How-To Geek

My experiments with a Pi-hole started as a way to fix a few common problems: a network that was getting bogged down, smart devices phoning home, and ads that made websites literally unusable.

For the longest time, automating your work meant dealing with complicated software—or writing some form of code or pseudocode, like PowerShell scripts. That put automation out of reach for the majority of folks who weren’t comfortable coding or the technical side of computing.

Home Assistant OS, the full operating system that runs your smart home server on dedicated hardware, is getting a major update. And although it doesn't include any flashy new features or automation settings, Home Assistant OS 18 tackles increasingly common problems for those utilizing Raspberry Pi setups, older mini PCs, and anyone running a growing collection of add-ons, integrations, and automations.

AI can be a useful tool, but does it belong in 3D printing? I think it has its place, but you definitely should keep an eye out for AI-designed 3D prints—they might not be as great as they seem on the surface.

I find file formats, archives, and audio/video storage media fascinating. In my experience, how they work, what they do, and why they were created are usually built around fascinating stories or interesting research and development.

Prime Day is the perfect time to upgrade your smart home cleaning lineup, and Narwal, the renowned household robotics brand, is making it easier than ever. Its new flagship robot vacuum and mop combo has dropped to its lowest-ever price, exclusively for 2026 Prime Day. The new Narwal Flow 2 is discounted from $1,499.99 to $1,049.99, saving buyers $450 on this cutting-edge, hands-free cleaning system. That’s 30% off Narwal’s newest release, which features a specially-designed mopping system and multiple AI upgrades. The deal is live now through June 26.

Samsung makes some of the best Android phones, which is why I've been buying and reviewing Galaxy devices for over 14 years. From the early days of TouchWiz and curved screens to the feature-packed One UI software, capable cameras, and fancy, cutting-edge designs, here are my favorite Galaxy phones of all time.

The first Pi wasn't just great for builder projects and learning to code, but made for an amazing general-purpose computer if what you needed was the ability to surf the web and write essays. The Pi range has gone on to release some real bangers, and I think both my Pi 4 and Pi 5 are amazing machines, even at today's ridiculously inflated prices.

I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of paying for apps, especially now that everything seems to come with a subscription. So for a while now, I’ve been hunting down free and open-source (FOSS) alternatives that don’t charge a monthly fee and also don’t force me to compromise on the features I actually need. Turns out there are plenty of great options out there, and I’ve started feeling a little dumb for paying in the first place.

The humble Benchy has become a rite of passage for many new 3D printer owners, even though benchmarking modern 3D printers isn’t strictly necessary. But let’s say you’ve assembled a small armada of these toy boats, and now you’re wondering what to do with them.

I have a subscription to Claude and use the free tier of Gemini. Both are incredibly powerful tools that I use on a daily basis, but I also run a small local model on my modest mini PC. I use this local LLM for almost all of my automated tasks, and despite the relative lack of power, it can offer things that Claude and Gemini can't.

Ugreen is back with another NAS update, this time to the DXP2800 and DXP4800 line with the new GT series models. Featuring updated processors, 10GbE connectivity, and more, these are some of Ugreen's best NAS systems yet.

If you're not at least a few episodes into the new season of The Agency, or haven't started watching all the Scream movies in order on Paramount+ yet, then you're either too busy enjoying the weather (good on you) or those selections just might not be your jam.

My wife and I have been binging our way through the great new Netflix series I Will Find You that everyone's been talking about, but like with any intense binge, sometimes you need to take a break and watch something different. We like to do that by throwing on a movie to change things up—they're one-and-done, and nicely wrapped up (usually).

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 is one of those SUVs dealers don’t need to try very hard to sell, which usually means one thing: markups. It’s become a familiar story in the hybrid space, especially for high-demand models where supply just can’t keep up.

AMD is acting on its promise to keep your existing hardware relevant, and not just by reviving old products. The company has released an Adrenaline Edition 26.6.2 driver update for Windows that brings FSR Upscaling 4.1 to Radeon RX 7000 series GPUs.

Hybrid SUVs have never been more popular. With fuel prices staying unpredictable and EVs becoming harder to justify for many buyers, more Americans are looking for something that delivers better efficiency without changing the way they drive.

Several months after its November 2025 introduction, you can finally order Valve's Steam Machine. However, you'll have to brace yourself for the high price — while expected, it's not the bargain living room PC some were hoping for.

Performance sedans have never been quicker, more capable, or more technologically advanced. The problem is that many of them have become so focused on lap times and acceleration figures that they've lost some of the personality that once made them special. In the pursuit of outright speed, driving involvement has often taken a back seat.

When you first gain access to a 3D printer, you might be tempted to print everything and anything you can. This urge can be amplified by the number of models available online and the passion of the 3D printing community.