Howtogeek.com News, Tips, Tricks, Ideas

Is a video game a job or a form of recreation? Most people would pick the second option, but if you look at how obsessive some players are about "100%-ing" their games, it seems that the grind doesn't stop when they clock out of their day jobs.

Many gamers feel obliged to use headphones to get the best possible experience. But what if I told you that you could get a quality gaming experience from speakers as well without having to sweat under those cans?

You can now turn your iPhone into a retro gaming machine, no jailbreak required. But just because you can, doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Here’s what I’ve learned so far.

PC gamers may often express a disdain for gaming consoles, but the truth is that PC gaming benefits significantly from the existence of consoles in numerous ways. So next time you're dismissive of consoles, here's a reminder of what they've done for us.

Sometimes, a new game is just too heavy to run at 60fps with acceptable visual quality, which means that we have to fall back on 30fps as the lowest playable frame rate. That's not ideal in any scenario, but there are ways to reduce the blow.

The days of jailbreaking your iPhone to play emulated games are over. Here’s how easy it is to play retro games on iOS and iPadOS, for free.

As a Linux user, finding games that run natively on your desktop can be challenging. Many popular games are developed primarily for Windows, leaving Linux users to rely on emulators or compatibility layers like Wine.

Has the success of Fallout’s live-action adaptation left you giddy for more? Good news! You can revisit the best of the game series relatively easily, and you might not even need to spend any caps to do so.

YouTube is an endless sea of content for all audiences, whatever you're into. But YouTube isn't just for streaming video, since you can now play free games in your browser YouTube's new "Playables" catalog.

Controllers that can be mounted to your phone are nothing new, and Razer's Kishi gamepads have been a popular option for mobile games, cloud gaming, and playing emulators. Now, Razer has launched its most premium product in this range, the Kishi Ultra.

Apple fans have long yearned to call Mac their gaming platform of choice, but the number of games only available on Windows continues to be a problem. There's a way to bridge that gap, though, with an open source and user-friendly app called Whisky.

The NZXT Lift 2 Ergo lightweight wired gaming mouse is designed for those who want a no-frills device that just works. The mouse delivers a good feel in the hand, a solid gaming experience, and decent software for customization. Though the lack of RGB is a little bit of a downside, the Lift 2 Ergo makes up for that in how well it handles every other area. For $50, this mouse is a solid choice for budget gaming setups.

The Steam Deck is a great handheld gaming PC, but its focus on Steam means no native support for playing games from other launchers, including the Epic Games Launcher. But you can play games from Epic's store on your Steam Deck if you use these workarounds.

Open the Play Store and you will most likely see an offer for something called "Google Play Pass." This is a subscription plan from Google that provides access to thousands of apps and games. Play Pass has quietly been around for a few years, but is it worth your time?

Sometimes, fans aren't happy with the officially-sanctioned remasters of favorite games or are waiting eagerly for one that may never exist at all. Luckily, modding communities for PC games make it possible to "remaster" games yourself.

Nintendo is the only console maker of the big three without an integrated achievement system for its consoles. Achievements are immensely popular, and many people want them on the Switch, but I think a lack of achievements is an overlooked unique selling point for Nintendo.

One of the most annoying things about carrying a phone in your pocket is unwanted phone calls. Whether they're spam calls or someone you don't want to talk to anymore, we'll show you how to block them on Android.

Thrift stores aren’t just for faded t-shirts and used bakeware, they can be a treasure trove for media and electronics too. Here are just some of the things you should keep an eye out for on your next thrifting adventure.

If you missed out on the DOS era of gaming, there has never been a better time to dip your toes into the best of what the platform can offer. Retro gaming is in vogue once more, so why not get in on the fun with a gaming platform that doesn't get enough love?

Apple now allows retro game emulators in the App Store. Now the first major game emulator has been approved for iPhone and iPad: Delta.

Do you often find yourself unlocking your phone and then opening Google Maps to check directions? You can save yourself some trouble by using glanceable directions. But what exactly is the glanceable directions feature, and how do you enable it? Here's everything you need to know.

Sometimes, you need to grab a still image of what's happening on your device's screen—that's called a screenshot. While this used to be a hassle on Android (many moons ago), all modern devices make it very easy to do. Here's how it works on Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, and many other Android devices.

Google Maps is one of the most popular apps for Android and iPhone. Waze, is another popular mapping app, and it happens to be owned by Google, too. The two services have borrowed many features from each other over the years, but they're still distinctly different. So which one is better?

For a long time, Samsung did not pay as much attention to detail as Apple, had less of an ecosystem, and had fewer well-rounded devices. But all of this has changed. Skeptical? Here are areas where Samsung has managed to catch up and some where the company has pulled far ahead.

I’ve been enjoying my ASUS ROG Ally since launch. In that time, I’ve amassed a truckload of tricks and tips that have made using the handheld more satisfying. If you’re a new ROG Ally owner, here are some of the things I wish I knew from the start.

Perhaps the biggest addition to Samsung's Galaxy S24 series was the inclusion of AI features. Galaxy AI is a suite of generative-AI-fueled features that will help you throughout the daily tasks you might perform on your smartphone. This quickly went from a selling point to something Samsung began rolling out to everyone as well, including those with older phones. Now, a new batch of older phones is getting Galaxy AI features.

One of Circle Week's daily deals brings the Meta Quest 2 down to $150, which is a steal for a fantastic VR headset.

Playing video games together is some of the most fun you can have on a couch, especially when you’re working towards the same goal. Here are some of How-To Geek’s favorite couch co-op titles that will tempt even non-gamers.

​​​​​​Is your Android phone refusing to charge? Don't panic. Solutions are at hand! This is a pretty common problem on Android phones, and there's usually a pretty common solution, too. Stick with us to get to the root of this problem and get your phone charging again.

Google is celebrating the launch of its Find My Device network. And, interestingly, the company now says that Pixel 8 devices can be located even when their batteries are drained.

While mid-range smartphones are now so good, they can do most of what flagship phones do well enough for most people, there are still many solid reasons why you'd want a flagship model.

Google Photos gives you some photo storage and editing tools for free, but getting the most out of it requires paying for a subscription. That’s now changing, as some editing features are opening up to everyone.

If you're like me, you may have avoided Samsung devices in the past because of the amount of bloat they added to Android. Well, the story has changed—Samsung One UI is now remarkably attractive, and Samsung apps are actually worth using. I would choose many of them over Google's own apps.

Now that Android's Find My Device network is off the ground, Chipolo is launching a pair of AirTag-like tracking devices that are specially designed for wallets and bags. The Chipolo ONE Point and CARD Point arrive May 17th, just in time for summer vacation.

Windows handhelds like the ROG Ally have specs that put the Steam Deck to shame, but are let down by Windows being terrible as a handheld operating system. So, what if you could have the best of both worlds?

Last year, I boarded the Google One train when my sister's 15GB storage tanked. Initially, I opted for the 100GB "Basic" plan, confident that it would provide me with ample benefits. But that didn't last long, and I realized that for a service called "Google One" it's sorely lacking in its inclusiveness.

Amazon Fire Tablets are loved for their extremely low prices, but bargains don't come without sacrifices. That's why people have been manually installing the Play Store on Fire Tablets almost since the beginning. It's 2024 now, and some things have changed. Is this still a reliable hack?

In an unexpected twist, Apple now says that retro game emulators are allowed on the App Store. The updated policy may bring emulators like RetroArch or Dolphin to the iPhone, depending on how Apple interprets its somewhat vague guidelines.

Phones today don't seem to hold a charge much longer than old ones. Phones have gotten much better in many other ways, so what gives?

Sony's DualSense controller is packed with features to make your PS5 experience more immersive. What Sony doesn't tell you is that these features can seriously impact the battery life of these controllers. Luckily, there are ways to extend the battery life of your controllers.

NVIDIA recently launched a new app called the NVIDIA app that, once it exits beta, should replace GeForce Experience and the NVIDIA Control Panel. I’ve been using the app for the past month and I love it. Let's take a look at what’s new and how the new app compares to GeForce Experience.

For decades the idea of gaming on a Mac has been seen as a joke by "hardcore" gamers,but that wasn't always the case, and maybe in the near future the Mac's gaming credentials will return.

The best writing tool is the one you have on you. For me, that's my smartphone, but it's no good without the right app. After searching high and low, I finally found an app that just about does it all. If you haven't yet heard of Obsidian, it may be the best note taking app for you, too.

Most people don't talk on the phone or get calls as much as they once did, but spam and unknown calls are rampant. Thankfully, Google is busy testing a new "Lookup" feature on Pixel phones, allowing users to search various apps and services to try and identify a number.

You may have seen the stories or even noticed for yourself—small phones are dead. Standard phones are much bigger than they were ten years ago, and you're more likely to see new larger "pro" variants than tiny ones.

There used to be a time, several years ago, when a lot of us would actually turn off Bluetooth if we weren't using it. Bluetooth wasn't as essential of a tool as it is today, and some users assumed that it would drain their phone's battery. Nowadays, though, most people keep Bluetooth on all the time. And as Bluetooth becomes even more essential, Google is making it harder to turn off.

Handheld gaming has seen massive growth since the success of the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck. Now rumors are swirling that Microsoft is introducing a handheld of its own, possibly called the Xbox Series P, and we’re excited.

With the world shifting from physical to digital game media, it would be nice if everyone could agree on how refunds work. Unfortunately while some companies are leading the charge in consumer friendliness, others seem to be more than a little behind the times.

There are plenty of good 3-in-1 iPhone charging stands, but few are instantly recognizable as the Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand. Instead of messing with the appearance, the company simply added Qi2 and a few tweaks to the new 2024 model.

Samsung no longer provides monthly security updates for Galaxy S20 or Note 20 smartphones. These devices have been demoted to quarterly updates, with support ending in March or April of 2025.

Save $100 on the ASUS ROG Ally at Best Buy and get to gaming wherever you are.

The stereotype of PC gaming is a huge desktop tower filled with rainbow lights and spinning fans, while water gurgles through pipes. However, the reality is much more modest, and most people don't even need a big rig PC to play.

All things considered, Amazon Fire Tablets have a lot to offer for their toy-like price tags. However, one thing they don't offer is multiple browser options. You won't find Google Chrome in the Amazon Appstore, but that doesn't mean you can't install it yourself. We'll show you how.

The jump from USB-C 2.0 to USB 3.2 may seem small, but in reality, they are worlds apart for data transferring between Android devices. The difference is easy to overlook—USB-C standard can help you make a more informed purchase, especially when you're stuck between two similar choices.

Remember when Redbox or Blockbuster would let you rent some of the newest titles for just a few bucks a day? A new trend has emerged to fill the void left behind by the loss of rental services. Many public libraries have started to collect video games, and it doesn't cost a cent to borrow them.

As someone born on the south side of hand dominance, gaming on a PC was always a bit frustrating, since keyboards and mice were rarely made with lefties in mind. Luckily, I have developed a few habits over the years that make it much more approachable.

The keyboard and mouse are a staple of PC gaming, but these peripherals also have utility on consoles, as the PS5 and Xbox Series X have USB functionality that makes them compatible. Here's how they can make gaming more convenient and customizable for you.

After a year-long delay, Google has finally turned on the Android Find My Device network. This network, which is currently limited to Google Play Services beta testers, provides offline device tracking for smartphones, tablets, and small AirTag-like trackers.

Amazon Fire Tablets are some of the most accessible gadgets on the market. For around the same price as dinner and drinks for two, you get a full-blown tablet. However, they're stuck with the Amazon App Store. If you want some of the most popular apps, you'll need to install the Google Play Store.

Vibrant designs were all the rage in tech throughout the 2010s. Thankfully, developers have come to their senses, which is why we now have a dark mode on every major operating system and app. No matter what app or device it is, I always flip the switch to dark, and here's why.

Have you ever wondered how the iPhone’s Dynamic Island might look on Android? Well, it’s not just a wild fantasy. You can actually bring the free-floating, shape-shifting pill to your Android phone and make it your new notification hub. Sounds cool? Let's dive in.

The Android 15 update is coming soon and will surely be full of exciting new features. If you're interested in trying the beta or wondering if your phone is supported, here's which Pixel phones and tablets will officially get Android 15 and which won't.

Cloud storage makes backing up data from a phone a seamless experience for most people. However, from privacy concerns to internet speed requirements, there are reasons to prefer a local backup. The cool thing is you don't even need to connect to a PC to do it—just use a hard drive.

For two of my last three phones, I've gone out of my way to select one that comes with a stylus. The same is true of my last two tablets. Like gaming with a wireless gamepad, there are certain tasks that are just more pleasant with the right kit.

Tired of plugging in your phone before every drive? AAWireless now provides a quick compatibility checker that tells you whether your vehicle will work with a wireless Android Auto adapter.

Samsung's Gaming Week sale is going until March 31, now is your chance to take advantage of some incredible PC monitor deals.

The battery is usually the first component to wear down on smartphones, and as new phones keep getting released, battery repairs are still usually eexpensive. Insurance plans like AppleCare+ and Samsung's own Samsung Care+ can make that more affordable in the long term, and now Samsung's service is adding unlimited battery repairs, in exchange for a slight price bump.

I've spent a year with the Steam Deck, and in that time I've slowly been spending less time playing games on my desktop PC. After discovering the delights of local game streaming and acquiring a second handheld PC, an ASUS ROG Ally, my desktop PC doesn't stand a chance. Here’s why.

It's exciting when a new phone feels completely different from what came before. Thing is, that's not what most people actually want. When a smartphone design is good, we want it to stay good, and frankly, most modern phones are good. That phones largely look the same year after year is actually a blessing, not a curse.

These days, smartphones can do it all. Unfortunately, they can also track it all. Smartphones have become a data mining gold mine, but you're not powerless—there are things you can do to make yours less accessible and valuable to those who seek profit from your activity.

Buying your Switch games second-hand is a great way to minimize the Nintendo tax, but it’s about to get riskier. Thanks to the arrival of some new hardware, buying used Switch games could land you in hot water with Nintendo. Here’s what you need to know.

There have been hints about Apple’s AI ambitions coming this year but CEO Tim Cook laid it out, saying Apple had, “incredible breakthrough potential for generative AI.” Here’s what I think is coming at Apple's WWDC developer conference on June 10.

Samsung is the most popular Android phone manufacturer. The company has phones that range from bleeding-edge technology to budget-friendly smartphones, and no matter what your price point is, there is a Galaxy phone available for you.

Onyx is still trying to perfect the combination of a device that’s equal parts tablet, eReader, and laptop. While the Boox Tab Ultra C Pro is admirable and even interesting in those ambitions, it's not quite there yet. And this year's professional moniker doesn’t get it over the hump from the previous model.

It's that time of year when the tech world awaits Google's yearly developer convention. The Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California, readies itself to play host to yet another installment of Google I/O on May 14th, 2024. Here's what we're expecting from the event this year.

Back in 2018, Retro Games Ltd. released THEC64 Mini, a plug-and-play console and computer modeled on one of the best-selling computers of all time, the Commodore 64. That was followed in 2019 by a full-sized THEC64 and THEVIC20, complete with working keyboards, as well as THEA500 Mini in 2022, which miniaturized the popular Commodore Amiga 500. Now, nostalgic Atari 8-bit computer fans get to join in on the fun with THE400 Mini.

Google's Circle to Search feature arrived earlier this year with the launch of the Galaxy S24 series, then eventually rolled out for all Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 models. As promised, the fancy AI tool will start rolling out to more Pixel phones, tablets, and Galaxy phones later this week.

Can't hear any sound from your phone? Problems like malfunctioning headphones, your phone using a wireless device for audio output, sound being muted within a particular app, interference from other installed apps, and more could be causing this issue. We have some solutions you can try to resolve this problem.

I've been a Series S owner almost since the console's launch, and I've been happy with my purchase overall, as a way to dip my toes into the Xbox ecosystem. However, midway through this console generation, it's hard for me to suggest that anyone should buy one of these baby Xbox consoles today, and ironically, it's not really the Series S that's at fault.

Many of us prefer texting over calling because it's less intrusive but putting feelings or emotions into messages isn't always easy. This is where voice messages come in; they allow you to get your message across more effectively while also providing the recipient with the option to save the message for later.