How-To Geek

You're about to get more purchase options inside Android apps. Google is widening its Play Store "billing choice" program starting on June 30, giving you ways to pay beyond the official solution — although fee changes mean you're not guaranteed to save money.

USB-C is finally making its way into everything, and I'm all for it. It's no longer just a cable for phones and laptops. There are all sorts of wild things you can power with a USB-C cable, and I recently bought three items that I never knew I needed.

Android Auto is the same Android that's running on your phone, but with a very limited interface. That's the point, of course, but you'd be surprised by how many Android apps are actually supported by Android Auto. Here are four apps you might typically think of as phone apps, but work as full-fledged Android Auto apps as well.

The Toyota RAV4 has been setting the pace in the small SUV segment for nearly 30 years. Since arriving in the United States in 1996, it has become the best-selling small SUV in America, with more than 6.4 million units on the road. For 2026, Toyota made one of the boldest moves in the RAV4's history, dropping gas-only engines entirely and moving to a fully electrified lineup of hybrids and plug-in hybrids.

Spotify is constantly adding new features, but many of its useful updates fly under the radar. Over the past few months, the streaming giant has introduced a handful of improvements that make managing your library and streaming experience much easier.

Annoyingly, many of the tools I use most in Excel aren't available as single-step commands in the ribbon or Quick Access Toolbar (QAT). That's why I built a personalized command layer that works in every XLSX file I open, turning repetitive actions into instant, reusable shortcuts.

When it comes to family-friendly hybrid SUVs, most buyers tend to end up looking at the same handful of models. Toyota dominates the conversation with options like the Highlander Hybrid, while Honda continues to attract families who want efficiency without giving up practicality.

There’s no question that putting Google Maps on a smartphone was an absolute game-changer. We now walk around with powerful GPS navigators in our pockets. However, you may have noticed Maps choosing longer, slower routes for trips. There’s likely one setting causing this.

OpenAI has revealed its first custom chip after announcing plans nine months ago, and the Broadcom-built design promises to upturn the AI industry — particularly for Nvidia, one of the company's most important hardware suppliers.

Beth and Rip will return for more drama in Texas, as Paramount+ has renewed Dutton Ranchfor season 2. The announcement comes with two episodes remaining in the first season.

My time with a Samsung Galaxy phone was mostly positive—it was the first device I'd owned that had received more than a few Android updates. However, when it was time to upgrade, I ended up going with a Google Pixel 10 Pro instead of another Samsung handset, and these Pixel-exclusive features were a major reason why.

Did you know that your internet service provider can very likely see every website you visit? Scary, I know, but the fix for that is actually easier than you think. Here's how to make your network safer with just one change—your DNS server.

Vehicle dashboards today are essentially software hubs that manage everyday comforts like climate control, navigation, and entertainment. These advanced features, while attractive to many car buyers, pose a long-term challenge because software evolves much faster than automotive hardware. While a vehicle’s body and structure may last for decades, its infotainment systems can become obsolete within a few short years.

I've been homelabbing for years, and except for my "main server" and a few Raspberry Pis, most of the equipment I use is second-hand, or devices that I literally pulled out of dumpsters or recycle bins. Despite the state I found them in, much of that "e-waste" has been put to productive use in my homelab. It just took a bit of tinkering and careful software selection to make it worthwhile.

Hybrid SUVs have become the default recommendation for anyone looking to save money at the pump. With more automakers embracing electrification, buyers are being told that adding a battery is the only way to achieve impressive fuel economy. While hybrids undoubtedly deliver excellent efficiency, they also tend to carry a higher purchase price.

You might not have to wait much longer if you want the roomier Tesla Model Y L to drive your family around. Tesla is reportedly set to bring the larger, three-row Model Y variant to the U.S. and Canada in late summer.

3D printers are not simple machines. Even though a good modern printer is reliable and produces great results without much effort, it only takes one or two small things to go awry to ruin your prints. Tracking down the exact reason a print went wrong can be maddening, and sometimes it's a transient issue, which has only accelerated my balding, I fear.

Prime Video has a remarkable collection of cinema’s most celebrated movies. IMDb’s Top 250 is the closest thing the internet has to a canon of great films. The list is crowdsourced and updated continuously, as it proves the movie has earned long-term audience attention. However, not all those movies land on the same streaming platform. Netflix has several hits, and Max has others. Some are stuck behind a rented paywall.

Prime Day is one of the best times of year to invest in smart home tech, and SwitchBot's 2026 lineup gives you plenty of reasons to pay attention. From June 23 to 26, the brand is offering discounts on a range of its most popular devices, including automated window coverings and AI-powered door locks.

The Steam Machine has been revealed in its final retail form, and we know what the price is. At a starting price of $1,049, it's much more expensive than the PlayStation 5 Pro, yet the base model is less capacious than a standard PlayStation 5. The PS5 also comes with a controller, whereas with the Steam Machine you still need to add the price of a controller to your budget.