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: 53 min 11 sec ago

Framework finally has a modular laptop with a touchscreen

Tue, 04/21/2026 - 23:36

Framework has unveiled its latest wave of modular laptops and accessories, and the highlight is the addition of a long-awaited feature: a touchscreen. The newly introduced Laptop 13 Pro is billed as a "ground up redesign" whose centerpiece is a custom 2,880x1,920, matte finish display with touch support.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stranger Things returns to Netflix this week—but it’s not what you think

Tue, 04/21/2026 - 23:00

It's only been about four months since the Stranger Things series finale, but the iconic franchisereturns to streaming this week. If you think it's a new episode from season 5, think again. Stranger Things: Tales from '85, an animated spin-off series, premieres on April 23, 2026, on Netflix in the U.S.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Here's an open-source Google Circle To Search alternative that works offline

Tue, 04/21/2026 - 22:14

A developer has just released his own version of Circle To Search for all Android devices. This open-source alternative to Google’s Circle To Search allows users to draw a circle, search for what they want, and use it on any Android device that’s on Android 10 and above.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 brilliant HBO Max shows you can binge this week (April 20-26)

Tue, 04/21/2026 - 22:00

There's something supremely therapeutic about sinking into the couch after a long day at the computer or on the job site—and getting lost in a great TV show. HBO Max has spent decades making sure you have something good to watch when you do, but we're here to make sure you find it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Microsoft admits Game Pass is too expensive and slashes prices (with a catch)

Tue, 04/21/2026 - 21:30

Microsoft is responding to complaints about expensive Xbox Game Pass subscriptions with price cuts, although there are conditions attached.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Apple Maps is getting ads, and it just lost the one thing that made it worth using

Tue, 04/21/2026 - 21:01

Ads already appear in some Apple apps, including the App Store, Apple News, and some live sports on Apple TV. Now there's a new app to add to the list, as Apple has confirmed that ads will soon be coming to the Apple Maps app, too.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Elden Ring is coming: Everything you need to know about the A24 movie

Tue, 04/21/2026 - 20:00

One of the most promising movie adaptations of a video game is quickly taking shape. A24 and Bandai Namco are producing a live-action movie version of Elden Ring, the popular (over 30 million copies sold) and often-challenging fantasy action role-playing game based on a story by Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin. Here's everything you need to know for the premiere.

Categories: IT General, Technology

IKEA's affordable smart home devices just got the seamless experience they deserve

Tue, 04/21/2026 - 19:30

If you’ve ever tried building a smart home across brands, you already know the frustration of devices disconnecting, apps not syncing, and ‘universal standards’ still requiring workarounds. This is a problem that Samsung is now trying to solve. The brand’s global smart home platform, SmartThings now offers native, hub-free integration with 25 IKEA smart home devices. Notably, the partnership goes deeper, instead of the two brands just slapping a compatible sticker on the box and calling it a day.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 CPUs that are officially too old for gaming in 2026

Tue, 04/21/2026 - 19:30

Many gamers don’t mind spending hundreds of dollars on a new graphics card the moment they notice a performance drop in their favorite games, while the CPU remains untouched for years. While this upgrade pattern can work to some extent, since most games are GPU-bound, that strategy only holds for so long. CPUs aren’t immune to time, and modern games are starting to demand more from them than ever before.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon sued over early Fire TV Stick support—will you get paid?

Tue, 04/21/2026 - 19:25

Amazon is facing a proposed class action lawsuit in California state court for allegedly forcing early Fire TV Stick users to upgrade by dropping software support.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop paying for Alexa and Google Home—this open-source smart home system will never charge you

Tue, 04/21/2026 - 19:00

For years, smart home systems such as Amazon Alexa and Google Home have been free to use. If you bought an Amazon Echo smart speaker, for example, you could use it to control your smart home without any additional fees. Both Amazon and Google have recently started to lock some smart home features behind paywalls, but there's a free alternative that never will.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Forget the BMW 5 Series—this Japanese sedan is more fun to drive

Tue, 04/21/2026 - 18:45

Luxury sedans have changed a lot over the last decade. Bigger screens, softer rides, and more driver-assist tech have become the new standard.

Categories: IT General, Technology

You’ll love Ryobi's new customizable DIY workbench

Tue, 04/21/2026 - 18:35

Finding the right setup for your garage or DIY shop is easier said than done. A big part of that process is a workbench, which is where you'll complete all your projects. While Ryobi is most known for its wide array of 18V ONE+ tools, the company also makes excellent accessories, including this Ryobi Framework Workbench.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why I abandoned Gmail for a privacy-first email service—and never looked back

Tue, 04/21/2026 - 18:30

I stopped using Gmail around 8 years ago. The decision did not arrive as a reaction to a single incident or policy change but as a gradual shift in how I thought about email as a system. Gmail worked well then and continues to work well now. What changed for me was not the quality of the product but the role it played in a larger ecosystem that collects and correlates data across nearly every digital interaction (which sounds abstract until you notice how often you click "Sign in with Google").

Categories: IT General, Technology

This one small upgrade makes any budget turntable sound high-end

Tue, 04/21/2026 - 18:15

There are plenty of reasons to want to upgrade that starter or affordable turntable you bought when you first got into vinyl. Maybe your passion has grown, and you want to get a bit more serious, or maybe you got some new speakers and want to do them justice by stepping up from your sub-$300 turntable.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Sony and Honda wind down their EV alliance, for now

Tue, 04/21/2026 - 18:07

Now that Sony and Honda have cancelled their Afeela EVs, they're ready to put their automotive joint venture on hold. The Japanese companies have announced that they will "scale down" operations at Sony Honda Mobility.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I built a NAS from a $70 broken laptop—here's why it beats a dedicated enclosure

Tue, 04/21/2026 - 18:00

If you're curious about self-hosting and owning a NAS but got put off by the price of "proper" NAS enclosures, I've got good news for you: you don't need to spend a fortune to get started.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I ran a dealership express lube—these 4 services help your car last 200,000 miles

Tue, 04/21/2026 - 17:45

When it comes to keeping your vehicle on the road for the long haul, oil changes and tire rotations are still king. Most cars have an oil life monitor to let you know when it’s time for an oil change. And since most cars now use a longer-lasting synthetic oil, it’s a good idea to rotate your tires at each oil change (back in the day, you used to rotate your tires every other oil change because the previous interval was 3,000 miles).

Categories: IT General, Technology

Linux users claim they want mainstream adoption, but here's why they don't

Tue, 04/21/2026 - 17:31

In a rational world, Linux is just an operating system and people who genuinely believe it's a better operating system than the alternatives would want it to become as easy to use and popular as possible.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 Milwaukee tools you can’t get from Makita

Tue, 04/21/2026 - 17:15

Every homeowner or DIYer has a few power tools from their preferred brand, with Milwaukee being a popular choice. And while most brands offer the essentials, what sets Milwaukee apart is its vast selection of unique, niche, or trade-specific tools. With that in mind, here are some neat Milwaukee tools you can't get from Makita.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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