How-To Geek

I love to read. Nothing beats a good science fiction paperback or graphic novel. E-books (and comics) were a wonderful, mind-blowing thing when they came out. I loved spending less money, having easier access, and not having to worry about space as much.

Are you a fan of documentaries? Are you also a Paramount+ subscriber? Then you're in the right place if you're looking for a few suggestions for a good doc or docuseries to watch.

Setting up your smart home automations to run on a schedule often seems like the best option, but that's not always the case. When I moved some of these automations to sensor-based triggers, it made my home feel much more natural.

The 2026 Toyota Crown Signia is not a typical SUV or crossover. By combining a unique shooting brake silhouette with the refined ride of a premium sedan, the Crown Signia is an impossible-to-ignore alternative to the average boxy crossover.

The ESP32 is an inexpensive and versatile microcontroller that is normally associated with cheap smart home devices and small DIY gadgets. But this sliver of silicon can do much more than you probably thought, as evidenced by projects that push the board to its limit.

Adobe Acrobat is the standard tool everyone reaches for when they're authoring or editing PDFs. However, I've started using a privacy-first alternative that allows me to do everything I need with PDFs—all without a subscription fee or a login.

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.