Computerworld

Tips for new tech devices

Tips, tricks, apps and advice for getting the most out of new Apple Watches, Android phones, Windows 10 PCs and more.

Tech gear is a perennially popular holiday gift. If you're the proud owner of a new smartwatch, phone, tablet or computer -- or you provide tech support for family and friends with new devices -- we're here to help.

Check out and share these stories, which can help you get the most out of a new Android, Android Wear, iOS, watchOS, Mac OS X or Windows device, and stay safe while doing so. Click a link below to skip directly to your chosen topic.

Android phones and tablets

Android 6.0, Marshmallow: The complete FAQ
Google's Android 6.0 Marshmallow release is full of fresh new features and flavors. This detailed FAQ has everything you need to know.

9 ways to make the most of your Android device
Your Android device is a mighty computer -- so isn't it time you start tapping into its PC-like powers?

16 must-have Android productivity apps
From basic business tasks to advanced automation, these 16 apps will make your Android device more useful than ever.

12 time-saving tips for the Chrome Android browser
Become a mobile browsing pro with these little-known tips for Google's Chrome browser for Android.

21 tips for making Android a better personal assistant
Become an Android email, calendar and contacts master with these 21 tips for getting the most out of your device.

How to perform a personal Android security audit
Whether you're an amateur or an expert, this simple 10-step checkup is important -- and worth doing at least once a year.

Nexus plus Project Fi: Should you sign up for Google's wireless service?
If you've got a new Nexus 5X or 6P, you're in a small club of people who are able to use Google's unusual new wireless service. But should you? Here's some real-world perspective.

Miss the Android Hangouts widget? Here's how to replace it
Forget the fact that Google killed off its Hangouts widget: Follow these steps, and you'll be accessing messages from your home screen again in no time.

How to bring back the Google Now Home button shortcut in Android 6.0
Missing that system-wide Google Now shortcut on your Marshmallow phone or tablet? It's really easy to bring back -- if you know how.

30 exceptional Material Design apps for Android
These 30 Android apps make Google's latest design standards look amazing -- and they have the functionality to match.

16 cool things to try with Google Photos
Check out some of the awesome advanced features tucked inside Google's image service.

10 ways to bring together your PC and Android phone
Your smartphone and desktop computer can interoperate in powerful ways. Here's how to make it happen.

For even more Android tips, see Android power! 2015's top tips, tricks, and buying advice.

Android Wear devices

9 exceptional Android Wear watch faces
Bring your Android Wear watch to life with these nine downloadable faces that show just how awesome a smartwatch can be.

5 animated Android Wear watch faces worth trying
Give your smartwatch some extra pizazz with these fun animated faces for Android Wear.

40 handy voice commands to try with Android Wear
Voice commands are the easiest way to interact with Android Wear watches -- but it's easy to forget just how versatile those commands can be.

How to make Gmail infinitely more useful on Android Wear
With a little bit of behind-the-scenes customization you can turn Gmail and Android Wear into an intelligently coordinated team.

Apple TV

10 Apple TV features you'll use
A few pointers to help you get the most out of your new Apple TV.

The essential Apple TV Siri remote usage guide
This little remote can do a lot. Here are some handy tips for new owners.

How to use iOS or Apple Watch as remote controls with Apple TV
Got an Apple Watch, iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch? You can use it as a remote control for your Apple TV. Here's how.

Apple Watch

10 apps Apple Watch newbies need
New to the Apple Watch platform? Start by installing these 10 apps, which make you an instant power user.

10 Apple Watch apps you should check out
Apps are what makes the Apple Watch platform great, and these apps are some of the best.

10 great Apple Watch OS 2-compatible apps you'll use
From an instant translator to a time-management tool, these apps give a sense of what's possible with the latest OS for Apple Watch.

11 Apple Watch talents you've probably never used
Your Apple Watch can do so much more than you thought.

iPhones and iPads

12 highly useful iPhone apps people need
These apps help unlock the huge potential of the sensor-packed iPhone, making your mobile even more essential.

16 3D Touch tips iPhone 6S users must learn
Got an iPhone 6S or 6S Plus? It can sense how much pressure you apply to the display and respond accordingly. Here are some useful things you can do with it.

11 3D Touch apps to install today
These 11 apps all take advantage of the new force-sensitive displays on the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus.

15 iOS 9 details you might have missed
The big changes from iOS 8 are obvious. Here's a look at some of the smaller, but nevertheless useful, tweaks.

10 more iOS 9 tips you need to know
Here are 10 iOS 9 tips and tricks you've probably not come across before.

7 iPad Pro apps to illustrate its productive potential
These seven great apps (none of them games) help show how productive the iPad Pro can be.

The minimalist's guide to Apple Pencil
Designed for use with iPad Pro, the Apple Pencil is a precision writing and drawing instrument. Here's everything you need to know about it.

Macs

24 essential OS X El Capitan utilities you need
These handy utilities will immediately make your life easier.

10 steps to improve Contacts in OS X El Capitan
Useful tips on how to use the Contacts app to get those lists under control.

8 El Capitan Spotlight search tips you need
Apple has added a number of nifty features to Spotlight in El Cap. Here's how to take advantage of them.

A quick guide to fixing El Capitan Mail problems
Mail is great when it works, but if you've been having problems with your Mail app, try these tips.

11 cool OS X El Capitan tips to use today
Use Quick Look to peek at multiple files, take control of Finder, get instant metric conversions and more.

11 Force Touch commands for Mac users
May the Force (Click) be with you.

How to use Magic Trackpad 2
The Magic Trackpad 2, featuring Apple's Force Touch technology, is now available to Mac users. Here's how to take advantage of it.

11 privacy and security tips for Mac OS X users
Review these tips to stay safe online and ensure your data is as well protected as it can be in the event your Mac is lost or stolen.

What to do when OS X Recovery Mode lets you down
When things go wrong with your Mac, your first step is to try Recovery Mode. But what if that doesn't work? Here are three other ways to save your Mac life.

Boost that battery: Tips and tricks for laptops
No matter how good your laptop's battery is, it's still easy to run out of power by day's end. Here are some ways to keep your system running.

Windows PCs

Windows 10 cheat sheet
Get to know the new interface, features and shortcuts in Microsoft's latest operating system.

How to handle Windows 10 updates
Microsoft's new updating procedure can be confusing -- and annoying. Here's exactly what happens, and a few strategies for getting around it.

10 (mostly) free must-have Windows 10 apps
If you've just bought a Windows 10 device, here are the apps you'll want to download as soon as possible to get the most out of your new machine.

10 Start menu tricks for Windows 10
This guided tour takes you behind the scenes of the Windows 10 Start menu to point out settings you may have missed and offer a few tricks that may save your bacon one day.

Bloatware: What it is and how to get rid of it
Is your new Windows system laden with unnecessary -- or even harmful -- software? Here's a rundown of what to look for and how (or if) you can uninstall it.

5 ways to personalize Windows 10
Windows 10 has been praised for going back to the basics we're familiar with, but not everything is the way it was, and other functions seem to be missing. Here are five apps to help you personalize the OS.

How to fix Windows 10 printing problems
Although Windows 10 stability has been smooth across different installations, printer issues aren't uncommon. Here are some tips for working around the typical gotchas for Windows 10 and printers.

How to perform a clean install of Windows 10
At some point in the life of your PC, you're probably going to need to reinstall the operating system. Find out when a reset or clean install of Windows 10 is needed, and pick up tips for to ensure a smooth transition.

Boost that battery: Tips and tricks for laptops
No matter how good your laptop's battery is, it's still easy to run out of power by day's end. Here are some ways to keep your system running.

Privacy and security

9 security gadgets for mobile devices
These gadgets try to keep your important data out of the hands of others.

The best password managers for PCs, Macs and mobile devices
These tools make passwords stronger and online life easier for Windows, OS X, iOS, Android, BlackBerry and Windows Phone users.

Security suites: Choosing the best one for you
These days, security suites do more than protect you from malware -- they handle phishing, lost mobile devices and a multitude of other tasks.

Doxxing defense: Remove your personal info from data brokers
Don't want your home address or other personal info published to the world? Here's how to make yourself a less visible target.

The paranoid's survival guide, part 1: How to protect your personal data
Privacy is under attack from all quarters, but even today, there are things you can do to protect your personal data. Here are some tips.

The paranoid's survival guide, part 2: Protect your privacy on social, mobile and more
Here's how to minimize your personal data footprint when messaging, on social media, and using mobile apps.

The paranoid's survival guide, part 3: Opting out, and how to protect your personal data offline
Here are some best practices to lower your offline data footprint, and where to go to opt out of everything from direct mail offers to online behavioral advertising.

Six browser plug-ins that protect your privacy
Want to avoid ads and keep your Web wanderings private? One of these six browser apps could do the trick.

How to control trolls with Google+
Bothered by comment trolls on social media? Shut them down with Google+.