ‘Theme’ section in the settings, which allows you to import themes for the Terminal.

Nissan has brought back its well-known Terrano nameplate, but this time it's an off-roader for the electrified era. The company used its presence at Auto China 2026 to unveil a Terrano PHEV Concept that it says appeals to fans of "outdoor adventure" as well as city commuters.

Volkswagen has unveiled its first Golf with a "full" hybrid system, and it might preview what you can expect for U.S. cars, whether or not a new Golf is part of the mix.

System-wide dark mode is an awesome Android feature, but it’s not perfect. One of the big limitations is automation—your options are a rigid schedule or sunrise/sunset. With a simple app, you can make dark mode (and light mode) switch with the lighting around you.

Looking forward to streaming something new while you unwind this weekend? Netflix has a diverse catalog, offering titles across genres, tropes, and languages. But this weekend, there's one collection on the platform you don't want to miss out on.

ThinkPads: Why do they have a cult following? What do they offer that your current laptop doesn't? They're more than mere specs; for some, they're a passion. It's a strange affinity to truly love a brand of laptop, but some swear by it—and I have five reasons.

The arrival of another weekend means another opportunity for some escapism, and what better genre to provide that than science fiction and fantasy? Their advanced CGI capabilities, detailed lore, and ability to explore complex social issues in an allegorical setting are unbeatable at delivering on escapist entertainment, and that’s where we’re headed.

Linux Mint is a great place to start—but at some point, it stops being enough. Maybe you want newer packages, or maybe you want more control over your system. Either way, Mint can start to feel limiting, and you might find yourself wanting to distro-hop in search of something new and exciting. Here are three intermediate distros that offer more flexibility without overwhelming you with complexity.

When you think of AI models, especially large language models, you probably imagine big data centers guzzling thousands of watts of power, or big expensive GPUs with enough VRAM to equal the GDP of a small nation.

When I was in high school, only those in the know used Gmail instead of AOL or Yahoo, and I relished getting an invite to try out Google's approach to email. It’s a different world now, one where I feel like the odd one for not using Gmail. But it’s true—I haven’t used Gmail for years. I’ve found something better, at least for me.

Is your mouse hovering over the buy button for bigger hard drives for your NAS? That was me, until I figured out how to set up automation that runs in the background and frees up terabytes of storage on my NAS without me having to lift a finger.

Mazda has always been recognized for its nimble yet stylish sedans (3 and 6), small crossovers like the CX-30, and the iconic MX-5 Miata. When it came to producing three-row vehicles, the automaker relied on partnerships, such as the Ford-based Tribute or the MPV minivan. While the first-generation CX-9 helped establish Mazda as a contender in the SUV space in 2007, it still used a traditional front-wheel drive architecture common among mainstream brands.

HBO Max is doing just fine. It closed out 2025 with roughly 130 million global subscribers, and its library boasts more than 2,000 movies and 580 shows—including some of the greatest of all time. Unfortunately, what that often means is 20 minutes of scrolling for something to watch before just giving up and watching Game of Thrones again.

Mechanical keyboards end up becoming something of an obsession for some folks. Many end up going down the rabbit hole and building their own, but far fewer take on the task of 3D printing the whole thing.

Hybrid cars are having a real moment in the U.S., and it’s not hard to see why. EV tax credits have dried up, electric cars have gotten pricier, and gas prices aren’t exactly helping anyone lean toward bigger engines right now.

Microsoft has essentially allowed all Windows 11 users to dump Copilot, its Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) assistant. While average Windows 11 users have a surprisingly straightforward way to uninstall the AI-powered digital assistant, even those stuck using “managed” devices can get rid of Copilot.

Things are going pretty well for Netflix—it just wrapped a first quarter that pulled in $12.2 billion in revenue, and the company says its paid subscribership by the end of last year was somewhere in the vicinity of 325 million, globally (not to mention the $2.8 billion breakup fee it got for walking away from the Warner/Paramount thing.

Every day is the same story: your phone’s battery starts at 100%—hopefully—and by the afternoon, apps and services have chipped it down by half. That’s the simple part, but deciphering what’s actually using the battery is not as straightforward as you would think.

The Vim statusline is endlessly customizable, with a set of standard variables available, plus the ability to host almost anything using Vim script. But all this tweaking still takes effort; effort that others have already gone to, so you don’t have to.