How-To Geek

When Wear OS first launched as “Android Wear,” it had an awesome gesture that allowed you to navigate without touching the screen. The feature went away at some point, and I’ve missed it ever since. Google has finally brought it back, but it works a bit differently.

The early 2010s were a fascinating time for portable devices. Not only were smartphones advancing rapidly, but smartwatches were ushering in a new era of wearable technology. One company that was at the forefront of this movement was Sony.

After getting annoyed with having to switch between so many different remotes for my AV equipment, I ended up investing in a Logitech Harmony Hub and the Harmony Companion remote. I was able to replace all my existing remotes with just a single remote. Sadly, Logitech stopped making these products, and after mine broke, I was forced to find an alternative option.

When I decided to try a different Linux distro, I did what most people would do: I typed ‘the best Linux distros for beginners’ into my search bar. The AI overview and top ten organic search results recommended Ubuntu LTS, Linux Mint, Zorin OS, Pop!_OS, Elementary OS, and a few other Linux distros. I ran with Pop!_OS because it promised a fast, organized, intuitive, and modern UI, customizations, security, and hardware compatibility.

Do you have old tech sitting around your house unused? Well, it’s time to put that old Mac mini or Wii U to use and repurpose it as a network-attached storage server.

Excel's Format Painter button is seductive. It promises speed and efficiency, and for a quick fix on a handful of cells, it delivers. But once your workbook grows, the tool becomes frustrating, inefficient, and error-prone. That's why I use Find and Replace instead.

There are a ton of gaming-centric microphones on the market. However, you just don’t get the same level of recording quality that comes from a specialist audio brand that knows what it’s doing. And few brands in the world of microphones are as respected or as trusted as Shure.

Let's face it: now is not exactly a great time to shop for PC upgrades. With the RAM-pocalypse in full swing, it's not just RAM that's getting pricey—many components are. Those who were hoping to score a thrilling piece of tech this holiday season are in for a disappointment.

When I first heard about AutoMix and saw tech bloggers posting about it on social media, I was excited to try the new feature. I’ve had Crossfade enabled since it was introduced and thought AutoMix would be a great way to enjoy my playlists—especially those with a variety of genres.

Raspberry Pis have been popular for small self-hosting jobs and tinkerers for years, and it is pretty common to have a few old ones forgotten in a drawer somewhere. Here are a few great ways to put those old Raspberry Pis to use.

Apple does a great job of keeping older iPads up to date. However, just because an iPad is compatible with the latest version of iPadOS doesn’t mean you’ll get every feature it offers. Here are four features you won’t get if you don’t have one of the newer iPad models.

When it comes to podcast streaming, Apple and Spotify both have their own unique offerings for listeners. But Apple Podcasts is not for everyone, as the app can feel very challenging to use at times, given its organization and categorization.

It might be hard to imagine now, but not too long ago the idea of free software with source code that anyone can modify wasn't one with much enthusiasm behind it. How could that be safe? What about support? Could you trust mission-critical stuff to this software?

Are you like me and type thousands of words per day on your keyboard? Is the keyboard that you’re using one of those cheap membrane-style ones? Here’s why you should stop using a membrane keyboard if you type all day and switch to mechanical.

Webcams in laptops aren’t great, and even external webcams struggle unless you pay for a high-end model. Before you look for an upgrade, think about the much better camera that’s already in your pocket. You can turn your Android phone into a high-definition webcam with shocking ease.

Enshittification is an inescapable fact of life. Apps and services that were once good fall foul of the constant need to maximize shareholder profits, which comes at the cost of user experience. Very few apps escape the march of enshittification, but there are some that have gotten significantly worse this year.

I love making my own 3D models and 3D printing them at home. The problem with making my own models is that I can go through several, or even dozens, of prototypes before getting to the final product.

Car ownership and maintenance can be expensive, and there's nothing worse than firing up your vehicle and seeing the dreaded check engine light. I've been in that situation, and fortunately, this affordable little device told me what was wrong, saving me an expensive trip to the dealership.

Notifications are one of the most useful tools in Home Assistant. You can use notifications to alert you that motion has been detected at your front door, that your washing machine has finished running, or that the battery needs changing on one of your smart home devices. Notifications can do so much more than just send you messages, however.

If you're looking to start using YouTube Music or are a loyal user who wants to improve your music experience on the streaming platform, you may want to tweak a few essential settings that can transform your streaming.