How-To Geek

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Updated: 53 min 23 sec ago

The Wi-Fi mistake that broke my smart bulbs every night at 2AM (and how I fixed it)

Thu, 06/04/2026 - 19:30

When the smart bulbs around my home would seemingly randomly start acting up, I assumed that the bulbs themselves were the problem. After all, they were a downright menace: showing up as offline, failing to dim when scheduled, or even turning themselves off. So, I replaced them.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Android's cloud storage trap: Why you should switch from Google Drive before it's too late

Thu, 06/04/2026 - 19:00

Google Drive is an obvious storage solution for many Android users. However, the latest change to Google Drive storage limits is being described as a "cloud storage trap" by frustrated customers, on top of the other issues Google Drive has, and now storage seekers may be wondering what the best alternative to switch to is.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Samsung is preparing for the Galaxy Watch 9 with a big Health update

Thu, 06/04/2026 - 18:43

Samsung wants the upcoming Galaxy Watch 9 to not only track your health, but also serve as your personal coach. It's releasing a major Samsung Health app update on June 8 that will turn tracking data into "simple, actionable guidance" — effectively, it's the company's answer to the AI coaching in the Fitbit Air with Google Health Premium.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I turned my smart home into an AI-powered "Big Brother" just to see how dystopian it could get

Thu, 06/04/2026 - 18:30

A while ago, I set up some automations in Home Assistant to nag me when I was sitting down for too long or wasn't focusing on work. I decided to see how far I could take things by turning Home Assistant into my own version of Big Brother.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop dreading the Plex-to-Jellyfin switch, this plugin does the heavy lifting

Thu, 06/04/2026 - 18:15

Jellyfin has been growing in popularity for a while, as many users look for a free and open-source alternative to Plex. And with the recent Plex price hikes, the reason to switch has just gotten even greater. Yet while you can set up your media library in Jellyfin in no time at all, potential switchers often get discouraged by the thought of losing years of tweaks and customizations. But that doesn't have to be true. One plugin called Plexyfin helps make the move to Jellyfin easier.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How Iomega Zip drives almost solved the floppy disk problem (before USB made them obsolete)

Thu, 06/04/2026 - 18:00

Moving files between computers is such an obvious thing to do now. You can use a USB flash drive. You can just email them if they're small. Cloud storage is, obviously, awesome for this type of thing. Let's not forget all the random files that get sent over WhatsApp, Discord, or Messenger.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 Docker upgrades that will change how you run your homelab this weekend (Jun 5 - 7)

Thu, 06/04/2026 - 17:31

It's time for another round of fun homelab projects to do this weekend, and it all starts with server monitoring! Then, once you have your centralized server monitoring set up, I'll show you how to optimize your Docker experience. Here are three fun homelab projects to tackle this weekend.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Gemini's biggest problem in Android Auto isn't a bug—it's what it refuses to do

Thu, 06/04/2026 - 17:15

Gemini’s debut on Android Auto has been a bit bumpy, to say the least. There are plenty of legitimate issues that Google needs to iron out still, but I’ve made an effort to give it a fair try. However, my main complaint isn’t a bug—it’s a feature that’s completely missing.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Benchy world record is something every 3D printer owner needs to see

Thu, 06/04/2026 - 17:00

The Benchy has become the unofficial mascot of the 3D printing world. What started as a model of a toy boat designed to benchmark print quality and speed has evolved into a rite of passage for new printer owners.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Every homelab needs these 3 free utilities

Thu, 06/04/2026 - 16:45

Building a functional homelab often starts with a lot of excitement, but it quickly turns into a balancing act of managing hardware and fighting network clutter. You buy a couple of machines, get a VPS, start hosting services, and suddenly find yourself buried in individual browser extensions. What you should do is consider adding the below to get your homelab to do what you want.

Categories: IT General, Technology

7 Linux commands and shortcuts I wish I learned on day one

Thu, 06/04/2026 - 16:30

As a beginner, I used to feel like I was fighting with the command-line interface. It did eventually click for me, but I wish it happened sooner. This is a list of command-line actions and commands that I wish I had learned on day one.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 weekend Raspberry Pi projects that actually solve real problems at home (Jun 5 - 7)

Thu, 06/04/2026 - 16:01

Are you ready to tackle more Raspberry Pi projects this weekend? Well, you're in luck, because I have three more fun projects to try out, including building an offline version of Wikipedia, setting up Network UPS Tools, and building a network troubleshooting toolkit.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why brushless tools feel so different (and cost more)

Thu, 06/04/2026 - 15:45

Whether you're buying your first cordless power tool or looking to upgrade your collection, a big decision is whether to choose a brushed or brushless motor. Every major tool brand offers newer brushless tools, such as Ryobi's HP line and Milwaukee FUEL Brushless. So, what's the difference, and are they worth the higher price tag?

Categories: IT General, Technology

Antigravity CLI helped me understand a complex codebase far faster than I expected

Thu, 06/04/2026 - 15:30

I’ll admit it, I’m a bit of an AI-sceptic. I see how AI-powered search can perform wonders with natural-language queries, but when it comes to editing my code, I still like to have control.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 reasons a NAS is the best way to learn Linux

Thu, 06/04/2026 - 15:01

If you've been meaning to learn Linux but never quite made it stick, it's probably not a motivation problem. The desktop is usually not the best place to start learning Linux because you already have a working desktop in your Mac or Windows PC. A NAS, on the other hand, is exactly the kind of project where Linux earns its place, and where you'll actually end up learning something that stays with you.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This secret Samsung Galaxy setting gave me 19GB of storage space back

Thu, 06/04/2026 - 14:45

Our smartphones have more storage than ever, but running out of space is still a common problem while using the powerful cameras for photos and video, large modern apps, and everything else. If you're low on storage, here's how I just freed up nearly 20GB of space on my Samsung Galaxy by taking advantage of one hidden setting.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your Excel charts are hard to read—here's how I fixed mine in 10 minutes

Thu, 06/04/2026 - 14:30

Excel's default charts often make data harder to read, with distracting gridlines, awkward spacing, and attention-grabbing colors. That's why I have a quick cleanup routine to transform basic charts into more professional-looking visuals in minutes.

Categories: IT General, Technology

WiiM's first soundbar wants to replace more than your TV speakers

Thu, 06/04/2026 - 14:19

WiiM has launched its first-ever soundbar called the WiiM Bar after releasing the Sound Lite smart speaker last December. And this time, the brand has a different vision—it is designed to function as a standalone streaming speaker and work with compatible WiiM gear instead of just being a soundbar for a movie night.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why the upcoming Audi Q9 is a tough sell over a Genesis GV80

Thu, 06/04/2026 - 14:15

Genesis launched its brand in the United States in 2016 with a straightforward promise: build vehicles that could compete with the European and Japanese luxury brands without the price tag. Nearly a decade later, Genesis has grown into one of the most decorated brands in the segment, earning consistent praise from owners, journalists, and other automotive industry organizations alike.

Categories: IT General, Technology

7 new Hulu shows and movies to watch in June

Thu, 06/04/2026 - 14:00

At first glance, Hulu's June lineup looks extremely promising. The streaming service has added several movies this month that are celebrating key milestones, including Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (20th anniversary), AI: Artificial Intelligence (25th anniversary), and Independence Day (30th anniversary). All three movies will tap into the nostalgia of each era.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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