How-To Geek

Adam Davidson-Senior Author

Adam Davidson

Senior Author

October, 2024
Masters Degree in Engineering
iPhone, Mac, Smart Home
  • 139
    articles
  • 34
    Features
  • 53
    Lists
  • 52
    Guides

About Adam Davidson

Adam has a degree in Engineering and has a life-long interest in technology. He has been writing for over a decade for various print and online publications, with a focus on consumer tech. He joined How-To Geek in 2024 while working at Pocket-lint.
As well as being a long-term fan of Apple products, he also has a strong interest in smart home tech, running a Home Assistant server at home to automate all his smart home devices. He believes that the ideal smart home should work with minimal interaction from the user, with automations running as if by magic rather than requiring you to push buttons on a control panel.

Latest

Spotlight on Mac with Terminal entered in the search field but no Terminal app results displayed.
Apps Not Showing in Spotlight on Your Mac? 6 Solutions to Try

If Spotlight stops working properly there are a few fixes that may help.

The Beelink S13 mini PC over a woodgrain background.
7 Reasons Why a Mini PC Makes the Perfect Home Assistant Server

It's the ideal device for running your smart home software.

The Home Assistant logo with Octocon RGB LED lights on the wall in the background
5 Smart Home Automations I Thought I Wanted but Never Use

Some automations are better in theory than they are in reality.

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The front of the Eve Outdoor Cam mounted to a wall.
6 Privacy-Respecting Smart Home Brands That Won't Sell You Out

Not every smart home brand requires access to your personal data.

Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium installed next to a piggy bank and cactus.
5 Ways I Slashed My Energy Bills Using Smart Tech

Some smart devices can save you money in the long term.

6
Apple Workout Buddy congratulating a runner on starting their run.
I Had High Hopes for Apple's Workout Buddy, but I Hate It Already

Workout Buddy is the last thing I wanted from an AI-powered coach.

The Duolingo logo.
Duolingo Is Ruined—Use These 6 Language-Learning Apps Instead

If you dislike Duolingo's new energy system, there are some good free alternatives.

11
The Touchpad app running on a battered iPad 2.
8 Ways I'm Putting My Old iPad to Good Use

Your outdated iPad can still be put to good use.

14
Home Assistant running in the RealVNC Viewer app on an iPad 2.
How I Put My Antiquated iPad to Use as a Home Assistant Dashboard

Home Assistant won't open in Safari on an iPad 2, but there is a workaround.

An Apple Watch displaying the Control Center being worn on a wrist.
5 Hidden Features of Your Apple Watch Control Center

There's more to the Control Center than meets the eye.

1
Hide My Email on an iPhone.
With So Many Breaches, Apple's Hide My Email Is More Necessary Than Ever

It can't protect you completely, but it can limit the damage from a data breach.

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An iPhone with a grayscale Home Screen containing only three apps.
How I Use Grayscale Mode to Stay Off My iPhone

Turning my iPhone black and white makes it less enticing to use.

A woman looking at a white smartwatch on her wrist.
This Is Hands Down the Best Feature on My Apple Devices

There's one Apple feature that I couldn't live without.

Retro arcade machine with Apple's logo
I Woke Up to Apple Arcade, and It Stole My Life

I finally tried Apple Arcade and now I'm hooked.

A man holding several flags and a book with the Netflix logo, translation icons and some flags around him, with the Netflix logo in the background.
How I Use Netflix to Aid My Language Learning

Binge-watching box sets can be educational as well as entertaining.

An actionable notification from Home Assistant on an iPhone with four available actions to select.
The Smart Home Notification Trick I Wish I'd Tried Sooner

Actionable notifications in Home Assistant are easy to set up and incredibly useful.

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A TV with the Netflix logo, with a plant, a popcorn bowl , and a remote control on a table.
The 6 Best Netflix Shows That Actually Tell a Complete Story

Not every Netflix show gets canceled midway through.

A woman looking frustrated surround by smart home tech.
How to Make Your Smart Home Devices Play Nicely Together

Integrating different smart home devices can be frustrating, but some things can help.

An Apple HomePod mini, Amazon Echo Dot, and a Google Nest speaker sitting on their own tables split into three sections by a white line.
Why Apple Home Is Better Than Amazon and Google's Smart Home

Google Home and Alexa support more devices, but Apple has the best features.

WWDC25 logo in a white circle on a white background.
How Apple Ruined WWDC in 2025

The Worldwide Developers Conference has lost its magic, and it's Apple's fault.

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