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Today β€” 25 January 2026How-To Geek

5 uncomfortable truths about smart TVs everyone needs to hear

25 January 2026 at 12:00

If you want a good TV, or any TV these days, you're inevitably going to buy a "smart" TV. On paper, a smart TV sounds like an upgrade over a "dumb" model, but in practice, smart TVs have turned out to be of limited value. The list of cons is indeed long, and it's why I disable the smart functions on my own TVs completely.

I finally ditched Windows search for these 3 free tools, and I’m not going back

By: Rich Hein
25 January 2026 at 11:15

Windows' built-in search has never really clicked for me. It’s often slower than I expect, mixes in results I didn’t ask for, and somehow still struggles to surface the exact file or app I’m thinking about. Over the years, I’ve tried to make peace with it, tweaking settings and changing habits, but I always end up feeling like I’m working around search instead of letting it work for me.

This hidden Android feature is one you probably forgot existed

25 January 2026 at 10:30

Android has evolved by leaps and bounds since the early days, and as a result, dozens of helpful features are hiding all over the place. Whether you're a long-time user or just switched from the iPhone, here's a hidden feature I use daily that most people have forgotten even exists.

SSD prices are skyrocketing: Why I'm going back to external hard drives

25 January 2026 at 10:15

The prices for PC storage drives have been on the rise lately, particularly fast NVMe drives, so people are looking for alternative ways to meet their data storage needs without breaking the bank. One storage upgrade that’s a lot cheaper and more appealing than it seems at first glance is the humble external hard drive.

This amazing HBO Max feature helps me discover what's actually worth watching

25 January 2026 at 09:30

As a frequent user of HBO Max, I love how easyβ€”effortless, reallyβ€”it is to explore and discover all the content its library has to offer. One of my favorite features to dive into is the streamer’s unique Discover Our Collections category, which contains a heck of a lot more than just random collections of content. The service also offers a rabbit hole into entertaining experiences and insider information.

This 3-year-old Italian sports sedan now costs less than $25,000

25 January 2026 at 09:00

If you’ve always wanted an Italian sports sedan but assumed the price would be out of reach, there’s now a compelling opportunity in the used market. The 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia, in its non-Quadrifoglio trims, has depreciated enough that well-equipped examples can now be found for less than $25,000. That’s a rare price point for a European performance-leaning sedan with distinct style and engaging dynamics.

Stop crashing your Python scripts: How to handle massive datasets on any laptop

25 January 2026 at 08:30

I started a climate modeling project assuming I'd be dealing with "large" datasets. Then I saw the actual size: 2 terabytes. I wrote a straightforward NumPy script, hit-run, and grabbed a coffee. Bad idea. When I came back, my machine had frozen. I restarted and tried a smaller slice. Same crash. My usual workflow wasn't going to work. After some trial and error, I eventually landed on Zarr, a Python library for chunked array storage. It let me process that entire 2TB dataset on my laptop without any crashes. Here's what I learned:

3 ways free apps cost you without charging a dime

By: Rich Hein
25 January 2026 at 08:00

I use free apps every day, and I write about them constantly. In many cases, they’re genuinely great. Some of the most useful software on my phone and computer doesn’t cost me a cent upfront. But that doesn’t mean it’s actually free.

I know Excel experts hate this function, but it’s still my favorite "secret weapon"

25 January 2026 at 07:30

Mention the INDIRECT function in an Excel forum and you'll start a fight. It's volatile, meaning it's always awake and recalculating, which can turn a fast spreadsheet into a sluggish mess. But used correctly, it's a power user's secret weapon for building dynamic, reactive dashboards.

This is why smart home power users end up on Home Assistant

25 January 2026 at 07:00

Home Assistant is arguably the best choice for anyone looking to start a smart home, but this is especially true for power users. If you want unhindered freedom to decide how your smart home functions and you’re not afraid to get your hands dirty, there’s no better choice.

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