How-To Geek

Most people find out someone is stealing their Wi-Fi thanks to how slow the network gets. What happens next is usually just a password change, and that's it. However, I once took a different approach because of the audacity. What some people don't realize is that when they put their devices on someone else's Wi-Fi, they've opened up their own door as well.

Android Auto is obviously designed to be used on a screen in your vehicle while keeping your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. And that means it doesn't necessarily need access to everything you get on your phone. It's packed with navigation apps, voice controls, regular apps, and entertainment, but I've turned off a few things.

If keeping your pool clean has always felt like more work than it should be, Beatbot has the answer. The brand has built a lineup of AI-powered robotic pool cleaners designed to take the effort out of pool maintenance, from quick daily top-ups to whole-pool deep cleans. Rather than relying on fixed cleaning patterns or basic suction, Beatbot's robots use onboard AI to map the pool, detect debris in real time, and adapt their route accordingly, covering floors, walls, waterlines, and surfaces, depending on the model.

A lot of people owe Toyota an apology. For years, the Japanese automaker has faced criticism for refusing to fully embrace the “electric vehicle revolution.”

The ESP32 is the go-to microcontroller for DIY projects, smart home sensors, and other lightweight projects, but it’s not the only game in town. If energy efficiency is high on your list of priorities, the nRF52 series might be a better choice.

The calendar is about to flip again, and, like clockwork, Netflix is clearing house. As June succumbs to July, a big pile of movies and shows heads for the exits for U.S. subscribers, so consider this fair warning for any of them still collecting dust on your watchlist—time is ticking for you to watch them before they're gone.

I have been desperately trying to flee, or at least rely significantly less upon, the Google ecosystem for far too long. For research, reading, and communication, I've largely been able to ditch Google products. But AI overviews, rampant enshittification, and everything announced at Google I/O this year made me less than enthusiastic about staying with Google.

Excel and other spreadsheets are the workhorses of modern business. You've probably used the regression function to find a trend line or other linear relationship in your data. Here's why using Python on your data can turbocharge your regression analysis.

PLA is the most common type of 3D printing filament. Its poor heat resistance is seen as a weakness by many, but there are some use cases where this is a real benefit. So what if you softened thin PLA prints enough to make your own t-shirt transfers at home?

The Recycle Bin has been a constant feature of Windows desktops for decades, and it is understandable that everyone thinks of it as "just another folder." However, it is actually much more interesting and more clever than that.

Synology's latest 2-bay DS225+ NAS is a solid way to get started with network attached storage systems. It offers a streamlined and simple experience with an affordable-enough price for those who have never used a NAS before.

BMW has built its reputation on blending luxury and performance better than almost anyone else. Whether you're looking at a sedan, coupe, or SUV, the brand consistently delivers vehicles that feel refined on long journeys while still offering enough athleticism to keep enthusiastic drivers entertained. Few automakers have mastered this balancing act quite as effectively.

It's perhaps the biggest weekend of the year to be an HBO Max subscriber—House of the Dragon's third season debuts on Sunday, in what critics are already saying is poised to be its most explosive and brutal of them all. But before the Targaryens start barbecuing each other with their dragons, HBO Max's documentary library has some great stuff landing for this weekend.

There’s a lot happening on Netflix for U.S. subscribers right now, with new shows and movies still being added as we head into the final stretch of June. And while you may have already hit paydirt with The Four Seasons or you’re waiting to see what the critics say about Harlan Coben’s I Will Find You that premiered yesterday (it looks awesome), sometimes you just want a sure thing—a show that’s dazzled critics with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score.

Performance cars are often associated with compromise. The sharper the handling and the greater the excitement behind the wheel, the more owners typically expect to spend on maintenance, repairs, and long-term upkeep. For enthusiasts shopping on a budget, finding something that delivers genuine driving thrills without becoming a financial burden can feel like an impossible task.

When it comes to award-winning films, Netflix is the gift that keeps giving. Whether it's originals or its monthly release schedule, the streaming giant will always have a passable collection of decorated films across genres, languages, and years.

When a call comes in from a number you don't recognize, it can be hard to know whether to answer or not. I missed several calls from my Dad, who was ringing to tell me he had a new number, because I assumed it was a spam call. I tried Apple's call screening features, but they felt too restrictive and meant that I missed important calls from genuine callers, so I decided to build a shortcut to check numbers while the call is still coming through.

Cloud storage is as useful as it is seamless, at least these days. Most of us use some form of cloud storage; after all, those photos you take with your phone end up somewhere, and there's a reason why you can easily access them across many devices.

My phone is full of life-tracking apps, but it became increasingly apparent that they don't talk to each other. So, I decided to try logging my sleep, spending, routines, food, and work in Excel for a week to see whether consolidating everything would make the data easier to understand. By Sunday, patterns had started to emerge that I wasn't previously aware of.

It's always been hard to really stand behind any one brand when recommending a networking setup to friends or family—especially those without a ton of technology experience. UniFi has changed that though, and it's now the only network that I recommend to anyone who asks me.