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Hacks & Workarounds

1184 articles

All articles tagged Hacks & Workarounds.

Samsung One UI 9 Beta Opens for Galaxy S26: What's New

Samsung has launched the first One UI 9 beta for Galaxy S26 owners in six countries. The update brings Android 17, a redesigned Quick Panel, and new security features that block high-risk apps.

Manaal Khan·12 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

5 Superhero Shows Worth Watching Outside Marvel and DC

Marvel and DC dominate superhero content, but some of the genre's best work comes from independent creators. From Amazon's dark satire The Boys to heartwarming anime My Hero Academia, these five shows prove superpowers don't need a corporate universe to tell great stories.

Manaal Khan·12 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

Build a Dynamic Gantt Chart in Excel Without Add-Ins

Project management software costs money. Excel does not. With structured tables, a few formulas, and conditional formatting, you can build a Gantt chart that updates automatically when tasks change. Here's the step-by-step method.

Manaal Khan·12 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

10 Outlook Hacks That Stop Email Tracking and Inbox Chaos

Microsoft Outlook has powerful features that most users never enable. From blocking email tracking pixels to automating inbox cleanup, these 10 hacks can transform how you manage your email.

Manaal Khan·12 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

ESPHome: The Open-Source Framework Making DIY Smart Home Easy

ESPHome lets you flash firmware to cheap microcontrollers like the ESP32 without writing code. With ready-made projects and browser-based setup, it's become the go-to choice for Home Assistant users who want local control.

Huma Shazia·12 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

Turn Your Old Tablet Into a Portable Monitor for Free

Spacedesk transforms any Android tablet or iPad into a wireless second display for your Windows PC. No pairing codes, no accounts, and your tablet's touchscreen works as an input device. Here's how to set it up.

Manaal Khan·12 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

How to Remove a Tick Without Touching It

Finding a tick attached to your skin triggers an understandable panic response. But matches, soap, and alcohol are the wrong tools. They can make the tick vomit disease-carrying contents into your bloodstream. Here are the cheap, effective tools that actually work.

Huma Shazia·12 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·6 min

8 Ways Your VPN Is Leaking Data Right Now

VPNs promise privacy, but most users don't realize their DNS requests, browser fingerprints, and real IP addresses can still be exposed. A How-To Geek analysis breaks down the eight most common VPN leaks and how to fix them.

Huma Shazia·12 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

Why I Ditched ChatGPT for a Local LLM on My Laptop

A tech writer explains why he canceled his AI subscription and switched to running LLMs locally with LM Studio. The setup costs nothing after initial hardware, runs faster than expected, and solves the privacy concerns that come with cloud-based AI.

Manaal Khan·12 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

5 Free KDE Apps for Windows You've Never Heard Of

KDE, the team behind Linux's Plasma desktop, quietly maintains Windows versions of its best apps. From a PDF reader that doesn't push subscriptions to a phone-PC bridge that actually works, these free tools outperform Windows defaults and paid alternatives.

Manaal Khan·12 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

Netflix's $500M Seinfeld Deal Ends in 2026

Netflix paid over $500 million for exclusive streaming rights to all 180 episodes of Seinfeld in 2021. The five-year deal expires next year, and the show remains one of Netflix's most consistently watched titles despite being over 25 years old.

Manaal Khan·12 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

3 Ways to Soundproof Your Home Theater Without Ruining Décor

A surround sound system powerful enough to 'shift tectonic plates' can turn neighbors into enemies. A tech journalist shares practical fixes that reduced subwoofer noise without compromising audio quality or room aesthetics.

Huma Shazia·12 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

4 Bedroom Upgrades That Add Value When Selling Your Home

Strategic bedroom improvements can boost your home's resale value without breaking the bank. From adding a master bathroom to smaller touches like new vanities and bidets, these upgrades appeal to buyers looking for convenience and comfort.

Manaal Khan·12 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

CrossPaste Syncs Your Clipboard Across Windows, Mac, and Linux

CrossPaste is a free cross-platform clipboard app that syncs copied content between Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android devices over your local network. Unlike cloud-based alternatives, it keeps your data off third-party servers with end-to-end encryption.

Manaal Khan·11 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

Does Microsoft's MacBook Neo Study Tell the Whole Story?

Microsoft commissioned a white paper claiming Windows 11 laptops beat Apple's $599 MacBook Neo by up to 92% in performance. The study raises valid points about specs and value, but its methodology and funding source deserve scrutiny.

Manaal Khan·11 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

New Steam Controller Uses TMR Sticks to Kill Drift Forever

Valve's resurrected Steam Controller ships with TMR thumbsticks as standard, a technology that measures resistance via magnets instead of physical contact. At $100, it costs $25 more than a DualSense but promises to eliminate stick drift entirely.

Huma Shazia·11 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

5 Android Auto Features You Can Use (But Probably Shouldn't)

Android Auto now supports video conferencing apps, arcade games, and AI assistants on your car's dashboard. While Google built in safety locks for most of these features, the mental distraction risk remains real. Here's what each feature actually does and when it crosses from useful to dangerous.

Manaal Khan·11 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

5 Samsung Settings That Fix Lag on Budget Galaxy Phones

Budget Galaxy phones slow down within months because Samsung's default settings are designed for flagships. Five hidden settings in your phone's menu can restore speed without new hardware or apps.

Manaal Khan·11 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

Claude's Hidden Project Management Mode: Setup Guide

Anthropic's Claude desktop app has a built-in project management system that most users don't know exists. A simple plugin activation turns the AI into a task tracker with visual dashboards, due-date surfacing, and connections to tools like Asana and Notion.

Huma Shazia·11 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

Claude Design Makes Better Slide Decks Than Google or PowerPoint

Anthropic's Claude Design feature includes a slide deck mode that outperforms competitors by creating cohesive presentations with consistent branding. The secret is Design Systems, which lets users upload existing assets to generate a unified visual style across all slides.

Manaal Khan·11 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

3 Free Apps That Turn Your Goals Into a Game

Struggling to stick to your daily routines? A tech journalist shares three open-source apps that helped him build a gamified productivity system. The approach creates structure and accountability without the corporate overhead.

Manaal Khan·11 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·4 min

4 Cheap Gadgets That Make Your Kitchen Smarter

You don't need to spend thousands on smart appliances to upgrade your kitchen. A few gadgets under $50 each can add wireless monitoring, precision measurement, automated lighting, and voice control to your existing setup.

Manaal Khan·11 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

Google Antigravity: Build Android Apps Without Code for Free

A tech journalist with zero coding experience built a working Android app using Google's free Antigravity IDE. The app has run without bugs for six months, proving that AI-assisted development tools have matured enough for complete beginners to ship functional software.

Manaal Khan·11 May 2026

Hacks & Workarounds·5 min

Invincible Season 5: Release Window, Plot Hints, and What We Know

Amazon's animated superhero series Invincible is already deep into production for season 5. Creator Robert Kirkman confirms voice acting is complete, animation is underway, and the show aims to maintain its new annual release schedule.

Manaal Khan·10 May 2026