How-To Geek

Syndicate content
We explain technology. Learn more with our articles, reviews, tips, and the best answers to your most pressing tech questions.
Updated: 21 min 46 sec ago

3 outrageously funny Prime Video shows to watch this weekend (May 15 - May 17)

Fri, 05/15/2026 - 20:00

In a world that often thrives on being far too serious, outrageously funny TV shows deliver much-needed relief because they’re proudly unapologetic and completely unforgettable. They don’t just aim for a giggle — they go all-in with laugh-out-loud chaos, socially unacceptable characters, razor-sharp writing, and wildly entertaining moments.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Keyboard phones went extinct, but these companies just brought them back

Fri, 05/15/2026 - 19:45

The first smartphones had physical keyboards, and after over a decade of continuous slab phones, some of us still long to have our buttons back. Fortunately, the time for physical keyboards has returned, and these four brands are making it happen.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why OnePlus is disappearing from Best Buy—and what it means for US customers

Fri, 05/15/2026 - 19:36

OnePlus appears to be scaling back its U.S. presence after withdrawing from other countries. Best Buy stores across the country have been pulling OnePlus phones from display shelves, limiting customers to online orders and some in-store pickups.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 myths about rooftop solar that keep holding homeowners back

Fri, 05/15/2026 - 16:00

Rooftop solar is one of the best things to happen to my home, but I still encounter trepidation when I speak about solar with others. There is a repetitiveness to the concerns, so let's just address them head-on.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 Bluetooth ESP32 projects for this weekend (May 15 - 17)

Fri, 05/15/2026 - 15:45

Most ESP32 microcontrollers are blessed with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which means they can be used in a vast number of wireless projects. These could be some of the most useful DIY projects that you ever build.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I manage my garden using Excel—and I'm never going back to individual apps

Fri, 05/15/2026 - 15:30

Gardening is all about timing, spacing, and staying organized—and Excel handles all three better than you might expect. This summer, I'm using it to map beds, track planting schedules, monitor conditions, and record harvests. Here's how.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I tested every mesh Wi-Fi system until I realized the real problem was my setup

Fri, 05/15/2026 - 15:00

If you're constantly dealing with the frustration of weak Wi-Fi and spotty coverage at home, it's only a matter of time before you start eyeing those advanced and pricey mesh systems. To be fair, they absolutely have a place in large homes where a single router struggles to reach every corner.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your PC is uploading Windows updates to strangers. Here's how to stop it

Fri, 05/15/2026 - 14:45

I don't think Microsoft is doing anything evil here. Windows isn't uploading my personal files, and this isn't some sketchy background process pretending to be useful. It's a real Windows feature called Delivery Optimization, and the idea is simple enough: your PC can help distribute Windows updates and Microsoft Store app updates to other PCs so everyone gets them faster.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 powerful Docker containers you can set up in under 1 hour

Fri, 05/15/2026 - 14:30

Subscription services are pretty convenient, but they're usually not free. Even when they don't cost money, you almost always pay with your privacy.

Categories: IT General, Technology

2 beginner Linux distros that don't force you to use the terminal

Fri, 05/15/2026 - 14:15

Are you switching over from Windows to Linux? Do you try to avoid the Linux terminal? Linux doesn't have to be scary, and these days there are plenty of easy options for you. I have two beginner-friendly distros that won't try to make you use the terminal.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 sizzling Paramount+ shows to watch this weekend (May 15-17)

Fri, 05/15/2026 - 14:00

Today's a big day on Paramount+, the premiere of Taylor Sheridan's wildly anticipated new Yellowstone sequel series, Dutton Ranch, has arrived on the streaming service, and I've got the details for you below.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 3D printer upgrades you can build with a $5 ESP32 board

Fri, 05/15/2026 - 14:00

Not everyone has the latest and greatest 3D printer with all the bells and whistles. Especially if you're focusing on bare-bones workhorse machines where raw capability mattered more to your budget than luxury.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Here’s why everyone is mad at Bambu Lab (again)

Fri, 05/15/2026 - 13:30

Bambu Lab is the biggest name in 3D printing right now. Not content with making the hobby accessible to a more casual audience, the company frequently flirts with controversy and finds itself in the news for all the wrong reasons.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Dutton Ranch brings Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone chaos to Paramount+, but there's a catch

Fri, 05/15/2026 - 13:21

Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone universe returns to television in Dutton Ranch, a new spin-off series starring Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton and Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler. The first two episodes are now streaming on Paramount+. If you don't have Paramount+, there is another way to watch.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 hot new Netflix shows worth binging this weekend (May 15-17)

Fri, 05/15/2026 - 13:00

May is off to an excellent start on Netflix, with some great new shows making headlines, climbing the streaming charts and Rotten Tomatoes rankings, including the cringy roast of Kevin Hart, the unsettling drama Lord of the Flies, and, to throw in a movie pick, Sally Field's heartwarming Remarkably Bright Creatures.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google is hiding one of Gemini's best features behind a paywall

Fri, 05/15/2026 - 12:30

Google Gemini can do a lot of cool stuff for free. Things like “Personal Intelligence” and ordering food from GrubHub. However, if you don’t pay for an AI subscription, you’re missing out on one of Gemini’s most useful features.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This Mazda SUV feels shockingly close to a BMW X5 for less

Thu, 05/14/2026 - 22:30

For a long time, buying a luxury SUV was pretty straightforward. If you wanted something powerful, refined, and packed with tech, you went German and accepted the hefty price tag that came with it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 new shows to watch this weekend across Netflix, Paramount+, and more (May 15-17)

Thu, 05/14/2026 - 22:00

When we last discussed new shows arriving on streaming, we spoke about The Bear spin-off episode along with the most recent adaptation of Lord of the Flies. While these shows have their moments, this week's crop of series has more star power and mainstream appeal for wide audiences.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Whole-home wired networks are a scam—here's the one Ethernet run that actually matters

Thu, 05/14/2026 - 21:30

Whole-home Ethernet sounds like the perfect home networking upgrade. In theory, having wired network access in every room seems like the best way to keep everything fast and stable. However, it’s often more effort and cost than most homes actually need, and in many cases, a single access point in the right location is all you really need.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Forget Mercedes-Benz—This affordable Korean Hybrid SUV feels surprisingly luxurious

Thu, 05/14/2026 - 21:00

Luxury SUVs have become incredibly expensive, with many premium hybrid crossovers now pushing well beyond the $60,000 mark before options. That rising cost has made mainstream alternatives far more appealing, especially as affordable brands continue improving interior quality, ride comfort, and in-car technology. Buyers no longer need a luxury badge to get features like leather upholstery, premium sound systems, massive digital displays, and a genuinely refined driving experience.

Categories: IT General, Technology

eXTReMe Tracker