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Did Santa bring you a smart gadget? Here’s how to make the most of it

Unwrapping a new gadget is a thrill, but what comes next? If you’ve received a smart speaker, fitness tracker, tablet or any other high-tech gift, I’ll show you how to go beyond the basics.

Feeling jealous? I have links for you, too, in case there’s a gift card burning a hole in your pocket.

Smart speakers: Make them work for you

Your new Amazon Echo or Google Nest smart speaker isn’t just for playing music.

Create custom routines: Use voice commands to automate your day. Saying “Good morning” could trigger your speaker to turn on lights, read you the weather and play your favorite podcast.
Add skills or actions: Browse your speaker’s app store for extras, like games, guided meditations or even cooking timers that sync with recipes.
Control your smart home: Link it to other devices like thermostats, lights or security cameras. Say goodbye to manually turning things on or off.
Insider tips: Ask, “What’s on my calendar?” to get a quick rundown of your day. Enable voice purchasing (with a PIN to prevent accidents) to order essentials you need all the time.

Fitness trackers: Dive into the data

A Fitbit, Apple Watch or Garmin can do way more than count steps.

Sleep optimization: Use sleep data to adjust your bedtime or nighttime habits. Most trackers offer insights into your REM cycles and tips to improve your sleep quality.
Stress management: Look for built-in mindfulness tools and guided breathing exercises.
Set micro goals: Instead of only 10,000 steps, track smaller, meaningful milestones, like active minutes or calories burned during a workout.
Gotcha moment: If your tracker isn’t syncing with your phone, check if the app needs permissions for Bluetooth or background activity. It’s a common issue that’s easy to fix.

Tablets: Turn it into a productivity powerhouse

Today’s tablets are more powerful than some computers. Use yours like one!

Note-taking apps: Transform your tablet into a digital notebook. For taking handwritten notes, pair it with a stylus like the Apple Pencil or a $20 version that works with iPads. This model ($20) works with Android tablets.
Remote work setup: Apps like Zoom, Slack and Microsoft Teams can transform your new tablet into a portable workstation. Add a Bluetooth keyboard for a full setup. This one for iPads is way more affordable than the Apple version. Here’s one for Android.
Creative tools: Dive into photo editing with apps like Lightroom, or sketch your next masterpiece using Procreate.

Pro tip: On iPads, enable Sidecar to turn your tablet into a second monitor for your Mac — perfect for multitasking.

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We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Fix your website! 4 ways to get more people to your site using SEO

A savvy business owner knows the value of website optimization. In today’s cutthroat digital marketplace, an SEO-friendly website with solid keyword research, meta tags, good page speed and backlinks helps you stand out. If you want to know how to improve search engine rankings for small business websites, you’ve come to the right place.

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So, you unwrapped something techy and you’re already having trouble. Before searching online for help, know it’s dangerous to Google tech company phone numbers.

Scammers work the system to get spoofed websites and numbers as the top search results via ads. Instead of waiting for a response to an online form, try calling the manufacturer or tech company directly. I’ve included links below in case you’d rather use a contact form or chat service:

Amazon: 888-280-4331; Amazon website
Microsoft: 800-642-7676; Microsoft support
Apple: 800-275-2273; Apple support
Google: 650-253-0000; Google support
Meta: 650-543-4800 (Heads-up: It’s hard to get someone to answer); Facebook support, Instagram support
Roku: 816-272-8106; Roku support
Samsung: 800-726-7864; Samsung support
PayPal: 888-221-1161; PayPal support

An older CEO, long past retirement, called IT for support. He asked, “How can I print this document?” IT said, “All you need to do is Ctrl + P.” The CEO replied, “I haven’t been able to do that for years!” (I heard you laugh!)

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

5 ways to connect when you’re apart for the holidays

Christmas Eve is here. It’s a time for joy, laughter and cherished moments with loved ones. I know how busy this day can get, but a little bit of tech-savvy can help make it even more special.

Here are five quick and simple ways to use technology to connect with family and create memories without taking up too much time.

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Unsecure page error: 5 things to try if you get this warning

There are countless threats on the internet, from scams to malware-infested websites. Then there are unsecured websites, which your browser warns you about. If you get a message that says, “Your connection is not private,” you might jolt in alarm.

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Elf yourself: Yep, I’m talking about those videos where you turn your favorite people into dancing elves. Instead of downloading the app, just use the website. So fun!

📶 Goodnight, kids! If yours sneak back onto their phones, tablets and computers at night, disable the Wi‑Fi after a specific time. You can do this for all your devices or just certain ones, like your kiddo’s iPad. If you use an app to control your internet, pop in there. Otherwise, log into your router’s web interface. Steps here!

✅ Unlock perfect hearing: If you’re tired of missing out on conversations, you need to check out the new, nearly invisible hearing aids everyone is raving about. With dual processors for crystal-clear sound, these are changing lives. See if you qualify for a risk-free trial and start hearing every word. You deserve it.

Subtitles rock: My son, Ian, switched them on one day and I won’t go back! You can change how they look to make them easier to read. On the Netflix TV app, pause your show and open Settings. Choose Size and Style to change ‘em. On the Hulu TV app, go to your profile > Settings > Subtitles and Captions. Change the color, opacity and shadowing.

Oh, crap, you have to run to the mall: There’s no time to wander around, looking for your car, when you’re done fighting the crowds. On Google Maps, tap the blue dot (your location), then choose Save your parking. Have an iPhone? Say, “Siri, remember where I parked my car,” and you’ll get a pin on the map.

Free AI test drive: Nothing has changed our lives quite like AI has — and will. That’s why you need to start using AI in your business before it’s too late. Take a free test drive of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure now at Oracle.com/kim. No one does data better than Oracle.

Lock it up: Having people over? Lock your computer. You never know who will get curious. For Windows, hit the Windows key + L. On a Mac, use Ctrl + Cmd + Q.

🦶 No more stubbed toes: When you’re navigating a poorly lit area, don’t waste time fumbling with your phone. Simply call out “Hey, Siri” or “OK, Google,” then say, “Turn on the flashlight.” Quick, easy and toe-friendly.

🍗 Kitchen helper: Smart speakers like the Amazon Echo can juggle multiple timers at once. If you give them a name, you’ll know what’s ready to come out of the oven. Say something like, “Alexa, set a 20-minute timer for the potatoes” or “Set a 45-minute timer for the chicken.”

HIT CAPS LOCK? I didn’t mean to scream; I could’ve used convertcase.net. The website transforms text into different formats so you don’t have to rewrite a whole email or doc. Change it to UPPER, lower, aLtErNaTiNg cAsE and more. There are generators for s̶t̶r̶i̶k̶e̶t̶h̶r̶o̶u̶g̶h̶ ̶t̶e̶x̶t, social media and coding, too — all free!

Save your butt: Maybe you ignored this yesterday, but I’ve got your back. Grab an Amazon gift card and print out the details or email it to them. Here’s a trick to make a gift card feel special: Put it in a little box, then put that inside a bigger box. Put that one in another box. Now wrap it all up, and they’ll have a fun surprise opening it.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

💳 Oh, crap: You forgot to buy a present for your cousin, Linda, and she’s coming over tomorrow. Grab an Amazon gift card online now, and write something kind in a lovely card. Bam, done.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

🪵 No fireplace? No problem: Put this crackling Yule log video on the TV so everyone focuses on quality time together. There’s no music, so you can pick your favorite!

Tips to take the best holiday photos

Forget getting everyone together at Christmas for a photo opp and having them all say, “Cheese!” Instead, use words that end in ‑ah. These sounds put the muscles around the mouth to work, creating a genuine smile. Try “yoga,” “mocha” or “banana.”

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Stuck on hold: There’s a hidden redial button on your smartphone. Hit the call button without typing a number or choosing a contact to call the last person you talked to.