Explainers Articles - How-To Geek

Wi-Fi 6E: What Is It, and How Is It Different From Wi-Fi 6?

Wi-Fi 6 hardware is finally arriving on the market, and you’ll be seeing more and more of it released throughout 2020. But people are already talking about something new: Wi-Fi 6E, which promises to reduce Wi-Fi congest...

What Is Reddit Karma and How Do I Get It?

Karma is Reddit’s voting system. The posts with the most karma are the ones you see on the front page. Reddit tracks how much karma each of its users has earned, too. We’ll explain how Reddit karma works and how y...

Vann Vicente Jan 14th

Sanity Returns: How USB4’s New Logos Will Simplify Shopping

Buying the right USB cable can be confusing, thanks to obscure naming schemes that are hard for even techies to remember. This will change this year when the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) introduces simpler labeling for USB...

What Does GG Mean, and How Do You Use It?

If you don’t play a lot of competitive video games, you may have heard the acronym “GG” for the first time on social media or from a gamer friend. Find out what it means and how to use it....

How New Emoji Are Born (and How to Propose Your Own)

Anyone can think up and submit an emoji. If you’re willing to do the leg work, your own emoji could become a part of every messaging app, social platform, and operating system in the world. Here’s how to become pa...

What Is “Project Connected Home Over IP” for Smart Homes?

Project Connected Home over IP is a new industry group announced by Apple, Google, Amazon, and the ZigBee Alliance. The group will create a new unifying standard for smart home devices, and that’s a big deal. Here&#821...

What Does “DAE” Mean, and How Do You Use It?

DAE is a semi-popular internet slang term you might see on Reddit or Twitter. But what does it mean, where did it come from, and how do you use it?

What Does “IANAL” Mean, and How Do You Use It?

While it’s not the most common abbreviation on the internet, IANAL is occasionally used on websites like Twitter, Quora, and Reddit. But what does IANAL mean, and why do people say it?

What Does “IRL” Mean and How Do You Use It?

You may have come across the initialism “IRL” in tweets, on Reddit, or in comment sections across the web. But what does it mean, and how do you properly use it on the internet? Here’s how....

Vann Vicente Dec 17th, 2019

Thunderbolt 3 vs. USB-C: What’s the Difference?

Newer laptops often come loaded with a port that accepts a reversible plug and supports very fast transfer speeds. Do you know what it is? If you guessed the Thunderbolt 3 or USB 3.1 port, you’re right, and therein lies...

What Are Microtransactions, and Why Do People Hate Them?

The topic of “microtransactions” is a contentious one among gamers. They’re anything that you have to pay money for inside a video game. Here’s why players have a problem with them....

Vann Vicente Dec 9th, 2019

What Does IIRC Mean, and How Do You Use It?

If you keep seeing “IIRC” online, and you’re curious what it means, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll break down what it stands for, where it came from, and how you can use it....

How Can My ISP Tell I’m Using BitTorrent?

Many people have reported getting notices from their internet service providers after downloading files using torrents. How does your ISP know? It’s all in how BitTorrent works. BitTorrent is a lot less anonymous than i...

What Does “TBH” Mean and How Do You Use It?

You’ve probably seen people throwing around the phrase “TBH,” but what does it mean? This expression has been around for quite a while, but its meaning has changed somewhat over time....

Why You Shouldn’t Use Your Web Browser’s Password Manager

We recommend using a password manager like 1Password, LastPass, or Bitwarden. But modern web browsers have built-in password managers, so why install a different one? There are many good reasons to avoid your web browser&#821...

Is My iPhone Waterproof?

Modern iPhones are water-resistant, but the strength of that protection varies from model to model. Having your device’s battery or screen replaced might impact this protection, depending on who performed the repairs....

USB4: What’s Different and Why It Matters

The next great (and possibly confusing) version of USB is on its way. In early September 2019, the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) published the USB4 specification paving the way for blazing-fast USB connections comparable to...

How Safe Are Public Charging Stations?

These days, airports, fast-food restaurants, and even buses have USB charging stations. But are these public ports safe? If you use one, could your phone or tablet be hacked? We checked it out!

What Does “SMH” Mean, and How Do You Use It?

The initialism “SMH” has been around for a while, and you’ll often encounter it in chat rooms and on social media websites. But what does SMH mean? Who came up with it, and how do you use it?...

Multi-Layer SSDs: What Are SLC, MLC, TLC, QLC, and PLC?

Solid-state drives improve the performance of aging computers and turn newer PCs into speed machines. But, when you shop for one, you’re bombarded with terms, like SLC, SATA III, NVMe, and M.2. What does it all mean? ...

How Safe Are Password Managers?

A password manager stores all your passwords and automatically fills them in your web browser and mobile apps. But is trusting an app with your passwords and storing them all in one place a smart idea?...

What Is “Military-Grade Encryption”?

Many companies tout “military-grade encryption” to protect your data. If it’s good enough for the military, it must be the best—right? Well, kind of. “Military-grade encryption” is more of ...

How macOS Catalina’s New Security Features Work

macOS Catalina introduces new security controls. For example, apps are now required to ask your permission before accessing parts of the drive where documents and personal files are kept. Let’s take a look at what&#8217...

Tim Brookes Oct 21st, 2019

How Windows 10’s “Reset This PC” Has Gotten More Powerful

The “Reset This PC” feature has been around since Windows 8, but it’s changed a lot since then. Microsoft keeps making it better and better, and it’s easy to miss all the improvements. Cloud Download i...

What Is the Gig Economy, and Why Is It So Controversial?

The “gig economy” is a buzzword on the news and in everyday conversation. It refers to the rise in contracted work—or “gigs”—that aren’t traditional jobs. Ridesharing, food delivery, ...

Andrew Heinzman Oct 15th, 2019