How-To Geek

Modern Galaxy phones come with plenty of built-in apps to make your life easier. Many work pretty well, but most have clear limitations. Samsung's ecosystem is getting more and more closed by the moment, which is a big part of why many of these Galaxy apps fall behind alternatives you can easily download from the app store for free.

You can use an ESP32 to build smart home sensors that can measure temperature, humidity, light levels, and more. An ESP32 can detect much more, including invisible things around your home that you may be completely unaware of.

If you're looking to get into retro audio by investing in something like a turntable, the task can seem daunting at first, especially when all you want to do is press play and listen to your music. Audio Technica has a great answer for such scenarios, as its entry-level AT-LP60X-BK model turntable is a great option for newbie audiophiles. Even better, it currently features a fantastic discount courtesy of Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, and right now, you can bring yours home for under $150.

Nowadays, in this hustle culture, everyone is already trying to squeeze another hour of work out of themselves, so you don’t need another app telling you to work harder. What you might need instead are tools that help you set boundaries, step away, understand your habits, and reflect on where your time is going.

I use wired Android Auto because, honestly, I prefer a cable. It feels simpler.

Ryobi power tools are among the most popular options at Home Depot, and people everywhere love them. And while they're a big hit with homeowners and DIYers, Ryobi's smallest cordless tools are quickly catching up. I'm talking about the Ryobi USB Lithium platform, which runs on small USB-C rechargeable batteries and offers tools for repairs, projects, crafts, cleaning, and hobbies.

Maybe you've been binging your way through Netflix's sweeping period drama East of Eden, or perhaps you're almost done with the dark and bloody thriller that is Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story—both excellent shows. But not every night has to call for a big-time prestige series. Sometimes, you just want to laugh, stat.

You usually don’t need a monitor in a homelab. Once everything is configured, you expect to manage it over SSH, a web interface, or a remote desktop connection. Yet some systems behave very differently when no display is connected. Resolution options disappear, remote desktop sessions behave strangely, and some GPUs refuse to initialize certain features when they cannot detect a monitor.

Microsoft's Surface and Windows event was interesting, to say the least. The festivities closed out on a high note with a super-anticipated Surface Laptop Ultra reveal, but everything up until that point left me wondering whether I'd drank enough caffeine this morning. Endless conversations about AI agents, the "hybrid intelligence" operating system, and new AI-powered fixes for Windows' weakest features.

There's something wonderful and appealing about navigating your favorite software with just a few keystrokes. Sometimes, it can be easy to forget that not everyone feels comfortable navigating their software using shortcuts and commands. And while it's certainly impressive to show your co-workers how fast you are with a keyboard (hey, the Gen Z kids who work for me think it's cool), sometimes it's not always intuitive or easy to work that way. Luckily, my favorite Knowledge Base/notes program, Obsidian, is full of useful shortcuts. I've tried most of them. But only a few changed the way I take notes.

Once I put something important away in a nice, secure spot, my brain almost immediately forgets where I hid it. It's great for keeping things hidden and secure, but not so great when it's time to find what you've stashed. My solution has been to leave everything out and accessible, which is obviously an incredibly flawed system and one that needs a more permanent, organized solution.

Microsoft's long-expected Surface Laptop Ultra release came with a surprise: a new approach to charging. The tech giant has unveiled a Magnetic Connect feature that serves as the equivalent to Apple's MagSafe for Windows PCs, with its own set of advantages and tradeoffs.

AI agents are more capable than ever, and that is exactly what makes them a potential problem. Today, most AI agents have the same permissions and file access as you do, so one hallucination can wipe out an entire folder. Today, Microsoft announced that its fix, Microsoft Execution Containers (MXC), is now generally available. MXC isolates AI agents from the rest of your system, limiting the problems caused by accidents or malicious prompts.

When I first got Netflix, it was a fantastic deal. It cost literally 20 times less than my satellite subscription; it had a huge library of shows and movies, and the convenience was unparalleled.

I kept my old laptop running Windows 10 for years without a single complaint, then Microsoft told me it wasn't good enough for Windows 11. Not because it was slow or because it crashed, but because the CPU was the wrong generation. That was just one crack that led to so many more. After a while, I didn't feel like I owned my computer anymore. Microsoft did. Linux Mint never asked me for anything but a working computer.

Home Assistant doesn't have to be solely about technology. You can use it for a much wider range of purposes, including helping you to keep your houseplants alive. These projects cover everything from simple monitoring to a fully automated plant-watering system.

Raspberry Pi has made a long-awaited comeback, potentially giving your old laptops a second life. After a wait of almost four years, Raspberry Pi has finally updated its Debian-based operating system for PCs and Macs.

I’ve had Google Maps on my phone for years, and I’ve probably used it more times than I can count. Still, my relationship with it has always been pretty basic: type in a destination, check the ETA, complain about the traffic, and follow the blue line.

After months of teasing, Microsoft and Nvidia are finally ready to offer prices and release dates for the first RTX Spark PCs. Microsoft is starting by opening pre-orders for the Surface Laptop Ultra ahead of its October 16 launch.

Electric brands like Greenworks have been growing in popularity over the years, as they offer a more convenient solution to their gas-powered counterparts. The issue is that electric tools and machines tend to carry higher price points, but when you can get them on sale, that's the time you want to shop. With Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days underway, you can score impressive savings on Greenworks gear, and none may be a better deal than this 6-tool set, now over 50% off.