How-To Geek

For a long time, the standard for digital writing was consistent. Whether you wrote a short memo, an academic paper, or a novel, you probably used the same word processor and typed into a blank white page, and that was usually Microsoft Word, even with hidden features. However, relying on a single app limits you, and there are better apps out there to use. Instead of forcing work into a rigid format, you should use a group of specialized tools where each program serves a specific purpose.

I've owned the same Kindle since 2011, and it's still going strong. While I much prefer reading real books, it's hard to beat the portability that a Kindle can offer; you can take an entire library on vacation, and it only takes up the same space as a slice of bread.

Every mini PC I've ever owned, be it for myself or for reviewing purposes, was mine and mine alone. It's not that I don't like to share: I just didn't see the point when everyone else already has their own hardware. If the person I live with has their own PC, what's the point in sharing a spare, third, portable computer?

When you buy a Samsung Galaxy phone, you're getting a lot more than just an Android phone. You're also getting a device packed with advanced features seamlessly integrated into One UI, Samsung's version of Android. And while there's plenty of overlap, several Samsung Galaxy exclusive features make the experience even better.

There's a good chance that if you own a Raspberry Pi or two, you're probably also the owner of a 3D printer, or know how to get access to one through a local print farm or a friend.

Setting up a NAS is easy—they're usually plug-and-play. Picking out the right one for you can be harder. There are hundreds of models across at least a dozen brands, and they all have different hardware specs. I became a bit obsessed with finding the "ideal" NAS before purchasing one, only to realize that most of the time, the hardware specs don't really matter much at all.

The ESP32 is a hobbyist’s dream that comes in a broad range of configurations. It can be hard to know where to begin, but there are some simple rules you can follow to match the intended use with a classic, C3, C6, S3, or other variants.

If you're building a home media server, you've got a few solid options to pick from. Plex has long been the mainstream giant that most people start with, but over time, the app has shifted away from pure self-hosting. As a result, Jellyfin has quietly become the go-to choice for self-hosting enthusiasts who want more control and no compromises.

Microsoft 365 is a massive suite, and you could spend your afternoon clicking through endless ribbons. On the other hand, you could get your work done in half the time by knowing the most useful keyboard shortcuts. From universal commands to app-specific essentials, here's every Microsoft 365 shortcut you need to keep your hands off the mouse.

DIY ESP32 projects can be a cost-effective way to build your dream smart home, especially if you're looking for something unique that doesn't exist in retail form. Unfortunately, planning and researching a project can be time-consuming and tedious. That is where Velxio comes in.

SSDs are hardly a new product in this day and age, and yet, they're still the subject of many myths that should have died off around a decade ago. And honestly, that's me being generous.

Bluetooth is a fantastic feature on mobile phones, but if you use it to listen to your favorite tunes regularly, you might notice it sometimes sounds dead, tinny, or just plain bad. The culprit might actually be the default codec your phone is using for Bluetooth.

For those who can actually afford the luxury, a NAS can be a great addition to their setup. But in addition to serving storage and network functions, a NAS can also be a great option to breathe some new life into your PC. Here's how.

I've owned a few soundbars over the years, most with a subwoofer, and they always felt like the right choice. They look clean, save space, and sound decent enough at first. But after going through three different setups, I realized I didn't actually like how they sounded. No matter the brand, they all felt a little thin and, at times, lifeless. I tried swapping in better subs to fix it, but it never really got me where I wanted.

Three-row family SUVs are expected to do everything; carry passengers comfortably, handle long road trips, keep running costs manageable, and remain dependable for years. Finding one that checks every box without becoming too expensive can be difficult, especially when fuel economy starts to matter as much as space. One hybrid Toyota stands out by delivering all of those priorities in a single package.

If you think your homelab is complete with just one NAS—think again. I run multiple NAS servers in my homelab, and it’s actually improved my workflow and homelabbing experience way more than I expected. Here’s why you should run more than one NAS in your homelab.

For a long time, my YouTube Music Premium subscription felt like something I rarely used since it was tied to the subscription I have for NotebookLM. However, I never made it part of my daily routine. The whole experience felt separate from the kind of smooth, personalized audio I really wanted for my commutes, workouts, and workdays. My initial disinterest has completely changed thanks to the features that convinced me to use the full potential of my subscription. Look through these, and you might find a reason to cancel Spotify.

Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 DNS server is popular for its speed, reliability, and support DNS over HTTPs (DOH), which gives you some added privacy. However, 1.1.1.1 doesn't do much besides lookup IP addresses for you. If you want something that offers additional security, you should try 1.1.1.2 instead.

I've owned Sonos speakers for several years and lived through the horror of the Sonos app overhaul. I've used Home Assistant for a similar length of time, and I only just realized how well the two work together.

Google made a lot of lofty claims about how Gemini for Android Auto was going to make driving better. It’s been a few months now since it rolled out, and one complaint keeps popping up: Gemini talks too much. Let’s fix it.