How-To Geek
8 Hidden Costs of a Smart Home (and How to Avoid Them)
You can start your smart home journey with as little as a cheap smart plug. Your home will already be smarter, but it can quickly get addictive. One plug becomes five, and before you know it you've decked your home from top to bottom in smart home tech.
Google NotebookLM Can Now Try to Find Sources for You
NotebookLM, the AI-powered notebook and research tool with Google Gemini, just received yet another update. Google has added 'Discover sources' as a new option to help you find sources for whatever you're working on.
This LG 65-inch 4K OLED TV Is $300 Off Today
If you want the best screen possible for the NCAA Final Four, or just been waiting for a great deal on a new TV, look no further. You now get LG's 65-inch C4 OLED 4K TV from Best Buy for $300 off the original MSRP.
These Are My Go-To Free Alternatives for Paid Windows Apps
Free apps get a bad rep for not being as robust as their paid counterparts. That is not always the case, though. I have compiled a list of the ones I use on Windows instead of paying for their popular counterparts.
Nintendo Cloned Discord For The Switch 2
Discord has become an essential tool for gamers who want to play multiplayer games in groups, helping players stay connected during gaming sessions. Both the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X/S have Discord support, but Nintendo is going a different way with the Switch 2.
The Razer Seiren V3 Mini USB Microphone Is 40% Off
Razer's Seiren V3 Mini USB microphone is currently on sale, which is a great value for casual users and serious content creators. With a 40% discount, this small but powerful microphone gives you high-quality audio without breaking the bank.
Nintendo Hasn’t Sold Me on the Switch 2
Nintendo has now fully revealed the Nintendo Switch 2, including details about the hardware upgrades, future games, and backwards compatibility with the original Switch. It looks like a decent enough upgrade from the original Switch, but there’s not enough here to get me interested.
Turn Any Website Into a Standalone App with Nativefier (and Why)
Mobile apps have become a way of life since the dawn of the smartphone era. However, you'll find far fewer offerings in the way of native applications on your actual computer. Fed up for years, I've found peace in using Nativefier to create apps out of my most used sites.
How to Create a Timeline Filter in Excel
One way to display figures in an Excel table according to certain time periods is by using filter buttons. However, a better way to do this is to use a timeline, a dynamic filter option that allows you to quickly display data from individual days, months, quarters, or years.
How to Extend Your SSD’s Lifespan on Windows 11
If your Windows 11 PC uses an SSD, there are actions you can take to make your SSD last as long as possible. These tips help reduce your drive’s wear and tear, and I’ll show you how to use them.
Nintendo's Virtual Game Cards Are Almost (But Not Quite) What Digital Games Need
Nintendo's announcement of a new virtual game card feature for the Switch and (presumably) the Switch 2 didn't generate that much buzz, but it solves a problem I've had since the launch of the first Switch.
Arlo’s Video Doorbell 2K Is Back to Its All-Time Low Price
Video doorbells are an essential part of any smart home, and for many, they are also their first security cameras. If you don't have one yet, right now, you can get the excellent Arlo Video Doorbell 2K at the lowest price we've seen.
Toyota’s Latest Off-Road Models Are Climbing to the Top of the Sales Charts
Toyota has long been the leader in small and midsize trucks, with even the older Tacoma holding its ground against newer competitors. However, since its updated, four-cylinder-only Tacoma launched, the model has seen even greater success.
Anker EverFrost 2 Electric Cooler Review: Outdoors and BBQ Ready
Like any outdoor enthusiast, I'm always looking for new gear to make adventures easier. I already own more coolers than I care to admit, but none as good as this one. After taking the Anker EverFrost 2 battery-powered cooler on several trips, I'm ditching my old ice chest for this modern cooler.
Today's NYT Connections Hints and Answer for April 1st (#660)
Connections is a game from the New York Times that challenges you to find the association between words. It sounds easy, but it isn't—Connections categories can be almost anything, and they're usually quite specific. If you need a hand getting the answers, we've got you covered.
2025 Moon Phase Calendar: What Is April 1st's Moon Phase?
If you're planning on observing the night sky, going for a night hike, or trying to snap a shot of the Moon, the phase is incredibly important. Here's everything you need to know about the current Lunar phase, as well as what you can expect in the near future.
I Used Many Cross-Platform Email Clients to Find the Best One
There is no shortage of email clients to choose from, but I wanted one that was seamless to use across different devices and platforms. So, I tried many email clients to find the one that met my practical needs and was appealing to use. Here's what I found.
6 USB Drive Uses You're Missing Out On
Most of us use USB drives for temporary file storage, but they can do much more. You can boot an operating system, store and encrypt passwords, automate critical data backups, and more. If you have a spare USB drive that you only use for storage, here are some other ways to make the most of it.
The Quiet Revolution of Synthetic Biology
When you hear "biology" you probably think something like "nature" or "natural", but humankind has been interfering with biology for thousands of years, and now in the 21st century our tools are more powerful than ever.
How to Play a DVD on Windows (And Some Blu-ray Discs)
Physical media, including vinyls, cassettes, and CDs are all the rage right now. If you're looking to dust off your collection of DVDs and put them to use in your Windows PC, getting them playing is quite easy. Unfortunately, Blu-rays are more complicated, but you have a few options there too.