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

December 26, 2024

By Kim Komando

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.

Smart TVs: Beyond streaming

Your smart TV does a heck of a lot more than letting you watch Netflix.

• Mirror your screen: Use it as a giant display for photos, Zoom calls or presentations from your phone or laptop.
• Turn it into a gaming hub: Connect controllers and explore game-streaming platforms like Xbox Cloud Gaming or NVIDIA GeForce NOW.
• Fitness classes at home: Stream guided workouts from apps like Peloton or Apple Fitness+ right to your screen.
• Surprise feature: Many TVs support Bluetooth headphones, which is perfect for when you want to do some late-night binge-watching without waking the house. Raycon’s earbuds sound just like the fancy-schmancy pairs* but without the fancy-schmancy price tag!

Optimize security: Protect your privacy

Any connected gadget is a potential target for cyber threats. Here’s how to lock things down:

1. Change your default passwords: Replace weak default passwords with strong, unique ones for every device. Use a password manager to make it easy (58% off my pick with this link*).
2. Disable any unnecessary features: Turn off voice recording or location tracking if you don’t need them. You can always reenable them later.
3. Update regularly: Most gadgets have at least one firmware update right when you unwrap it. Don’t skip those.

Heads-up: Check if your device comes with a sharing feature enabled by default, like TVs that auto-share your viewing data. Pop into the settings and turn it off for more privacy.

✅ Tech gifts are tools to make life easier, more fun and sometimes even healthier. Take some time to experiment. If you need a hand, let me know. I’m always here for you.

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