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Hacks & Workarounds

1185 articles

All articles tagged Hacks & Workarounds.

Flipper One Announced: A Modular Linux Cyberdeck

Flipper Devices has unveiled the Flipper One, a modular Linux device designed for network analysis and cybersecurity tasks. Unlike the radio-focused Flipper Zero, this new device runs a full Linux distribution and features an M.2 expansion slot. The company is asking the developer community for help finishing it.

Huma Shazia·21 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

Google's Googlebook Repeats Pixelbook Mistakes

Google announced the Googlebook, a premium laptop merging Android and Chrome OS with Gemini AI. But the company's history of abandoning expensive hardware raises questions about long-term support.

Manaal Khan·21 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

Easy Effects: The Free Linux App That Transforms Your Audio

Easy Effects is a free, open-source audio processing tool for Linux that applies real-time equalizers, compressors, and filters to both input and output audio. The PipeWire-based app can dramatically improve sound quality for music playback, voice calls, and microphone input without any cost.

Huma Shazia·21 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

5 Android Apps From the Early 2010s That Still Work

The Android Market became the Google Play Store in 2012, but some apps from the platform's early days remain functional and useful. ASTRO File Manager, Instapaper, and SwiftKey are among the forgotten tools that still deliver value for users willing to look past their age.

Manaal Khan·21 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

5 Road Trip Problems to Fix Before Summer Hits

With 64% of Americans planning summer road trips, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day remains the deadliest stretch on U.S. roads. Most breakdowns and accidents stem from preventable issues that take minutes to check before leaving home.

Manaal Khan·21 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

Why Claude's Projects Feature Is Still Flying Under the Radar

Most people use Claude like a disposable notepad, starting fresh chats and re-uploading files every session. The Projects feature solves this by letting you maintain persistent context across weeks or months of work. Here's why it matters and how to start using it.

Huma Shazia·21 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

5 BIOS Settings to Change on Every New Mini PC

Mini PCs often ship with conservative BIOS settings that leave performance on the table. A veteran tech journalist shares the five tweaks she makes on every new unit to unlock the hardware's full potential.

Manaal Khan·21 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·6 min

3 Self-Hosted Apps Worth Your Weekend: Immich, Uptime Kuma, Mealie

Looking for weekend projects that replace cloud services with your own hardware? This guide covers three self-hosted apps: Immich for photo backups, Uptime Kuma for service monitoring, and Mealie for recipe management. All run on a Proxmox server using an old laptop.

Huma Shazia·21 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

9 Household Items You Can Use as NFC Smart Home Triggers

You probably have NFC tags scattered around your home without realizing it. Credit cards, old phones, transit passes, and even pet microchips can trigger smart home automations. Here's how to set them up with Home Assistant, Apple Home, and Google Home.

Manaal Khan·21 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

5 Free Windows Apps That Deserve More Attention

Windows power users often install the same popular tools. But some genuinely useful free apps fly under the radar. Here are five daily drivers that handle audio, file conversion, and portable software better than their well-known alternatives.

Manaal Khan·21 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

Why the VW Atlas Beats Flashier 3-Row SUV Rivals

The Volkswagen Atlas rarely makes headlines, but it outperforms popular competitors like the Toyota Grand Highlander and Honda Pilot on the metrics that matter most to families: interior space, third-row comfort, and everyday usability. While rivals chase luxury styling or rugged aesthetics, the Atlas focuses on being a practical family hauler.

Manaal Khan·21 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

Vert: A Free File Converter That Never Uploads Your Files

Most online file converters send your documents to remote servers, creating privacy risks. Vert is a browser-based tool that processes everything locally on your device, with no file size limits, no upload caps, and no quality restrictions.

Huma Shazia·21 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

8 Soccer Movies and Shows That Work Even If You Hate Soccer

The 2026 FIFA World Cup arrives in North America next month, but you don't need to understand offsides to enjoy great soccer-themed entertainment. These eight picks focus on character, comedy, and culture rather than the sport itself.

Manaal Khan·21 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

2027 Volvo EX60 Tackles Range, Charging, and Price in One EV

Volvo's new EX60 SUV debuts with up to 400 miles of range, faster charging, and a $58,400 starting price. The company is betting these specs can convert the 84% of Americans still hesitant about electric vehicles.

Huma Shazia·21 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

4 Samsung Camera Settings to Change for Better Photos

Samsung's default camera settings prioritize Instagram-ready shots over image quality. Changing four settings in the Camera app and Camera Assistant can preserve natural colors, capture more detail, and give you more editing flexibility.

Huma Shazia·21 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

Spotify Claude vs ChatGPT: Which AI Makes Better Playlists?

Spotify's new Claude integration competes directly with its existing ChatGPT feature for AI-powered playlist creation. A hands-on test with identical prompts reveals a clear winner for music discovery and personalization.

Huma Shazia·21 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

Android Gets iPhone-Style Handoff With 'Continue On' in Android 17

Google announced Continue On at I/O, a platform-level feature that lets Android users start tasks on their phone and pick them up on a tablet. The feature works like Apple's Handoff and arrives with Android 17, though it's limited to phone-to-tablet transfers at launch.

Huma Shazia·21 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

How to Find the Right HDMI Port for Your PS5

Most TVs have multiple HDMI ports, but only some support the full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth your PS5 needs for 4K/120Hz gaming. Plugging into the wrong port caps your output at 4K/60Hz. Here's how to identify the correct connection.

Manaal Khan·21 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

Why Cheap Raspberry Pi Alternatives Cost More Than You Save

Budget single-board computers promise similar specs at lower prices, but hidden costs in software support, documentation, and debugging time often negate any savings. Here's what the cheaper alternatives actually cost you.

Huma Shazia·20 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

Netflix June 2026: Avatar Season 2, World Cup Shows, and More

Netflix's June 2026 lineup spans Avatar: The Last Airbender's second season, a $1 million survival competition, and heavy World Cup coverage including a comedy roast of French champions. The month also brings J.Lo's Office Romance and a Chris Evert-Martina Navratilova documentary.

Huma Shazia·20 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

3 Streaming Upgrades That Actually Improve Your Setup

A tech journalist shares three specific streaming upgrades after seven years of Roku use. The Roku Ultra, Bluetooth headphones for late-night viewing, and a soundbar each solve distinct problems without breaking the bank.

Manaal Khan·20 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

Fossify: Free Android Apps That Replace Bloated Defaults

Fossify offers a collection of free, open-source Android apps that replace default phone applications. The suite includes a gallery, music player, calendar, and more. All apps are ad-free, lightweight, and share a consistent design philosophy prioritizing usability.

Manaal Khan·20 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·6 min

5 Self-Hosted Apps That Replace Your Paid Subscriptions

Google Photos, Audible, and streaming services cost hundreds per year. These open-source alternatives run on your own hardware, give you full control over your data, and often outperform the paid versions they replace.

Huma Shazia·20 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

4 Samsung Tracking Features You Can Safely Disable

Samsung phones ship with several tracking features enabled by default that collect usage data for advertising. A tech journalist tested disabling four of them and found no meaningful loss of functionality while gaining privacy.

Manaal Khan·20 May 2026