How-To Geek

As 2025 comes to a close, we're taking a moment to look back at the hardware, gadgets, and tech that defined our year. But instead of sharing a boring list all at once, we're counting down to the holidays in style. Welcome to How-To Geek Wrapped 2025.

When it comes to charging my devices, I want everything to be the fastest and most convenient possible. At one point, I even 3D printed my own MagSafe mounts to help with charging my iPhone at my desk, but when I got Anker’s new Prime Wireless Charging Station, it solved every power problem I had at my desk.

The Apple TV app on Android now supports Google Cast, meaning it's easier than ever to stream the platform's shows and movies to other devices from your phone or tablet.

The free and open-source media center application Kodi just received another update. Kodi 21.3 is rolling out with some great improvements for Xbox consoles and Linux systems, as well as a pile of bug fixes for other platforms.

Although it feels like forever ago, we actually had a lot of new GPU launches in 2025. Their availability and pricing were both disappointing, but at least the benchmarks were nice to look at.

Jaguar isn’t exactly pumping out cars these days, but the brand still knows how to make headlines. The all-electric Type 00 concept teases where Jaguar wants to go with styling and tech, and yes, it’s divisive.

Jellyfin, the self-hosted media server software, just revamped its official desktop client. The Jellyfin Media Player is now Jellyfin Desktop, with an update to Qt 6, multi-profile support, and other new features.

Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices are some of the most useful things you can buy for your home network, since they can host multiple services, let you cut your cloud subscription costs, and ensure your data is private. But how much computer do you really need for a NAS? I tried creating a low-power NAS using a Raspberry Pi to find out.

Luxury sedans have a way of making even a grocery run feel like an event, with hushed cabins, indulgent touches, and tech that quietly does its thing in the background. In 2025, two names still dominate that conversation: the Lexus LS and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Having tools readily available or in your pocket makes all sorts of little household tasks easier than ever. And while Milwaukee recently announced a neat new multi-function utility knife set to release in 2026, which has fans excited, you can already get nearly the same thing from Gerber. Better yet, the very similar "Prybrid" utility tool is up to 48% off this week on Amazon.

Google is shutting down its dark web report feature, which was intended to scan the dark web for your personal information. The company said it wasn't useful enough, and starting in February 2026, dark web reports will no longer be accessible.

Waze is great for shaving minutes off your commute and avoiding those pesky speed traps, but it’s always been just a few steps behind Google Maps. One small feature that can be surprisingly helpful is traffic light icons along your route. Waze may finally be getting this feature, too.

iRobot, maker of Roomba robot vacuums, is making some big changes to stay in business. The company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and it plans to be fully acquired by Picea Robotics.

It’s easy to forget that Nissan was an early trailblazer in both EVs and advanced driver-assist systems. The original Leaf hit the market in 2011 as one of the first affordable, mass-produced electric cars, and ProPilot Assist arrived in 2016 as one of the earliest widely available auto-steering systems.

Ubuntu Studio, a Linux distribution meant for creative work, is showing off a new layout for its desktop experience and also asking whether the default layout should be changed. The poll results will affect how the upcoming Ubuntu Studio 26.04 LTS release will look when you first install it.

I have a lot of Windows PCs in my life. Some are dedicated to work, others run media servers around the house, and one of my favorites is an old machine I turned into a retro gaming arcade cabinet. When you manage that many systems, you end up collecting all kinds of utilities over the years. My toolbox is full of apps for repairs, maintenance, diagnostics, and the usual experiments that come with being a lifelong tinkerer.

KolibriOS is an open-source project that brings you an entire operating system in just over a megabyte. The operating system has a graphical interface and lots of neat utilities and games. Let's boot into it.

Are you weighing buying a new car or more RAM for your NAS? Maybe not, but it feels like it these days. Your NAS likely needs less RAM than you think it does—here’s how to figure out just how much RAM your NAS actually needs.

Have you noticed that you're getting better at using Linux? Everyone learns at their own pace, but if you've been using Linux for a while, here are the five signs that prove you're starting to become an advanced user.

The holiday season brings a festive dose of gift-giving, party hosting, and much-needed vacations. If you are traveling at the end of the year or around New Year's, I recommend getting on board with my obsession: real-time flight tracking.