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: 1 min 17 sec ago

Skip the Benchy, these are the first 6 things you should print with a new 3D printer

Wed, 04/22/2026 - 16:45

The humble Benchy is the go-to first print for many proud new 3D printer owners, a “torture test” benchmark in the form of a model boat that was designed to put the printers of the past through their paces.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Audible's default settings are slowing down your listening—here's how to fix it

Wed, 04/22/2026 - 16:30

Let’s say that you have an Audible subscription, or you’re even an Audible Plus member, and you’re looking to listen to even more books in your free time. But it just feels like there’s not enough time in the day, and slowly, the idea of keeping this subscription might not even be worth it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

7 smart home brands that bricked their own products, proving you can't trust the cloud

Wed, 04/22/2026 - 16:15

Cloud services that support smart home devices offer convenience. For example, a cloud service can allow you to control a smart home device remotely when you're away from home. However, history has shown that when companies stop offering cloud services, it can render your smart home devices completely useless.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your router is dying a slow heat death—here's how to save it

Wed, 04/22/2026 - 16:00

We all have a router, and we all neglect them. You've probably heard the tall tales of how heat affects performance, and you may not buy into it. However, the effects on electronic components are very real. Knowing the dangers could save you money, not only on routers but on all your expensive equipment.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google Wallet is becoming a better travel companion (Update: Rolling out)

Wed, 04/22/2026 - 15:52

Whether it’s finding your next train or taking a flight across the ocean, travel can be incredibly stressful. Google Wallet is already an essential travel app, but it’s getting a nice update that will make it even more useful on the go.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your driving habits determine if a hybrid is worth the premium—here's how to know

Wed, 04/22/2026 - 15:46

If you are shopping for a different vehicle these days, you have likely noticed how prominent hybrid options have become. What used to be a niche alternative is now a mainstream choice for almost every vehicle, from compact sedans and midsize SUVs to full-size pickups.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These 4 Windows laptop fixes unlock performance your manufacturer didn't want you to know about

Wed, 04/22/2026 - 15:00

You've just unboxed and powered up your shiny new Windows laptop and once you've gone through the needlessly complicated OOBE (Out-of-Box Experience), you're good to go, right?

Categories: IT General, Technology

9 open-source apps I install on every Samsung Galaxy phone

Wed, 04/22/2026 - 14:45

I've owned a Samsung Galaxy S21 FE for more than three and a half years now, and while I recently demoted it to my secondary phone, I continue using it at least a few days each week. I've got tons of apps installed on it, with a good chunk of them being open source.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This "meme" distro actually laid the groundwork for modern desktop Linux

Wed, 04/22/2026 - 14:30

RebeccaBlackOS is a fan-made Linux distribution (the title is a reference to the singer of the viral song "Friday," which I'm listening to for the first time as I write this). It sounds like a meme distro, but unlike actual meme distributions (Hannah Montana and Justin Bieber Linux come to mind), RebeccaBlackOS wasn't abandoned within months. Its developers have regularly released updates for the past 14 years, with the latest upgrade rolling out on February 22, 2026. Surprisingly, it's actually a useful and practical distro for Linux users.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This Italian luxury SUV drives like a sports sedan and undercuts its German rivals

Wed, 04/22/2026 - 14:15

Luxury SUVs from German brands have long set the standard for performance, prestige, and premium design. But for buyers who want sharper handling and more personality without paying the usual premium, one Italian contender makes a surprisingly strong case. It delivers the kind of driving engagement typically associated with a sports sedan, while still offering the space and practicality expected from an SUV.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why '90s giant TVs looked amazing but were actually terrible to own

Wed, 04/22/2026 - 14:00

I clearly remember the first time I walked into someone's house in the 1990s and saw a rear-projection TV. At the time, we had just upgraded to a 20-inch Panasonic TV, which was a big step up from the 11-inch TV we'd had up to that point.

Categories: IT General, Technology

You’re using the wrong app to open ZIP files on Windows

Wed, 04/22/2026 - 13:30

When you open a ZIP file on your Windows PC, what happens? Does an app like WinRAR or 7-Zip pop up and show you the contents of that archive?

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop avoiding ESP32 projects— this kit removes the biggest barriers to entry

Wed, 04/22/2026 - 13:00

ESP32 boards are a cheap way to build your own smart devices, but the thought of having to solder pins or wire things up to a breadboard can be enough to put people off. If you're yet to try making your own ESP32 devices, there's a new kit on the way that will make things much easier.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I bought a Linux tablet, and it’s both better and worse than Android

Wed, 04/22/2026 - 12:30

When I recently built a privacy-focused desktop, I knew I wanted a tablet–not a laptop–to go with it. Instead of an Android tablet, I purchased one running Linux. Here’s how it has fared.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Latest Rufus update debloats and installs Windows 11 silently

Wed, 04/22/2026 - 01:37

Rufus has always been one of the best apps to create a bootable USB drive for installing Windows 11. The latest version of the app now includes even more features to significantly de-bloat Windows 11 and remove Microslop before installing the operating system. The update even introduces a new “Silent” mode for unattended installation.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google just gave you the best Alexa+ feature for free—but you have to turn it on yourself

Wed, 04/22/2026 - 00:06

Google has finally brought Continued Conversation to Gemini for Google Nest devices, so you can stop repeating "Hey Google" to keep the conversation going.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Framework finally has a modular laptop with a touchscreen

Tue, 04/21/2026 - 23:36

Framework has unveiled its latest wave of modular laptops and accessories, and the highlight is the addition of a long-awaited feature: a touchscreen. The newly introduced Laptop 13 Pro is billed as a "ground up redesign" whose centerpiece is a custom 2,880x1,920, matte finish display with touch support.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stranger Things returns to Netflix this week—but it’s not what you think

Tue, 04/21/2026 - 23:00

It's only been about four months since the Stranger Things series finale, but the iconic franchisereturns to streaming this week. If you think it's a new episode from season 5, think again. Stranger Things: Tales from '85, an animated spin-off series, premieres on April 23, 2026, on Netflix in the U.S.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Here's an open-source Google Circle To Search alternative that works offline

Tue, 04/21/2026 - 22:14

A developer has just released his own version of Circle To Search for all Android devices. This open-source alternative to Google’s Circle To Search allows users to draw a circle, search for what they want, and use it on any Android device that’s on Android 10 and above.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 brilliant HBO Max shows you can binge this week (April 20-26)

Tue, 04/21/2026 - 22:00

There's something supremely therapeutic about sinking into the couch after a long day at the computer or on the job site—and getting lost in a great TV show. HBO Max has spent decades making sure you have something good to watch when you do, but we're here to make sure you find it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

eXTReMe Tracker