How-To Geek

Japanese brands like Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Subaru have a rock-solid reputation for reliability—but that usually comes with playing it safe. Most of the time, that means sensible cars that won’t surprise you, for better or worse.

The free and open-source smart home platform, Home Assistant, just released another major update. Home Assistant 2026.1 has some helpful improvements to the dashboards, new service integrations, and a pile of bug fixes to enjoy.

The first DVD I ever bought was a copy of Akira. I bought it from a store, and it wasn't cheap! However, it turns out that what I bought was a bootleg, and based on what I know today, it should've been obvious.

Your NAS is probably one of the most expensive pieces of equipment you own, and it's storing hundreds of gigabytes of memories and valuable files.

Even as automakers push toward electrification, there’s still plenty of value to be found in well-executed hybrid cars, and one Japanese model stands out as one of 2026’s smartest buys. It combines quick, responsive performance with impressive fuel efficiency, making it an ideal choice for drivers who want both excitement and everyday savings without paying a premium price.

T-Mobile has just announced a new, limited-time family plan called Better Value, which promises premium features at a lower monthly cost than its current offerings. However, the company has included some very specific caveats for existing customers who want to jump aboard.

Having used and written about Android phones for the better part of the past decade, I've seen a fair share of features vanish from phones. Some of these features are best left in the past, but there are some that I would love to see again.

We're on the ground floor at CES 2026, the annual consumer electronics show that sets the stage for a new year in technology. As always, there's no shortage of great products and concepts at CES, but here are our favorites of 2026.

Have you used up every HDMI port on your TV and now have no room left for another gaming console, PC, or streaming box? No biggie. You don't need to hunt for a new TV with extra HDMI ports; any of the devices listed below will do the trick.

Did your Logitech keyboard, mouse, or other device stop working recently on your Mac? Don't worry, it's not just you. Logitech is aware of the problem and has released a fix, but you have to install it yourself.

I recently hacked my first-generation Echo Show 5, which was only possible thanks to the micro-USB port on the back. I wasn't even aware that this port existed until I tried this hack, and you may find that you have some useful ports hidden away on devices that you use all the time.

There isn’t a better way for entertainment enthusiasts like me to kick off the year than with the return of television’s best white-knuckle medical drama, dare I say ever. Get ready for more intense, fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled action, because The Pitt is finally back for another insanely chaotic, emotional shift.

Who needs more tools? I know I do. DeWALT is one of the most popular tool brands on the market, particularly among professionals, largely due to its constant introduction of exciting new products. Near the end of the year, DeWALT announced a slew of new tools and accessories were on the way for 2026, and here are a few worth waiting for.

Affordable three-row plug-in hybrids are still relatively uncommon, but one Japanese PHEV stands out by bringing a compelling mix of efficiency, practicality, and refinement that rivals many luxury-brand alternatives. While premium SUVs often command high price tags for comparable features and technology, this model manages to offer three-row versatility and electrified driving without stretching your budget.

During a recent visit to Stack Exchange's Unix and Linux section, I came across an interesting question from a user who wanted desktop widgets on their Zorin OS desktop. The question caught my attention because the user had uploaded an image of his desktop and the look he wanted after adding desktop widgets. The customization bug got me, and I started experimenting with different ways to add desktop widgets to my Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS desktop.

CES has always been about showcasing big ideas, but Roborock is getting quite “meta” with its “The Greatest Meeting the Greatest” theme for CES 2026.

The GPU market includes GPUs of all shapes, sizes, and price points. The cheapest ones can range from pretty good to actual trash, though.

There are many misconceptions about Linux, and some I've believed myself. Long ago, I stuck with Windows because I misjudged Linux. Now, I wish to clear up some misunderstandings; here are 6 things that people often get wrong.

Are you debating getting a smaller 3D printer to save some money? I made that choice nearly two years ago, and I’m just now recovering from it. Here’s my first-hand experience advice on how to make sure you don’t repeat my mistake and buy the wrong size 3D printer.

The New Year is here, and with it comes a bevy of new Paramount+ originals to stream. As it stands, January looks to be full of psychological thrillers, a jaw-dropping true crime docuseries, and a Canadian edition of an MTV reality show phenomenon. This month also sees the return of School Spirits and the highly anticipated premiere of the Star Trek spinoff, Starfleet Academy.