Jason Fitzpatrick
How-To Geek
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Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
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Past articles by Jason:
Why Is My iPhone Charging So Slow?
There are a handful of common reasons why your iPhone isn’t charging as fast as expected. Let’s look at what does (and doesn’t) impact how fast your iPhone charges and some tips to help you charge it faster. → Read More
10 Ways to Improve Your Wi-Fi Without Buying Anything
Cruddy Wi-Fi performance is frustrating, but so is spending money when you could improve your Wi-Fi without spending a dime. Here are ten tips to improve your Wi-Fi for free, plus three bonus tips for people with more room in their budgets. → Read More
You Probably Don’t Need Gigabit Internet, So Skip It and Save
Gigabit internet has become a gold standard regarding broadband adoption and determining whether or not your location has “good” internet access. But it’s overhyped, you probably don’t need it, and you can save hundreds of dollars a year by downgrading. → Read More
Using Your Real Email to Sign In? Your Privacy Is at Risk
Many people use their primary email to sign in to practically everything. That’s a privacy nightmare, and you might be shocked to see how easily someone can use it to effectively stalk you and violate your privacy. → Read More
PSA: You Should Be Using a Smart Plug to Restart Your Router
Power-cycling your router and modem to fix connection issues is a hassle. But with an inexpensive smart plug, it doesn’t have to be. → Read More
4 Reasons Your LED Bulbs Burn Out Prematurely
The allure of LED lights is that they last for tens of thousands of hours. If yours are burning out prematurely, here are some of the likely reasons why. → Read More
10 Ways You’re Making Your Wi-Fi Network Vulnerable to Attack
Securing your Wi-Fi network isn’t super hard, but you do have to take a moment or two to do it. Here are some common mistakes people make so you can avoid them, secure your network, and get back to enjoying the internet stress-free. → Read More
You Need an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units aren’t just for data centers and overly cautious geeks. There are plenty of good reasons to connect your PC to one and even use them around your home. → Read More
8 Surprising Things You Can Do With ChatGPT
If you’ve heard about ChatGPT and think it’s just a fancy chatbot, you might be underestimating the range of what it can do. Here are some surprising things you can do with ChatGPT, whether you want to write a resume or have it dungeon-master an epic role-playing adventure. → Read More
You Need an “Idea Bucket”
The 2000s ushered in a period of intense interest in productivity methods and strategies. Not all of them stood the test of time, but one certainly did—and if you’re not using it, you’re missing out. → Read More
9 Dangerous Thing You Should Never Do on Your Router
When you get under the hood, there are a lot of router settings and options. Here’s a crash course on what to avoid doing to keep your router as secure as possible. → Read More
How Much Do Smart Blinds Cost?
If you’re curious about modernizing your window treatments, you might wonder how much smart blinds and shades cost. There’s a premium for new installations and retrofits, but it might not be as steep as you think. → Read More
Dimmable LED Bulbs Keep Burning Out? Do This
If you’ve outfitted dimmable ceiling lights in your home with LED bulbs only to have the bulbs heave erratically or burn out, there’s likely a very simple reason with a very simple solution. → Read More
What Is Dynamic DNS (DDNS), and How Do You Set It Up?
Your home internet connection has a numeric IP address that changes over time. Dynamic DNS (DDNS) lets you assign an easy-to-remember address so you, your friends, and your family can access your home network with a simple website-like name. → Read More
What Is Plex Pass, and Is It Worth It?
If you’re a fan of Plex, you might have wondered if you really need Plex Pass, the premium upgrade to the popular free home media server platform. Let’s take a look at the major and minor benefits that come with upgrading. → Read More
How Are Smart Blinds Powered?
You might assume that smart blinds are all battery-powered, but there are more than a few ways to power the automagic of a smart blind assembly. → Read More
What Types of Electric Snow Blowers Are There? (And Which One Is Right For Me?)
Whether you’re considering a massive two-stage electric snow blower or a petite snow sweeper, there are plenty of ways to clear away snow around your home with the power of electricity. → Read More
What Do “Built on Thread” and “Requires Border Router” Logos Mean?
If you’re shopping for smart home gear, you’re bound to come across products with little logos that say “Built on Thread” often with adjacent text like “Required Border Router.” Here’s what you need to know. → Read More
5 Smart Home Features You Should Use While On Vacation
Your smart home gear isn’t just for your comfort and enjoyment when you’re home. It’s absolutely invaluable when you’re on vacation. Here are common features and benefits you should set up before you head out the door. → Read More
How Long Do Smart Blind Batteries Last?
Most smart blinds on the market aren’t hard-wired but use an internal battery, which begs the question: how often do you have to swap or recharge the batteries in your smart blinds? → Read More