How-To Geek

Many Android fans will tell you that the signature requirement for apps outside the Google Play Store, even with the 24-hour sideloading exemption, represents the latest betrayal of the platform's open-source philosophy. You're supposed to have full control over what software you install and when, unlike the more closed-off iPhone experience, where Apple usually has the final say.

Google has announced a successor to the Chromebook, introducing a class of computer that merge together Android and Chrome OS, with a thick layer of Gemini on top. The first Googlebook, titled simply the Googlebook, is an attractive showpiece of a laptop—but I wouldn't feel comfortable buying one.

I used to be a Synology die-hard fan, but that's recently changed. While I think Synology still makes a solid NAS, they're no longer the best option around, and my favorite NAS brand might just surprise you.

As someone who has grown up watching Pixar and witnessed the evolution of animation, there have been many times where I think I’m watching the company's peak, as in "This is the best movie I’ve ever seen." Often, when it comes to Pixar, I’ve noticed many people believe the earliest portion of its life, in the 2000s, was when it peaked, but I’m here to say that’s false.

Do you still have a drawer full of Raspberry Pis? Well, get them out, because here are three fun and simple Pi projects for you to do this weekend.

The "Android Market" from 2008 became the Google Play Store in 2012 and now offers over 1.8 million apps for download. A lot has changed in the world of Android since then, but some things (and apps) have stayed the same. Did you know many of your favorite and long-forgotten apps are still available? More importantly, some are still worth downloading.

A recent Hertz survey found that 64 percent of Americans are planning a road trip this summer, with nearly three-quarters planning to take at least one trip between June and September. That's tens of millions of people about to spend hours behind the wheel, many on highways they don't usually drive, in weather they aren't always prepared for, and pushing through fatigue to make the most of their vacation time.

I've gone back and forth between Obsidian and Notion for as long as I can remember. Spending a few months in one, then a few months in another is just how I do things—but the switch was never easy. That is, until I found out Codex could handle it for me.

AMD might have the solution if you like the idea of Nvidia's DGX Spark as an AI workstation, but balk at having to use a specialized ARM chip — and the $4,699 starting price. The company has introduced the Ryzen AI Halo, a mini PC that's not only optimized for AI development, but promises to save money both up front and by avoiding costly subscriptions.

The three-row SUV world is packed with big names like the Toyota Grand Highlander, Honda Pilot, Kia Telluride, and Hyundai Palisade. Somehow, the Volkswagen Atlas keeps flying under the radar even though it nails the stuff most families actually care about: space, comfort, visibility, and everyday usability.

Whether you like it or not, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is bicycle-kicking its way to North America in a few weeks, bringing with it endless soccer chatter and swamped social media feeds. For my money, the excitement of the World Cup is best experienced in a pub among fans losing the plot over free kicks and absolute missiles screaming past goalkeepers. If 90 minutes of ping-ponging midfield action makes your eyes glaze over, fair play.

Despite the availability of electric vehicles, most Americans won't give up gasoline. A 2025 AAA survey found that only 16 percent of U.S. adults say they are likely to purchase an electric vehicle as their next car, the lowest since 2019. Meanwhile, EV sales in the United States fell by 4% in 2025, marking the first decline in a decade.

I've used Android since almost the beginning, and the control and customization it offered were among the features that attracted me most. But over the years, that openness has been reduced. I’m not especially paranoid about privacy, but I was curious about how much of Android I could use without relying on Google’s apps and services. It turns out that it is entirely possible.

Spotify recently released a new feature that is not surprising, given its recent string of updates, but it is still something overdue since last year. With the Spotify-Claude integration, Spotify may be setting up for a better overall listening and discovery experience for users.

I have used Docker for over half a decade now, and the vast majority of that time I've used Docker Run commands. I recently switched to Docker Compose, and it made my homelab so much easier to manage.

The Mercedes-AMG GT line has been defined by monstrous gas engines, but that ends today. The 2027 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe has become an EV, and it's using next-gen motor and battery technology to rival the performance of Tesla's Model S Plaid and other top-tier electric sports cars.

Lincolns often get written off as just fancy Fords, but that really undersells what they’re trying to do. Sure, they share parts underneath, but Lincoln usually goes all-in on making things feel quieter, softer, and more premium inside.

If you own a NAS, you’ve probably noticed just how noisy those spinning platters in hard drives can be. Common online advice often suggests spinning them down when they’re not in use to eliminate the noise and save power. On paper, it makes a lot of sense, but real-world use tells a different story—for many people, keeping them spinning actually makes more sense.

It doesn’t matter the time of year—I’m always up for a good shark movie. Ever since I saw Jaws as a kid, I have been hooked. To this day, I refuse to go out in open water. There isn’t a boat big enough to make me feel safe, and that’s exactly what you want out of these types of movies.

The first five years of Android’s existence were a special time. It felt like new phones were launching every day, and the pre-Play Store Android Market was exploding with apps. A few of these apps quickly became essential, but they didn’t last forever.