How-To Geek

I recently started using my phone without a case, and it's amazing, but I never realized how hot my Samsung Galaxy gets while charging. Every time I plug it in, things start to get toasty, so I rarely let it go to 100%. Surprisingly, switching to a better and newer USB-C cable completely fixed the problem, and I also turned off the fastest charging mode.

Many Linux commands we still use every day originated with Version 1 Unix, all the way back in 1971. Some still outperform their modern equivalents, either in pure processing speed or in other measures like availability and flexibility.

Cordless tools are just too convenient to ignore, and they’re getting better all the time. The only problem is that this convenience comes at a cost in terms of batteries that have a shelf life, despite their rechargeable nature.

A web page without any styling is like a blank canvas. The possibilities are endless, and it’s easy to waste time experimenting with different layouts, colors, and fonts. But the default browser styles are not ideal, so you need to put in the effort just to get started with a proper design.

That cheap SATA SSD you installed years ago may not actually be as slow as it feels. If you have been filling it almost to capacity, the problem may have less to do with its age than with how much space you’re leaving available.

Roku is taking a cue from the likes of Disney and YouTube by tying services together The streaming platform creator is now offering Premium Subscription bundles in the U.S. that pair two services at a discount, with a single bill.

Many streaming platforms have evolved over the years, especially since almost every studio wants a stake in the market. It began with YouTube, which offered free streaming of public videos, followed by Amazon Prime digital rentals, and then Netflix adding streaming movies and shows to its DVD rental service in 2007. Netflix was the first one I used, and I used it before anyone else created their own streaming platform. I enjoyed watching my favorite 90s movies alongside newer ones and a handful of TV shows. Once I started, I couldn’t let go. Mentally, I knew that entertainment was only a few clicks away whenever I wanted.

Apple just introduced its brand-new iPhone lineup, including the all-new iPhone Duo with its foldable form factor alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. So, as always, making sure your brand-new device stays protected is essential. ESR makes it possible to shield your phone from the bustle of daily life without sacrificing the device’s integrity or usefulness. Aside from cases and screen protectors, the brand’s new collection includes charging gear and more.

Excel has hundreds of functions, and I certainly don't know what all of them do. But every now and then, I find one that makes me wonder why I'd never come across it before. Here are seven that caught me by surprise.

Ryobi makes a little bit of everything, and it's part of the reason many DIYers and homeowners choose them over the competition. Sure, you probably have a Ryobi drill, impact driver, and maybe a sawzall, but the next tool you might want to buy is this new portable power cleaner that can replace your pressure washer.

Open source software is a vital part of modern computing; it’s involved in much of the software we use every day. But is it too good to be true, and is it really free, in either sense of the word?

Technically, Android is Linux, since it's based on the Linux kernel, but in reality, the most popular phone operating system in the world is better described as a Linux-based operating system that's a distant cousin of your usual Linux distribution.

Filament is a consumable your printer uses to make things, but even when you've used up all the filament in a spool, you still have a bunch of stuff left over.

When someone new to Linux asks which distro they should start with, the usual recommendations are Ubuntu or Linux Mint. However, I think that’s an overgeneralization — and part of why some folks walk away from Linux with a bad taste in their mouth. The right recommendation depends entirely on why you’re switching in the first place and what’s actually motivating you to leave Windows or macOS.

I have had AT&T Fiber for over seven years at this point. While I enjoy the service and have had very few reliability problems with it, I really just want to use my own router. AT&T doesn't allow you to use anything but its provided gateway, and it's always annoyed me. Here's how I got around their rules and started using my own router with AT&T anyway.

I wanted an app that seemed easy: the temperature and forecast displayed on a widget on my desktop. Instead, Windows 11 gave me a "widget" with ads and entirely too much extra stuff.

3D printing and Android are typically not things that go together. The best software is available for desktop computers, and that’s where I do 99% of my modeling and printing. However, there are a small handful of 3D printing Android apps that I like to keep on my phone for various purposes.

Xteink has quickly become a popular brand for low-cost tiny eReaders. The most recent model has caused quite a stir in the community, with a lot of people upset about two specific design choices. In fact, neither of them really matters that much.

An old PC with a few CPU cores, several GBs of RAM, and a working network connection can still be useful long after it stops being suitable for demanding tasks, but Linux can turn that hardware into something that quietly handles useful jobs around your home or small office.

For me, Google Messages is more than an inbox. From asking my husband what to cook for dinner to coordinating plans with friends and family, this app has quietly become one of those apps I reach for without even thinking. Because so much of my daily communication happens there, even small features can make a noticeable difference.