How-To Geek
Samsung hid the Galaxy Watch's best notification settings three menus deep
Samsung Galaxy Watches offer a wide array of options that put them a rung above other Wear OS devices. The only bad thing about this is that you might be missing some of the best features that aren’t enabled by default. This is especially true when it comes to notifications.
YouTube will automatically label realistic AI videos to thwart slop
YouTube is doing more to fight the wave of AI slop on the streaming video service. The Google brand says it's using "new internal signals" to automatically label photorealistic AI and theoretically discourage abuse of the technology.
You're setting up custom DNS wrong—and it's breaking your network troubleshooting
DNS is one of those things where many people aren't aware that it is something you can adjust. Those who are, may end up overdoing it in the other direction. Tweaking custom DNS settings across every phone, laptop, console, TV, and whatever else lives inside your house may sound tempting if you belong in that second camp, but hold up a second.
I solved my smart doorbell's constant notification spam with one automation
Smart video doorbells are one of the best examples of a dumb device that has been improved enormously by adding smart features. You can use one to see who is at the door even if you're on the other side of the world, you can talk to visitors through the doorbell, and you can get notifications when someone is detected on the doorbell's camera.
I stopped using VS Code after trying this less popular IDE (and it isn't Antigravity)
If you have spent years working with editors built on Electron, you already know how heavy they feel, and VS Code is no exception. If your project is big enough, the interface starts to stutter. It is a performance tax that we have come to accept as the cost of doing business in modern development. Zed changes that by stripping away the web stack entirely. Now, I think VS Code is too slow compared to Zed.
5 little-known Makita tools that’ll save you hours of work
Makita fans know the company makes all sorts of products, from battery-powered coffee machines to capable 18V LXT power tools. And while most of you own the basics, like an impact driver, drills, and saws, there are several lesser-known Makita tools you'll want to check out.
I used the wrong cable for my soundbar for years, and I didn’t realize what I was missing
I've been using optical audio for over a decade, but I had no idea what I was missing out on. I intentionally avoided using HDMI ARC because of issues that I had early on with it, but it seems like eARC fixed all the gripes that I originally had with ARC.
Google Home is gradually getting worse—here's what I'm using instead
Smart homes are increasingly becoming a crucial part of a functioning modern household, so I've decided to take the plunge and create my own smart home.
Why is this Logitech mouse on every tech person's desk?
Logitech's MX Master series of mice has become a common sight in YouTube videos or photographs of tech-savvy people's desk setups, but what makes this now-iconic mouse so special?
Windows God Mode is hiding from you—Super God Mode unlocks everything in seconds
You've probably heard of God Mode—the folder trick that's supposed to put every Windows setting in one place. It sounds exactly like what a power user would want, which is why it's so disappointing when you realize that it no longer includes every setting in one place—at least not on modern Windows devices.
I mounted my laptop, mini PC, and keyboard to my monitor arm—and suddenly my desk made sense
Most monitors and TVs have a set of mounting holes on the back that follow the VESA standard. This is the mounting system that allows you to wall-mount your TV or put your monitors on special monitor arms.
I finally ditched the Plex-or-Jellyfin debate and ran both together
My son is a big Plex fan. I was on the fence about it. I had some concerns about certain features being paywalled, among other things. I ended up quite liking Jellyfin for some of my media, so I switched over to it. I'm still going to try Emby at some point and see how it integrates into my setup as well, but Jellyfin has been my daily driver for a while now.
Google’s office apps are free, but I still pay for Microsoft 365 for these 4 reasons
The debate between Microsoft and Google is an old (and divisive) one. For many, it might look like there's an obvious winner, based on their preferences, but when it comes to productivity, the answer may be a bit more complicated.
Google Maps and Waze are not the same—here’s the differences that matter
While Google has owned Waze since 2013, it only started incorporating Waze's best features into Maps in the last few years. Now, both navigation apps do many of the same things, but that doesn't mean they're the same. Here are a few of the differences, and why I still prefer Waze.
Stop wasting your phone data on road trips: Use this hidden car feature instead
Before smartphones, keeping passengers entertained on a long road trip meant packing a case of CDs, hoping the AC held out, and answering "are we there yet?" every 45 minutes (or seconds).
These are the first 10 things I do with every Windows 11 install
Personally, I use Winhance to create a custom Windows 11 ISO free of Windows bloatware, so I don't have to spend hours disabling and deleting superfluous apps and features after installing Windows. You can use Rufus instead if you'd like, since the utility not only allows you to install Windows 11 with a local account, but also to disable unwanted Microsoft apps and features such as Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Copilot, and so on.
Every 3D printer owner needs these 2 essential safety upgrades
If you can spend a few hundred bucks on a 3D printer and some filament, you can afford to spend a little on a few upgrades to ensure that your hobby is a safe one.
5 Excel mistakes beginners make that ruin their spreadsheets (and what to do instead)
There's a massive difference between a spreadsheet that looks good and one that actually works. Many beginner spreadsheet habits are secretly ticking time bombs for your data. Here are the core mistakes messing up your files, and the simple settings that fix them.
xTool's new full-color laser engraver looks like the ultimate craft room upgrade
Making custom keychains, engraved coasters, and decorative items sounds fun until reality hits you—complicated software, sketchy open-frame machines, and a price tag that makes the whole hobby feel like a small business investment. xTool now wants to change that with its newest product for everyday users and casual creators. The company has unveiled the xTool M2, and it stands out instantly with the built-in color printing.
Nicolas Cage's Spider-Noir hits Prime Video tonight—and critics are calling it 'Cage at his best'
Nicolas Cage, one of the most eccentric movie stars in Hollywood, heads to television to play a different version of Spider-Man in Spider-Noir. All eight episodes of the superhero show premiere on Prime Video on Wednesday, May 27, at 12 a.m. PT/3 a.m. ET in the U.S.


