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: 1 hour 29 min ago

New on Prime Video in May—Top picks and everything coming this month

Wed, 04/29/2026 - 17:15

April was a bloody good month on Prime Video, with the final season of The Boys dominating the Global Top 10, and a couple of movies—Chris Hemsworth's heist thriller Crime 101 and Mark Wahlberg's raunchy comedy Balls Up—topping the movie charts for the streamer.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I used both Spotify and YouTube Music for a month, and the winner wasn’t even close

Wed, 04/29/2026 - 16:45

As a YouTube Premium subscriber, I get YouTube Music included in my subscription fee, yet I use Spotify as my main music service. It's been this way for years, but sometimes I like to give YouTube Music another chance since it can save me a few dollars should I choose to cancel my Spotify subscription.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The tiny open-source apps that somehow became essential (and you've probably never heard of them)

Wed, 04/29/2026 - 16:30

Some of the most effective innovations of the last ten years have not come from large, expensive platforms, but from small, community-driven projects. These programs show that some major computing annoyances can be fixed by the smallest, most essential applications, if you know where to find them. Sure, they don't have much hype in the mainstream, but they save money and are incredibly important.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I finally ditched Photoshop and Canva for this now-free tool, and I wish I'd done it sooner

Wed, 04/29/2026 - 16:15

Photoshop can do almost anything—if you're willing to pay for it. Like many casual users, I've been switching between free and open-source alternatives to Photoshops for a while now. There are several good alternatives out there, including Canva, but there is one option that is a much better option than all the others.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 Ryobi tools you shouldn't buy (and what to get instead)

Wed, 04/29/2026 - 16:00

Ryobi is a popular, reliable brand loved by DIYers everywhere, and you'll even see its bright neon tools on job sites thanks to its wide assortment of power tools. Ryobi makes a little bit of everything, and while that's great, it also means the company is bound to miss the mark on occasion and release a tool you'll probably want to avoid.

Categories: IT General, Technology

A digital multimeter saved me hundreds in AirTags, dead batteries, and broken remotes

Wed, 04/29/2026 - 16:00

It's frustrating moment when an important, low-power device like a TV remote or a tracking tag starts acting up for no clear reason. It might respond slowly, lose its connection, or flash a low battery warning, even after you've put in a new battery.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Skip the Toyota RAV4—This Mazda is as reliable and feels more special

Wed, 04/29/2026 - 15:45

The Toyota RAV4 has become the default answer for buyers looking for a dependable compact SUV. Its reputation for reliability, strong resale value, and everyday practicality makes it one of the safest choices in the segment. But for drivers who want something that feels a little more distinctive, sticking with the obvious option isn’t always the best move.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 reasons your home server should be more powerful than your workstation

Wed, 04/29/2026 - 15:29

Most people who own two or more PCs put the more powerful one on their desk and relegate the weaker one to server duty. From personal experience, though, I’ve found doing the opposite has far more practical benefits. Here are five reasons I turned my powerful machine into a home server and use a weaker one as my daily driver.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These 3 apps help me use my giant Android phone with just one hand

Wed, 04/29/2026 - 15:15

The most popular Android phones are big—it’s just a fact. Most of us have giant screens in our pockets, but most of us don’t have giant hands. Thankfully, there are some tools at your disposal that can make it easier to use your phone without needing a two-handed grip.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop fighting Android Auto’s voice commands—use these custom shortcuts instead

Wed, 04/29/2026 - 15:00

People everywhere use Android Auto for its excellent traffic and navigation tools, streaming music, and more. And while it has some pretty good voice commands that help you keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, I'm not a fan. As a result, I've started messing with powerful automations and home screen shortcuts, and here are a few you'll absolutely love.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Forget the Mercedes GLC—this Korean SUV is more luxurious and more fun

Wed, 04/29/2026 - 14:46

The Mercedes-Benz GLC has become one of the default choices in the compact luxury SUV segment, offering the prestige, comfort, and polish buyers expect from a premium badge. But in 2026, that badge alone is no longer enough to guarantee the best experience. One Korean rival is making a strong case that luxury and driving enjoyment can come from somewhere unexpected.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The 5 levels of Excel users: Which one are you?

Wed, 04/29/2026 - 14:30

Excel mastery is a slow-burn obsession. You start by color-coding cells, but soon you're living in the Power Query Editor and building automated pipelines. It's a steep learning curve, but you might be higher up than you think. To see how much of a nerd you've become, here are the five levels.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The 4 power tools you should always have more than one of

Wed, 04/29/2026 - 14:15

While you might think having one drill, sander, or router is totally fine, you really should have multiple. Not every power tool needs a twin, but there are a handful that definitely do. Here are four power tools that I own multiples of, and why I think you should too.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your Roku is tracking more than you think, here's how to limit it

Wed, 04/29/2026 - 14:00

I'm pretty deep in the Roku ecosystem at this point. Between multiple Roku TVs and a couple of media PCs, it's what I use every day for streaming. In fact, this is the second time I've written about Roku in recent weeks. Last time, I focused on features most people never touch. This time, I'm going in the opposite direction and looking at something I care about a lot more: privacy.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Hybrids went from punchline to 1,000-horsepower supercars, and enthusiasts finally get it

Wed, 04/29/2026 - 13:30

Hybrid. It is a word that used to be almost synonymous with the Toyota Prius, and because of that, car enthusiasts treated hybrids like pariahs. When the first-generation Prius debuted in the United States about 25 years ago, it changed the world. It was one of the first mass-produced hybrid cars ever made, boasting an EPA-estimated 41 mpg combined rating and setting the benchmark for the eco-conscious car buyer.

Categories: IT General, Technology

6 hobbies that are better with a Raspberry Pi

Wed, 04/29/2026 - 13:00

The Raspberry Pi first rose to prominence as an educational tool before it was catapulted into the mainstream by hobbyists. Several hardware revisions later, this single-board computer has its own actively-maintained operating system and features prominently as the go-to pint-sized project computer.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These 7 Bash tricks will change how you use the terminal

Wed, 04/29/2026 - 12:30

Do you spend most of your time in the terminal, or are you trying to learn? Bash is very mature, and it packs a lot of hidden features. Today, I have seven command-line tricks that will save you time typing and editing.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 classic Oscar-winning movies you can stream on Netflix today

Wed, 04/29/2026 - 00:00

I'm on the record saying the Oscars are my favorite awards show in pop culture. For me, it's like watching a championship game in sports. You better believe I'm filling out a ballot to see if I can predict the night's biggest upsets, though I missed on Michael B. Jordan winning Best Actor at the 2026 Oscars.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Forget the Volvo V60—this Toyota SUV is the shooting brake sanctuary that costs $7,000 less

Tue, 04/28/2026 - 23:30

The sportswagon or shooting brake is (normally) the calling card of European premium and luxury brands. Historically, this style of vehicle was designed to carry a gentleman’s party and their gear, essentially merging the sleek styling of a sports car with the extended cargo space of a wagon. In modern terms, it describes a vehicle that prioritizes an athletic silhouette and interior comfort while still offering the utility of a traditional SUV or crossover.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 riveting Netflix thrillers to watch this week (April 27-May 3)

Tue, 04/28/2026 - 23:00

The Netflix machine never stops. The streaming giant continues to release hit movies that capture a massive audience. The latest example is Apex, a riveting thriller that premiered on April 24. Apex is our top movie of the week to watch on Netflix in the U.S. because of its gripping premise and massive star power.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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