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: 33 min 27 sec ago

The reMarkable Paper Pure is a faster, longer-lasting E-Ink tablet for no-frills notes

Wed, 05/06/2026 - 14:05

After expanding into color with devices like the Paper Pro, reMarkable is back to black-and-white. The company has unveiled the reMarkable Paper Pure, a third-generation E-Ink tablet that catches up in performance without making you pay for the color display you might not need.

Categories: IT General, Technology

DVD recorders were objectively better than VHS—so why did nobody buy them?

Wed, 05/06/2026 - 14:00

Do you remember LaserDisc? It was an optical format with twice the resolution of VHS, and it was clearly the superior medium for home movies, yet VHS absolutely dominated it. The most plausible explanation for this I've heard is that VHS allowed people to record TV programs to watch later and that buying home movies wasn't something they knew they wanted.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop using bloated apps: These 5 terminal tools are all I need for work

Wed, 05/06/2026 - 13:30

For any job you can do on Linux—or Windows—there are at least a dozen GUI apps that can do what you want. However, to keep distractions to a minimum, I use the terminal for most of my day-to-day jobs, and I don't miss out on any productivity.

Categories: IT General, Technology

My local smart home hub was perfect until I moved it across the room

Wed, 05/06/2026 - 13:00

I am suspicious of cloud services, so much so that I avoided the entire premise of a smart home until the Matter standard eventually presented me with a local-only option. Yet in the process of living with a local-only hub, I’ve encountered some issues that you just don’t face when your smart home platform is based in the cloud.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This is the Windows storage feature I wish I started using years ago

Wed, 05/06/2026 - 12:30

To some degree, every Windows user should know at least some basic drive optimization. And in that regard, the OS has a bunch of party tricks you can use for that purpose. One of the most overlooked ones is Storage Sense, but what is it, and should you actually use it?

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 things you need to know about Taylor Sheridan's Dutton Ranch on Paramount+

Tue, 05/05/2026 - 23:00

Saddle up, boys and girls, because the Yellowstone universe is expanding once more with a new spin-off that also acts as a direct sequel to the mothership series. It will follow Dutton matriarch Beth (Kelly Reilly) and her husband Rip (Cole Hauser) as they embark on a new path together on their new ranch outside of Montana.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These are the first Alexa+ speakers that aren't made by Amazon

Tue, 05/05/2026 - 22:43

Months after Amazon made Alexa+ available through its own devices, it's now coming to third-party hardware.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 excellent HBO Max shows to get you through the work week (May 5 - 10)

Tue, 05/05/2026 - 21:46

Looking for a good show on HBO Max this week, to put on after a long day of work? The legacy prestige service is definitely known for its iconic series of the past, but it still has mojo for new shows—like Hacks, The Pitt, and Rooster, and more coming this month, too.

Categories: IT General, Technology

De-Googling Android is simpler than you think—no special phone required

Tue, 05/05/2026 - 21:31

I recently swapped out my beloved Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 for a de-Googled Android phone, but I was devastated to learn that my group chats would no longer be accessible. I’ve since switched back to regular Android, but I’ve learned a much simpler way to de-Google in the process—one that comes with fewer compromises.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I thought sleep earbuds were a waste of money—now they're my favorite pair

Tue, 05/05/2026 - 21:01

I'm someone who regularly sleeps with earbuds in my ear, but the thought of buying earbuds specifically for sleep has long seemed hard to justify. After all, my current buds were functional, so they were good enough, right? No. I was not right. Sleep earbuds have become my favorite, most important pair of buds.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The simple reason Ethernet will outlive USB (and every other cable)

Tue, 05/05/2026 - 20:25

I'm sure I'm not the only person who sometimes gets frustrated with the number of different cables and connectors involved in owning a PC. It's 2026, why can't everything just use USB already? Better yet, USB-C, the most versatile connector of them all?

Categories: IT General, Technology

Forget the Lexus RX—this Acura rivals it for luxury and reliability

Tue, 05/05/2026 - 19:45

If you’re shopping for a luxury SUV and reliability is at the top of your list, Lexus is usually the first name that comes to mind. That reputation mostly comes down to Toyota’s engineering DNA, which carries straight through into the Lexus lineup.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hulu just surprise-released a secret prequel episode to The Bear

Tue, 05/05/2026 - 19:26

Surprise! FX just released a new episode of The Bear on Hulu ahead of the season 5 premiere.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I run a full Linux desktop in Docker just because I can

Tue, 05/05/2026 - 18:53

Like me, you've probably heard the unofficial rule of Docker: it's for lightweight, headless servers and command-line applications, not for graphical interfaces. Most of us follow this rule for good reason—CLI is what Docker was built for. But what happens when you break the rules?

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your Linux boot drive can save you hours of frustration (if you know how to use it)

Tue, 05/05/2026 - 18:41

After you get done installing Linux with a flash drive, it is tempting to just wipe it and throw it back in a drawer. However, that is a waste. Whether you just leave Linux on it or you add a few extra things, your Linux installer USB can become one of the most useful tech troubleshooting tools you own.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Intel and Samsung in talks to make Apple chips—how will it affect your next PC?

Tue, 05/05/2026 - 18:21

Two of Apple's largest chip rivals may find themselves serving their main competitor. Apple is reportedly in early talks to have Intel and Samsung manufacture the custom processors for its devices, such as Macs and iPhones, in their U.S. factories.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Jellyfin still feels worse than Netflix or Spotify, but these 6 plugins close the gap

Tue, 05/05/2026 - 18:15

I've really gotten into self-hosting things lately and exploring different options for fun. As a hobbyist, I find it convenient to host my own stuff and fun to have more control over everything I do. I recently switched from Plex to Jellyfin for my media server, and I'm enjoying learning the ins and outs and quirks of self-hosting my own media.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Gemini in Google Docs lets you set custom instructions that are actually useful

Tue, 05/05/2026 - 18:12

If you regularly use Docs over alternatives like Microsoft Word, Google’s new feature for Gemini in Docs might be one of the most practical upgrades yet. It lets you set custom instructions inside the document, so you don’t have to spend two minutes explaining your preferred tone or format every time you take Gemini’s help to draft content, summarize documents, etc.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Forget the Toyota RAV4—this Nissan SUV is cheaper and just as practical

Tue, 05/05/2026 - 17:45

The modern SUV market has quietly gotten out of hand. Prices keep climbing, and a lot of what you’re paying for is extra size and badge appeal you don’t really need.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This 41-Year-Old Windows Shortcut Is Still the Fastest Way to Multitask

Tue, 05/05/2026 - 17:30

The modern Windows interface is primarily based around a graphical user interface (GUI) that you interact with using the mouse, but it isn't my preferred way to use my PC. Instead, I mostly use keyboard shortcuts, and at the heart of that approach is Alt+Tab.

Categories: IT General, Technology

eXTReMe Tracker