Wi-Fi Archives

Router secrets unlocked

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Your router has more to offer than just an on/off switch. One of the best ways to boost your Wi-Fi performance is to outsmart the interference swirling all around you.

Let’s talk about bands. Not the type that “break up” and go on a reunion tour when they run out of money. I’m talking about the Wi-Fi kind.

📶 2.4 GHz: Long range, slower speeds

This one’s your ranch dog. Not fast, but reliable for all the daily stuff. If you’ve got smart home gadgets, video doorbells or a tablet in the garage, 2.4 GHz is your go-to. But it’s crowded. Everyone and their pet’s camera uses this band.

⚡ 5 GHz: Speedy, short-range workhorse

Perfect for streaming, gaming or Zoom meetings in rooms close to your router. Less interference, higher speeds, but expect signal drop-off as you move farther from the source.

🚀 6 GHz (Wi-Fi 6E): Supercharged for the future

The new kid on the block. Virtually zero congestion, ultrafast and great for multiple devices at once. But you need a newer router that supports Wi-Fi 6E and devices that can use it (like recent iPhones, Pixels and newer laptops).

🎛️ How to change bands

Right now, your router’s trying to be too helpful. Most mash all the bands under one name (called “band steering”), so your device decides which one to use. Spoiler: It usually chooses wrong.

That makes things simple but less optimized. To take control:

Log in to your router: In a browser, type 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1, or use the app your router came with (like TP-Link Tether, Netgear Nighthawk, or eero).
Go to Wi-Fi or Wireless Settings.
Turn off “band steering” or “smart connect”: This combines all bands under one name.
Rename your SSIDs: This is where the magic happens. Once you’re in your Wi-Fi settings, you’ll see options labeled 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and maybe even 6 GHz if your router supports it.

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These movies predicted us

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I’ll skip the wizards and superheroes. Give me a movie that looked into the future and actually saw something real coming before we even had Wi-Fi.

These are the ones that got it right, eerily right. Some were made 10, 20, even more than 50 years ago, and they still hold up. If you haven’t seen them, add them to your list.

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Big-brained buys

🧠 You don’t need to be a genius to use today’s picks.

⚡ End the outlet wars: This power strip tower (22% off) has 16 plugs. Plus, four USB ports and a 10-foot-long cord.

🔌 Split ends: No, not your high school haircut. One USB-C cable (8% off, two-pack) charges four things at once.

🙈 Hide those wires: A cord management box (10% off, two-pack) is the adult way to tidy up your tech mess.

⌨️ Typing ninja? Switch between your phone, tablet or laptop with this Bluetooth keyboard (5% off).

🛜 Bye, dead zones: A Wi-Fi extender ($9.99) covers up to 45 devices. No more buffering in the bathroom (lol).

📺 Movie-theater level magic: If you can swing it, this 4K smart TV ($699.99) has flicker-free tech.

🛍️ Treat your digital self: My Amazon shop is packed with more smart buys I know you’ll love.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

How to check your internet speeds

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Slow Wi-Fi? Try this free fix first. Get proof of what’s dragging your speeds before you spend a dime.

Blue screen, black soul: Remember the Windows blue screen of death? It just went goth. The QR code? Gone. The frowny face? Dead. Instead, you get a sleek black screen and a new Wi-Fi-powered quick machine recovery feature that can resuscitate your dead PC like digital CPR.

402 Tbps

That’s the new internet speed record just set in Japan. It’s 4 million times faster than your Wi-Fi, and no, that’s not a typo. We’re talking entire Netflix libraries in seconds, on regular fiber. Somewhere, a Comcast exec just spit out their latte.

Stop WhatsApp from eating data: Group chats can auto-download tons of photos and videos in the background. Go to Settings > Storage and data > Media auto-download and uncheck all file types under Mobile data, Wi-Fi and Roaming. FYI: You can still download what you need later.

Your phone is spying on you

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Your phone keeps all your secrets. Where you’ve been. What you’ve typed. Even which sketchy Wi-Fi you used in 2017. It’s got the memory of an elephant and the self-restraint of a toddler with a drum set.

Let’s just call your phone “Sir Veillance.”

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Duct tape fixes for the digital age

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Tech doesn’t always play nice. Your laptop heats up, your Wi-Fi fizzles, and sometimes you’re just standing there, squinting at your screen, wondering where the mouse pointer disappeared to.

Don’t panic. Just try these fast fixes. Each takes under a minute and requires zero tech degree … although if you pull these off in front of someone else, you may get a slow clap, and maybe even a mozzarella stick.

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🛜 Full bars, slow internet? Those little Wi-Fi bars only show your connection to the router, not your internet speed. So even if they’re full, apps can run slower than a Monday morning. When in doubt, run a speed test and check if your download, upload and ping match what you’re paying for.

🚘 What a bunch of Grok: Tesla just shoved its chaotic AI chatbot, Grok, into new cars, and it’s coming for older ones, too. It won’t drive or blast AC (yet), but it will banter, joke, and yes, there’s an “Unhinged” mode. You need Wi-Fi or a Premium plan to chat, but no account required.

Battery boost: If your phone’s nearly dead and you’ve only got 20 minutes, plug it in and switch on Airplane mode. This shuts off Wi-Fi, cellular and Bluetooth, basically all the stuff that quietly drains power. With fewer background processes, your phone can focus on charging faster.

✈️ I hate slow Wi-fi on planes: But times are changing. Starlink is now on over 1,000 airplanes worldwide, giving millions of passengers access to high-speed internet in the air. Airlines like Qatar, Hawaiian and United use it. But how fast? Tests show over 100 Mbps. SpaceX says 2,000 more planes are coming soon.

🌐 Share Wi-Fi from your laptop: On some networks or on an airplane, you can only connect one device. Quick fix? Turn your laptop into a hotspot. On Windows, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Hotspot. On Mac, head to System Settings > General > Sharing > Internet Sharing and switch it on.

📶 Wi-Fi not showing up on your phone? First, move closer to your router. Thick walls and appliances can mess with the signal. Still nothing? Unplug the router for 30 seconds and restart it. Still no go? Toggle Wi-Fi off and on.

📊 Set a data limit on Windows: On a capped data plan? You can add a warning so you don’t go over. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Data usage, select your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection, then hit Enter limit. Choose a Limit type (like Monthly), enter your cap and click Save.

$1 billion

That’s Rivian’s latest cash infusion from Volkswagen. It’s the second billion in a $5.8B tech JV, paid out after Rivian hit gross profit (finally). The deal: VW gets EV software; Rivian gets a lifeline. Think of it as funding your roommate’s startup in exchange for their Wi-Fi password.

🏠 Modern home intercom: Still yelling, “Dinner’s ready!” across your house? Amazon Echo speakers, like the Echo Pop ($40), work as an intercom system. Just link them to the same Amazon Household account and Wi-Fi network. Then say, “Alexa, drop in on…” followed by the speaker’s name (kitchen, bedroom or garage).

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Wi-Fi master: Angry IP Scanner keeps track of everything connected to your network. It scans for IP addresses and other information about the devices connected. It helps troubleshoot tech issues and catch hackers or moochers since it pinpoints unknown or suspicious devices.

Time Capsule time has come: Starting with macOS 27, Apple’s yanking support for Time Capsule and AirPort backups. If you’re still living that 2012 Wi-Fi drive life, it’s almost time to move on. No new hardware is confirmed yet, but the rumor mill’s eyeing Apple’s new Wi-Fi chip for a possible router comeback. PSA: It’s about a year away.