How-To Geek
Why the "Synology tax" is still worth paying in 2026
Synology has faced a lot of hate over the past year for various reasons—some of which are very founded. However, a longstanding gripe of the brand’s customers is how expensive its hardware is. Here’s why I think that it’s still worth paying the Synology tax in 2026.
I changed this hidden setting and instantly improved YouTube Music's audio quality
High fidelity is almost never the default setting in the digital streaming world today. Most platforms, including YouTube Music, prioritize keeping your playback smooth and saving your data over giving you pure audio quality. This trade-off is silently ruining your listening experience.
How to send text messages without Wi-Fi or cell service on a Google Pixel
Imagine yourself lost in the wilderness, miles from civilization, with no cell signal or Wi-Fi. Your phone is pretty much a useless brick. But what if you could still send a text? While it's not always possible to text without any connection, your Google Pixel has a few tricks up its sleeve for when you're truly off the grid.
4 reasons why Zigbee is more popular than Z-Wave in the smart home
Home Assistant is arguably the best choice for anyone looking to start a smart home, but this is especially true for power users. If you want unhindered freedom to decide how your smart home functions and you’re not afraid to get your hands dirty, there’s no better choice.
I stopped using the Linux start menu: This "fuzzy" launcher is so much faster
I used to treat my Linux app menu like a forgotten drawer. I rarely opened it, only to switch to my terminal a bit later. Then I found Ulauncher. It quietly replaced my start menu, app grid, and desktop shortcuts. Once I got used to it, I wondered why I ever clicked through menus in the first place.
Microsoft’s AI dream is a user’s nightmare: 3 ways an "Agentic OS" fails
With Microsoft's long-term vision aiming for Windows to become an agentic OS, you may think about switching away. I don't blame you because it sounds like a horrible idea, and one that I believe will end in disaster—I have three reasons why.
How to use the REDUCE function in Microsoft Excel
VBA used to be the only way to handle iterative, multistep logic in Microsoft Excel. Not anymore. REDUCE brings the power of functional programming directly into your cells, allowing you to condense complex, messy data into single, clean results.
The Notepad upgrade, cheaper YouTube TV, and Nova Launcher's new owner: News roundup
This was another busy week for tech news, including more updates (and bugs) for Windows 11, cheaper plans for YouTube TV, Amazon bricking smart home hardware, and more. Here are the biggest stories you might have missed.
Why this hot hatch is the only one worth your money today
Hot hatches are everywhere these days, from mild sport compacts to full-blown speed demons, but one still stands out from the crowd. Even after decades on the road, this car proves that you don’t have to sacrifice practicality for fun.
5 Milwaukee M12 tools that are worth the hype (and the money)
It's no secret that Milwaukee is one of the most popular tool brands, and while many owners love the M18 line of powerful 18V tools, Milwaukee's M12 platform is equally excellent at a lower price point. If you're looking to get your money's worth with a new tool purchase, here are five M12 tools that live up to the hype.
How to use the ROWS function in Microsoft Excel
Many Excel users abandon the ROWS function because it feels like a technicality they can skip. However, to build a truly functional workbook, you need formulas that adapt to your data dimensions, and the ROWS function is ideal for this. Here are four ways I use it to make my Excel spreadsheet smarter.
These 5 smartphone features got way better without anyone noticing
I don’t have to tell you that phones are really good now, and you can probably point to the areas where that’s obvious. Cameras, displays, processors, build materials, and so much more. However, phones have improved in sneaky ways, too.
How to make minimalist city maps in seconds using a free Python script
You’ve probably seen those social media adverts for minimalist maps of your city, but did you know you can create your own? While it might seem like a lot of work, this simple Python script takes minutes to set up and is easy to use on pretty much any computer.
8 jq patterns that make JSON work painless
These jq filters handle the jobs you do every day: select, map, reduce, sort, defaults, and formatting. Find out how to use these vital features with explanations and examples.
Nothing Ear (3) review: Decent sound with mediocre microphones
The Nothing Ear (3) has an eye-grabbing design with a pleasant sound and a unique case to boot. Unfortunately, there are two major downsides working against what would otherwise be decent earbuds.
High cost, low passion. What’s holding EV sports cars back
Although they entered the mainstream about 20 years ago, electric vehicles (EVs) have been around for a long time.
A free Kindle feature is about to be put behind a paywall
Kindle eReaders are obviously great for reading books, but that’s not all they can do. One of the coolest lesser-known features is the ability to send web articles to your Kindle. Instapaper is a great way to do this, but starting next month, the app’s "Send to Kindle" feature will no longer be free.
YouTube is breaking ad blockers again
If you have been seeing the infuriating "This content isn't available, try again later" error on YouTube recently, you are certainly not alone. It looks like this widespread issue may be the platform's newest, more aggressive attempt to break ad-blocking extensions.
America’s most efficient minivan now that the Pacifica PHEV is gone
Stellantis just hit the eject button on hybrids in the U.S., pulling every plug-in from its lineup—including the Wrangler 4xe and the Pacifica—in one clean sweep. That move basically wiped out the plug-in minivan conversation overnight.
I built a massive 60TB server, but I trust Google Drive more
While I have a 60TB server sitting next to my desk, I actually keep my backups in the cloud. I know that might sound counterintuitive, but let me explain why I choose cloud-based backups instead of local-first approaches.


