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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: 17 min ago

5 new shows to watch this weekend across Netflix, HBO Max, and more (April 24-26)

Thu, 04/23/2026 - 22:00

Welcome back, Stranger Things. Netflix's flagship show returns this week, so putting it at the top of our rankings is a no-brainer. The characters you have come to know and love will be present. However, it's not your typical Stranger Things show—it's an animated spin-off, so you're about to see a new side of Hawkins.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Forget Mercedes—this Lexus SUV is the smarter luxury buy

Thu, 04/23/2026 - 21:45

Luxury means something different now than it did decades ago. Long before Mercedes made upscale SUVs a status symbol, Jeep got there first with the 1966 Super Wagoneer, adding air conditioning, plush trim, and V-8 power to a class that was mostly stripped-down workhorses.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These are the 5 Google Wallet settings I change on every Pixel phone

Thu, 04/23/2026 - 21:00

Google Wallet is so convenient, but if you only ever use it with the default settings, you aren't getting the most out of the app. On my Pixel phone, I tweak a few usability and privacy settings, as well as create shortcuts to make it quicker to use, and they really make a difference.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Tesla says millions will need Full Self-Driving upgrades—after promising they didn't

Thu, 04/23/2026 - 20:51

Tesla has held an earnings call to discuss its first quarter 2026 results, and revealed more about its plans, including a change of heart on promises that millions of cars would only need software updates for zero-supervision Full-Self Driving.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The golden age of the $150 mini PC is officially over (and the only budget option left is ironically an Apple Mac Mini)

Thu, 04/23/2026 - 20:30

I've been flying the mini PC flag for some time now, after I realized just how much value these little computers could provide. The used mini PC market in particular was replete with machines that cost less than a Raspberry Pi. but could run circles around the popular single-board computer for just about any computing task.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop paying for premium gas: These 4 affordable luxury SUVs don't need it

Thu, 04/23/2026 - 19:45

Luxury SUVs often come with hidden ownership costs, and one of the most frustrating is the requirement for premium fuel. While higher-octane gas can be expected in high-performance models, many buyers are surprised to find even entry-level luxury SUVs demanding extra money at every fill-up. In 2026, however, a few affordable premium SUVs still manage to deliver refinement without the premium fuel bill.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 tips to save your NBA Playoffs stream when it crashes mid-game

Thu, 04/23/2026 - 19:30

For the next two months, I will be locked in for the NBA Playoffs. I'm a New York Knicks fan, so I'm hoping their season ends in June rather than April. As much as I love basketball, I'm extremely frustrated with the NBA right now. This is the first postseason since the league signed its 11-year, $77 billion media rights deal with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I mix drive sizes in my NAS and it saves thousands on upgrades

Thu, 04/23/2026 - 19:00

Having to use all the same drive sizes in a NAS is a pain in the neck. That’s why I mix the drives in my main NAS. It might sound complicated, but, so long as you follow a few simple steps, you can easily mix drive sizes in a NAS and get much better use out of the storage you own than with traditional RAID.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Home Assistant projects to try this weekend (April 24-26)

Thu, 04/23/2026 - 18:45

Voice assistants like Alexa are easy to use but come with significant issues. One of the biggest is that the voice recordings are sent to the cloud for processing, and some of these recordings have been listened to by third-party contractors hired to judge the quality of smart speaker responses. If you want a smart speaker that doesn't invade your privacy, you can always build your own.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These 3 Netflix shows prove the live-action anime curse is finally broken

Thu, 04/23/2026 - 18:30

Netflix has a difficult reputation among anime fans. While the streamer has produced many recent hits and compiled beloved franchises—including Neon Genesis Evangelion and Studio Ghibli's filmography—into one convenient place, their release strategies have left global audiences divided. However, one unanimously disliked initiative by the platform has been their handling of live-action adaptations of beloved titles, resulting in panned projects such as Death Note and Cowboy Bebop.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Money Heist returns: Everything coming to Netflix in May

Thu, 04/23/2026 - 18:01

Summer is almost here, and as the anticipation heats up, so will your weekend streaming runs. This May, Netflix is bringing a string of original shows and films, blockbuster live events, and gripping documentaries that will make for a perfect early-summer watch list.

Categories: IT General, Technology

6 alternative CLI tools I immediately install on Linux

Thu, 04/23/2026 - 18:01

The standard utilities on Linux are boring; have you ever noticed that? Their function is essential, but they're boring. Wouldn't you like to jazz up their outputs with some pretty colors? Or even speed them up? These terminal utilities do that and more.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Practical, efficient, and fast: The Japanese PHEV that makes hot hatches obsolete

Thu, 04/23/2026 - 17:45

Hot hatches have long been the go-to choice for drivers who want performance without sacrificing everyday usability. They offer quick acceleration, sharp handling, and enough practicality to serve as a daily driver. But as electrification reshapes the market, a new kind of performance vehicle is starting to challenge that formula, one that adds SUV versatility and plug-in hybrid efficiency to the mix.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Android's new instant email verification gets rid of annoying OTP codes entirely

Thu, 04/23/2026 - 17:38

If you’ve signed up for any app on your phone, you already know the drill. You input your email, hit “continue,” switch to your inbox, look for the verification code, flip back to the app, and type it in. The worst part—you got it wrong for the first time due to a typo or a forgetful memory, so you’re back to square one.

Categories: IT General, Technology

That little hole on your laptop is a $25 theft deterrent you're probably ignoring

Thu, 04/23/2026 - 17:30

See that little hole pictured above with the "K" and lock icon? There's a good chance if you go and look at your laptop right now, you'll have the same one. There's also a good chance you never noticed it before, but this is one of the best security features on laptops and even some desktop PC cases. So why not use it?

Categories: IT General, Technology

I drive with Android Auto every day—here's why it's stuck in the past

Thu, 04/23/2026 - 17:15

Plenty of people use Android Auto for its great real-time traffic updates with Google Maps and handling media playback with services like Spotify and YouTube Music. I'm behind the wheel every day, and over countless miles, I've found a few different areas where the experience still feels too restrictive and outdated.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Raspberry Pi projects to try this weekend (April 24 - 26)

Thu, 04/23/2026 - 17:00

It’s that time of the week again—time for more Raspberry Pi projects! Today, This week I'll be showing you how to know if your backyard is safe from drones or not, how to track how much milk you have left, and even a way to tell the temperature of your swimming pool without ever walking outside.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Upgrade Advisor is vibe-coded chaos—but it might save your Home Assistant setup anyway

Thu, 04/23/2026 - 16:45

Home Assistant releases regular updates each month. These updates add useful new features and integrations, but they can also include breaking changes that can stop some things from working. When I learned there was a new vibe-coded integration that can check what will break before you upgrade, I wanted to try it out.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why your homelab needs a domain

Thu, 04/23/2026 - 16:39

Are you still typing in IP addresses and port numbers to access your self-hosted services? It's time to stop. You need a domain name for your homelab, as it simply makes it far easier to access your self-hosted services like Scrypted, Calibre, or any other piece of software you use inside your home network.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop installing these 4 apps—Windows does it all now

Thu, 04/23/2026 - 16:30

I'm one of the first people to bring up how bloated Windows has become, stuffed with features and software that no one needs or wants. However, I also have to give credit where it's due.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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