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: 9 min 12 sec ago

The internet's best time-killer is back

Mon, 06/29/2026 - 15:33

StumbleUpon is back. Sort of. Although the original site shut down and became Mix back in 2018, other people have developed various randomizer-style websites to provide a similar experience.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 uses for my Kindle that aren't reading books

Mon, 06/29/2026 - 15:31

I've used the same Kindle for over a decade, and since it worked fine for my needs, I never got around to jailbreaking it. When Amazon ended software support for my Kindle model, I finally took the leap. Now that it's jailbroken, I'm able to use my Kindle for so much more than just reading books.

Categories: IT General, Technology

You don't need to free up RAM on your Android phone (in fact, you shouldn't)

Mon, 06/29/2026 - 15:01

Over the last few years, you might have come across a common Developer Options hack that promises to free up RAM on your Android phone by limiting background processes. Or perhaps you're still using an app to clear cache and memory.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This is why I only buy fitness trackers, not smart watches

Mon, 06/29/2026 - 14:16

With companies continuing to release new generations of their smartwatches, one area consistently receives the most attention: fitness. Health and fitness features have become a primary focus of smartwatches in recent years, and that trend shows no signs of slowing down.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I don't trust Amazon Echo speakers anymore, so I turned mine into a Bluetooth speaker with no cloud connection

Mon, 06/29/2026 - 13:00

I have several Echo smart speakers in my home. Amazon has continued to make the prices of these devices relatively cheap in order to try to lock people into its smart home ecosystem. I no longer really trust my Echo speakers, so I wanted to see if I could put them to use in another way.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 free and open-source software (FOSS) to replace Microsoft, Google, and big tech

Mon, 06/29/2026 - 12:45

You don't really own much of your digital life. Your files live on someone else's servers, your phone reports back to its manufacturer, and the software you rely on every day can change its terms, raise its price, or disappear whenever the company behind it decides. That's the trade most of us made without thinking about it: convenience in exchange for control.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This storage tech was supposed to be the future—here is why it failed

Sun, 06/28/2026 - 22:48

A little over a decade ago, SSDs began to drop in price, making them a viable storage option for consumer PCs and offering significantly faster performance than traditional HDDs.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Anne Rice's Immortal Universe: TV's most underrated shared universe, explained

Sun, 06/28/2026 - 22:00

Shared universe franchises have become so commonplace in Hollywood that the format has made its way to television, yet there is one underrated horror franchise that I feel doesn't receive the recognition it deserves. Not only have properties like Marvel and Star Wars successfully bridged the worlds of movie and television like never before, but franchises like The Boys and Star Trek prove that even television properties can become expansive multi-narrative hits. For better or worse, the concept of a shared universe has endured into the 2020s.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These 5 compact cars get 35 MPG without a hybrid setup—and cost way less

Sun, 06/28/2026 - 21:45

Hybrid models have become the default recommendation for anyone looking to save money at the pump. Automakers continue to expand their electrified lineups, and many buyers assume that impressive fuel economy now requires some form of battery assistance.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The 5 best documentaries of June 2026—on Netflix, Prime, HBO Max, and more

Sun, 06/28/2026 - 21:31

Documentaries have quietly become one of the most reliable genres to watch on streaming. And whether they're delivering everything from tabloid-worthy court cases and gorgeous concert epics to soaring music biographies and a fish-out-of-water series that shouldn't be good but is, a good doc mixes the best parts of journalism, entertainment, and storytelling.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This Linux storage feature feels like cheating once you understand it

Sun, 06/28/2026 - 21:00

Storage is one of those parts of Linux that most people only think about when something breaks. You pick a file system during install, trust it with your files, and then forget it exists. It sits under everything: your OS, your home folder, your logs, your downloads, your work, and all the small mistakes you make while changing things. For years, that mostly means one thing: when a file changes, the old data is overwritten by the new data, and you move on.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your Pixel Watch can do things no other Android smartwatch can—don't miss out

Sun, 06/28/2026 - 20:45

Not all Android smartwatches are created equal. The Pixel Watch has a few exclusive features that you won’t find on a Galaxy Watch or any other Wear OS device. If you have one on your wrist, you should be sure to know the benefits.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 HBO Max superhero movies to stream after watching Supergirl

Sun, 06/28/2026 - 20:00

The DC Universe has a new hero, and her name is Kara Zor-El. Supergirl, the second movie in James Gunn's new DCU, is now in theaters nationwide. House of the Dragon's Milly Alcock plays the titular hero, who teams up with a young girl and embarks on a quest for vengeance. The reviews have been mixed, with Alcock garnering praise for her performance, while the story itself has been subject to criticism.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Unlock Hidden Phone Features with These Secret Codes

Sun, 06/28/2026 - 19:45

A few years ago, I went through a device upgrade for a family friend that required finding device information very quickly. My carrier sent me some information about finding the IMEI on my device. When I learned there were essentially secret codes on different Android models, of course, I wanted to test a few of them out.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Don't buy a Toyota Tundra until you see GM’s new 2027 V8 trucks

Sun, 06/28/2026 - 19:00

The 2027 Chevrolet Silverado and 2027 GMC Sierra landed in quick succession in June 2026, both highlighted by a pair of sixth-generation Small Block V8 engines that include a 6.6-liter, the largest naturally aspirated V8 in the half-ton truck segment.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I finally tried the open-source Google Maps rival nobody talks about—here are 4 things it does better than Google

Sun, 06/28/2026 - 18:45

Google Maps is ubiquitous and the obvious default for Android users looking to find their way. But excellent alternatives are available, many of which are powered by the OpenStreetMap database.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Please stop using your monitor as a USB hub

Sun, 06/28/2026 - 18:41

Having USB ports built directly into your monitor is awesome. They’re in a convenient spot, making it easier to plug in things near the monitor, like light bars or frequently used USB devices such as controllers and flash drives. However, most people aren’t aware of the limitations of monitor USB ports and think they can use them like any other USB port.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your router has a hidden status page that explains why your Wi-Fi is down

Sun, 06/28/2026 - 18:30

When Wi-Fi goes down, the first instinct is usually to reboot the router and hope for the best. That's the first advice anyone will give you, and in all fairness, it does often work. But it doesn't always work, and it also wipes away some of the evidence you may have needed to help explain the problem.

Categories: IT General, Technology

My Echo Show was contacting Amazon's advertising service 105 times in two hours—I finally ditched it

Sun, 06/28/2026 - 18:28

When Amazon first introduced Alexa, I thought it might turn out to be the main way that I interacted with my smart home. The reality was something of a disappointment; Amazon's smart home ecosystem is heavily locked down and nowhere near as capable as alternatives such as Home Assistant. I'd already started to move away from Echo devices, but wanted to see what was going on at a network level.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Don't buy a new car until you've asked these 4 tech questions

Sun, 06/28/2026 - 18:16

A new car is already a big enough decision before you start thinking about apps, subscriptions, software updates, and trial features. I was reminded of that recently when my mother-in-law needed to replace her car. She had bought a hybrid a year earlier, and unfortunately, it gave her enough problems that she was ready to move on. So I was enlisted to help with the search.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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