tablet Archives

Expecting a hospital stay? Here are 5 things to bring along

Most of us have had to spend some time in the hospital for a day or a more extensive stay. Even if you haven’t, you’re likely close to someone who has.

If you or someone you’re taking care of has a hospital stay coming up, bring along these five essential items to make things easier.

1. Tablet

Some hospitals limit the number of visitors patients can have. A tablet is a great way to keep in touch with the people you care about. You can use any number of apps for video calls, such as Zoom, Google Meet and FaceTime. WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger also have built-in video calling.

You can access streaming apps on a tablet and enjoy your favorite movies and TV shows. It’ll be easier on your eyes than on a tiny phone screen, and you’ll get better detail.

In addition to a larger screen, tablets generally offer more battery life than smartphones and many more affordable options.

Check out Amazon’s Fire HD 10, the company’s largest and fastest tablet. It includes a 1920 x 1080p display and 12 hours of battery life. Choose from 32GB or 64GB internal storage. You can utilize Alexa for hands-free operation or turn it off entirely.

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2. Charger

All your devices need power to keep from becoming expensive paperweights. You’ll want to pack your wall charger to keep your phone, tablet or laptop juiced up.

Different devices have different power needs. Tablets and laptops support higher charging rates than smartphones. So that little charger that came with your phone won’t do as much for larger devices.

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Always hitting the wrong button? Control your phone and tablet better with these cheap styluses

Amazon

We’ve all tapped our phones only to sigh with frustration when the wrong app, letter on the keyboard or setting opens up. Stylus pens aren’t just for tablets. You can use them for better precision on your smartphone, better efficiency with editing apps and more accurate typing. These are our favorites.

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Shelf-absorbed

🛁 You’re one click away from bathing like royalty.

Hold up to 20 pounds with a stainless steel shower caddy (7% off).
No tools? No worries, these waterproof adhesives ($9) stick right on.
This foldable bath tray (25% off) holds your book, drink and tablet.
Soggy bath mat? Snag a stone mat (40% off) that dries quickly.
A pack of exfoliating soap bags (33% off) is like loofahs but better.
Perfect for curls, this hair dryer (13% off) comes with a diffuser.

🛍️ It’s not too late to shop my Mother’s Day Ultimate Gift List. Order now, so it arrives on time.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Try this, Samsung pals: Samsung DeX lets you connect your Galaxy phone or tablet to a monitor or TV. Just plug a USB-C to HDMI adapter into your phone and voila: A mini computer! You can connect a mouse and keyboard via Bluetooth, too.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Confirmed: iPads make your kids misbehave

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Do you hand over the tablet when your kid throws a fit? A new study says you’re not just rewarding bad behavior — you’re actually making it worse.

🆕 Android 16 beta is here: It comes with a big design refresh called Material 3 Expressive. Think new customization options, bouncier animations and more. You can try it now if you’ve got a Pixel 6 to 9 or a Pixel Tablet. Just sign up on the Android beta site. FYI, it’s still a beta, so expect some bugs.

2 years old

When 40% of kiddos have their own tablet. Nearly 1 in 4 have a cellphone by the time they turn 8. Average screen time? Too much at 2.5 hours a day.

I spy a virus: If your connection’s dragging, a virus might be the culprit. I trust and recommend TotalAV. It’s just $19 a year to protect up to five devices on Windows, Mac, Android and more. That’s total peace of mind for your phone, laptop and tablet.

Ready, set, let’s go

🥳 Amazon’s Big Spring Sale has everything for epic family fun.

Keep little ones busy with a foldable playpen (20% off) that’s easy to store. Grandparents, you need one!
When playtime’s over, toss all the toys in a sturdy toy box (15% off).
Kiddos’ first camera (20% off) reminds me of an old-school Polaroid.
The Amazon Fire Kids tablet (26% off) has built-in controls to keep ’em safe.
Level up your gaming setup with an LG 27-inch monitor (40% off).
This gaming keyboard (42% off) has fun, colorful LED keys.
Hear every detail of the action with a new gaming headset (43% off).
Rock out anywhere with a portable Bluetooth speaker (20% off).
Timber! A block stacking game (15% off) is a summer must.
OK, I kinda want this floating basketball game (15% off) for the pool.

🐶 Fetch and chase: When your pets get the zoomies, toss a glow-in-the-dark bouncy ball (41% off). Your cat would probably prefer a laser (24% off).

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

📐 Big iPad energy: Apple might drop a nearly 19-inch(!) folding iPad in 2027 or 2028, alongside a folding iPhone. Apple’s largest tablet is about 13 inches. The pricing is under wraps, but some estimate between $2,100 and $2,500. Tagline? Apple’s foldables: finally, tech that collapses under pressure just like you.

🔎 I spy a virus: If your connection’s dragging, a virus might be the culprit. I trust and recommend TotalAV. It’s just $19 a year to protect up to five devices on Windows, Mac, Android and more. That’s total peace of mind for your phone, laptop and tablet.

📱 Need a tough phone or tablet? Samsung just announced the rugged Galaxy XCover7 Pro and Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro. They’re water- and dust-resistant and can survive drops from up to 1.5 meters (that’s 5 feet for people like me who never understood the metric system). As for performance, both run the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 with 6GB RAM. Oh, and the batteries are removable. Pricing is still TBA.

👍 Tech upgrades $10 or less

Score! Little things can make a huge difference.

A criminal with the right gear can copy the signal from your key fob. Toss it in a Faraday bag (two for $10) to block them out.
Earbuds get crusty. Use an $8 kit to keep yours gunk-free without damaging the speakers.
Can’t remember keyboard shortcuts you want to try? Slap a cheat sheet sticker on your computer. Here’s one for Mac; this one’s for Windows.
Are they watching? Know for sure with a $7 cam cover you can use on your phone, tablet or computer.
I keep my phone on a stand while working at my desk. Nice in the kitchen, too.
I’ve got a whole page packed with goodies under $10.

✅ Not tech, but I take two scoops of collagen a day: It’s good for bone density, makes your nails and hair stronger, and can help smooth wrinkles. Use this link for 45% off* if you want to try it, too.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Keep calm and travel on

🧳 Grab some gear for spring break or your everyday life.

This slim RFID wallet ($10) helps keep your cards safe from digital pickpockets.
Catch some Z’s on your flight with a memory foam neck pillow (20% off).
A tablet holder (13% off) will entertain your little ones on long drives.
Tangled cords? An electronic organizer ($13) keeps them neatly packed.
Now you won’t lose a multi-charging cable ($8) at the bottom of your bag.

🐶 Puppy love? I can’t stop talking about my new pup, Bella (sorry, not sorry). Check out these dog seat covers to save your back seat from dirt and fur.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Work smart, save smart

✏️ Pencil in these goodies to conquer your workday.

Skip the takeout. This electric lunch box ($23) keeps your meal warm and tasty.
Kick back, relax and support your legs with a footrest (20% off) for under your desk.
Get organized with a label maker (39% off) that has templates for QR codes, barcodes and more.
Cold coffee or tea? Grab a mug warmer (10% off) to keep it at the perfect temp.
Plug any of that tech into an outlet extender (19% off) with USB-C ports.

▶️ Stand out: Forget flimsy tablet stands. This sturdy adjustable one (36% off) is perfect for your home office.

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

Is that a computer in your pocket? Samsung DeX connects a Galaxy phone or tablet to a monitor or TV. Plug a USB-C to HDMI adapter into your phone and, voila, mini computer! Add a mouse and keyboard to make it even better!

We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.

TikTok cheaters unveiled, Nextdoor's top complaints & cinema etiquette downfall

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Plus, we have a special guest: cybersecurity guru Ricoh Danielson, who tells us about his latest cases. Discover how a one-star Google review solved the mystery of a fatal hit-and-run. We’ll also share tricks to speed up your PC, and reasons why you should start using your tablet.

Secret iPhone keyboard, Audacity update, 5 mistakes that ruin tech

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Google Fiber’s 100Gbps download speed, Starlink slows down, Audacity update, secret iPhone keyboard and 5 ways you’re ruining your expensive phone, laptop, tablet and TV. Plus, you’ll use this eBay pro tip time and time again.