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: 13 min 11 sec ago

MAMMOTION's LUBA 4 AWD and Maston take on difficult lawns at IFA 2026

Thu, 09/03/2026 - 18:44

Robot mowers are great at covering open grass. The trouble begins near walls, beneath trees, and on steep or uneven ground, where navigation becomes harder and tight turns can tear up the turf. Many models still leave a strip around the boundary to finish off with a string trimmer.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 new Ryobi tools coming this fall that you need to see

Thu, 09/03/2026 - 18:31

The warm summer months are winding down, and that means you should probably start preparing for fall lawn care and DIY projects. If that includes buying new tools, Ryobi just announced several exciting products coming soon to your nearby Home Depot.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Before the USB flash drive: 5 'floppy killers' that lost the retro storage war

Thu, 09/03/2026 - 18:15

The floppy ruled removable storage for decades, but it quickly became too small and spurred on many pretenders to the throne. Yet while many tried to topple the floppy from its throne, it clung on far longer than you'd expect.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Motorola's new Moto Watch Ultra is the right answer to the Galaxy Watch

Thu, 09/03/2026 - 18:00

Samsung once again has major competition for the Galaxy Watch Ultra in the Android world. Motorola has unveiled the Moto Watch Ultra, its most advanced Wear OS smartwatch yet — and with a few advantages over its Korean counterpart.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Lenovo's first RTX Spark PCs are Yoga models built for creators

Thu, 09/03/2026 - 18:00

Lenovo is finally sharing details of its first PCs based on Nvidia's first consumer PC processor, the RTX Spark. The brand has shared first details of the Yoga 9n 2-in-1 and Yoga Pro 9n, both of which are aimed at creators and developers—and in some cases, gamers. I've had hands-on time with both ahead of IFA 2026, with a catch.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Lenovo's IdeaPad Vibe proves Windows laptops can compete on style, not just price

Thu, 09/03/2026 - 18:00

Lenovo is taking its turn at fighting the MacBook Neo by borrowing its colorful design for a potentially more capable laptop. The company has introduced the IdeaPad Vibe as a more powerful Windows alternative, and I've had hands-on time with it at IFA 2026.

Categories: IT General, Technology

That USB port on your router isn't useless—it's a secret file server

Thu, 09/03/2026 - 17:30

Being a tech aficionado was never the cheapest hobby out there, but these days, it's even worse than usual. That's why I tend to advocate looking for cheap upgrades instead of spending lots of money, with tips on how to avoid needing to buy a new router, for instance.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 new Netflix shows to watch in September

Thu, 09/03/2026 - 17:00

While the list of new Netflix movies in September is impressive, the group of new and returning shows this month is equally impressive. The first show on the list is the second season of a crime comedy by Guy Ritchie. The next show is a coming-of-age story set in the unfamiliar world of high school rowing.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I replaced Claude with LM Studio Bionic — and I’m not going back

Thu, 09/03/2026 - 16:30

If you’re someone who uses local AI, you’ve probably heard of LM Studio. It's the app that lets you easily download open-source AI models locally, manage them, and talk to them in a fairly basic chat window. It was cool when it launched, but right now, the way people are using LLMs has evolved.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Milwaukee PACKOUT kit that'll save you hours in the garage

Thu, 09/03/2026 - 16:00

It's no secret that the Milwaukee PACKOUT system is the king of modular storage for all your tools, and users everywhere swear by it. If you're tired of wasting half the day hunting for tools, digging through random bins, or having a cluttered mess in the garage, you need a PACKOUT. Here are a few kits that'll save you hours in the garage or shop, letting you focus on the job at hand.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Smart home lighting can be complex, but Govee’s new AI lights change that

Thu, 09/03/2026 - 15:51

Since the first lightbulb was invented, technology has evolved to the point where there’s almost nothing a typical modern LED light can’t do. Dimming is a basic feature, but altering the color temperature and actual color, and even creating unique patterns, are also possible. This creates the opportunity for some truly amazing lighting scenes, but getting it all to work can be a challenge. Thankfully, Govee thinks there’s a better way.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I started playing CTFs, now they're my new hobby

Thu, 09/03/2026 - 15:30

When it comes to learning cybersecurity, there's a way to do it that feels less like studying and more like a high-stakes game. I'm talking about Capture the Flag competitions. Out of curiosity, I dived into this interesting world and, before I realized it, I got totally hooked.

Categories: IT General, Technology

HTC Vive Eagle Review: Privacy-first smart glasses come at a price

Thu, 09/03/2026 - 15:00

I’ve never been very interested in smart glasses. The idea of having a hands-free camera on my face sounds great, but there’s always so much extra stuff that goes along with it. However, my Android brain perked up when I heard HTC was releasing a pair of smart glasses. I’ve been using the Vive Eagle for several weeks, and I have a lot of thoughts.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop putting off these 3 infrastructure projects your homelab needs (September 4 - 6)

Thu, 09/03/2026 - 14:30

Are you ready to take your homelab to the next level? This weekend, you should definitely deploy at least one of these three homelab infrastructure projects. They might not be glamorous, but they're sure useful.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I outgrew Linux Mint, but I didn't want a harder Linux distro

Thu, 09/03/2026 - 14:00

I've been using Linux more and more over the past year, and one of the things I've come to appreciate is how much choice it gives you. With Windows, you're largely working within the system Microsoft gives you. With Linux, if something doesn't work the way you want, there's probably another distro that handles it differently.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Belkin's Long-Lasting USB-C Power Banks with BoostSolid Cell

Thu, 09/03/2026 - 13:42

Tired of USB-C power banks that need to be replaced every few years? Belkin might have your fix: it's releasing its first power banks with semi-solid-state batteries that reportedly last "up to" 3X longer than conventional models.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your SSD and RAM warranties are worthless now, but these escalation tactics actually work

Thu, 09/03/2026 - 13:30

Times are tough for RAM, SSDs, GPUs, and whatever else comes to mind. Close to a year of the RAM-pocalypse has left the market bone dry, and the aftershocks are reverberating throughout more than just the store shelves. Warranties are affected, too.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I replaced cloud apps with these 8 open-source Linux programs that keep everything local

Thu, 09/03/2026 - 13:00

Cloud applications seem very convenient until you start thinking about how much of your work depends on someone else’s servers, but Linux gives you another option.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The internet's wrong about Android Auto — switching to wireless is the only thing that fixed my problems

Thu, 09/03/2026 - 12:30

Earlier this year, I was having a ton of issues with Android Auto. My cable didn't want to work. I'd lose my connection randomly (even with a plugged-incable). The cables wore out quickly. There always seemed to be some kind of problem with Android Auto in my car. When I switched to wireless, it was like a completely different experience. I've seen some talk online about the wired vs wireless debate for Android Auto, and I'm firmly in the wireless camp. Here's why.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These 3D-printed AirTag cases beat what you can buy at the Apple Store

Thu, 09/03/2026 - 12:00

AirTag cases and holders are essential if you want to put the item tracker somewhere that isn’t just the pocket of a bag. Apple’s selection of AirTag accessories leaves a lot to be desired, and they’re pricey to boot.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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