How-To Geek

Hybrid cars have earned a reputation for delivering impressive fuel economy, but their real strength often lies in long-term dependability. While many buyers focus on new models, the used market is full of hybrids that still offer excellent efficiency, proven durability, and lower ownership costs. For budget-conscious drivers, these vehicles provide a way to enjoy modern technology and strong reliability without stretching finances.

As a successor to Dell's XPS line, the Dell 14 Premium (DA14250) laptop is a slight disappointment. It's an excellent laptop, but falls short in a couple of areas I wish it didn't. What makes it worthwhile is its Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU, gorgeous OLED display, and long-lasting battery life.

Are you looking for something new to watch in October? Or maybe some old favorites to fall in love with all over again? Either way, Prime Video has you covered!

Are you still tapping your thumbs on your iPhone’s screen to type? It might shock you to hear that there’s been a better way to type since iOS 13 was introduced in 2019.

Since its 2011 premiere, Black Mirror has remained one of the most intriguing and captivating anthology series. Over seven mind-bending seasons, the dystopian spectacle explores the implications of advanced technologies on individuals and society as a whole, while blending relatable scenarios and thought-provoking sci-fi with real-world anxieties.

Most of us use cases on our phones, yet it's strange how often we protect our $1000 investments with a $10 piece of plastic. Instead of buying the cheapest case you can find, it's worth paying a little extra. It'll look better, last longer, and give your phone a lot more protection.

Rapsberry Pi OS, the default operating system for Pi boards and computers, has a new major release. The new update is based on Debian 13.1 Trixie, with some design improvements, simpler controls, and more package options.

In a sudden, unannounced, and potentially fleeting move, Serif has made all of its Affinity iPad apps entirely free. This isn't a simple extended trial; users who move quickly can secure what appears to be a lifetime license for Affinity Designer 2, Affinity Photo 2, and Affinity Publisher 2.

The iPhone 13 had been my main device since 2022, but this year I replaced it with the Google Pixel 10. I've been using Google's latest smartphone for over a month now, and unfortunately, I am regretting my decision to switch.

Dash cams are becoming an essential add-on for both private and commercial vehicles. Anything can happen out on the road or when your vehicle is parked somewhere, and insurance companies are incentivized to look for any reason to deny your claims. Not to mention that there are bad actors out there looking to commit insurance fraud at your expense!

A lot of people are afraid, intimidated, or outright angered by the thought of having to switch to an electric car. That's valid—the way these cars function is quite different. But once you've reconfigured your life around EVs, the frustrations of switching back to a gas-powered car are greater than you might think.

When you need a new power tool and wander into any big-box hardware store, you'll see all sorts of options on the shelves. Power tools come in various styles, brands, and price points. Do you own any of the blue Kobalt tools from Lowe's? Here's where Kobalt tools are made and whether they're worth buying.

Are you slowly getting into K-pop, K-dramas, and related entertainment niches, but don't know where to find content? Mainstream streaming platforms may host content in many languages, but not all of them have a sizable catalog of Asian titles.

AdGuard for Android has just rolled out version 4.12. There will finally be proper landscape mode support. If you're one of the many who use AdGuard on a tablet, you can now expect a much more convenient experience when holding your device horizontally.

Worried about creating operating system independent programs in Python? The os module is Python's direct line to your operating system. Think of it as the Swiss Army knife for everyday tasks related to your system. Let’s see what tricks the os module has up its sleeve.

Home security systems are expensive and often come with ongoing costs, but smart home technology has never been more affordable or accessible. Though pricey alarm systems still have their place, I figured I could use sensors and automations to throw something together on the cheap.

We're into October, which means that the Orionid meteor shower—one of the few astronomical displays that can be reliably observed in both hemispheres—is happening right now. It offers many bright, fast meteors with long-lasting trains, so you won't want to miss it.

Home Assistant has officially dropped its October release. Home Assistant 2025.10 is bringing some massive quality-of-life improvements to the Automation editor, along with smarter dashboards and even the ability for your connected AI model to generate images.

Earlier this year, Microsoft raised prices for the Microsoft 365 subscription service that includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, and other apps. More changes are on the way, including a new Premium tier, but thankfully not another price hike.

True to Linux philosophy, the viewing of help pages is a team effort. While the man command is the one you actually type, it relies on a separate pager tool to display its actual contents. Find out what the implications of this system are, and how it can improve your experience of getting help.