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Tech Editorials and Lists

Various editorials and list articles written for the website "How-To Geek.com"

How-To Geek •

Why You Should Get the LCD Steam Deck Before It's Gone

For a limited time, Valve is putting their LCD Steam Decks on sale as they attempt to phase the old models out completely. Once these are sold out, they're gone forever, never to be restocked. But why even get one if the OLED exists? For some people, the discounted LCD might be a better pick.
You know how stores will put their products on a massive sale when they are closing up shop or getting rid of old inventory? Valve is doing just that with the Steam Deck LCD: or at least, the 64 and 512GB v...
How-To Geek •

Which MVNOs use AT&T's Network?

AT&T is a well-known carrier that offers a lot of great cell plans, but they aren't always the most affordable. I think anyone would be happy with a lower price point. To get one, all you have to do is consider an MVNO, and there are plenty of popular options that run on AT&T's respectable network.
A Mobile Virtual Network Operator, or MVNO, is a company that rents network usage from a major carrier. Basically, AT&T is a property owner; an MVNO pays them to use some of that property, and then th...
How-To Geek •

5 Tips to Make Your Laptop Last Longer

Laptops are costly investments. Even if you purchase a relatively cheap one, you probably want to do everything in your power to protect your investment and make sure your laptop lasts as long as possible. If you want to ensure your laptop doesn't fall apart before its time, follow these tips.
This might sound too obvious to warrant mentioning, but you'd be surprised how many people forget to do this. In fact, when was the last time you really cleaned your laptop? What about the last time you cl...
How-To Geek •

5 Reasons to Get a Bluetooth Keyboard for Your Phone

Typing on your phone when texting is fine, but what about when sending a business email? How about when you want to write something free of shorthand, typos, or your phone's autocorrect? A Bluetooth keyboard for your phone isn't a must-have accessory, but there are good reasons to have one.
I understand that most people aren't professional writers, so you probably don't see much value in the idea of being able to write in more places than you normally would. But even those of you who don't write...
How-To Geek •

7 Things I Want in a Steam Deck Killer

Since its debut, Valve's Steam Deck has dominated the handheld PC gaming scene. Many competitors have claimed to be Steam Deck killers, more than capable of usurping the throne, but they've all failed. If any device is going to be a true Steam Deck Killer, it'll need all the following features.
Forget about specs. Forget about ergonomics. Forget about software. All of those things are important, but of everything that makes the Steam Deck so popular, it's affordability. When you're deciding what...
How-To Geek •

Game Pass Core, Standard, or Ultimate? Figure Out Which is Right For You

Xbox Game Pass has changed a lot over the years, and with the introduction of the Standard tier it's changed again. So what's the difference, and which one is going to be the best for you in terms of value, features, and how you play your games?
Regardless of which Game Pass tier you opt for, the basic offering of the service is the same: you pay a subscription fee and gain access to a library of games that you can play without having to buy them individually.
It's a lot like any streaming servi...
How-To Geek •

5 Reasons to Switch to a Family Cell Plan

For many people, individual smartphone plans are the way to go, but if you've got multiple people under your roof, a family cell plan probably offers more bang for your buck. There are many reasons you might want to consider switching to a family plan with your carrier.
A single individual phone plan is definitely cheaper than a family plan. But two? Three? Four or more? Not so much. If you are responsible for paying the phone bills of multiple people, it'll definitely be cheaper to put everyone...
How-To Geek •

Can the Galaxy Watch Actually Measure Stress? (How?)

If you own a Galaxy Watch, you probably know that it can supposedly measure your stress levels. But how exactly can a watch on your wrist do that, and can it really do it accurately? The Galaxy Watch can definitely do it, but there are some important caveats to keep in mind about its readings.
Technology these days is pretty amazing. Not that long ago, the idea of your watch being able to measure stress levels would have seemed far-fetched. But this is something your Galaxy Watch can do thanks t...
How-To Geek •

6 Ways to Minimize Your Mobile Data Usage on iPhone

If you don't have an unlimited data plan, your mobile data is a precious resource, and using too much of it on any given month can cost you. If you've noticed that your iPhone seems to be eating way too much data for your liking, there are a few easy things you can do to cut down on the consumption.
There's an easy setting you can turn on for your iPhone called "Low Data Mode." This is the first thing you should do if you need to cut back on data usage, as the mode automatically restricts networ...
How-To Geek •

How to Take Better Night Sky Photos on a Google Pixel

There's nothing more beautiful than the night sky, and with modern smartphone cameras, everyone can take amazing pictures of it. The latest version of Google's Camera app on Pixel phones has added the ability to manually control Astrophotography mode, meaning you now have more ability than ever to snap a fantastic image.
Astrophotography Mode is available to Google Pixel phones, designed to help you take perfect photos of the night sky. In this mode, your Google Pixel will automatically adjust v...
How-To Geek •

7 Reasons to Get a Travel Router

Some of us travel a lot, and no matter where we go, it's always a pain having to log into new networks at hotels, especially if you need to connect multiple devices. It's a hassle and a security risk, but both problems can be solved with a travel router, and there are some other benefits too.
One of the most annoying things about traveling is having to connect all of your devices to new Wi-Fi networks whenever you move around. Phones, tablets, laptops—the more you have to connect, the more of a...
How-To Geek •

10 Xbox One Games Worth Replaying on Xbox Series X|S

Brand-new games arrive on Xbox all the time, so it's easy to forget about the many older Xbox One titles. But there are a ton of last-generation games that are worth playing again on the latest hardward thanks to some big upgrades that overhaul performance, visuals, and even features.
Xbox would not be the brand it is today without Halo. It's one of the most recognizable gaming franchises of all time, and back in 2014, the Master Chief Collection contained the series' best moments including the...
How-To Geek •

Microsoft Will Pay You to Use Bing: Here's How My Attempt to Cash-in Went

Wouldn't it be great if you could be rewarded just for using the internet? Microsoft will reward you for using Bing, but are they paying enough to justify switching from your preferred browser? I've spent a lot of time using Microsoft Rewards, and this is my honest take on how worthwhile it is.
Microsoft Rewards is the name of the program that will reward you for using Bing. To make use of it, you'll need a Microsoft account of your own. When you have one, visit the Microsoft Rewards homepage an...
How-To Geek •

5 Ways to Get Your Money's Worth Out of Peacock

If you're paying for a streaming service, you probably want to get your money's worth out of it. Peacock is just one of many streaming options you can choose from, but are you making use of its best features? There are great things Peacock offers, some of which are unique to the platform!
Peacock is a premier service for watching live primetime events, and a newly added feature is going to make it even better for this in the future. The way it works is pretty simple: when you're watching live pr...
How-To Geek •

5 Ways the Google Play Store Is About to Get Better

The Google Play Store is a staple of Android phones and the first destination most people go when looking for new apps. Lucky for them, Google announced several upcoming features that aim to make the Play Store even more useful. Here are the most exciting of those features.
Currently, Google Play tracks the apps you download through its store and uses that information to influence what personalized ads and sponsored content you might see while using it. With Personalization in Play, you'll be a...

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