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: 57 min 15 sec ago

Please stop using your smart home's default security settings

Sun, 03/01/2026 - 14:00

It's easy to fall into the trap of assuming that the default security settings for your smart home are the best way to keep your smart home protected. The problem is that these settings are often weak or publicly known. In many cases, you can make your smart home much more secure by changing the default settings.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 new Netflix movies to watch in March

Sun, 03/01/2026 - 13:45

This March, Netflix is bringing a fresh roster of thrilling movies and shows to your screen. From the return of an iconic TV character to the introduction of new characters, this month, you can expect to add some exciting films to your watchlist.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why the "10x developer" idea is dangerous

Sun, 03/01/2026 - 13:30

The thought of downsizing a team to just a few—or even just one—sounds like a dream. Why have a team of hundreds when a team of dozens with AI can do the same job? This whole idea of the “10x developer” is dangerous and there’s no good outcome to it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Print-in-place models are the real magic of 3D printing

Sun, 03/01/2026 - 13:00

One way to impress a 3D printing skeptic is to show them some of the more impressive prints you have made. Few examples inspire wonder quite as much as those that use the print-in-place technique for more complex elements.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why CAPTCHAs exist: The hidden story behind those annoying tests

Sun, 03/01/2026 - 12:30

Spend any amount of time browsing the internet, and you will inevitably run into a site that demands you prove you're not a robot. It might ask you to click or slide a button, solve a puzzle, mark things on the road, or even play a little game. Is it impossible for robots to pass those tests? It's not. Why are we keeping robots off the internet in the first place?

Categories: IT General, Technology

Reolink TrackFlex Floodlight Wi-Fi Review: An exceptional camera and floodlight combo free of any costly subscriptions

Sun, 03/01/2026 - 12:00

It feels like every consumer security camera requires you to pay a hefty subscription price to get the most out of it. I've recently been testing the Reolink floodlight and camera combo, and I've got to say, being able to access a full suite of awesome features without a subscription is a big deal.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 incredible HBO Max shows to watch this week (March 1 - 8)

Sun, 03/01/2026 - 00:00

March has that in-between energy where it's not quite spring, not quite winter, but somehow you're already ready for a new comfort watch or something fresh and unique. HBO Max makes the choice harder—in a good way—because its library is basically a cavern of eldless possibilities.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This Mazda SUV is pulling buyers away from German luxury brands

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 23:30

Say “luxury SUV” and names like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi usually come to mind. But in 2026, you don’t have to sign up for a luxury-brand payment to get something that feels properly upscale and genuinely fun to drive.

Categories: IT General, Technology

7 best new shows and movies debuting on HBO Max in March

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 23:00

As March arrives, HBO Max wants one thing from you, and that’s to be down to fooling around with all its new content debuting this month. The streaming platform kicks things off with two new series—one a salacious thriller turned mystery and the other a half-hour comedy show featuring Steve Carell. We’ll also see a new season of Lisa Kudrow’s comedy series, two new movie debuts, and two new documentaries.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Buick beat Toyota and Honda in reliability—and no one saw it coming

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 22:30

For decades, Toyota and Honda have dominated conversations about automotive reliability, setting the global benchmark for long-term dependability. Their reputations have become so ingrained that few buyers even consider looking elsewhere when reliability tops the priority list. But recent industry data suggests a surprising shift. One American automaker is now outperforming both Japanese giants in overall dependability rankings.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 perfect-score Apple TV shows to watch right now (March 1 - 8)

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 22:00

Some weeks can feel like a veritable buffet of things to do and places to go—too many tabs open, too many boxes to check, and you feel like you're piling it all on one plate. Apple TV can feel like that sometimes, which is why I'm here to cut the fat.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Leaking charge and zero error correction: The hardware reason USB sticks make terrible backups

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 21:45

When a relative recently told me that they back up their files on a simple USB stick, I was floored. And yes, it was just the one; no 3-2-1 rule here. And yes, of course, some of those files were important.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your phone has a powerful weather instrument hidden inside

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 21:30

Thanks to the internet, it’s incredibly easy to open an app and immediately get a detailed weather report. But what you might not realize is that your phone has some precise weather instruments of its own. Most phones have a barometer inside, and it’s more useful than you might think.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This Lexus delivers the best reliability of any new car on sale today

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 21:30

In an era where cars are becoming more complex and packed with new technology, long-term reliability is becoming harder to guarantee. Yet one luxury sedan continues to stand above the rest, earning top marks for dependability in a market where breakdowns and costly repairs are increasingly common. The 2026 Lexus IS 350 has emerged as the most reliable new car currently on sale, outperforming both mainstream and premium rivals.

Categories: IT General, Technology

6 new shows to watch on Netflix in March

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 20:45

Love, horror, adventure, and everything in between: this March, Netflix is giving us a diverse collection of shows and movies to look forward to. Whether you want to kick back for a relaxing watch or sit at the edge of your seat, there's something you can stream every day.

Categories: IT General, Technology

433MHz is the smart home technology you forgot about

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 20:30

Your smart home is full of wireless devices that use some combination of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Thread, or Z-Wave. But there’s another wireless solution you can use to send and receive signals from smart home devices, and you might already have a few devices in your home that use it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Home Assistant's Quick search was useless on mobile until I did this

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 20:30

In the Home Assistant 2026.2 update, a new Quick search feature was introduced. The tool has a dedicated keyboard shortcut, but this isn't really much use on mobile. Thankfully, there is a quick way to launch the tool in the mobile app.

Categories: IT General, Technology

You can still use your internet service during a power outage, here's how

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 20:29

Your laptop, smartphone, tablet, and gaming handhelds don’t need power to function, but the same can’t be said about your internet connection. In the event of a power outage, being able to get your network back up quickly can allow you to resume work or play while the issue gets fixed.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop switching tabs: Chrome’s new split view is a productivity game changer

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 20:15

Windows, tabs, groups. If you’re used to these ways of organizing your web page viewing, get used to one more: split view.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Type faster on your Android phone by not typing at all

Sat, 02/28/2026 - 20:00

Growing up with keyboards has conditioned many of us to think of typing as the only way to get words to appear on our screens. On our phones, that really isn't the case. Virtual keyboards have gotten much better over the years, but there is an even faster way to type on your phone.

Categories: IT General, Technology

eXTReMe Tracker