Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Jack Mitchell
I turned off these settings and stopped my smart TV from tracking so much
When it comes to digital devices, there’s usually a trade-off between privacy and convenience, and smart TVs are no exception. Your TV may collect information about what you watch, how you use its software, and which ads interest you, each of which can improve the user experience. However, if you don’t want to accept every data-sharing option the manufacturer offers, a few settings are worth reviewing to limit unnecessary tracking without sacrificing the features that make your smart TV useful.
Google Maps finally has the upgrade I've wanted for years, and it's not from Google
Google Maps has revolutionized travel for me, and I believe it is the best option for getting from A to B as quickly as possible. However, sometimes, the best part of a road trip is taking the long way around, discovering a winding country road, or finding a scenic route I wouldn't have considered otherwise.
I nearly bought a $300 DAC before I realized my 10-year-old audio interface does everything I need
As an audio enthusiast, I love gear and try to stay ahead of the curve to get the best equipment my budget allows. I was understandably tempted by the affordable $300 Topping DX5 II desktop DAC and headphone amplifier, packed with modern features, compared with my Steinberg UR22 Mk II, which, after a decade, is getting a bit long in the tooth. But do the upgrades that would really benefit my sound require completely new hardware?
I finally found a better way to save things from the internet
I’ve accumulated hundreds of bookmarks over the years, but I rarely revisit them, even if I remember they exist. What I really wanted was a proper read-it-later library where everything I want to keep is presented in an attractive UI, properly categorized, and with recognizable thumbnails. I didn't want another subscription, so I installed the free, open-source Wallabag myself in Docker.
Your Mac's best productivity tools are hiding in plain sight
I bought my first Mac 25 years ago (an iconic iMac G4 with a whopping 512 MB of RAM), and recently unboxing my shiny new MacBook Air M5 gave me the same rush of excitement I felt back then. As I explored its features and started customizing it to suit my needs, I realized some of macOS’s most useful tools hide in menus and settings you might not think to explore. Some are relatively new, while others have been around for years.
Your smart TV isn’t complete until you install Kodi — here's how to get started
Kodi isn't just another streaming app like Netflix or Hulu. It's a powerful open-source media center that allows you to organize, stream, and play almost any type of content, including movies, TV shows, live channels, music, and even photos. I love that Kodi is entirely customizable and keeps everything arranged within a single, intuitive interface. Unlike the built-in apps that come preloaded or are installed on most smart TVs, Kodi doesn't confine you to a single brand's ecosystem.
The best space horror on Netflix isn’t set in deep space at all
Space horrors like the Alien franchise work so well because they pull us into the darkest depths of unexplored territory, and The Silent Sea, Netflix’s 2021 Korean sci-fi thriller, borrows from that principle while staying much closer to home. It begins when a small crew is sent to investigate an abandoned research station on the Moon. What starts as a straightforward recovery mission quickly turns into something much more sinister, blending science fiction, mystery, and horror.
I replaced Google Drive with Syncthing and realized I never needed the cloud
I’ve been using Google Drive for over a decade, and it’s become ingrained in almost everything I do online. I love that all my files sync across devices, but I never stopped to question whether they needed to be in the cloud, or what would happen if, for some reason, I couldn’t access Drive anymore. So I ran an experiment with Syncthing, a free, open-source file synchronization program.
Stephen King's latest Carrie adaptation is out just in time for Halloween, but don't skip these in the run-up
Published Oct 7, 2026, 11:30 AM EDT The horror genre translates especially well from book to screen, and with Halloween just around the corner, Mike Flanagan’s new miniseries of Stephen King's classic Carrie is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video. However, several adaptations of the Maine-based author’s works already show us how effective his horror can be when fiction comes to life.
I raced Google Maps with Apple Maps for 4 days, and one thing kept deciding the winner
I can install either Google Maps or Apple Maps on my motorcycle head unit, which made me wonder which was best for navigation. So I spent a 4-day biking vacation in the Philippines comparing the routes the two apps suggested. Rather than choosing four easy highway journeys, I wanted something that would force them to make some difficult decisions, including mountain roads, twisting curves, long highways, potentially hazardous sections, and, finally, a winding route toward the coast.
Forget Plex's creeping paywall: I moved my whole library to Jellyfin, and nothing broke on the way
Plex was always my go-to media library for a variety of reasons, including its familiar interface, organization, and remote access, which let me watch my movies and shows away from home. However, as more Plex services became subscription-based, I started wondering whether other options were available. Jellyfin seemed like the obvious choice, but I didn’t want to spend hours reorganizing files. Surprisingly, everything went much smoother than I imagined.
I thought I was done with Notion until I tried building my entire knowledge system in it
After starting with Notion years ago, I tried lots of alternative knowledge management apps because it didn’t quite meet my needs — or so I thought. After building my own local knowledge system in Trillium, it ticked all the boxes but one: I couldn’t easily access it across devices, which was a significant drawback for me. So I circled back to Notion and built a new knowledge base from scratch, resulting in a system I’m finally happy with.
Switching from Spotify felt impossible until I found this app
Spotify had been my faithful music provider for years, and I liked almost everything about it, especially the social aspect that allowed me to share with friends and like-minded listeners. Then, all of a sudden, my Spotify family account was canceled because I moved to a different country than the rest of my family, and after dutifully paying a considerable monthly fee for years, I felt this was unfair. However, was it really worth all the trouble of switching and leaving years of data behind?
Forget the new Street Fighter: These 5 video game adaptations can't be beat
The new Street Fighter movie has a lot to live up to, given its source material’s 40-year heritage, the dismal 1994 movie adaptation starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, and the ill-fated Legend of Chun-Li in 2009. Since then, however, plenty of movies have shown that the journey from game to screen (and vice versa) can yield highly entertaining results.
I thought Figma was just for UI designers until I started using it for everything else
I always thought Figma was only for designing apps and websites, so I ignored it for a long time. Instead, I relied on Photoshop for visual design work, which served me just fine, but it felt like overkill for the simple creatives I wanted to build. It wasn't until I was tasked with building marketing media for a trekking company that someone recommended I create it in Figma, and, as it turned out, it was exactly the program I should have been using all along.
Don't bother with hi-res audio unless you do this setup first
Many music streaming providers offer hi-res audio as one of their biggest selling points, and I've tested several to see whether it’s worth the hype. Ultimately, I found it wasn’t worth chasing 24-bit/192kHz audio before I properly set up my system, and that a few key changes made the biggest difference in what I actually hear.
I left Google Chrome for Firefox and took everything with me
I recently realized I'd been using Google Chrome because I had to. 15 years, to the point that I was so deeply invested in the ecosystem that I thought there was no escape. And yet, issues like RAM consumption, battery drain, and overheating made it feel like the browser was sapping my productivity. The problem, as always, is the challenge of starting over. The solution was a lot more straightforward than I thought.
Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, and Authy are out, because this open-source app replaced them all
When it comes to authenticator apps, I’ve tried a few: Microsoft Authenticator, Authy, and Google Authenticator. Each served its purpose, but they either locked you into proprietary ecosystems or made moving between devices tricky. Then I found 2FAS, a free, open-source solution that offers more control without sacrificing convenience.
Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, and Authy are out, because this open-source app replaced them all
When it comes to authenticator apps, I’ve tried a few: Microsoft Authenticator, Authy, and Google Authenticator. Each served its purpose, but they either locked you into proprietary ecosystems or made moving between devices tricky. Then I found 2FAS, a free, open-source solution that offers more control without sacrificing convenience.
I tried the Google Maps rival nobody talks about, and it’s a refreshingly smart alternative
I've made no secret of my love for Google Maps over the years, as it has been a regular source of inspiration and provided reliable support on my many adventures. Whether it's finding a decent restaurant or rerouting me through traffic hotspots, it's been a constant companion that simply could not be beat—or so I thought. Having recently tried and been impressed by the privacy-focused Magic Earth, another platform called Sygic came on my radar, and it’s unlike any other digital mapping service.
I turned off these 4 settings, and it was like a free upgrade for my soundbar
Soundbars often sit somewhere between home cinema perfection and tinny built-in TV speakers. For a while, I was so happy with the performance boost my soundbar and subwoofer provided that I didn’t think about how much better they could sound. When I finally got around to optimizing my soundbar’s performance, I found that by disabling just a few settings, dialogue became clearer, bass felt tighter, and movies sounded dramatically more immersive, all without spending a cent.
I’ve tried every Notion alternative people recommend, and this free one actually made me switch
I’ve tried a lot of note-taking apps with the goal of becoming more organized, and none of them really ticked all the boxes. I liked Google Keep for its broad compatibility, Obsidian for its backlinks, Capacities for its attractive interface, and Notion for its customization. Still, none of them felt like the app I genuinely wanted to open every morning. I turned to Reddit for an answer, and the r/opensource community highly recommended Trilium Notes.
Netflix made Game of Thrones with zombies years ago and somehow people still sleep on it
Korean shows are highly popular nowadays, thanks to shows like Squid Game, The Glory, and Crash Landing on You. One series that helped usher in the new wave of K-drama was Netflix’s sprawling historical fantasy, with warring noble families, ruthless betrayals, and a constant battle for the throne. The formula wasn’t dissimilar to that of HBO’s massive hit, Game of Thrones, except in this instance, it swaps dragons for terrifying zombies.
How I discovered my smart TV was spying on me
I love my smart TV. It's my portal to the undeniable and wonderful convenience of on-demand streaming services, where I can sit and imbibe the best from the world of entertainment. But after a while, it dawned on me that, like most other computers, my smart TV might not always have my best interests at heart. Smart TVs can and do collect data on you while you watch.
Netflix's most overlooked war drama looks like nothing else on the service
After decades of World War II movies and TV shows, it’s become difficult to find something that you might call truly original. However, The Liberator proves there is still room for a fresh approach to the genre. Released on Netflix in 2020, the four-part miniseries flew under the radar, despite being based on one of the war’s most remarkable true stories.
I stopped reading Docker tutorials and finally learned it by building apps
I was initially hesitant to try building my own self-hosted applications because Docker felt daunting. Using containers, images, volumes, and Docker Compose all seemed a little advanced to the uninitiated. However, with an AI chatbot acting as a troubleshooter, I dove headfirst into using it to install apps I actually wanted, and in the space of a few days, projects like Navidrome, Audiobookshelf, Kavita, Sub/Wave, and Immich taught me all I needed to know.
Audacity is finally back and it barely looks like the app you remember
When it comes to audio recording, editing, and production, Audacity is always highly recommended, albeit with a caveat: it looks hideous. I even remember using an early version of Logic back in 1999, and it was easier on the eyes than Audacity ever was. While the free audio editor has become a staple for a new wave of podcasters, musicians, students, and YouTubers, the interface has barely been revised in a quarter of a century — but all this changes with Audacity 4.
Audacity is finally back and it barely looks like the app you remember
5 hours ago If you're trying to use AI on Thursday morning, you could be having problems. Many of the top AI programs are down Thursday morning, as Downdetector is showing outages with many of the big ones. According to Downdetector, the following programs are dealing with outages on Thursday. AI apps down …
Silo fans shouldn't miss these 5 suffocating sci-fi movies
Published Sep 1, 2026, 8:30 AM EDT Silo, Apple TV’s dystopian drama, set in an underground bunker, is as claustrophobic as it is riveting. With its gripping mysteries, gradually unraveling plot, and a constant feeling that someone is hiding the truth, it transcends the sci-fi genre while making the walls feel like they're closing in around you.
6 movies you've already seen that are secretly The Count of Monte Cristo
Published Aug 30, 2026, 7:00 PM EDT Even those of us who haven’t read the book or watched the movies are likely familiar with the story behind The Count of Monte Cristo. This tale of betrayal, downfall, reinvention, and revenge is so powerful that it’s often retold across wildly different movie genres, without filmmakers mentioning the inspiration behind their work.
Prime Video's strangest time-travel series never tells you if the time travel is real
Most time travel stories try to convince us their plotlines are somehow plausible. From Back to the Future to Interstellar, they establish rules, explain paradoxes, and eventually reveal how everything fits together. Undone, Prime Video’s remarkable animated drama, never feels like an explanation is necessary, and it’s all the more refreshing for it.
6 Movies You Didn’t Know Were Inspired by Greek Mythology
Published Aug 28, 2026, 7:00 PM EDT Greek mythology has inspired entertainment through poetry, novels, songs, and plays since time immemorial, and this influence endures in the age of film. While some movies, such as Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, attempt to retell ancient tales faithfully, others borrow their characters, themes, and structures, transplanting them into wildly different settings. So wild, in fact, that they are sometimes difficult to spot.
I stopped using my Fire TV Stick just for streaming after finding these apps
Like most people, I bought my Fire TV Stick to stream shows, and that is still what I primarily use it for. However, I quickly realized that there’s much more to this little gadget than meets the eye. After installing the usual apps like Netflix, Spotify, HBO, etc., I noticed some options that let me transfer files, test my internet connection, mirror other devices, access my local media library, and even browse the web.
Docker looks complicated until you learn these 7 terminal commands
When I first attempted to build with Docker, it was pretty overwhelming. As it was my first time encountering containers, images, volumes, ports, Compose files, and a terminal full of commands, I wondered whether I needed to be a developer to use it. However, once I got my head around the principles behind Docker and started using it to install and run several self-hosted applications, I realized I was using the same handful of terminal commands to achieve the same results.
I built the Google Photos alternative I actually control
For years, I used Google Photos to back up and view my photos and videos. However, the more I used it, the more aware I became that I was saving all my memories to a single destination. I wanted the reassurance that came with knowing exactly where my files were stored and having complete control over them, and thankfully, Immich provided the perfect solution. This impressive self-hosted photo management platform runs in Docker, and I wrote about it previously as an example of what to use.
5 free apps I use to replace Netflix, Spotify, Audible, Kindle, and Google Photos
It’s easier than ever to access our media on various devices from anywhere, but subscription costs quickly mount up and run indefinitely. There came a point where I started wondering about alternatives to storing my digital life on someone else’s servers, and whether I could recreate the experience using free software and my own media. It turned out there are plenty of solutions that offer alternatives to my most-used apps, with varying degrees of efficacy.
5 free apps I use to replace Netflix, Spotify, Audible, Kindle, and Google Photos
4 hours ago You're missing some of Google's best work. Follow us on Google DiscoverAdd us as preferred source Most Google apps don’t need an introduction. Search, Gmail, Maps, YouTube, Drive, Photos, Keep — even our parents know about these. But Google makes a lot more apps than that, and most people have no …
I turned every old speaker in my house into one perfectly synced sound system Original
I have always liked the idea of a whole-home audio system, but it usually means investing in an expensive ecosystem, such as a multi-speaker Sonos setup. What I really wanted was something that would sync all the mismatched audio gear I already owned, and Snapcast offered an intriguing solution. This open-source multi-room audio system distributes music from one source across multiple perfectly synced devices, and after some tinkering, I achieved exactly that.
You're not getting the best sound from your soundbar, until you change this setting
Setting up my soundbar was relatively straightforward: I simply connected it to the TV via Bluetooth, and it worked right away. However, to achieve the best sound, I found that it needed to be optimized to suit my TV—and one setting is especially crucial. The one setting affecting your soundbar's audio quality Image by Jack Mitchell - no attribution required.
Spotify’s AI DJ is cool, but this one runs on my own music on my machine
I’m a big fan of Spotify’s AI DJ, but it comes with one limitation: I can only play Spotify’s catalog. This isn’t such an issue, given Spotify’s massive library; however, over the decades I have built up a significant collection of original music and rarities, much of it digitized from vinyl, and I wanted something that could intelligently mix my own library at home. This is how I came across SUB/WAVE.
Jellyfin gets much better when you stop using the default app Original
As a fan of both Plex and Kodi media players, I shied away from trying out Jellyfin for far too long. As it happens, there are many advantages to this platform, including a centralized server with no paywalls, true privacy, full ownership, and easy remote access. So what was the catch?
I replaced my entire multi-room setup with one Spotify feature
My home music setup grew with the constant march of technological innovation until it dawned on me just how complicated things had become. My music streaming devices include a smart speaker, streaming dongles, a Bluetooth soundbar and subwoofer, and a project studio linked to a computer. Moving music from one room to the next meant disconnecting one device and connecting to another, hoping Bluetooth pairs correctly and cueing up my audio again.
I finally used the calibration feature my speakers shipped with, and the difference is night and day Original
I expected my KRK Rokit 5 speakers to sound great right out of the box, and they did. In fact, I was so impressed with their balanced, accurate sound that I placed them on my desktop and barely touched them for months, even though they feature DSP with 25 visual EQ settings and a companion app for room tuning. Eventually, however, my curiosity got the better of me.
Plex, Jellyfin, and Kodi all fix the same TV problem, but I'd only recommend one
Growing up at the end of the last century, I had acquired a healthy DVD collection before streaming services came along, and all my favorite movies and TV shows were scattered across countless platforms. Media servers let me bring everything together in one place, so Plex, Jellyfin, and Kodi all solved that problem, but after using each of them, there's one I think gets the balance of features, convenience, and aesthetics just right. What problem are Plex, Jellyfin, and Kodi actually solving?
This little wireless gadget can bring all of your old speakers back to life Original
I love my speakers, in this case, a pair of KRK Rokit 5 active studio monitors. They sound fantastic, with silk dome tweeters, Kevlar woofers, powerful built-in amplifiers, LCD panels at the rear, and a companion app for fine-tuning. The only thing they lack is the convenience of modern streaming. Now, I could simply buy a Bluetooth adapter, but that would mean a downgrade in sound quality.
I turned off 4 Google Photos features and finally took back control of my storage
Google Photos has always been my go-to app for storing, organizing, and editing images. However, Google's generous 15GB of free memory didn't last long, and even after subscribing to a larger plan, my storage capacity quickly diminished as I added more pictures and large video files.
I didn't realize Google Lens could do all these — it replaced 5 apps on my phone
I barely took any notice of Google Lens for years; it was just another icon cluttering my search bar. Sure, I once used it to translate a sign from Russian in a Vietnamese supermarket (with results that left me none the wiser), but it seemed little more than a gimmick. That is, until I started using it in more day-to-day situations and quickly realized it’s a powerful tool that can replace several single-purpose apps I regularly use.
I didn't realize Google Lens could do all these — it replaced 5 apps on my phone
6 hours ago If you ask us, the garden bench deserves a promotion. Quite possibly the most versatile furniture you can use to anchor a backyard, the best outdoor benches earn their keep in countless ways. Station a bench at your outdoor dining table in place of a few dining chairs, and suddenly dinner feels …
I don't use the YouTube app anymore — it's all in my media server
YouTube was the entertainment app I used more than any other. The production values regular folks achieve at home are unreal, and that's before you get to the never-ending array of professionally produced documentaries, music videos, and news channels. The list is almost endless; however, therein lies the problem. I realized I was spending more time deciding what to watch than actually watching it Then it hit me: I already had Plex running for my movies and TV shows.
I finally found a free app that mirrors my phone to my TV without the usual headaches
There’s always going to be a solution among the vast array of apps available, and in this instance, I found one that actually delivers on its promise without charging a subscription fee: AirScreen. Available on Android TV, Fire TV, and various smart TV platforms, AirScreen turns my television into a wireless receiver for screen mirroring and media casting, without the hassles and hiccups I’d previously associated with casting.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Jack
Contact Jack, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack