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: 51 min 53 sec ago

I vibe-coded an app with Claude just to fix one of my smallest Windows annoyances

Sat, 08/22/2026 - 15:30

Sometimes a Windows bug is too small to carefully fix but too annoying to ignore. For years, my sound card has had its output mode switched from stereo to 5.1 after every reboot. Fixing it manually isn't difficult or all that time-consuming, but over the thousands of reboots since I purchased the card years ago, it adds up to several hours just changing audio device configurations.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 essential coffee upgrades to get out of bed for

Sat, 08/22/2026 - 15:00

The one thing that makes it easier for me to get up at 6 am for a training session or video call with someone on the other side of the world is the guarantee that my first cup of coffee will be a good one.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I replaced Android's voice typing with an offline option that respects my privacy

Sat, 08/22/2026 - 14:45

I make heavy use of voice dictation—I'm actually speaking the words you're reading right now. But I'm squeamish about the privacy concerns of Gboard and the connectivity requirements of Wispr Flow. Fortunately, I've found a private, offline-only option that is just as good—if not better.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 reasons why a Fire TV Stick is the most important gadget in your suitcase

Sat, 08/22/2026 - 14:30

Unfortunately, the end of August means the end of summer is near. It's the last chance to get that last-minute trip in before the school year starts, and the weather starts to cool down. As one of those people taking a trip, I've started to realize that the most important tool in my suitcase is an Amazon Fire TV Stick.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I built a NAS from a decade-old PC and it still beats a Synology

Sat, 08/22/2026 - 14:15

A NAS is a simple way to add a miniature cloud storage setup to your home network. Most of them are even versatile enough that they can host some basic open-source services as well, like a Navidrome music server or a WireGuard VPN. However, if you have an old PC lying around, you probably don't need to buy a dedicated NAS—you can repurpose the old PC instead.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The compact luxury SUV that BMW and Mercedes probably wish didn't exist

Sat, 08/22/2026 - 14:00

The compact luxury SUV segment is dominated by familiar German badges, but a newer challenger is making it increasingly difficult to justify paying extra for them. It offers a genuinely upscale interior, strong performance, generous standard equipment, and a driving experience that feels more engaging than you might expect from a luxury crossover. Better still, it manages all of this while costing roughly the same as its most obvious rivals.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I finally found a reason to use Edge. Now Microsoft is taking it away

Sat, 08/22/2026 - 13:30

There's a long-standing debate over which web browser you should use. Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, and plenty of others all have their fans, and most of us eventually settle on whichever one fits our particular needs. For me, Edge Drop makes Microsoft's browser considerably more useful—but now that's being taken away.

Categories: IT General, Technology

If you love arts and crafts hobbies then you need a 3D printer

Sat, 08/22/2026 - 13:00

Do you love making things and getting your hands dirty? Whether you’re into arts, crafts, or both, a 3D printer could be a good investment. You don’t need model design skills to benefit either, since there’s a whole world of models out there just waiting to be discovered.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This modernized Lamborghini has less tech, and that's the point

Fri, 08/21/2026 - 23:30

Modern cars are packed with technology. Touchscreens control everything from climate settings to drive modes, computers constantly adjust suspension and power delivery, and increasingly sophisticated driver-assistance systems are always watching what happens around you. Even the humble manual transmission is rapidly disappearing.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 award-winning Netflix movies to watch this weekend (August 21-23)

Fri, 08/21/2026 - 22:30

Netflix has plenty of new titles competing for attention every week. However, I sometimes prefer to revisit something that has already proven itself. Award-winning movies may not be everyone's favorite, but they're great to explore when I want to get out of my Netflix doomscroll.

Categories: IT General, Technology

8 useful things you can plug into your car's OBD2 port

Fri, 08/21/2026 - 22:26

Have you ever looked under your car's steering wheel at all the wires, fuses, and plugs? If so, you might find an odd plug called an OBD-II port. That's the same port any technician uses during a smog test, and mechanics access it to scan for check engine light errors, but that's not all it can do. You can plug several useful or weird things into that 16-pin port.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This used hot hatch costs the same as a base Civic, but it's way more fun

Fri, 08/21/2026 - 21:00

New cars have become so expensive that spending $25,000 no longer gets you much excitement. Instead of settling for a basic economy car, the used market opens the door to something far more engaging without requiring a much bigger budget. There are lightly used performance cars available for roughly the same price as a new compact sedan, combining everyday practicality with the kind of character that cheaper new cars often lack.

Categories: IT General, Technology

My phone doesn't have a microSD slot, so I 3D printed a case with microSD built in

Fri, 08/21/2026 - 20:45

Unless you’re willing to settle for mid-tier hardware, it’s an unfortunate fact that phones don’t come with expandable storage anymore. As a response, external storage accessories are becoming more popular, but they lack the convenience of a built-in microSD card slot. I attempted to solve this problem with a 3D printed phone case.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 intriguing HBO Max documentaries to watch this weekend (August 21-23)

Fri, 08/21/2026 - 20:30

If you've fired up HBO Max in the past few days, you've undoubtedly noticed the spotlight firmly focused on its new DCU series, Lanterns, and, if you're really caught up, the new season of Conan O'Brien Must Go—both of which we wrote about earlier this week. But while the superhero and traveling comedian have been distracting everyone, the streamer's documentary library—new and old—is still more than capable of entertaining you.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I vibe-coded my own Android keyboard to escape Gboard's telemetry

Fri, 08/21/2026 - 19:45

Gboard's Play Store privacy policy makes one thing clear: there is a lot of data collected about you. That isn't just a theoretical note, either. Researchers at Trinity College Dublin were able to decode payloads that showed Android keyboards transmitting installation IDs, hardware details, and keyboard interaction logs.

Categories: IT General, Technology

6 router tricks that solve Wi-Fi problems in under 5 minutes

Fri, 08/21/2026 - 19:30

I'm not a fan of Wi-Fi—Ethernet all the way. But for some devices, it just makes no sense (or is impossible) to connect via cable, and on those devices, when Wi-Fi is sluggish, it's a massive nuisance.

Categories: IT General, Technology

15 Android games that look as good as console games

Fri, 08/21/2026 - 19:15

Android smartphones have become so powerful that they can now run mobile games that look a lot like console games. In some cases, phones can actually run older console titles. So, if you want to experience console-grade graphics on your phone, here's a list of our favorite Android games.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 engrossing Netflix documentaries to watch this weekend (August 21-23)

Fri, 08/21/2026 - 19:01

If the last couple of weeks have been any indication, Netflix subscribers in the U.S. are definitely into documentaries—Conversations with a Killer: The Charles Manson Tapes and The Idaho Murders: College Nightmare are still holding court in the streamer's top 10. But don't be surprised if one of this week's newest releases (and my top pick this weekend) might just muscle its way into the mix as well.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Android trackers aren't just for keys—here's 5 unique ways I use mine

Fri, 08/21/2026 - 18:45

Bluetooth trackers are one of the best modern inventions—anyone who's ever lost something and promptly recovered it thanks to a tracker will strongly agree. As someone who loses stuff on the regular, I've invested in some inexpensive Bluetooth trackers, and I've been putting them to work since acquiring them.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The clones of Windows: 6 Linux distros that tried to copy Microsoft’s style

Fri, 08/21/2026 - 18:30

Whether you admire it or despise it, Windows’ style is often imitated by competitors, including some Linux distributions. A familiar look and feel can help new users adapt to a new system, and this is especially important when changing such a fundamental part of the experience as an OS.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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