How-To Geek

Long before it was even remotely possible, people have dreamed of a world where your house just takes care of you. Once it became clear that computers would be more than just a fad, the home automation fantasies really started to take hold. So I wondered how close some of the classic depictions came to our present day, or perhaps our very immediate future.

The Mazda Miata is a beloved driver’s car for a reason: lightweight balance, engaging handling, and pure fun behind the wheel. But as great as it is, its small cabin and limited cargo space can eventually feel too tight for drivers who want more comfort, power, or everyday usability. If you’ve reached the point where the Miata feels a bit too compact for daily life, long trips, or just added practicality, it might be time to consider an upgrade.

Home Assistant just announced a significant shift in its partnership program, formally removing smart home brand HELTUN from the "Works with Home Assistant" certification. The popular open-source home automation platform published a full explanation of the decision.

Jellyfin is a fantastic open-source media server, but the client applications can be rough around the edges, especially in comparison to Plex's apps. Thankfully, the Roku app for Jellyfin is now getting some helpful improvements.

Computer hardware is getting much more expensive, and I'm not just talking about the fancy stuff. Core components like RAM, storage, and power supplies are going up in price due to unprecedented market conditions. Which means even people who are just looking for a basic desktop PC, or who want to host simple services at home are facing big price tags.

Homelabs are fun and I absolutely love mine. However, it was using way more electricity than it needed, and that was costing me more money every month than I was willing to pay. Here are three ways I lowered my homelab’s impact on my monthly power bill.

Google Gemini is rolling out an organizational update to its web interface, adding a dedicated Documents history section inside the My Stuff folder. This should help you keep track of the text-heavy outputs Gemini creates, particularly those generated by the Deep Research and Canvas.

German carmakers have long dominated the luxury SUV scene. The GLC, X3, and Q5 have set the standard, with the Macan adding sporty flair—until the Genesis GV70 showed up and shook things up.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max is an amazing phone, starting at $1,199, but Apple’s storage upgrades are eye-watering. The 2TB model costs $1,999, which is a staggering price for a phone that isn’t an experimental, ultra-high-end device like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7.

The development team behind the Wine compatibility layer for Linux has announced the full release of Wine version 11.0, bringing several performance improvements with it.

The Raspberry Pi, especially the latest Raspberry Pi 5, is a versatile and popular computing solution. It's affordable, it's surprisingly powerful, and it's perfect for infinite projects that tinkerers love.

Mozilla rolls out new updates for the Firefox browser about once a month, delivering new features, web APIs, and bug fixes. Firefox 147 is now available with a handy new video playback option, as well as graphics and privacy improvements.

After quitting Spotify Premium last year, I've been on the lookout for other ways to listen to music online without ads or to acquire music without breaking the bank. One avenue for both I've discovered by checking out what my local library has on offer.

Some smart home devices can pay for themselves over time. However, there are some common smart home habits that could be quietly costing you money.

Google Home is rolling out a substantial update that introduces new starters, conditions, and actions, which will make complex smart home automations easier. This is great for anyone who felt limited by the simple time-based or motion-based routines that Google Home previously offered.

We recently highlighted some exciting new DeWALT tools coming in 2026, and this week, ahead of the annual World of Concrete Expo, the popular tool brand unveiled a few more impressive products. Sometimes you need a tool that's extra tough and powerful, and that's where the new DeWALT POWERSHIFT 12-inch Cut-Off Saw comes to save the day.

Apple's professional applications for photo editing, audio production, and music editing are fantastic, but the Mac and iPad versions have historically been sold separately, with the Mac versions only offered through expensive one-time purchases. Now, there's another option for getting all of them: the Apple Creator Studio subscription.

After a long stretch with only minor updates, Infiniti unveiled a complete redesign of its flagship SUV, the QX80, for the 2025 model year. While consumers looking for a large luxury SUV may already gravitate toward stalwarts like the Lincoln Navigator, Lexus LX, and Cadillac Escalade, Infiniti makes a compelling case with its redesigned QX80.

USB-C has become one of the most common and versatile ports on laptops, but not all USB-C ports are created equal. Many casual users don’t realize there’s a special kind of port that looks just like USB-C but is far more powerful—Thunderbolt. Having this special port in your next laptop matters more than you think.

The next time you're wandering through the hardware store looking for your next power tool, you'll see brands like Milwaukee, Ryobi, DeWALT, and several others. It's already overwhelming, but then you'll realize each brand has several iterations. DeWALT fans have likely seen various near-identical 12V or 20V yellow tools on shelves, and here's what you need to know.