How-To Geek

I've used Windows as my primary operating system since the release of Windows 3.1, but in 2019 I got a gig writing for 9to5Mac, which meant I actually needed a Mac to do the job!

Ryobi fans are a passionate bunch, and most of us own several of the company's tools. As many of you know, Ryobi products are sold almost exclusively at Home Depot in the U.S., but here are a few must-have tools you'll have to seek out elsewhere.

Did a fresh Linux install? You're not done yet. Whether you're new to Linux or a seasoned user, there are certain things you should do to configure your new Linux system. As a long-time Linux user myself, these are the 12 things I always do on my new Linux system to get a head start.

Google's big focus for Android this year has been "intelligence" features. As usual, most of its work has gone towards the Pixel series. Now, one of the best reasons to own a Pixel phone is about to get even better: the Phone app.

Many of us can't do without our iPhones in our fast-paced lives. They're essential tools for business, navigation, and communication, and running out of juice can cost us time and money.

How many times have you heard the phrase "the future of the internet" in relation to a product or a piece of software that was very much not the future of the internet? Many, I'd wager. You may have heard it in relation to IPv6, too, which was supposed to replace IPv4.

Meta has rethought its approach to virtual reality — and it's important news if you like the concept of VR eyewear that keeps you in touch with the outside world. The company has previewed Meta VR Glasses that are much easier to wear than headsets, albeit with a few sacrifices.

We are now living in a post-Emmys world. Several shows made history at the 2026 Emmys, and you have plenty of time to stream them this fall. However, these new and returning shows were released earlier this week or will premiere this weekend.

Anyone who’s interested in security and uses open-source applications has probably heard of at least one Proton product, whether it’s Proton Mail, Proton VPN, Proton Wallet, Proton Authenticator, or Proton Drive. Proton’s agenda has always been clear: make the internet more private and give users greater freedom. In July 2025, Proton launched Lumo, a privacy-focused AI assistant. Recently, Proton updated it and renamed it Lumo AI, so it's now Lumo AI 2.0.

Are you looking for a good excuse to buy a 3D printer? What if I told you that owning a 3D printer could make other hobbies you're interested in way cheaper? Here are six hobbies that 3D printing can make cheaper (and better).

Cloud storage can get costly, so an alternative for many people is to just grab any important memories and store them in a hard drive to revisit in the future.

Most people assume a slowing phone means it's time for an upgrade, but that's not true. The real answer is almost always that the battery behind your screen is wearing out. Once you see how much the battery matters, you'll stop blaming the rest of the phone. A new battery fixed my phone, and I swore up and down it was something else.

Bambu Lab is often painted as the “worst” 3D printer manufacturer that happens to make the “best” 3D printers. The company’s walled-garden approach and clashes with open-source projects have earned it some deserved pushback over the years, and yet this week they still don’t look as bad as Stratasys.

There are many people who still value and embrace local TV broadcasting—I'm one of them, even though I love streaming services. I'd love all the amazing benefits ATSC 3.0 provides in my area, but I also like the nostalgia of turning on the TV, seeing what is on, and choosing what I want to watch for free.

MX Linux is one of the most popular distros, and while its Debian base is attractive, it's not even its biggest draw. The bigger draw is MX Tools, a suite of in-house utilities that turn tedious jobs into a few clicks. Three of them, specifically, are stuff I'd love to see more often in other distros.

Adobe is constantly adding new features to its Creative Cloud toolbox, and Photoshop’s new AI-assisted Editor is the latest player in the mix. It should make editing tasks, from background removal to adding new objects, easier and faster.

My phone is full of apps with various accounts for email, social media, messaging, banking, work, etc. I don't mind most of these apps being together on the same device, but there are some I'd like to keep separate. Thankfully, my Samsung Galaxy allows me to do that without needing a second phone.

We all love our cordless power tools, especially with how easy it is to snap on a battery and get to work. And even though many of us own several tools from big names like Ryobi or Milwaukee, knowing which battery pack is the best one to buy or use is still somewhat confusing. That's by design, and here's the battery spec that neither brand puts on the box or label.

With so many Linux distros out there, how do you know you're using the right one? Choosing a Linux distro is easy when you have to solve real problems, not made-up ones. Here's what you should focus on instead of what's trendy.