How-To Geek

Taking something from one medium to another doesn't always work. Despite being terrific source material, there are plenty of amazing books that don't translate well to the screen. The same goes for video games. It can be really difficult to bring a video game to life the same way it's done as a video game.

I’ve seen countless people reach for alcohol wipes when they want to clean their monitor, laptop, or phone. The logic seems sound at first—alcohol disinfects and is safe for electronics, as it evaporates quickly. But in reality, it can do far more harm than good. Here’s why.

Manual transmissions are becoming a rare sight as automakers chase efficiency, emissions targets, and broad market appeal. Each year, more stick-shift models disappear, replaced by smooth-shifting automatics and advanced dual-clutch gearboxes. Yet for many driving enthusiasts, the tactile engagement of a manual remains unmatched. The satisfying clutch take-up and precise gear changes create a connection between driver and machine that no paddle shifter can fully replicate.

Are you tired of seeing the same GNOME extensions recommended everywhere? Do you want to discover powerful tools that most folks don't know about? Well, here are nine criminally underrated GNOME extensions that could transform your desktop experience!

I’ve been closely following handheld PCs ever since Valve announced the Steam Deck. In the years since, they’ve only gotten more expensive without offering meaningful performance improvements. Worse still, it looks like every new PC handheld is bigger than the previous one. What gives?

Fall has finally arrived, which is naturally the spookiest season. It brings falling leaves and cooler weather, so now is the perfect time to get cozy and binge-watch some brilliant horror movies.

We usually think of the terminal as something purely functional—tweaking Linux settings, installing updates, or running commands for work. And for most people, that’s where it ends. But the terminal can be more versatile than you might expect. One surprisingly fun use case? Rolling dice. Yes, your Linux terminal can double as a digital dice roller.

I want to love Home Assistant, but it has felt overly complex compared to the likes of Samsung SmartThings and Google Home. Thankfully, there's a new dashboard on the way that completely rewrites my first impression.

How fast your Android phone feels isn’t just about the hardware. Software optimizations and features like animations play a big role in responsiveness. Fortunately, there’s a simple animation trick that works on basically every Android device.

As a long-time smartphone skeptic, I resented their role in our lives. Now I’ve not only made my peace with them, but I’ve come to truly appreciate that there is an app for just about anything and everything.

Luxury cars often carry a reputation for breathtaking maintenance bills. Expensive parts, complex electronics, and specialized service can quickly turn ownership into a financial headache. Yet not every premium badge demands a blank check. A careful search reveals a handful of upscale models that combine comfort, performance, and technology with surprisingly manageable upkeep costs.

Companies continue to produce smaller and thinner tech, even though many of us are perfectly fine with the size of our current devices. Ultimately, though, we’re all better off due to this ongoing drive to make tech as small as possible.

Most of us hope our smartphones last for years, but without realizing it, we often make small mistakes that affect their performance and overall lifespan. From bad charging practices to skipping software updates and exposing your phone to extreme conditions, here are some common mistakes you must avoid.

iPadOS 26 has arrived. And just like iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe, it, too, features a Liquid Glass design, along with plenty of new features and enhancements.

You simply need to hit the red button to disconnect a call on your Android smartphone. But what if I told you there are more interesting ways to end calls? Here are four different ways to end calls on your Android smartphone besides using the regular end button in the phone app.

Car enthusiasts often chase coupes or roadsters, but some of the most engaging cars on the market have four doors. A well-chosen sedan can deliver sharp handling, satisfying power, and a balanced chassis that rivals dedicated sports cars, all while offering room for passengers and daily practicality. On the used market, that combination can be surprisingly affordable.

I recently decided that I was not hardcore unless I lived hardcore, so I went back into my Jack Black catalog of movies and was reminded of the kaleidoscopic nature of his talent. He’s one of those actors whose performances and propensity for timing never age, no matter what genres he’s tackling. He’s hilarious, energetic, and lovable in everything he does.

Love it or hate it, Windows 11 comes with a catch: Microsoft’s strict system requirements leave millions of perfectly good PCs stuck on Windows 10 with no upgrade path. If your machine doesn’t have a modern CPU, TPM 2.0, or Secure Boot, you’re officially out of luck. So, what are your options? There are a couple of ways to extend support on your Windows 10 PC, but I'm looking for something a little more long-term.

Denuvo is the most common video game DRM solution, shipping with many big-budget titles. It’s very hard to circumvent and comes with certain limitations, such as a limited number of PC activations, that are clearly anti-consumer. But if you think Denuvo is the worst, boy, do I have news for you.

You've likely used AI and been amazed by both its brilliance and its stupidity—I have too. Yet these systems lack what it would take to truly replace a skilled programmer, and their financial backbone isn't looking likely to last. I'll explain why.