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: 18 min 39 sec ago

One old smart plug is undoing your entire Wi-Fi security upgrade

Thu, 07/30/2026 - 20:45

WPA3 is one of those router settings that most people will tell you to use. You might have done it and assumed your job was done, but that's not always true. Unfortunately.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your ISP watches everything you do: Enable this Windows 11 setting to stop it

Thu, 07/30/2026 - 20:30

Every time you type a website into your browser, your ISP gets a free ticket to watch it. A few Windows 11 privacy settings get talked about a lot, but this one rarely does, even though it's been sitting inside your PC this whole time. It's not a third-party app, and you don't need to install anything new. You only need to know where to look, and honestly, most people never do.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your Roku can do more than streaming, here are the hidden features most people miss

Thu, 07/30/2026 - 20:25

I've had Roku devices in my house for years, going all the way back to when it was just a little box sitting next to the TV. At this point, I've got several Roku TVs and a few sticks spread across different rooms, and for the most part, I've always used them the same way. Open an app, pick something to watch, and move on. It works, so I never really thought much about what else was there.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your old Galaxy phone is just waiting to be converted into a mini PC

Thu, 07/30/2026 - 20:20

If you own an old Samsung Galaxy phone you aren't using anymore and need a secondary PC, consider converting it into a mini PC instead of buying one. The only prerequisite is support for Samsung DeX. While you might think that a desktop experience on an Android phone would be dragged down by all kinds of limitations and annoyances, I can attest that it's much better than I expected.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your Windows Snipping Tool has a built-in screen recorder, text extractor, and AI search

Thu, 07/30/2026 - 20:00

Most people think of the built-in Windows Snipping Tool as the little thing that pops up when you press the "Print Screen" button, but the truth is that this app can do far more than take screenshots.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The used luxury sedan that feels like a six-figure bargain

Thu, 07/30/2026 - 19:45

The luxury sedan segment has long been dominated by familiar names. Buyers shopping for a flagship model have traditionally gravitated toward the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Audi A8, or Lexus LS, expecting class-leading comfort, cutting-edge technology, and impeccable craftsmanship.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I turned a $6 ESP32 into a physical "trash day" reminder I can't ignore

Thu, 07/30/2026 - 19:30

My trash day reminder is one of my favorite automations. Using an integration that pulls the information from an official website, Home Assistant always knows which trash collection is due. Even using spoken reminders, however, we still sometimes forget to put the trash out on the right day, so I decided to build something that would be harder to ignore.

Categories: IT General, Technology

New Android phones aren't worth buying anymore

Thu, 07/30/2026 - 19:20

Android is in a strange place right now. New phones have never been better, yet it's harder than ever to justify buying the latest one. You're better off keeping your current device until it's no longer up to the job. And when you do need to replace it, buy an older model instead.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your other streaming apps have 4 great movies Netflix can't touch

Thu, 07/30/2026 - 19:01

Netflix is arguably the most popular streaming service in the world. However, it's not the only streamer that boasts great movies. HBO Max, Hulu, Paramount+, and Prime Video all have vast libraries with terrific movies in various genres. If you know where to look, you'll find plenty of certified classics.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The hybrid crossover that's built to last

Thu, 07/30/2026 - 18:45

Toyota has spent decades building a reputation for vehicles that last. From dependable powertrains to strong resale values and low running costs, the brand has become one of the most trusted names for buyers who want a vehicle they can keep for years.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These 3 Raspberry Pi projects solve real problems—and one brings back cassette nostalgia (July 31 - August 2)

Thu, 07/30/2026 - 18:31

Are you ready for some more fun projects to tackle with your Raspberry Pi this weekend? Well, you're in luck, and I actually have one project that's sure to bring you down the path of nostalgia before it's all over.

Categories: IT General, Technology

You need to try this CarPlay customization trick that no one talks about

Thu, 07/30/2026 - 18:14

When you use CarPlay, you probably just start some music, enter a destination, and drive off. However, there is a lesser-known feature that can make your CarPlay experience a lot more personal and fun: setting a custom greeting or sound when it connects to your car.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This 3D Blockbuster recreation brings back the video store browsing that streaming killed

Thu, 07/30/2026 - 18:07

Walking through the aisles of a video store used to be half the fun of a movie night. You judged films by their cover art, stumbled across forgotten classics, and often left with something you never planned to watch.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I turned a magic wand into a smart home remote for my kids

Thu, 07/30/2026 - 18:00

A lot of my smart home automations feel a little bit like magic. When I saw a post on Reddit, however, I realized that I might be able to bring some genuine magic to Home Assistant. I bought an official Harry Potter wand and set it up to work as a magical smart home controller for my kids.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Ram revives a dead Dodge nameplate with 777 HP and a 3.4-second 0-60

Thu, 07/30/2026 - 17:45

Dodge built the original Ram 1500 Rumble Bee for only two model years, 2004 and 2005, borrowing the namesake from the now-legendary Super Bee. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 sent 345 horsepower and 375 lb-ft. of torque to the wheels, in what is arguably the greatest configuration for a truck: a regular cab with a short bed.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I used 2.5TB of data testing my internet over 1,200 times in 100 days—was it worth it?

Thu, 07/30/2026 - 17:30

For over three months, I have been running 12 speed tests per day every single day. It's added up to over 1,200 tests spanning over 100 days, using nearly 2.5TB of data. What did I learn from this endeavor? Actually, way more than I imagined I would.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This $27,000 hybrid SUV gets 53 MPG without ever needing a plug

Thu, 07/30/2026 - 17:15

Affordable hybrid SUVs are becoming increasingly popular, but most buyers still expect to pay a premium for one that delivers exceptional fuel economy. However, there is one small crossover that breaks that assumption, offering incredible efficiency without requiring a plug or a luxury-sized budget.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 self-hosted tools to organize your digital life this weekend (July 31 - August 2)

Thu, 07/30/2026 - 17:01

If you're anything like me, you're probably starting to get fed up with disorganization around your house and digital life. That's what this weekend's homelab projects will focus on—getting organized. From unifying your podcast listening setup to simplifying your 3D printing file management, here are three homelab projects to work on this weekend.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Samsung hides Android's best notification feature behind a toggle—and I don't know why

Thu, 07/30/2026 - 16:46

Samsung has been using Android for over 15 years, but it’s always done things its own way. You know a Galaxy phone when you see one, and that includes the software. One UI doesn’t work quite the same as plain Android—sometimes that’s good, sometimes it’s very annoying.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I pitted ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude against a day of emails—only one actually got it right

Thu, 07/30/2026 - 16:30

Deciding which AI to use has always been a challenge. If a company releases a new model, by the time you've switched, the service you've just left has dropped an even better one of its own. Even more confusingly, some models are better at specific jobs than others. I wanted to see which of the big three AI chatbots could do the best job of summarizing a day's worth of emails.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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