Do you measure the steps you take every day? Here’s why that could be a thing of the past.
Did Santa bring you a smart gadget? Here’s how to make the most of it
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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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Are your smart devices tracking too much?
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Your smartwatch is great for tracking steps, but have you ever thought about where all that personal data actually goes?
From sleep patterns to calorie intake, it’s like a digital diary — and it’s worth billions to insurance companies, marketing outfits, advertisers and, of course, hackers. Don’t panic! I’ll walk you through how to lock down your privacy.
12 smart products to help you kick your bad habits in 2023
Amazon
A new year always brings a fresh start, and we can all use that after the last couple we’ve lived through. But things are looking up finally, and it’s time to start enjoying life again.
The stressful times we’ve gone through might have left you with a few new not-so-great habits you want to kick. Don’t worry. We can help.