How-To Geek

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We explain technology. Learn more with our articles, reviews, tips, and the best answers to your most pressing tech questions.
Updated: 9 min 19 sec ago

Why Gboard is better than Samsung Keyboard

Tue, 03/31/2026 - 20:00

The Samsung Keyboard supports glide typing, voice dictation, multiple languages, and deep customization through Good Lock. On paper, it’s a very capable and perfectly functional keyboard. However, it’s only when I started using it that I realized great features don’t necessarily translate to a great user experience. Here’s every problem I faced with the Samsung Keyboard, and why I’m permanently sticking with Gboard as my main Android keyboard.

Categories: IT General, Technology

2026 VW ID.4 finally gets Tesla Supercharger access and more power

Tue, 03/31/2026 - 19:45

Volkswagen is refining its flagship EV, the ID.4, by looking at both its heritage and future. The 2026 ID.4 mirrors the original Beetle’s rear-motor layout while introducing updated hardware for a seamless EV ownership experience. This year’s big news for the ID.4 is the addition of a North American Charging System (NACS) adapter, granting owners access to 25,000 Tesla Superchargers nationwide.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Amazon Alexa+ now lets you order from Uber Eats like you’re asking a waiter

Tue, 03/31/2026 - 19:36

You no longer have to speak like a robot to order delivery food through your smart speaker. Alexa+ now offers natural-language ordering through Grubhub and Uber Eats that lets you speak “like you would with a waiter,” according to Amazon.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Korean SUV that's making BMW and Audi owners question their choices

Tue, 03/31/2026 - 19:30

Luxury SUVs from German brands have long defined the benchmark for premium design, technology, and prestige. But that reputation often comes with steep pricing, expensive option packages, and ownership costs that quickly add up. In today’s market, one Korean luxury SUV is challenging that formula by delivering the same sense of refinement and presence for significantly less money.

Categories: IT General, Technology

If Netflix autoplays these 5 shows, don't skip them

Tue, 03/31/2026 - 17:16

Finding the next show to watch can be overwhelming with how flooded your recommendations seem, but occasionally the answer is right in front of you. Netflix gives you a preview of related programs after you're done watching a title, and you can discover some incredible gems through this feature.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Self-hosting gave me the digital freedom I wish I'd found sooner

Tue, 03/31/2026 - 17:09

Do you know what self-hosting is? If not, it’s when you take an online service and host yourself on your own computers. Not everyone knows about it, and I want to change that.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why your next graphics card will cost more and do less than you'd expect

Tue, 03/31/2026 - 17:00

Whether it's your favorite snack food or the latest PC components, we're getting less in the package for the same price. Yes, shrinkflation happens to PC hardware too, although the ways it manifests can be complicated.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Squeeze your phone: Why Google's forgotten Pixel gesture was better than anything today

Tue, 03/31/2026 - 16:45

Physical buttons on Android phones come at a premium these days. Most of the buttons you’d find on old phones have been replaced by software gestures. For a few years, Pixel phones had the best of both worlds: a physical gesture—it was super cool.

Categories: IT General, Technology

You’re probably ready for Arch Linux. Here’s how to tell

Tue, 03/31/2026 - 16:30

If you're new to Linux, you might have heard Linux experts talking about how good Arch Linux is. You might be wondering if you're ready to go beyond your first "beginner" distro and learn a distro that will teach you how Linux actually works. Here are some ways to tell you're ready to take the next step.

Categories: IT General, Technology

USB 2.0 is still better than USB 3 (and your new laptop agrees)

Tue, 03/31/2026 - 16:00

USB 2.0 was released to the world early in the year 2000, making it over a quarter-century old at this point. Yet, your new laptop or desktop motherboard almost certainly has at least one USB 2.0 port. Why include such an old standard on modern computers?

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop damaging your 3D printer—5 things you keep getting wrong

Tue, 03/31/2026 - 15:45

Even with all the shared knowledge about dialing in slicer settings, getting layer adhesion just right, and finding the next exotic filament, it's easy to make mistakes with your 3D printer. Those small errors that come from rushing things or not quite understanding can put a big, lasting strain on delicate parts.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These 4 Outlook tools helped me achieve "Inbox Zero"

Tue, 03/31/2026 - 15:30

Outlook is one of the most versatile email clients out there, even if you don't use Microsoft's own email services. If you're anything like me, you probably leave thousands of unread emails accumulating over time, but it turns out Outlook is pretty good at culling this.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to check your SSD's health and spot potential problems

Tue, 03/31/2026 - 15:01

You don't have to wait for your SSD to go sideways before testing it for issues. Instead of waking up one day to sudden crashes and other erratic behavior, you can take preventive measures from time to time to check your drive's health and back up your data before it's too late.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 ESP32 projects that are worth the time and money

Tue, 03/31/2026 - 14:45

When you start thinking about DIY projects, a Raspberry Pi is often the first thing that comes to mind. However, if you want to build some ultra-low power, portable, or embedded, you should also consider an ESP32.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These are the 5 coolest things I've automated with Home Assistant

Tue, 03/31/2026 - 14:15

Home Assistant can help you to do useful things, such as turning lights on and off or controlling your heating, but not every automation has to be completely practical. These are some of the coolest things I've done using Home Assistant.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Optical audio is killing your soundbar's best features—switch to HDMI instead

Tue, 03/31/2026 - 14:00

Speaker technology moves a bit more slowly than our other gadgets, but that doesn't mean that their connections lag behind. Optical cables were sufficient 30 years ago, but these days, they're holding your sound system back.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The VS Code alternative that every developer should try in 2026

Tue, 03/31/2026 - 13:30

If you are reading this, there is a 90% chance you have VS Code installed. It is the industry standard for a reason. It has an extension for everything from Kubernetes management to a pet cat that walks across your status bar, but as we move through 2026, many of us have started to notice the "Electron Creep" and the lag it brings. The reality is that VS Code is essentially a web browser pretending to be a text editor.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your PC is out of RAM? Try these 3 Windows tricks before buying more

Tue, 03/31/2026 - 13:30

RAM prices have soared in the last year, and what used to be an inexpensive component to upgrade now can cost as much as a GPU used to. If your PC is running low on RAM, there are a few things you can do to mitigate the problem.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This is the one Windows feature that convinced me I don't need Linux

Tue, 03/31/2026 - 13:00

I like to experiment as much as the next tech guy. I’m always trying new tools, tweaking my setup, and looking for ways to work a little faster or with less friction. I've complained about Windows plenty over the years, too. The bloat, the telemetry, the way it tries to push you into doing things a certain way. On paper, Linux often feels like the escape hatch, a cleaner, more flexible alternative where you're actually in control.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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