Unwrap Your Smart Gadget: Tips to Maximize Your Festive Tech Gift!

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Unwrapping a fresh gadget is exhilarating, but what occurs afterward? If you’ve received a smart speaker, fitness tracker, tablet, or any other high-tech present, I’m here to guide you beyond just the introductory steps.

Feeling envious? I have links for you, too, in case you have a gift card itching to be spent.

Smart speakers: Harness their potential

Your new Amazon Echo or Google Nest smart speaker serves more purposes than merely playing music.

• Establish custom routines: Utilize voice commands to automate your daily activities. Simply saying “Good morning” could prompt your speaker to illuminate lights, inform you of the weather, and broadcast your favorite podcast.
• Incorporate skills or actions: Browse the app store for your speaker to discover additional features, such as games, guided meditations, or cooking timers that sync with recipes.
• Manage your smart home: Connect it with other devices such as thermostats, lights, or security cameras. Wave goodbye to manually switching devices on or off.
• Pro tips: Inquire, “What’s on my calendar?” for a quick summary of your day. Activate voice purchasing (with a PIN to avoid mishaps) to reorder essentials you frequently need.

Fitness trackers: Explore the metrics

A Fitbit, Apple Watch, or Garmin offers far more than just counting steps.

• Enhance your sleep: Leverage sleep data to refine your bedtime or nightly habits. The majority of trackers provide insights into your REM cycles and suggestions to enhance your sleep quality.
• Stress relief: Look for integrated mindfulness features and guided breathing activities.
• Define smaller goals: Rather than simply aiming for 10,000 steps, monitor incremental and significant targets, such as active minutes or calories expended throughout a workout.
• Common issue: If your tracker fails to sync with your phone, verify if the app requires permissions for Bluetooth or background functions. It’s a prevalent issue that’s easily remedied.

Tablets: Transform into a productivity marvel

Modern tablets possess greater power than some computers. Utilize yours like one!

• Note-taking applications: Convert your tablet into a digital notebook. To take handwritten notes, pair it with a stylus like the Apple Pencil or a $20 version which functions with iPads. This model ($20) is compatible with Android tablets.
• Remote working setup: Applications like Zoom, Slack, and Microsoft Teams can turn your new tablet into a mobile workstation. Attach a Bluetooth keyboard for a complete setup. This one for iPads is significantly less expensive than the Apple equivalent. Here’s one for Android.
• Creative resources: Immerse yourself in photo editing with apps such as Lightroom, or illustrate your next creation using Procreate.

Pro tip: On iPads, activate Sidecar to convert your tablet into a second monitor for your Mac — ideal for multitasking.

Smart TVs: More than just streaming

Your smart TV accomplishes a lot beyond allowing you to watch Netflix.

• Duplicate your screen: Utilize it as a large display for photos, Zoom calls, or presentations from your phone or laptop.
• Transform into a gaming center: Connect controllers and discover game-streaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming or NVIDIA GeForce NOW.
• Home fitness classes: Stream guided workouts from applications such as Peloton or Apple Fitness+ directly on your screen.
• Unexpected feature: Many TVs have Bluetooth headphone support, making them perfect for late-night binge-watching without disturbing anyone else. Raycon’s earbuds deliver quality similar to the high-end brands* but without the hefty price tag!

Enhance security: Safeguard your privacy

Any connected device can potentially be a target for cyber threats. Here’s how to secure them:

1. Alter your default passwords: Substitute weak default passwords with robust, unique ones for each device. Employ a password manager to simplify the process (58% off my selection with this link*).
2. Deactivate unnecessary features: Disable voice recording or location tracking if you don’t need those functions. You can always restore them later.
3. Regularly update: Most devices come with at least one firmware update upon unwrapping. Don’t overlook these.

Reminder: Verify if your device has a sharing function enabled by default, such as TVs that automatically share your viewing data. Navigate to the settings and disable it for enhanced privacy.

✅ Tech gifts are instruments to simplify life, make it more enjoyable, and at times even healthier. Dedicate some time to explore. If you require assistance, don’t hesitate to ask. I’m always here for you.

We may receive a commission when you purchase through our links, yet our reporting and recommendations remain entirely independent and unbiased.

Tags: Amazon, Amazon Echo, Apple, Apple iPad, Fitbit, fitness trackers, Garmin, Google Nest, privacy, security, smart home, smart speakers, smart tech, smart TVs, smartwatches