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: 2 hours 46 min ago

3 excellent HBO Max shows to watch this week (June 29-July 5)

Tue, 06/30/2026 - 22:01

If you're an HBO Max subscriber in the U.S., your queue is probably already busy as we wrap up June and leap over into July. House of the Dragon is lighting things up with season 3, finally making good on all those chess moves with the sizzling dragon warfare everyone wanted. And Larry David is off butchering American history for laughs just in time for the country's 250th birthday. HBO Max is great at the headliners, but it's the in-between nights that get you—the ones where you scroll forever before landing on a rerun.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 Google Apps you're probably not using, but should

Tue, 06/30/2026 - 21:51

There are millions of apps on the Google Play Store, both paid and free, and sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming. You know who makes some pretty great apps? Google. I'm not talking about Gmail or Chrome, but apps made by Google that'll earn you money or transform how you manage files on your phone.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The $40K used SUV that remembers what luxury should feel like

Tue, 06/30/2026 - 21:31

Luxury SUVs have become obsessed with being everything at once. Bigger screens, sharper handling, endless drive modes, and ever-more complicated tech seem to matter more than simply making the cabin a relaxing place to spend time.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 Prime Video shows that defined the streamer's early years (and why they're worth watching again)

Tue, 06/30/2026 - 21:01

In 2026, Prime Video is one of the major powers in streaming. With hits like The Boys, Reacher, and Off Campus, the streamer continues to find new audiences in multiple age ranges. However, its popularity wasn't always there. In the 2010s, Amazon started committing resources to original programming, and it took years of trial and error to figure out what type of shows worked on the platform.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Everyone says PowerToys should be included with Windows—here's why it isn't

Tue, 06/30/2026 - 20:45

There are plenty of things I use PowerToys for, and it replaces many tools. However, it seems weird that it is not a default tool on Windows. The separation isn't an oversight; it's actually a really good business move. Looking at the pros and cons of making it the default, Microsoft's choice makes a lot of sense.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 more useful Samsung Galaxy Watch features that aren’t enabled by default

Tue, 06/30/2026 - 20:30

When you buy a Samsung device, you know you’re getting a bunch of features and customization options. This is best showcased on Galaxy phones, but it also applies to the Galaxy Watch. However, Samsung doesn’t enable all the best stuff for you.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Ford recalls 741,000 F-150s, Explorers, and other SUVs for major transmission flaw

Tue, 06/30/2026 - 20:01

Ford and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have announced a recall affecting 741,195 trucks and SUVs in the United States due to a rollaway risk. A software glitch in certain models can cause the transmission to lose the ability to hold the vehicle in park, allowing it to move unexpectedly if the parking brake is not set.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The $25K car that looks like a $45K luxury model

Tue, 06/30/2026 - 19:45

Luxury cars have that obvious appeal — sharp design, strong performance, and a level of polish that feels effortless. But that premium feel isn’t always tied to a premium badge, even if most dealerships want you to think it is.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I finally found the perfect watch face for my smartwatch

Tue, 06/30/2026 - 19:36

Your phone may have a colorful case and a cool wallpaper, but it's in your pocket or bag most of the time. A smartwatch is on your wrist, out there for the world to see. That's why I was so happy to finally find a watch face that fit my specific needs.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 obscure smart home upgrades that actually save you time and energy

Tue, 06/30/2026 - 16:31

You've heard of the popular smart home automations: automatic lights, security systems, robot vacuums.. But there are plenty of niche gadgets out there that can streamline your setup and create the ultimate smart home dream—think Tony Stark's house.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Home Depot's DeWALT July 4th deals are too good to pass up

Tue, 06/30/2026 - 16:27

In celebration of the 4th of July and while summer is in full swing, now is the perfect time to hit Home Depot and grab some new power tools for DIY projects and home repairs. While select DeWALT and Ryobi tools are up to 40% off and battery deals are available, there are a few even better deals you won't want to miss.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I still own Google's first smartphone. Here's what the Pixel 10 could learn from it

Tue, 06/30/2026 - 16:15

Over 16 years ago, Google released the Nexus One, and it's considered one of the most important phones in Android history. I still own mine. And while a lot has changed since it arrived in January 2010, and the latest Pixel 10 Pro XL is better than ever, Google could still learn a thing or two from those older models.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your Ethernet cables aren't just for data—here's everything else they can power

Tue, 06/30/2026 - 16:00

When most people look at an Ethernet cable, their first thought would be that this is how you transport data. However, you've probably seen devices like security cameras or network switches that aren't only sending data over Ethernet, but also receiving power using that one cable.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This "power-saving" setting is slowing down your Windows PC, turn it off now

Tue, 06/30/2026 - 15:45

Despite what some people might think, computers run on electricity and not magic fairy dust. Electricity costs money, and generating it usually has some sort of environmental cost too.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The hybrid sedan that goes farther than anything else in 2026

Tue, 06/30/2026 - 15:30

Range has basically become the new way people measure efficiency, mostly because it feels more real-world than MPG. MPG tells you how far a car could go on a gallon, but range shows how far you actually get before stopping for fuel, tank size included.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 long-lasting Milwaukee tools under $120 to add to your collection

Tue, 06/30/2026 - 14:45

Milwaukee makes hundreds of tools you'll love, but if you're a new homeowner or simply on a budget, certain affordable tools are a must-buy. If you already own a drill or a few other tools, here are four more Milwaukee tools under $120 worth adding to your collection.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This Genesis SUV beats Lexus at its own game: durability, luxury, and value

Tue, 06/30/2026 - 14:30

For decades, luxury buyers who prioritized reliability had a simple answer: buy a Lexus. The Japanese brand built its reputation on offering premium vehicles with the durability and low ownership costs that many European rivals struggled to match, making it the default choice for cautious shoppers.

Categories: IT General, Technology

GNOME or KDE Plasma: Choosing the wrong one can ruin your Linux experience

Tue, 06/30/2026 - 14:30

If you’re thinking about switching to Linux, you’re probably comparing distros like Ubuntu, Fedora, or Mint and wondering which one is the best fit. But, with my decade-long experience using and recommending Linux, I think that’s the wrong question to ask. Instead, start by comparing GNOME and KDE Plasma, decide which one fits your workflow better, and then choose any distro built around that desktop environment (DE). That narrows the decision down to just two options.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This overlooked Windows feature helped me automate my entire morning routine

Tue, 06/30/2026 - 14:15

For years, I clicked through the same apps and routines every morning by hand. Then I found a tool buried in Windows that's been there the whole time, quietly waiting to take over.

Categories: IT General, Technology

My coworkers are giving up on Plex. I’m still sticking with it for these 4 important reasons

Tue, 06/30/2026 - 14:01

Plex has been around since 2008, forking from a macOS XBMC port, which is, of course, today's Kodi. I haven't been on the Plex train since day one, but it has been over a decade at this point, and it was my first go at self-hosting streaming media in my home.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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