How To

Many ISP-provided routers are closed black boxes with limited functionality. In part 3 of my “Unbloated Network” project, I show how to install OpenWRT on an x86 PC to replace the Vodafone router with your own hardware. Step by step, we’ll set up the latest stable release, including image selection, Linux-based installation, and partition expansion.

Valve’s Steam client beta adds optional PC specs labels to game reviews and an opt-in setting to share anonymized framerate data focused on SteamOS devices, helping add context to performance complaints.

After deciding against using the ISP router in part one, it’s time to focus on hardware: what actually works best for an OpenWRT router? A mini PC, Raspberry Pi, or a traditional router? And what about the switch and access point? In this part, I’ll walk through my hardware choices, including considerations around power consumption, architecture, and cost.

Provider routers are convenient—but that’s exactly their biggest problem. Poor Wi-Fi coverage, limited control, questionable privacy, and technical limitations are everyday issues for many users. In this new series, I’ll gradually replace my provider’s all-in-one device (the Vodafone Station) with a modular setup using an OpenWRT router, access point, and switch. In part 1, I’ll explain why I’m taking this approach and how the project is structured.

CheckMag Jailbreaking your Kindle with WinterBreak or AdBreak is easier than you might think, and when combined with KOReader and KindleForge, Amazon's e-reader can be made far better than Amazon would want.

A retro hardware modder has recreated the classic Commodore 1084 monitor in miniature form using 3D printing, pairing an 8-inch LCD with a custom-designed shell to match the Amiga A500 Mini and C64 Mini. The project, documented in detail on YouTube, combines modern display tech with faithfully styled housing, offering a sharp, compact alternative to original CRTs for today’s mini retro systems.

Chatbots come with built-in safeguards designed to prevent them from producing harmful, offensive, or otherwise inappropriate content. But researchers and hackers have shown that, even with multiple patches, AIs can still be vulnerable to certain inputs that bypass those guardrails. One way to explore the basics is through an online game called Gandalf.

What kind of storage is faster than any SSD? Your system memory. With an open-source tool, you can spin up a virtual drive directly in RAM — and it’s ridiculously fast. It’s not just useful for testing, either. With a bit of experimentation, it can be handy in everyday work, too.

Inside the high-tech world of smartphone tracking: A real-world demonstration of how Google and Samsung’s location systems can help mobile users to claw back their stolen devices... and the essential features every phone owner should activate to protect their device and data.

Some people learn the hard way—say, reporting from a trade show—that even in 2025, transferring files between an Android phone and a Mac still doesn’t work ad hoc. After trying several tools, I finally found one that solved my problems.

Whilst Steam officially supports offline mode – allowing gamers to enjoy their games without Internet access – Ubisoft Connect lacks a similar feature. Although several workarounds can be found online, some of them don’t seem to be effective. In this article, we’ll highlight the method that actually worked in our case.

WhatsApp has begun rolling out its Message Translations feature to Android and iPhone users, allowing in-chat translations in 1:1 chats, groups and channels after updating the app. Translating a message is simple, but supported languages are limited.

Chromebooks are built to be simple, affordable, and quick, but over time even cloud-first laptops can slow to a crawl. Updates, overloaded caches, and too many apps take a toll; new buyers often notice performance dips right after ChromeOS patches or school year setups. The good news is that you can fix most of it for free. With the right steps, your Chromebook in 2025 can feel almost brand new again.

Lenovo Tab P12 Pro with Precision Pen 3 doubles as a wireless second screen via Smart Connect. Setup, latency, and usability tested for students, pros, and creatives.

The GameSir X5s is now capable of waking up the Nintendo Switch 2. While it requires a software update, setting it up is quite straightforward.

The Labubu character, created by artist Kasing Lung, has recently evolved from a niche art project into a global phenomenon. Fueled by viral social media trends and celebrity endorsements, this massive popularity has created a thriving market for counterfeits.

A few 8BitDo controllers have gained official Steam Compatibility, allowing owners to use them with a Steam Deck or SteamOS device without the need for any workaround. Here's a guide explaining how to connect a compatible controller to a Steam Deck or SteamOS device.

WhatsApp has quietly rolled out a new feature that allows users to set reminders on messages they have sent or received. Currently only available to WhatsApp beta users, the feature will let users set a time and date of their choice.

Roman “der8auer” Hartung modded the Asus RTX 5090 Astral LC with parallel shunt resistors, allowing power draw to exceed 750 watts and boosting performance beyond the RTX 6000 Ada. The liquid-cooled design handled the increased heat well, though such modifications are not suitable for air-cooled cards.

While it is not a serious issue, some Switch 2 devices are showing incorrect battery levels. Luckily, Nintendo has an easy fix for it, but if that doesn’t work, there’s another more time-consuming solution.

An eighth cup is available in Mario Kart World, and if you don't know how to unlock it, here are all the details.

Sony's PlayStation Stars bonus program is closing its doors, one move at a time, and you need to know how to put your points to use before they are gone for good.

Basketball: Zero’s June 2025 codes unlock free currency and spins to boost your play. Learn how to redeem active codes, where to find additional drops, and more to get that perfect slam dunk.

Grow a Garden, currently one of the most popular games in Roblox, has received a Bizzy Bees update. Check out if there are any new codes that can be redeemed for seed packs, eggs, or cosmetics.

In this guide, you will find active Blox Fruits codes that you can use to get extra XP, Beli, weapons, and more.

CheckMag You can download YouTube videos for free, no Premium subscription required. In this article, I’m breaking down the best tools that actually work in 2025, including one that even works on Android. This can be perfectly legal depending on what you're doing (such as saving older videos uploaded by yourself a while ago).

PixelDrain stands out from myriads of websites letting one store files such as videos online and easily share them with friends and strangers alike via a direct, permanent link. It has multiple advanced features such as rclone support, offers fast download/upload speeds - and it's affordable.

CheckMag The Google TV Launcher has become an advertising platform for a bunch of streaming services you probably don't subscribe to. Even on premium hardware, we are forced to endure unwanted ads. Thankfully, there is a great alternative, and it's relatively easy to install without hacking or rooting.

CheckMag Google Fiber has expanded to Fort Mill and Tega Cay, bringing gigabit internet speeds of up to 8 Gbps to South Carolina for the first time. This article breaks down where Google Fiber is available, what each plan offers, and how you can sign up.

CheckMag As a last resort, resetting your network settings can help restore your internet connection. This article explains how to do it in Windows 11.

CheckMag Gamers Nexus launches a new RMA investigation series, uncovering potential AM5 platform instability with Ryzen 9000X3D chips—though testing is halted by physical damage to the socket.

The Nintendo Switch has received its 20.0.0 update, introducing Virtual Game Cards and the new Gameshare feature ahead of the Switch 2 release. We share how to use the new Virtual Game card feature as well it's limitations in addition to some minor notes about GameShare.

CheckMag Google Wallet is expanding support for digital IDs, letting residents in more U.S. states store their driver's licenses or passports on their phones. The update also brings new privacy-first age verification using zero-knowledge proofs, with wider support coming soon.

CheckMag Switching between Apple Music and YouTube Music? Don't leave your playlists behind. This guide covers some of the the best free and paid methods to transfer your music—from official tools to third-party solutions—plus key limitations to watch for. Whether you're moving a few favorite songs or an entire library, we've got you covered.

CheckMag As a tech journalist and cybersecurity analyst running Manjaro KDE, these keyboard shortcuts have greatly transformed my workflow. From instant window switching to formatting-free pasting, these tricks save me hours every week—and they’ll supercharge your productivity too.

CheckMag Tired of Chrome looking and feeling the same as everyone else's? This guide breaks down a few ways you can customize it to your liking.

CheckMag Ever wondered how much you've actually spent on Steam? A viral Reddit thread has revealed how to check your lifetime spending and the shocking totals might make you rethink your game purchases.

CheckMag Users can reserve a massive 96 GB of RAM for the integrated Radeon 8060S GPU, but the setting is hidden under multiple submenus in the BIOS.

CheckMag With official Steam OS just around the corner, Bazzite might seem irrelevant. However, Steam OS is currently still in beta, some functions don't work, and it has a far shorter supported device list. Bazzite on the other hand supports almost every x86 based handheld out there, is mature in its development process, and is very easy to set up alongside Windows. Here's how.

CheckMag If your personal info like your address or phone number appears in Google searches, you can request its removal to protect your privacy. This guide explains how to submit takedown requests and manage your online exposure.

CheckMag Thanks to Valve and Proton, Linux is becoming a much more viable platform for work and play, but first party support for syncing common cloud services like OneDrive and Google Drive is none existent and unlike TruNAS and Synology this feature isn't built in. However, there is a reliable and relatively straightforward solution. Here's how it works.

CheckMag Is your Windows laptop fan driving you crazy with its constant whirring or rattling? This guide walks you through simple steps that may help you fix your noisy cooling solution, from cleaning out dust to replacing worn-out parts.

Earlier this month, Microsoft put up a misleading guide about uninstalling Edge. After facing a backlash, however, the company quietly removed the page and redirected it to something that doesn't pretend to be an uninstall guide.

CheckMag The impending end of Windows 10 support (October 2025) means that many users may have to switch to a different OS. Alternative operating systems such as Linux and ChromeOS Flex can be tested on your own PC without affecting the existing Windows installation.

CheckMag Since dropping x86 in favour of ARM, Apple has more or less closed the door on native dual booting on its hardware. However, Asahi Linux, for some time, has offered native Fedora builds for Apple silicon Macs. The latest release now comes with an alpha build of their game playing toolkit, allowing you to install Steam and play a selection of games on your dual boot Apple silicon Mac.

A deep dive on how we carry out product testing. We have a meticulous methodology for testing laptops, phones, and tablets that allows for impartial and objective ratings. This article offers a comprehensive look behind the scenes — a detailed explanation of what we measure and how we do it — and tells you how we interpret the results.

The 24H2 update for Windows 11 is now being rolled out, and some users are encountering a frustrating bug causing the cursor to disappear in certain scenarios. Thankfully, an easy way of dealing with the issue has already been discovered.

CheckMag Google is notorious for tracking people across websites, and this extends to almost every service it offers, including Android and YouTube. If you are on a quest to escape Google's aggressive data practices, you might want to consider hosting your own YouTube front end. But how easy is it, and is it worth it?

The official release of the Galaxy S24 FE is approaching, and a teardown by the YouTube channel PBKreviews has provided the first look at the inner workings of the budget-friendly S24. The new Fan Edition seems to be easy to repair, and Samsung has also improved the cooling system compared to its predecessor.