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: 15 min 19 sec ago

4 ways PC gaming handhelds still need to improve

Thu, 08/27/2026 - 17:45

Handheld gaming has exploded in mainstream popularity since the rise of the Nintendo Switch, and the advent of powerful PC handhelds has led to a lot of innovation in the category. I keep the ASUS ROG Ally X on my desk, and it is a fantastic device. More often than not, though, I still find myself choosing my XBOX Series X over my ROG Ally X for my gaming needs, even if it means being confined to my living room.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Fire TV and Roku keep getting worse, but this streamer I bought in 2022 has only gotten better

Thu, 08/27/2026 - 17:30

In 2022, I upgraded to a new M2 iPad Pro, finally saying goodbye to my trusty 2018 model. Instead of trying to sell my old iPad out of hand, I traded it in at Apple's store for a tidy sum. Looking around the place, the only thing that stood out to me was the Apple TV 4K 3rd Generation. I usually would not want to spend that much on a streaming box, but as far as I was concerned, this was free money with no specific purpose, and I could only spend it as store credit anyway.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The LG phone nobody wanted is making a comeback as the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8

Thu, 08/27/2026 - 17:15

Many of us still fondly remember and miss LG and its quirky Android phones. Although the brand has long been gone, some of the spirit of one particularly unusual phone from 2012 has made its way into the latest Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8. I'm talking about the LG Optimus Vu, an unusual square-shaped phone from 2012.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 beginner-friendly maker projects that don’t require a garage full of tools

Thu, 08/27/2026 - 17:00

Feeling the itch to make something but don’t have an entire workshop at your disposal? Don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to flex your woodworking and upcycling skills without going into debt at the hardware store.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 things you can do with your Meta Quest USB port

Thu, 08/27/2026 - 16:36

If you have a Meta Quest 2 or later, then you know that it has a USB-C port. After all, that's how you charge it! However, you might not know that this little port has a few more tricks up its sleeve.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your Pixel phone is always scanning—disable these two settings to add hours of battery life

Thu, 08/27/2026 - 16:15

Pixel phones are always doing a lot in the background. Some things are obvious—like weather apps grabbing your location—but others aren’t as upfront. Even worse is when seemingly simple features have a bigger impact on battery life than we know.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Your next 3D printer may be "poop-free," but that's not necessarily a good thing

Thu, 08/27/2026 - 16:00

If you have a modern 3D printer, most likely the "CoreXY" design that's become so popular, then you may have noticed a little rectangular hole on the back of the machine. Whenever the nozzle has to be purged of its current filament in exchange for a new one, a little filament "poop" comes out the back.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Google Photos just killed automatic PC backups—here are 4 alternatives

Thu, 08/27/2026 - 15:45

Google Drive used to make it easy to send photos and videos from folders on your PC straight to Google Photos. That changed when Google removed the feature from Drive for desktop. You can still back up PC folders to Google Photos, but you now have to select and manage that destination directly within the Drive for desktop app settings rather than having Drive and Photos sync automatically.

Categories: IT General, Technology

This is the easiest way to build interactive websites without JavaScript

Thu, 08/27/2026 - 15:30

Although you can create a huge range of web page designs using just HTML and CSS, when it comes to interactivity, you’ll need to start writing JavaScript—right? Well, not necessarily.

Categories: IT General, Technology

These Raspberry Pi Pico builds solve surprisingly relatable problems (August 28 - 30)

Thu, 08/27/2026 - 15:00

Today's weekend Raspberry Pi projects will be coming from a bit of a different angle than normal. Instead of focusing on the traditional Raspberry Pi single-board computer, I'm going to show you three fun projects to do with a Pi Pico microcontroller.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Linux does these 5 things effortlessly that Windows still struggles with

Thu, 08/27/2026 - 14:45

As long as Windows and Linux exist, people will argue about which one is better than the other. Linux is a favorite of programmers, sysadmins, and other technical types, for good reason. Here are the things that are easiest for technical professionals to get their work done but are a pain in Windows.

Categories: IT General, Technology

You're probably making these 4 common mistakes with your cordless drill

Thu, 08/27/2026 - 14:30

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced DIYer, there's a good chance you often overlook some cordless drill basics. From ignoring the torque clutch to tightening the chuck, here are four everyday mistakes to look out for and avoid.

Categories: IT General, Technology

6 things I do to my PC now that I used to think were only for broke college kids

Thu, 08/27/2026 - 14:15

I've been building PCs since I was in my early teens. Obviously, I had very limited funds, so I had to learn how to make the most of every dollar. As an adult, having an expendable income and overwhelming FOMO have pushed me toward more high-end builds, leaving the penny-pinching to broke college kids.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Galaxy S26 FE is the affordable "flagship" phone we need right now

Thu, 08/27/2026 - 14:00

Samsung has a timely answer to soaring phone prices: a budget version of its latest flagship phones. As expected, the company has used its event to introduce a Galaxy S26 FE that is a mild upgrade over last year's S25 FE, but could be worth buying simply due to a relatively low price.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The discontinued Ferrari-powered sedan that made BMW M3 owners jealous

Thu, 08/27/2026 - 14:00

Performance sedans are increasingly becoming faster, more digital, and arguably less engaging, making this discontinued Italian model feel even more special in hindsight. With more than 500 horsepower, rear-wheel drive, razor-sharp handling, and a Ferrari-derived twin-turbocharged V-6, it offered a driving experience that few rivals could match. It wasn't the quickest car in its class on paper, but behind the wheel, its character and communicative steering gave it an edge that spec sheets couldn't capture.

Categories: IT General, Technology

3 more free, open-source (FOSS) apps to replace your defaults

Thu, 08/27/2026 - 13:30

If you've been using a computer for a decade or more, you've probably settled into a set of default apps. At some point, you weighed your options, picked what seemed best, and never looked back. In the meantime, the software landscape has evolved quite a bit while you weren't looking. There's a decent chance you're paying for software—or putting up with limited free versions—while completely overlooking equally capable, if not more capable, open-source tools. Here are three such FOSS apps worth switching to.

Categories: IT General, Technology

7 things you can do with Ryobi batteries (aside from powering tools)

Thu, 08/27/2026 - 13:00

On top of being a budget-friendly choice, Ryobi has a dizzying array of battery-powered gadgets. While most of these are power tools, a huge number fall into other categories.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 reasons Linux is the most valuable software in the world (even though it's free)

Thu, 08/27/2026 - 12:30

Linus Torvalds created the Linux kernel and gave it away for free. Anyone can take it, change it, and do whatever they like with it, as long as the changes they make are also available for free to everyone else.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Bambu Lab X2D review: The new sweet spot in Bambu’s 3D printer lineup

Thu, 08/27/2026 - 12:00

It's been nearly four years since Bambu Lab did a refresh of its X series of 3D printers, and the X2D definitely lives up to the hype. It improves on the X1 Carbon in every way, except for the one area where it lowers the bar—price. Here's why the X2D just became my go-to recommendation for anyone wanting to get into 3D printing.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 new shows to watch this weekend across Netflix, Hulu, and more (August 27-30)

Thu, 08/27/2026 - 00:15

Looking for something to watch this weekend? There are shows premiering on streaming services over the next few days. Apple TV builds on its strong sci-fi reputation with the return of its Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Connelly thriller. It's our No. 1 ranked show on this list.

Categories: IT General, Technology

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