🌞🎅 Protect Your Tech From Solar Flares - Drivin’ With Santa on Waze

                                                                                                                                              Also: Top apps for customizing your Mac desktop, using anti-wrist straps when building a PC, and more! [HowToGeek Logo](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/EhcybhWdwVpVdf6Dfc4mhjMampQ=353) December 22, 2023 Did You Know Presently, there are nine officially recognized dwarf planets in our solar system: Pluto, Eris, Haumea, Makemake, Gonggong, Quaoar, Sedna, Ceres, and Orcus. 💻 End of an Era It’s Friday! Microsoft is [saying farewell to Windows Mixed Reality](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fwindows-mixed-reality-shutdown%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/rBx7jSBZVeQsF8HT2ybLvEHrRY0=353), the platform for virtual and augmented reality experiences in Windows PCs, potentially turning a lot of VR headsets into bricks. SPONSORED [Limited Time: $29.95 Lifetime License for WinX DVD Ripper, Plus 4 Free Gifts!](%2F%2Fwww.winxdvd.com%2Fpromotion.htm%3Fttref=2312-oa-23xmaspt-htg-ded-ll/1/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/8zjyU-4JhdmCpnrINDveA9mhIcc=353) [winxdvd](%2F%2Fwww.winxdvd.com%2Fpromotion.htm%3Fttref=2312-oa-23xmaspt-htg-ded-ll/2/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/PSUitf72mSkKgvmkhqZUNSDbMvw=353) Embrace the chill in the air and dive into the warmth of a family movie night! We're offering the WinX DVD Ripper Platinum holiday sale to effortlessly digitize DVDs into MP4, enabling enjoyment on your TV, computer, Plex, tablet, smartphone, and more. [Be one of the first 50 early birds to grab the Lifetime License for only $29.95](%2F%2Fwww.winxdvd.com%2Fpromotion.htm%3Fttref=2312-oa-23xmaspt-htg-ded-ll/3/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/jWIuTJPf3SUWk-wv0nuaGl0IYwk=353), and receive 4 bonus gifts. The price will gradually increase after the first 50 copies are sold out. So hurry — shop early and save more! [Try It Now »](%2F%2Fwww.winxdvd.com%2Fpromotion.htm%3Fttref=2312-oa-23xmaspt-htg-ded-ll/4/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/pmu4GUC6S578EUt10HfsGvn6iTQ=353) FREE SOFTWARE [DearMob iPhone Manager for Win/Mac (Worth $80)](%2F%2Fhowtogeek.tradepub.com%2Fc%2FpubRD.mpl%3Fsecure=1%26sr=pp%26_t=pp:%26qf=w_digf50%26ch=HTGDA/1/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/OI4R7GydioX23zUwHxeGbK-atAo=353) [dearmobiphonemanager](%2F%2Fhowtogeek.tradepub.com%2Fc%2FpubRD.mpl%3Fsecure=1%26sr=pp%26_t=pp:%26qf=w_digf50%26ch=HTGDA/2/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/9eZnzV0BbcoJWmPMNrLUHORbYQ0=353) DearMob iPhone Manager allows you to easily manage and transfer your iPhone data, including photos, contacts, and messages, without the risk of data loss. Create custom ringtones, convert file formats, and ensure your backups are password-protected for maximum security. Don't miss this amazing chance to get a free license before this offer expires on Dec 29! [FREE DOWNLOAD »](%2F%2Fhowtogeek.tradepub.com%2Fc%2FpubRD.mpl%3Fsecure=1%26sr=pp%26_t=pp:%26qf=w_digf50%26ch=HTGDA/3/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/DWK6bJI_6OnoD7GXbtB95COqW48=353) TODAY'S TOP STORY [How to Protect Your Tech from Solar Flares (and If You Really Need To)](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fhow-to-protect-your-tech-from-solar-flares-and-if-you-really-need-to%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/lAfgd2g-YJEzj0pem2JMdjphdgM=353) [Digital rendering of a solar flare erupting from the sun.](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fhow-to-protect-your-tech-from-solar-flares-and-if-you-really-need-to%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/2/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/4paXTsXSPqwCwLN33MUxOzQXDlo=353) Solar flares from our sun are capable of frying electronics here on Earth. Is this something to worry about? And if so, how are you supposed to protect your tech from a celestial angry ball of gas, anyway? [Read More »](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fhow-to-protect-your-tech-from-solar-flares-and-if-you-really-need-to%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/3/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/nEK9TB8F8Db_BzYAAGhscsYXkO8=353) [7 Top Apps to Customize Your Mac Desktop](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fapps-customize-mac-desktop%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/IKOFGOKkFD37q2H8ER5gN1N5POc=353) [macOS Sonoma with WidgetWall customizations](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fapps-customize-mac-desktop%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/2/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/toD1l9KzRM2Y3Oqpu0mQ23BhBIo=353) macOS doesn't provide that many customization options by default, so you'll need to use third-party apps. See which apps will help you to make your Mac desktop feel more personable. [Read More »](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fapps-customize-mac-desktop%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/3/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/JAnW0WeB1o7jYWxsgolMV0hK2j0=353) [How to Enable Crossfade Between Songs in Apple Music](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fhow-to-enable-crossfade-between-songs-in-apple-music%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/2cAsytEgeUF-Eh1KfYdNhpGVfcU=353) [A screen shot of Apple Music with the Discovery Station ](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fhow-to-enable-crossfade-between-songs-in-apple-music%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/2/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/GBCpVzpiONziaLv5pqjhjj24vMw=353) The awkward silence between songs in Apple Music brings the momentum of your playlist to a halt. Stay in the zone by enabling a crossfade between your songs - see how. [Read More »](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fhow-to-enable-crossfade-between-songs-in-apple-music%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/3/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/L2aAlVKVFzQnEgWEt-DV21NPvYw=353) [Anti-Static Wrist Straps: Do You Need One to Build a PC?](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2F889526%2Fanti-static-wrist-straps-do-you-need-one-to-build-a-pc%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/NkGPuIrh2kobG6uPCaTi5wJa2Ik=353) [null](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2F889526%2Fanti-static-wrist-straps-do-you-need-one-to-build-a-pc%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/2/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/AAmGsOSMAuT0yEC-vQjEGGKaFSE=353) Check most PC-building guides and how-to videos, and you'll usually find that "anti-static wrist straps" are recommended. What are they, and are they really necessary? [Read More »](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2F889526%2Fanti-static-wrist-straps-do-you-need-one-to-build-a-pc%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/3/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/B1vSET-UyXXUitj4jIWogbZd0SI=353) [How to Change the Background of Your Ubuntu Lock Screen](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fchange-ubuntu-lock-screen-background%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/DfKGR4D-I851PIVuBP4oyyJS3_Y=353) [The lock screen of a Linux PC. ](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fchange-ubuntu-lock-screen-background%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/2/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/_ASOpC4WkNvbqa6HOlAuh83-T4M=353) Add a splash of customization to Ubuntu by changing the lock screen's background. Or prank a family member over the holidays with an all-Grimace background - that works too. [Read More »](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fchange-ubuntu-lock-screen-background%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/3/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/-mYOWOI0r6KOm7fX9nUgll9KjPk=353) ICYMI [VPN Blockers Explained: How to Avoid and Bypass Them](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fvpn-blockers-explained%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/XRCnXIpcHokWrdvC8OTYn3-SgHU=353) [A VPN running on a Google Pixel. ](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fvpn-blockers-explained%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/2/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/9MRuYtC4AuuXY7OYh9Bin9RFXU0=353) Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are useful for finding content blocked in your part of the world. Companies are fighting back by blocking VPNs outright, but you can get the upper hand - here's how. [Read More »](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fvpn-blockers-explained%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/3/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/b5hBxMuomNBdanIsXxUyCj3S8xE=353) [How to Drive With Santa and Enable a Christmas Theme in Waze](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2F705080%2Fhow-to-drive-with-santa-and-enable-a-christmas-theme-in-waze%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/eXOfF-LwnIQJ_GLVtcOaVIU_kOo=353) [Waze holiday icons.](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2F705080%2Fhow-to-drive-with-santa-and-enable-a-christmas-theme-in-waze%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/2/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/NXBCTJOzo1nId4g_UW-gY-MXJQk=353) Need a copilot while driving this holiday season? You might as well go with the magical entity that knows every road and highway on Earth - Santa Clause! Here's how in Waze. [Read More »](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2F705080%2Fhow-to-drive-with-santa-and-enable-a-christmas-theme-in-waze%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/3/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/bCGsZknwPuT-jV8wbMu-1mfAcXc=353) [2023-12-22-(telephone-lines)-1] [Privacy Policy](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fpage%2Fprivacy-policy%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/dEr6amdtgx4NYw7l7ATKi2Awp3Y=353) | [Terms of Use](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fpage%2Fterms-of-use%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/NU70rRbAig-Fy6-nwjftag6gUCI=353) | [Careers](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fcareers%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/YT5j8LWKb8xwpRuGzDf59NJ90Xk=353) | [Subscribe](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fpage%2Fnewsletter%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/ce0Sk2kQHqi16hINmgO0xlYkk8Y=353) | [Contact](%2F%2Fwww.howtogeek.com%2Fcontact%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=HTG-202312221700%26utm_source=HTG-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTFAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c94b00893-6021d43d-99db-4988-bc5f-28263f7b9a4f-000000/ZMOohjQ3dODg-bp_B3N-OtU7fWk=353) You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from HowToGeek. 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