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: 8 min 4 sec ago

Finally, an Android maker besides Google is embracing magnetic charging

Wed, 08/19/2026 - 21:01

You might not have to buy a Google Pixel to get an Android smartphone with Qi2 magnetic wireless charging built-in. Well-known leaker Evan Blass has revealed that Motorola is working on a Moto Snap charger that hints at Qi2 coming to its broader phone lineup.

Categories: IT General, Technology

GPU undervolting isn't worth the hassle: Set a power limit to drop temps in seconds

Wed, 08/19/2026 - 21:00

In some ways, your GPU is just an expensive and fancy way to turn electricity into heat and noise. These high-performance components try to squeeze every possible frame out for you, but the cost of the last few frames is much higher than the first few.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google Maps kept changing my shared route—this simple trick keeps it on track

Wed, 08/19/2026 - 20:45

Google Maps is great for finding the quickest way from point A to point B. However, when I choose a specific route and share it with someone else, it sometimes sends them on a different path. I found a simple workaround that keeps shared journeys much closer to the route I originally chose.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This $35,000 used luxury SUV delivers a Mercedes-level interior for RAV4 money

Wed, 08/19/2026 - 20:30

Used EVs are becoming some of the best bargains on the market, with steep early depreciation putting vehicles that once cost close to $60,000 within reach for around the price of a new Toyota RAV4. This particular luxury SUV is a perfect example. At just three years old, well-cared-for models can be found for roughly $35,000, giving buyers access to a genuinely upscale interior, more than 300 miles of driving range, and the kind of technology usually associated with far more expensive vehicles.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Windows 11's hidden "End task" shortcut is the one feature every power user should enable

Wed, 08/19/2026 - 20:30

Most of us have had an app freeze at exactly the wrong moment. I used to open Task Manager, hunt through the list, and force it to close. Windows 11 has a much quicker option, though, and it takes seconds to enable.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Mazda SUV that makes a BMW X5 look hard to justify

Wed, 08/19/2026 - 20:01

BMW's X5 has the badge, the reputation, and the luxury-car credentials, but you don't necessarily have to spend BMW money to get a family SUV that feels genuinely upscale. The Mazda CX-90 takes a different approach, pairing a premium-looking cabin with strong driving dynamics and the practicality of three rows.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This default Windows setting is making your SSD slower than it should be

Wed, 08/19/2026 - 19:46

SSDs are fast, but even they can be slowed down over time. If you live for speed and feel like your SSD starts to get just a little slower sometimes, especially near the end of a week, there is one setting you might want to check out called TRIM.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your Samsung Galaxy has 2 features that are begging for NFC tags instead of buttons

Wed, 08/19/2026 - 19:30

The Quick Settings swipe-down menu makes it easy to access some of the best Samsung Galaxy features. However, while tapping a toggle or button is simple enough, nothing beats performing a single action without touching your phone’s screen. This is what I’ve done with NFC tags, and it has been a game changer for the tools I use most.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How I watermark my 3D prints (and why I do it)

Wed, 08/19/2026 - 18:30

I mostly mess with 3D printers as a hobby, but since 3D printing is an expensive hobby, I also sell 3D printed models at a local market, which helps pay for filament, and also gives my friend who runs the stall every week more stuff to sell at no cost to them.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why this 3-year-old Japanese luxury SUV makes more sense than buying new

Wed, 08/19/2026 - 18:15

A new luxury SUV gives you the latest model, but it also comes with one big financial downside: depreciation. The 2023 Acura MDX has already absorbed much of that initial hit, while still offering the refinement, performance, space, and features that make it a compelling premium SUV.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Pixel 11’s flashiest new feature makes me worry about Google

Wed, 08/19/2026 - 18:03

The general consensus on the Pixel 11 series is that not much sets it apart from last year’s models. One of the few highlights is the “HiLight” LED panel on the camera bar. It’s a cool idea in theory, but painfully underwhelming in reality—and it makes me worry about Google.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These 5 camera features on Pixel 11 Pro make it worth the upgrade

Wed, 08/19/2026 - 18:01

The new Pixel 11 series is here, and while there's a lot to appreciate, it's easy to understand why some fans feel like not enough has changed. While it's a familiar affair on the outside, with camera upgrades, a faster processor, and Gemini intelligence throughout, the Pixel 11 is actually quite impressive. That's especially true when it comes to cameras, and here are 5 features that make it stand out.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This is the cheapest solution to your PC's dead USB port

Wed, 08/19/2026 - 17:45

More than once, I've thought a USB port on my PC was broken. It only turned out to be true once, but when it was, I was actually able to fix it.

Categories: IT General, Technology

One Milwaukee tool broke my 20-year loyalty to Ryobi, and now I own three

Wed, 08/19/2026 - 17:30

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Ryobi and its endless selection of capable cordless power tools. I've been buying them for over 20 years, but the brand doesn't offer everything I need. I do a lot of automotive repairs and maintenance, which led me to buy the Milwaukee M12 angled impact wrench. It's such a game-changer that I'm now slowly collecting Milwaukee tools.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop blaming your Plex server—these 3 tweaks fix stuttering without buying new hardware

Wed, 08/19/2026 - 17:15

Are you tired of your Plex streams always stuttering but don't have the money for a brand-new media server? Here are three simple things that you can change to help make your streaming experience smoother on the hardware you already own.

Categories: IT General, Technology

AI is splitting Linux and nobody wants to say it out loud

Wed, 08/19/2026 - 17:00

Regardless of how you personally feel about it, it seems the AI coding assistants are here to stay. Although there are plenty of problems when it comes to AI slop code, vibe coding by people who don't understand the code itself, or the illusions of productivity destroyed by excessive quality control, coders are not letting this one go.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Porsche is bringing back the manual transmission to the 911 Carrera S—and it's about time

Wed, 08/19/2026 - 16:45

In 1980, roughly a third of new cars sold in the United States came with a manual transmission. By 2021, that number had fallen below 1% and has stayed there since, according to the EPA's Automotive Trends report. Stick shifts have become rare enough that when an automaker drops one from a lineup, most drivers barely notice.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why coffee is the next hobby you should get serious about

Wed, 08/19/2026 - 16:30

I believe that coffee is more than a way of getting caffeine into your body, and the explosion in the popularity of specialty coffee means I’m not alone. An estimated two-thirds of the US population drinks coffee every day, and too many are settling for sub-par beverages.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop wasting your router's USB port: 4 things it can actually do

Wed, 08/19/2026 - 16:15

Most of us give little thought to USB ports, beyond finding some of them kind of confusing, because what do you mean they're color-coded? But a handy USB port on the right device can actually be transformative. One such device is your router.

Categories: IT General, Technology

$200 Motorola phones have 4 features that make expensive flagships jealous

Wed, 08/19/2026 - 16:00

Motorola has made its name among the Android crowd thanks to its phones offering excellent value at any price bracket. And it's easy to see why, as even the cheapest devices, like those in the Moto G lineup, tend to pack surprisingly modern and capable hardware.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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