How-To Geek

Microsoft Excel still rules on the desktop, but the mobile app (iOS and Android) has quietly developed a few advantages of its own. From scanning tables with your camera to touch-friendly data entry, some Excel tasks are genuinely faster and easier on your phone. Here are five workflows to start using today.

Self-hosting had always sounded appealing; the idea of running my own services and keeping control of my data was music to my ears. Despite running a Home Assistant server for several years, however, I'd never gotten beyond that point until I bought a relatively cheap mini PC.

Have you ever wondered just how much it costs to run your homelab? The answer might shock you—it did for me. Here's how I started measuring the power draw of my homelab, and why it's important to do so.

I never leave the house without a few essentials. Those include my phone, wallet, keys, and my daily carry pocket knife and flashlight. And if you're still using your phone as a flashlight, I have the perfect upgrade for you.

For months, I thought my favorite pair of earbuds, which I used a lot for podcasts and long workdays, was just wearing out as electronics do. The sound had become dull, the vocals seemed distant, the bass muddy, and the cymbals sounded indistinct. I blamed software updates, battery degradation, or just normal wear from daily use. I was already browsing for replacement models when I thought about cleaning them. This led to a serious look at how I take care of my earbuds. Basically, the jump in sound quality was immediate and embarrassing because it's so simple. If you, like me, believe your earbuds are worn out and ready to throw away, you might be surprised to learn that their best days are still ahead.

Google Gemini can be a genuinely useful assistant in your day-to-day life. It can also be a completely pointless, nonsense machine for your own enjoyment. I decided to combine those two very different approaches—practical and silly—and I wish I’d done it sooner.

Pipes are a very powerful core feature of Linux. By chaining programs together, you can carry out complex tasks with a small set of tools. But piping isn’t always the best solution; when it’s not needed, it can increase complexity and lead to less efficient options.

Home Assistant has so many features that you’re bound to have missed a few. Though you can get by with the basics, some of the things you never touch can make your server more efficient and your smart home even smarter.

Paramount+ subscribers might be deeply invested in Yellowstone's sequel series, Dutton Ranch, which premieres tonight, or maybe even hunkered down with a South Park binge session. Either way, when the credits roll and the algorithm runs dry, finding your next watch can be a part-time job. I will be the first to recommend a good documentary to shake up your brain.

Family SUVs are changing fast, and buyers in 2026 are getting a lot pickier about what actually works day to day. Bigger engines and brute force used to be the default, but that thinking is starting to fade.

When the time comes to buy a portable external battery, you have to choose between the largest one you can afford or going for a smaller one. I'm here to argue that smaller is better.

The Outback has long stood apart from the sea of mainstream crossovers by offering something buyers could no longer find anywhere else: a rugged wagon that blended SUV practicality with a more car-like driving experience. For decades, that formula helped it become one of Subaru’s most recognizable and successful models. However, the redesigned 2026 version takes the nameplate in a very different direction, and not everyone is happy about it.

Phone hardware has been stagnating over the last few years. Unlike the 2010s, during which we saw gigantic steps forward with each phone generation, the 2020s are all about software, at least when it comes to Western phone brands, including Samsung.

Your DNS server may log every website you visit, and if you've never configured a privacy-respecting one, you're likely exposing your activity online. It's not a technical issue but a legal one. I'll go over which services I trust and why.

The pipeline feature is one of the driving forces behind the Linux philosophy, a single character that changes everything about how you work. By connecting the output of one command to the input of another, you can chain small programs together, creating a tool that is far greater than the sum of its parts.

For years, BMW’s sport sedans have been the benchmark if you wanted a car that could comfortably handle both your daily commute and a back-road blast without breaking a sweat. The M3 and M340i, in particular, built their reputations on delivering serious performance without completely sacrificing refinement.

In a world that often thrives on being far too serious, outrageously funny TV shows deliver much-needed relief because they’re proudly unapologetic and completely unforgettable. They don’t just aim for a giggle — they go all-in with laugh-out-loud chaos, socially unacceptable characters, razor-sharp writing, and wildly entertaining moments.

The first smartphones had physical keyboards, and after over a decade of continuous slab phones, some of us still long to have our buttons back. Fortunately, the time for physical keyboards has returned, and these four brands are making it happen.

OnePlus appears to be scaling back its U.S. presence after withdrawing from other countries. Best Buy stores across the country have been pulling OnePlus phones from display shelves, limiting customers to online orders and some in-store pickups.

Rooftop solar is one of the best things to happen to my home, but I still encounter trepidation when I speak about solar with others. There is a repetitiveness to the concerns, so let's just address them head-on.