The greatest gift: Fix your family's tech this holiday season

We’re well into the holiday season and you’re probably planning lots of get-togethers. Want to be the star of the party? Bring along some beautiful memories, but leave the projector behind. Tap or click here to convert old VHS tapes to digital in time for the holidays.

While you’re around the people you love, why not take the time to take care of their tech? These are the ones who call you when their computer is slow, or their phone is freezing. This will spare you the trouble of solving their problems over the phone.

Show your loved ones how much you care by doing a few things to keep their devices running smoothly.

Wi-Fi problems

Update their router. It might be time to help them get a new one if it’s ancient. Here’s a router finder that makes it easy. If it’s not too old, check where their router is. Hiding it on the floor of a closet isn’t doing their connection any favors.

Put it up high and in the central area of the house where there’s the most activity, and try to keep it away from the microwave and cordless phones because those interfere with the signal.

Tap or click here for five reasons to replace your old router.

Update everything

This tedious but necessary step goes a long way in protecting you from cybercrime. Update your loved ones’ apps, phones, computers, tablets and other devices. This ensures they have the latest software and firmware releases.

Get started below:

Update Windows 10

  • Go to Start Settings Update & Security > Windows Update and select Check for updates.
  • If updates are available, install them.

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Use tech to have the spookiest house on the block this Halloween

Spooky season is well underway and you should be expecting some trick-or-treaters soon. Before you get the candy ready, take some time to ramp up your security.

Vandalism and property damage are more common during the holiday season. Whether you’re home or away, you’ll want to keep an eye on things. A video doorbell is a simple way to secure your home. Tap or click here for my favorite video doorbell to keep an eye on what’s happening out front.

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DIY Projector

Sometimes, it’s just too hot to go outside and play. Why not try this DIY smartphone projector? You can enjoy time with the kids while staying cool.

DIY smartphone projector

Open/download audio

You only need a few supplies for this fun project. Go ahead and give it a shot!

Review: An all-in-one portable projector

The age-old (okay, not really) question: buy a TV with a really big screen, or save some cash and get a projector that throws an even bigger picture. Which do you choose?

For me, it’s been a projector paired with a 100-inch screen for the past eight years and doing so saved me thousands of dollars, even as TV prices have decreased. The trade-off is that the projector is not as bright as a TV and the picture isn’t quite as sharp.

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Host the perfect movie night: All the tech and fun extras you need

If you want to immerse yourself in cinema right now, you can host a movie night at home. All you need are a few tech gadgets and fun extras to create the perfect setup.

If you’re a Mac fan who wants to stream films on movie night, Apple’s streaming device is one of the better options out there. Apple TV doesn’t get as much love as the other streaming devices, but the features it offers are awesome.

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20 clever tech gadgets you're going to want right now

Several new tech items have caught my eye in recent weeks. I’ve come across gadgets that can take my entertainment and streaming to the next level and tech that can increase my work-from-home productivity without a huge investment.

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10 best soundbars to improve your home theater on any budget

Building a home theater is pretty easy, but for a truly theatrical experience, you need great sound on top of great visuals.

Soundbars are an excellent option to get that great quality, as they can improve the sound on any TV or projector. They’re also much more affordable than getting speakers, subwoofers, or separate A/V receivers for your home theater.

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