How-To Geek

Google has started rolling out its previously teased Pixel Drop feature update for June 2026 alongside the release of Android 17, and it's big news if you've wanted to generate more than just still images using Gemini — or if you're simply a heavy multitasker.

Recently, I finally took the plunge and signed up for a shiny gigabit plan, fully expecting my downloads to finish before I could even blink. Reader, they did not. For weeks, I sat there glaring at speed tests topping out at a sad fraction of what I was paying for, convinced my ISP was pulling a fast one on me.

BMW is nearly finished with the redesigned X5 SUV, and it's promising its widest-ever selection of powertrains—including its record-setting first electric model, the iX5.

How many phones have you owned over the course of your life? I generally sell my old ones, but sometimes there’s one that’s either not worth much or isn’t in good condition. That doesn’t mean they need to sit around in a drawer. Here’s what you want to do with that old device.

Dark mode is supposed to make screens easier on your eyes, but it can feel a little dull over time. Dark mode lowers brightness on websites, but it doesn't strip things down. High contrast mode does something completely different. It's exactly what you need if you think dark mode isn't going far enough.

Car ownership in the U.S. is changing fast, with vehicles now averaging a record age of around 13 years in 2026. The main reason is simple: new cars are expensive, with prices hovering near $50,000 and monthly payments that can easily stretch past $1,000 for a growing number of buyers.

I switched DNS providers more times than I care to admit, and it was never fun -- setting up custom DNS can be a real chore. Still, I was convinced there had to be a reason that certain websites kept failing to load properly.

If you're over six feet tall or have a larger frame, you've probably noticed that most office chairs weren't designed with you in mind. Seats and armrests that press into your legs and sides, and headrests that sit at shoulder height, aren't minor inconveniences. Over a full working day, they add discomfort.

AI chatbots are incredibly useful for my work. I use them for research, for proofreading and fact-checking, and for keeping track of articles and pitches. There's one job I had really hoped AI could take off my hands. Sadly, both Claude and ChatGPT failed dismally.

If there’s one thing that I’ve found to be consistently true, it’s that even the tiniest bit of friction can make something useless. That’s why I was so happy when I noticed a simple toggle appear on my Android Auto screen after a drive with Google Maps navigation.

I can't imagine my life without USB-C at this point. There's lots to love about this widespread connector standard. For the most part, I can plug any two things with USB ports or cables into each other, and something useful will happen.

Summer road-trip season is almost here, and that usually means one thing: more time at the gas pump. For SUV buyers, finding something practical that won't drain your fuel budget has become more important than ever.

Most people treat Excel as a rigid calculator, completely missing its capacity for chaos. Excel's built-in randomization tools can generate numbers, shuffle existing lists, and build mock timelines in seconds—yet almost no one takes advantage of them. Here's how they work in practice.

VPNs aren't the most exciting things to self-host, but once I started using one on a Raspberry Pi, it quickly became indispensable. It is lightweight, efficient, and gives me reliable access to all of my self-hosted services.

Open Source software may make the world go round, but if you've been using open source apps for as long as I have you'll know that these software packages are wonderfully functional, but not particularly refined.

Microsoft is giving its mainstream Surface devices their first big updates in two years, and they promise to be worthwhile updates from older Windows portables — if you're willing to embrace ARM instead of an Intel machine. The new Surface Laptop 13.8-inch, Surface Laptop 15-inch, and Surface Pro 13-inch (aka Surface Laptop 8 and Surface Pro 12) all have much speedier Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 chips alongside a few other major upgrades.

When I buy a smart home device, it tends to be for a specific purpose. I bought a presence sensor in order to keep the lights on when I'm in a room, which motion sensors struggle with. It took me quite some time to realize that my presence sensors had a very useful extra feature I wasn't using, and many other smart home devices have hidden secondary functions.

SUVs have become the default choice for a huge number of buyers, but finding one that delivers genuine value is getting harder as prices continue to climb. Fortunately, you don't have to spend luxury-car money to get a vehicle that is comfortable, practical, efficient, and packed with modern technology. In fact, there are plenty of standout options available for less than $40,000.

I'm a huge Waze fan and have been using it for over 10 years. It's completely replaced Google Maps when I'm driving or using Android Auto, but that doesn't mean I uninstalled the app. I still keep Google Maps around for a few key features, and that's because both apps are better when used together.

Plex has been popular with the self-hosting community for years because it is easy to set up, reliable, and polished enough to replace a streaming service without a ton of inconvenience. Unfortunately, its lifetime license is jumping from $250 to $750 on July 1st, 2026, and the self-hosting community is moving to the alternatives.