How-To Geek

The popularity of USB flash drives was undeniable a decade ago, but they’ve somewhat fallen out of fashion in favor of much faster external SSDs. However, now that SSD prices are creeping up and showing no signs of slowing, it might be time to give traditional USB drives another look.

Transmission is my favorite BitTorrent client, with excellent ports to Windows, Linux, macOS, and headless servers. Now, Transmission 4.1 has arrived after over a year of development, and it has some great changes.

Apple's native messaging app is the obvious choice for your texting needs as an iPhone user, especially if you're seeped into the Apple ecosystem. There are, however, a few changes you can make so your conversations feel smoother. If you're a new Messages user or want to improve your texting experience on the app, make sure you enable these settings now.

Android has long included bits and pieces of a make-shift desktop mode, but only Samsung has gone above and beyond with their own DeX experience. Last year, Google officially teased its brand new desktop mode for Android, and now we’re getting our first look at it in action.

AirPods have become the wireless earbuds everyone owns, and those who don’t often wish they did. However, just because iPhone users default to AirPods without considering other options on the market, that doesn't automatically make them the best option. Plenty of alternatives can offer more for a lot less money.

USB sticks are convenient gadgets for transferring files. You've probably got a bunch of them in your desk drawer, in your bags, plugged into TVs—and they're all putting your data at risk. Here's why.

Unlike Windows or macOS, there are Linux operating systems that can run entirely off a USB stick. They can be configured to save their data to that same USB stick or external hard drive, which makes them portable operating systems. You could take a USB stick like that anywhere with you, plug it into any PC, and boot into it. As soon as you log into it, you'll see all your files, settings, and apps just where you left them. Let me show how you can carry a workspace in your pocket.

Luxury buyers used to favor big, imposing SUVs, but the soaring popularity of the BMW X3 reveals a shift in priorities. In 2025, many buyers are gravitating toward smaller, more efficient luxury crossovers that deliver a compelling balance of performance, refinement, and everyday usability, without the size, cost, and bulk of larger SUVs. The X3’s strong sales make it a standout example of how expectations are changing in the premium market.

I used to think bigger was better when it came to computers, but I’ve begun to change my thinking on that. Mini PCs are more powerful now than ever before, and they have actually redefined what a desktop should be in my mind.

If you only use the clipboard feature occasionally, the default Windows clipboard is serviceable enough. However, if your workflow relies heavily on copy-pasting stuff (like mine does), there are better tools available. Ditto is one such tool. It's an open-source clipboard manager meant for power users.

Ever find yourself comfortable in bed, only to realize your PC is still running across the room? Do you want a way to shut down your PC with a single tap on your phone? Well, here’s how I added a one-tap kill switch for my Windows PC on my Android home screen.

One of the biggest buzzwords I remember from the 90s was "convergence", where different types of technology would all come together in a single device. Our smartphones are convergent devices. You can replace your mail, music, movies, books, and more with just this one device that does everything. By and large, I think convergence like this was a good thing.

Tech updates happen constantly, making it easy to forget the basic foundations that built our current digital society. We're hitting an amazing milestone this year because it's the thirtieth birthday of some truly iconic software. Anyone using tech today should really take a moment to reflect on the anniversary of these revolutionary platforms, which we rely on daily without a second thought.

A brand-new Tacoma starts just over $32K—a number that would have sounded laughable for a Porsche a few years ago. Today, that same cash can get you a used Cayenne E-Hybrid, a luxury plug-in SUV that once topped $80K.

Google Search is not what it was. With the AI overviews, random panels, ads, SEO sludge, and more making the actual search results harder to find than ever, I was ready for a change. Looking for something modern, but more like a classic search engine, I gave Startpage a try. Here's how it went.

Whereas SATA SSDs are pretty tame regarding thermals, the latest and greatest SSDs can get scorching hot under strenuous loads, and next-gen SSDs will get even hotter. No worries, though, because your motherboard's built-in SSD heatsink can solve the overheating issue, in most cases.

Open Microsoft Word, move an image 2mm to the left, and the whole document explodes. Open Excel, however, and you're met with a rigid, unbreakable grid. It tells you exactly where the data goes before you even have a plan, so you can start dumping your brains into the boxes right away.

LCD picture frames look more like static computer monitors than photos. Fortunately, there is a new crop of E-Ink-based frames that are closer to the mark. SwitchBot’s AI Art Frame may have a gimmick baked into the name, but slop aside, I’m a fan of what this product has to offer—it’s just not quite good enough for an easy recommendation.

Microsoft is bringing its most advanced AI collaborator to the Excel desktop app. Previously only accessible in Excel for the web, Agent Mode is now generally available on Windows and Mac, allowing Copilot to build complex workbooks, fix formulas, and even let you choose between models.

Did someone say polar vortex? When the weather outside is like this, the only sensible thing to do is crank the heat and watch movies. Paramount+ is about to switch over into February, and there's no telling when these four titles might move on to another streamer, so best watch them while you can.