How-To Geek

A wealth of open-source projects exists, just below the visible surface of the apps you use from day to day. They may not be high profile or widely appreciated, but they enable everything from networking and statistical analysis to the next generation of AI agents.

Nobody likes thinking about leaving loved ones behind, but it’s pretty normal to make a will even if you’re relatively young. If you’re enough of a smart home enthusiast that you’re using Home Assistant to control a wide array of devices, you might want to consider how this pans out if you’re no longer around.

Recent Windows updates are triggering BitLocker recovery screens for a lot of people. Since it's enabled by default, a lot of people don't even realize they have the device encryption feature on until they're hit with this screen. The decryption key is automatically uploaded to the Microsoft Account you used to log into Windows. If that backup was never made or interrupted, there is absolutely no way to get to your data without that key. Microsoft support cannot reset it. The same is true if you can't recover the Microsoft account used to log into Windows. Here's what you can do to avoid this nightmare scenario.

Plex is rolling out its redesigned app to Amazon Fire TV devices, including some important upgrades — as well as the remote streaming restrictions that have irked some people.

Kids today will never know the tyranny of the 1.44MB floppy disk. So traumatic was this format that today the "save" icon in our apps still looks like it, even though no one has actually used it for several decades.

Raspberry Pi has already hiked prices on its single board computers in December and this February in response to AI-related RAM price hikes, but now it's trying something new: a configuration built with the memory crisis in mind. The company has introduced a Raspberry Pi 4 model with 3GB of RAM for just under $84. No, it's not an April Fool's joke.

Music can be an incredibly powerful focus tool for many people, and it can be a good catalyst to improve productivity. With the advent of work and study playlists, apps like Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music are flooded with focus music that aims to strip away distractions.

HBO achieved enormous success with Game of Thrones, a fantasy series based on the books of George R.R. Martin. Between its high viewership and significant cultural impact, Game of Thrones became a once-in-a-generation show. While GoT's spin-offs have been successful, they have failed to reach the unfathomable heights of their predecessor. HBO is clearly looking for its next Game of Thrones. Could that next landmark show be Harry Potter?

Volkswagen pulled the silk off the 2027 Atlas in the Big Apple during the 2026 New York International Auto Show, and it’s clear the brand has upscaled its three-row SUV, especially the interior. Among the highlights, an AI-powered voice assistant with ChatGPT that responds to driver prompts, whether it's adjusting the climate control or finding a nearby coffee shop or restaurant.

I use a Samsung Galaxy phone plugged into a monitor with DeX mode as my primary computer. This means when I shop for a new phone, I'm also shopping for a PC. The details I pay attention to are different from most. If you're interested in this same setup, here's what to look out for.

Smart homes are supposed to make life easier, but you might know that’s not always the case if you’ve yelled at a speaker that misunderstood a simple command. Following last month’s major update to Gemini for Home, the company is rolling out Google Home v4.2, focusing on fixing these small but frustrating experiences, along with some improvements to smart home controls.

Are you looking for fun (or unique) pieces of software to expand your homelab with? I’ve been on the hunt for new software lately, and found 10 tools that everyone should try at least once. In no particular order, here are tools that have (or will) change how I run my homelab.

NASA is poised to return to the Moon over 53 years after Apollo 17, and this time you don't need a TV to follow along. The Artemis II mission is scheduled to launch from the Kennedy Space Center on April 1st as soon as 6:24PM ET—here's how to watch as astronauts make history.

You've likely been sitting on automation potential right in your pocket or attached to your keys. While Apple AirTags started out as a way to find lost luggage or misplaced wallets, they've quietly evolved into the coolest and most versatile Home Assistant accessory out there right now. They are devices that give you precise locations, but they can easily be used in a smart home. Location tracking doesn't have to be as simple as we make it. Using just a cheap tag, you add more features to your home without much effort.

Subaru just pulled the wraps off its newest SUV, and it’s a pretty big deal for the brand. The all-electric 2027 Getaway is its first three-row model—and also its most powerful yet.

Building PCs is hardly anything new, but it's definitely an enthusiast thing, and that can create a lot of myths and misconceptions. You've probably heard myths, such as that liquid coolers are dangerous and can flood your entire PC, or that SSDs are less reliable than HDDs.

I don’t know about you guys, but I’ll be spending a lot of time on HBO Max in April after seeing all the new shows and movies streaming this month.

Kia has introduced the US version of its EV3 crossover, and it's poised to deliver strong range and charging capabilities for a small electric SUV.

Inbox Zero sounds like a dream for many. However, in reality, it’s a daily challenge to go through newsletters, bills, and important emails. Now, Google is taking aim at this frustration with a feature called AI Inbox that was announced as a part of Gemini-powered updates to Gmail earlier in January this year.