MakeUseOf

5 things your Roku can do that have nothing to do with streaming shows

Rob LeFebvre — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 23:00:13 GMT

I'll be honest with you; I had no idea any of these features existed, but now that I do, I feel like I have a whole new Roku. I've switched my Backdrops on and set the photos I want to see on it (with the occasional drop into the art collections so it feels like an art TV). I've found my remote when it dropped down between the bed and the nightstand, and I've finally been able to get rid of the TV remote itself.

I enabled a hidden Windows GPU mode, and my games run smoother now

Shaheer Khan — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 22:00:13 GMT

Now, the obvious tips and tweaks to get the most out of your PC include adjusting BIOS settings to change hardware-level configurations and Windows settings for OS-level optimizations. However, these are surface-level changes, and you can squeeze more juice from your system with some advanced adjustments.

5 things I put NFC tags on so I never have to remember them again

Yadullah Abidi — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 21:00:13 GMT

I was always fascinated by the idea of NFC tags, but never really found a good use for them. They're cool tech, for sure, but do you really need a sticker to turn on your lights? Turns out, the answer is yes, and not just for lights.

I turned on my browser's privacy features, and my VPN became almost redundant

Oluwaseun Bamisile — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 20:01:13 GMT

A lot of people use VPNs to limit their digital footprint. Windscribe, TunnelBear, AtlasVPN, and others do a great job masking your IP address or encrypting your traffic. But in most cases, you don't really need a VPN to reduce your footprint on the internet, since most browsers already have built-in privacy features. Besides, using a VPN doesn't really stop companies from tracking you through your browser, accounts, or device habits.

Google Slides just got a built-in video recorder that actually edits for you

Hamed Paydarfar — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 19:55:37 GMT

Prior to this, turning a presentation into a video meant exporting it or recording your screen with a separate app like OBS. But now, Google will help you cut out much of that process with its implementation of Google Vids directly into Slides.

I replaced Drive's folder sync with a 12-line rclone job and it does more than Google ever did

Afam Onyimadu — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 19:00:13 GMT

Google Drive's folder sync is one part of the client that's supposed to just work, so I've stuck with it for years. But the experience hasn't always been what I hoped for. I've experienced the drive's sync icon spinning next to files I haven't opened, and the generic error message I get when a file randomly disappears doesn't really tell me much.

I got Ethernet across my house without running a single cable

Gregory Gibson — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 18:30:13 GMT

I recently researched this very setup online, but most AI results, forum replies, and the official Starlink instructions suggested it wasn’t possible. My Starlink mesh node that came with my Starlink Mini kit supposedly needed a wired connection back to the dish before its Ethernet port could serve wired clients.

I stopped judging my Wi-Fi by the signal bars — this number tells me much more

Gavin Phillips — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 18:00:13 GMT

I, like the vast majority of people, judge my Wi-Fi signal by how many bars are on my screen. Whether it's my smartphone, tablet, laptop, or otherwise, those trusty bars are always there to tell you just how good the Wi-Fi you're using is.

I 3D printed a working PCB instead of ordering one — it's easier than you think

Yadullah Abidi — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 17:30:13 GMT

I'm constantly building new smart devices for my house or working on electronics projects that revolve around building circuits. Now breadboards are fine for prototyping, but they're not exactly great for deployment. Soldering components on a perfboard gives you a more permanent solution, but the wiring is a mess.

Alexa+ is now free on Fire TV, but Google TV is already better — even without Prime

Hamed Paydarfar — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 17:13:38 GMT

Pretty much every tech company on earth is racing to attract your attention for its AI features, and Amazon is no exception. The company includes many features from its 20-buck-a-month AI voice assistance for free on certain products.