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: 53 min 30 sec ago

These 4 overlooked Plex companion apps do what the official app refuses to

Sat, 08/22/2026 - 18:00

Plex is the ideal starting point for anyone who wants to build their own media server with minimal setup. But it isn't perfect. Some features you might want are missing, while others are locked behind a paywall. I use a few companion apps to add these features and upgrade my Plex experience in the process.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I fed my Android apps fake location data to make myself harder to track

Sat, 08/22/2026 - 17:45

Part of owning a smartphone is knowing that apps track where I go more than I'd like to admit. That doesn't mean there's nothing you can do about it. I started spoofing my location on purpose: here's what happened, why it's worth trying, and what else you can layer on top of it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I finally found a Windows firewall app that doesn’t get in my way

Sat, 08/22/2026 - 17:30

Windows comes with a built-in firewall, and right out of the gate, I have to say that it is adequate. If you've never thought about the word "firewall" and don't have any interest in managing your Windows computer's network activity or security, then the default firewall is great.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 signs you've outgrown Linux Mint

Sat, 08/22/2026 - 17:15

Like many Linux users, I came to appreciate Linux through beginner-friendly distros like Linux Mint and Zorin OS. They make the transition from Windows much easier, and in Mint's case, a big part of the appeal is how little it asks of you. It's stable and familiar to Windows users. You can install it and use your PC without spending much time thinking about what's happening underneath.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I stopped using virtual drives and now I run my retro Raspberry Pi projects from optical media

Sat, 08/22/2026 - 17:00

You can do a lot of cool stuff with an older Rapsberry Pi. I use mine for a few things: development, home lab experiments, and some light writing and programming. But, like many Pi enthusiasts, I also use it for various retro projects. Lately, I've been using optical media for storage and retrieval for very specific reasons.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 versatile new DeWALT tools still coming in 2026

Sat, 08/22/2026 - 16:30

Who needs more cordless power tools? DeWALT tools are extremely popular among homeowners and professionals, partly thanks to their constant stream of exciting new products, and the company isn't slowing down anytime soon. Recently, DeWALT unveiled several new tools for the second half of 2026, and they'll be worth the wait.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Infiniti borrowed NASA's seat research for the QX60, but the cupholders are the real engineering win

Sat, 08/22/2026 - 16:15

When Nissan engineers borrowed NASA's research on neutral body posture to design the seats in the Infiniti QX60, they wanted to keep drivers and passengers comfortable on long trips. Believe it or not, that same engineering mindset extends to something a lot less glamorous than astronaut ergonomics. Cupholders.

Categories: IT General, Technology

My new Ryobi impact driver is great, but I should have spent more on this instead

Sat, 08/22/2026 - 16:00

I’m not one to simply buy power tools on a whim; I usually need a good excuse. Recently I decided to take the plunge on an impact driver to see me through a weekend project and into the future. I ended up with a relatively cheap Ryobi model, and I love it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google Play Edition phones were the peak of Android, and I desperately want them back

Sat, 08/22/2026 - 15:45

Back when Android phones were still establishing their core identity, and Google was still a bright-eyed company mostly focused on software, Google came up with a brilliant idea, and, surprisingly, its partners played along. It was called "Google Play Edition" phones.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I vibe-coded an app with Claude just to fix one of my smallest Windows annoyances

Sat, 08/22/2026 - 15:30

Sometimes a Windows bug is too small to carefully fix but too annoying to ignore. For years, my sound card has had its output mode switched from stereo to 5.1 after every reboot. Fixing it manually isn't difficult or all that time-consuming, but over the thousands of reboots since I purchased the card years ago, it adds up to several hours just changing audio device configurations.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 essential coffee upgrades to get out of bed for

Sat, 08/22/2026 - 15:00

The one thing that makes it easier for me to get up at 6 am for a training session or video call with someone on the other side of the world is the guarantee that my first cup of coffee will be a good one.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I replaced Android's voice typing with an offline option that respects my privacy

Sat, 08/22/2026 - 14:45

I make heavy use of voice dictation—I'm actually speaking the words you're reading right now. But I'm squeamish about the privacy concerns of Gboard and the connectivity requirements of Wispr Flow. Fortunately, I've found a private, offline-only option that is just as good—if not better.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 reasons why a Fire TV Stick is the most important gadget in your suitcase

Sat, 08/22/2026 - 14:30

Unfortunately, the end of August means the end of summer is near. It's the last chance to get that last-minute trip in before the school year starts, and the weather starts to cool down. As one of those people taking a trip, I've started to realize that the most important tool in my suitcase is an Amazon Fire TV Stick.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I built a NAS from a decade-old PC and it still beats a Synology

Sat, 08/22/2026 - 14:15

A NAS is a simple way to add a miniature cloud storage setup to your home network. Most of them are even versatile enough that they can host some basic open-source services as well, like a Navidrome music server or a WireGuard VPN. However, if you have an old PC lying around, you probably don't need to buy a dedicated NAS—you can repurpose the old PC instead.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The compact luxury SUV that BMW and Mercedes probably wish didn't exist

Sat, 08/22/2026 - 14:00

The compact luxury SUV segment is dominated by familiar German badges, but a newer challenger is making it increasingly difficult to justify paying extra for them. It offers a genuinely upscale interior, strong performance, generous standard equipment, and a driving experience that feels more engaging than you might expect from a luxury crossover. Better still, it manages all of this while costing roughly the same as its most obvious rivals.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I finally found a reason to use Edge. Now Microsoft is taking it away

Sat, 08/22/2026 - 13:30

There's a long-standing debate over which web browser you should use. Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, and plenty of others all have their fans, and most of us eventually settle on whichever one fits our particular needs. For me, Edge Drop makes Microsoft's browser considerably more useful—but now that's being taken away.

Categories: IT General, Technology

If you love arts and crafts hobbies then you need a 3D printer

Sat, 08/22/2026 - 13:00

Do you love making things and getting your hands dirty? Whether you’re into arts, crafts, or both, a 3D printer could be a good investment. You don’t need model design skills to benefit either, since there’s a whole world of models out there just waiting to be discovered.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This modernized Lamborghini has less tech, and that's the point

Fri, 08/21/2026 - 23:30

Modern cars are packed with technology. Touchscreens control everything from climate settings to drive modes, computers constantly adjust suspension and power delivery, and increasingly sophisticated driver-assistance systems are always watching what happens around you. Even the humble manual transmission is rapidly disappearing.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 award-winning Netflix movies to watch this weekend (August 21-23)

Fri, 08/21/2026 - 22:30

Netflix has plenty of new titles competing for attention every week. However, I sometimes prefer to revisit something that has already proven itself. Award-winning movies may not be everyone's favorite, but they're great to explore when I want to get out of my Netflix doomscroll.

Categories: IT General, Technology

8 useful things you can plug into your car's OBD2 port

Fri, 08/21/2026 - 22:26

Have you ever looked under your car's steering wheel at all the wires, fuses, and plugs? If so, you might find an odd plug called an OBD-II port. That's the same port any technician uses during a smog test, and mechanics access it to scan for check engine light errors, but that's not all it can do. You can plug several useful or weird things into that 16-pin port.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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