How-To Geek

The big concern with internet-connected smart home devices is that they could be turned off one day. That’s exactly what happened last month to the 1st and 2nd gen Nest Thermostat. Google pulled the plug, stripping these otherwise perfectly functional devices of their original functionality. Thankfully, the open source community has once again come through with a workaround.

Apple announced its M5 processor and the products it features with a whimper rather than a bang, which would lead the casual observer to think this is just another iterative improvement.

One of the things PC users enjoy most about their platform is the ability to upgrade components to keep up with the demands of the latest software titles, or to improve work-related computing jobs.

Luxury SUVs are often associated with steep repair bills and costly maintenance, but not all of them fit that stereotype. In fact, a growing number of premium models combine upscale comfort with dependability, proving that owning luxury doesn’t have to drain your bank account.

Microsoft just dropped an emergency out-of-band update, KB5071959, to fix a critical bug that was preventing Windows 10 users from enrolling in the paid Extended Security Updates or ESU program. This is a big deal because Windows 10 officially hit its end-of-support date on October 14, 2025.

It’s that time again: Google is dropping a fresh update for Pixel phones. Get ready for some image editing tools in Google Messages, more organized notifications, and a new way to squeeze more juice out of your battery when you need it most.

A good VPN doesn't have to cost much. If you buy at the right time, or know where to find the best deals, you can sign up for some of the best VPN providers at a fraction of their headline prices. Here's how to avoid overpaying and to find the VPN that fits your needs.

AMD's latest and greatest thing is still Zen 5. They launched late last year and still provide amazing performance, even as Intel goes through with the launch of its own latest Series 3 chips. That doesn't mean that AMD isn't working on what's next after this. Not only is it already hard at work with that, but it's also working on what's next after that.

I use Jellyfin to watch TV shows, and while some series' introductory credits I love to watch every time, others really try my patience. That's why I decided to add the "Skip Intro" button I've seen on other streaming platforms but was missing from my Jellyfin server.

Paramount Plus is hitting its US subscribers with another price hike, which is set to kick in early in 2026. This is the big news coming out of the company’s recent Q3 2025 earnings report, and if you’re not a subscriber, you’ll probably want to get in before prices rise.

Movies come and go from Netflix regularly, but the service doesn't do a great job at alerting you when something is on the way out. If you've built a watchlist and have anything on there that isn't a Netflix original, it's best to watch it sooner rather than later.

Samsung just announced its new Vision AI Companion platform. This is transforming the familiar TV screens from passive viewing devices into a connected, conversational hub for the entire household. Users will be able to communicate with their televisions with just conversational dialogue.

Google Photos is not only a good way to look at the photos you've saved online, but it's also a solid app for making quick edits to your photos. Now, Google Photos is getting a few AI-infused features that you might actually find yourself using a lot.

I love scouring Facebook Marketplace for a used bargain. Local sellers seem happy to list items at reasonable prices in order to encourage a sale, and I don’t have to worry about delivery costs or bumps in the mail. It’s also nice to inspect in person, before you buy.

Tesla has launched a rental program letting customers drive one of its cars for three to seven days starting at just $60 per day, plus taxes and fees. The deal comes with perks like unlimited mileage, free Supercharging, and access to Full Self-Driving (Supervised) while you’re behind the wheel.

Gmail continues to improve over time, which is good news, considering it's one of the most popular email services around, and it's about to get even better. Last month, news began to surface that Google was planning to add a few new filters and labels to help with organization. And now, right in time for the holiday season, two new labels are almost here to make life easier.

Hybrid cars used to take a hit on resale compared to gas-powered rides, but lately they’re holding their value better thanks to improved reliability and growing familiarity with American buyers. Rising fuel costs have pushed these efficient models into higher demand.

Did you know you can open tabs, click links, scroll through pages, and even navigate menus in Chrome—all using just your keyboard? It’s possible with a simple extension. It took me a bit of time to get used to it, but now I browse Chrome like a pro without ever touching the mouse or touchpad.

With so many power tool brands producing a ton of excellent tools, we have more options than ever these days. And while Ryobi, Milwaukee, DeWALT, and others all offer common tools like drills, drivers, sanders, and saws, Ryobi also manufactures some rather obscure items you may not have been aware of. So, here are five Ryobi tools that you'll probably want to buy once you hear about them.

Whether it's the nearest floor lamp or an open window, lighting is important to every space in your home. It’s easy to focus on flashy fixtures, but don’t forget about natural light. The windows in your home are a wonderful resource that, depending on your preferences, can be modified to complement your lighting needs (and even style) with the right shades. Shades can even dampen sound and manage room temperature.