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Updated: 1 hour 14 min ago

5 exciting Ryobi tools I’m still looking forward to in 2026

Tue, 05/19/2026 - 14:30

Looking to upgrade your tool collection or shop this year? Ryobi has an excellent selection of power tools, and while we've already seen several new products arrive in 2026, more are on the way. The company has released over 75 new items in the last year, which is part of what makes the brand so successful. Here are a few new Ryobi tools I'm still looking forward to this spring and summer.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Before your next road trip, check these five things on your vehicle

Tue, 05/19/2026 - 14:15

After a harsh winter across much of the U.S., warmer weather has finally arrived, ushering in road trip season. Soon, millions of Americans will be packing up their cars with kids, dogs, and luggage, ready to hit the open road.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why I quit Jellyfin for a different open-source Plex rival

Tue, 05/19/2026 - 14:15

Controlling your content is a big reason people move to Jellyfin, and it is much better than Plex. Self-hosted media setups keep you from getting stuck with one service, paying ongoing fees, and having companies control your media. However, relying on a project built by volunteers in their spare time can cost you time. You can spend more time managing the server than actually using it; it's only free in terms of money, and it's not a complete solution.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I ditched Android Auto's defaults for these 4 open-source apps

Tue, 05/19/2026 - 14:00

Android Auto is a peculiar beast. Some users seem to have quite a bit of trouble with it, while others tend to love using it. If you wish, it was better. I learned Android Auto is compatible with a variety of apps that you might not expect—including open-source apps.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Proxmox solves Plex's biggest backup problem, but most people don't know it

Tue, 05/19/2026 - 13:30

There is a specific, sinking feeling that every Plex user knows intimately. You log into your server, ready to unwind with your meticulously curated media library, and you are greeted not by the familiar grid of movie posters, but by a sterile orange screen. The database is corrupted and the carefully hand-picked collections you spent weeks building have vanished into the digital ether.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 smart home devices you can replace with a Pi Zero 2 W

Tue, 05/19/2026 - 13:01

Smart home devices can get expensive quickly, especially if they rely on subscriptions or cloud services to unlock their full utility. That is why I've switched to using a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W for as many smart home projects as I can. It is small, inexpensive, and low-power, but it is also exceptionally versatile.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I went ghost hunting in Windows and uncovered these 6 forgotten tools

Tue, 05/19/2026 - 12:30

While Windows 11 has been one of the largest visual and under-the-hood overhauls Windows has ever seen, a ton of UI elements, options, and even apps from older Windows versions still linger in Windows 11’s nooks and crannies. While some, like the Control Panel, Command Prompt, and Device Manager, are hiding in plain sight, many more are buried beneath the surface.

Categories: IT General, Technology

BMW sends off the M3 with a six-speed manual, and it's exactly what enthusiasts want

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 23:00

The BMW M3 turns 40 this year, and unlike me, it’s still quick in middle age!

Categories: IT General, Technology

Forget German luxury SUVs—the Lexus GX makes more sense

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 22:30

Luxury SUVs have gotten so good across the board that they almost start blending together. Most of them chase the same formula too—quiet cabins, smooth rides, big screens, and just enough performance to feel expensive.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 more great Netflix movies to watch this week (May 18-24)

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 22:00

Here we are, facing down the lane of the third week of May. Who's ready to roll a strike with three movies that have come to Netflix this month and that have been knocking down movies on the Netflix Top 10 like bowling pins? If your focus hasn't been locked on Remarkably Bright Creatures or the excellent new Martin Short documentary, then check out the movie selection below.

Categories: IT General, Technology

UWB was supposed to fix Bluetooth trackers, but Android is ignoring it on purpose

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 21:45

Bluetooth trackers are useful, but for situations where you need precise location tracking—like if you lose your keys inside your home and don’t want to play hide and seek with the tracker’s alert sounds—Ultra Wideband (UWB) comes to the rescue.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Stop thinking Korean cars are unreliable—These 5 SUVs quietly prove otherwise

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 21:30

For years, Korean cars have struggled to shake off an outdated reputation for questionable reliability. Even as Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis dramatically improved build quality, technology, and refinement, many buyers continued to assume Japanese brands were the safer long-term choice. However, modern reliability data is starting to tell a very different story.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Toyota hybrid that makes the Kia Telluride hard to justify

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 20:30

Hyundai and Kia basically struck gold with two SUVs that families can’t seem to stop buying. The Palisade leans into the more polished, comfortable, almost upscale vibe, while the Telluride has always played the slightly cooler, more aggressive sibling.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 exciting Netflix thrillers to watch this week (May 18-24)

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 20:00

Netflix has a new animated champion in Swapped. The body-swap comedy starring Michael B. Jordan set the single-week viewing record for a Netflix animated original with 38.7 million views during the May 4-10 period. While it won't reach the heights of KPop Demon Hunters, Swapped is a win for Netflix and its animated slate.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The forgotten network setting making your internet feel slow

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 19:25

The worst thing about internet issues is that they can be caused by any number of reasons. That makes troubleshooting so very tedious.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 high-stakes Prime Video movies to watch this week (May 18 - May 24)

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 19:00

As summer approaches, so does the excitement of watching thrilling movies that are fast-paced, easy to binge, and widely appealing. From pulse-pounding thrillers to emotionally charged dramas, exhilarating high-stakes storytelling thrives on conflict, risk, and consequence, and that’s the sandbox we’re playing in this week.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why old Craftsman tools refuse to die

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 18:30

Craftsman used to have tools that could survive decades of heavy abuse, and you feel that durability the moment you pick them up. If you buy basic modern hand tools from a big box store, you already know they lack that heavy feel. They have shiny finishes and high-tooth ratchets, but the computer designs trim weight to save on manufacturing costs, leading to weak steel that breaks under pressure.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 new movies to watch this week across Netflix, Hulu, and more (May 18-24)

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 18:15

With all due respect to the new movies added on streaming last week, this week's selections blow last week's additions out of the water. Lurker on HBO Max and The Crash on Netflix were definitely highlights. However, this week is so good that those two might not have made the cut.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Don't pay for multi-gig internet. Fix your LAN instead.

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 18:00

We’ve had multi-gig networking for several years now, but where does it actually make sense? I think that multi-gig internet is a waste of money, as most servers can’t serve you files at those speeds anyway. However, a multi-gig LAN absolutely changed how I use my homelab.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I wanted to love Gemini in Android Auto, but these 5 failures make it impossible

Mon, 05/18/2026 - 17:30

I love Gemini in Android Auto; there are so many times it is better than the old Assistant. However, there are too many issues Google did not solve before putting it in cars. It's as if the company wanted to put it in cars before making sure everything worked. Some things make me really wish I could go back to Google Assistant, especially when I need a true assistant, and not just a conversation partner. I handle most things from my phone before driving off, so I don't need the extra help on the road.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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