Make the most of your shiny new tech gift
Apps, advice and more for devices running Android, iOS, Windows 8 and Mac OS X.
Computerworld - Did you get a new smartphone, tablet or computer for the holidays? Lucky you!
These Computerworld stories will give you tips for new OS versions, help you find great apps and key accessories, and teach you how to safely dispose of your old devices. If you provide informal tech support to family or friends who've received new devices, some of these links could be useful to share.
Click a link below to skip directly to your chosen topic.
- Android phone or tablet
- iPhone or iPad
- Smartphones and tablets -- general
- Windows 8
- Mac
- Laptops -- general
- Safely disposing of your old device
Android phone or tablet
Android 4.0: The ultimate guide (plus cheat sheet)
If your device has Android 4.0, 4.1 or 4.2, this in-depth guide can help you find your way around the OS and make the most of its features.
Android 4.1, Jelly Bean: The complete FAQ
Many devices are currently shipping with Android 4.1, nicknamed Jelly Bean. Find out what it adds to the mix.
Android 4.2: A visual guide to what's new
If you're among the lucky few, your new device will have the most recent version of Android. Get specifics about the new features in Android 4.2 (also called Jelly Bean).
16 top apps for your Google Nexus 7, all free
CIO.com's Al Sacco shares his favorite apps for remote-PC access, instant messaging, sports and more. Although they truly shine on the Nexus 7, many are compatible with other Android tablets as well.
15 useful Android widgets
Looking to spruce up your Android home screen? Check out this collection of widgets for device control, data-use monitoring, news, weather, sports and more.
Android tethering apps: 6 excellent options
Want to use your Android phone to get your tablet or PC online? Here are six apps that'll let you share your data connection in no time.
5 free Android security apps: Keep your smartphone safe
Worried that your smartphone may be vulnerable to malware or thieves? We look at five apps that can help.
iPhone or iPad
Apple iOS 6 review: A worthwhile upgrade
Columnist Michael deAgonia details what's new, what's changed and what still needs work in the latest version of iOS.
iOS 6 arrives: 16 key new features
Here's a visual tour of the new OS's highlights.
Best iPad office apps
From office suite apps such as spreadsheets and word processors to file managers and cloud services, these iPad apps will help boost your mobile productivity.
10 apps every iPad user should own
Some apps are simply must-haves, whether for their functionality, interface brilliance, or sheer entertainment factor. Macworld's Lex Friedman shares his faves.
Smartphones and tablets -- general
Get things done: 10 to-do apps for iOS and Android
Start the new year right: These 10 task managers for Android and iOS can help keep your to-do list reasonable and achievable.
10 smartphone apps that can help track your expenses
Start the new year right, part 2: If you need to record your business expenditures for your company or the IRS, these iPhone and Android apps can make it easier.
10 mobile apps for better health
Start the new year right, part 3: If you're one of the growing number of people who carries a smartphone everywhere, why not take advantage of mobile apps that can help you eat right, exercise or sleep better?
11 mobile apps to enhance your travel experience
These apps for iPhone, Android and other devices make your trips simpler, safer and more fun.
On-the-go power: Mobile chargers keep your devices alive
If you depend on your smartphone or tablet to keep up with a full day's activities, one of these mobile chargers will make sure you have a recharge handy, even with no power outlets in sight.
4 security suites that protect all your devices
Security suites from McAfee, Symantec, Trend Micro and Webroot offer protection for all your devices along with Web-based management.
Wi-Fi tethering 101: Use a smartphone as a mobile hotspot
Which smartphones can be used as mobile hotspots? How do you get started and what should you expect? Here's everything you need to know.
Windows 8
Windows 8 cheat sheet
Windows 8 presents a radically new interface to users, but never fear: Our comprehensive guide will help you find your way around the new OS and make the most of its features.
Windows 8: The diehard's guide
You may need to break old habits to get the most out of Windows 8, but it doesn't have to be a cataclysmic event. You may need to break old habits to get the most out of Windows 8, but it doesn't have to be a cataclysmic event.
Mac
OS X Mountain Lion arrives: The top 25 features
Apple's latest OS X version amps up the iOS integration, but offers much more for business and personal use. We tour the most noteworthy new features.
Laptops -- general
6 USB 3.0 docking stations: Fully connect your laptop
Need a docking station to consolidate the connections to your monitor, mouse, keyboard, external drive and more? The latest crop of universal docks can connect your laptop to a variety of devices via speedy USB 3.0.
7 laptop bags: How well do they really protect?
Need a bag to hold and protect your new notebook? We drop-tested 7 laptop bags to find out whether they can keep your laptop in one operating piece -- and we have the videos to prove it.
Safely disposing of your old devices
How to recycle your phone, PC and other tech gear
Now that recycling is mandatory in many states, it's become even easier to sell, recycle or give away your unwanted hardware.
How to clear your data off a device
Before you ditch a smartphone, tablet or computer, you need to make sure none of your data is retrievable. Here's how to do it.
Read more about Mobile/Wireless in Computerworld's Mobile/Wireless Topic Center.
- 10 Hot Big Data Startups to Watch
- 11 Unique Uses for Google Glass, Demonstrated by Celebs
- How to Export Your Google Reader Account
- How to Better Engage Millennials (and Why They Aren't Really so Different)
- Telltale signs of ATM skimming
- 20 security and privacy apps for Androids and iPhones
- Big screen con artists: 7 great movies about social engineering
- IT Certification Study Tips
- Register for this Computerworld Insider Study Tip guide and gain access to hundreds of premium content articles, cheat sheets, product reviews and more.
- Four Little-Known Ways WAN Optimization Can Benefit Your Organization You know that WAN optimization has evolved into a complete system that optimizes traffic across a broad range of most popular applications while...
- How WAN Optimization Can Drive Top-Line Revenue A convergence of trends is creating a perfect storm for IT professionals tasked with providing secure, reliable access to applications and other critical...
- Application Integration in the 21st Century World of Mobile, Social, Cloud and Big Data This paper will discuss the new IT landscape as it relates to the new integration, and the need for a new comprehensive integration...
- The Promises and Pitfalls of BYOD Bring-Your-Own-Device: It's a growing trend that offers many benefits for employees and companies - and potential headaches for IT. Having the right security...
- Live Webcast
Bring Mobile Innovation to your Enterprise. - With the mobility revolution well underway, CIO's and Line of Business owners are faced with the struggle to develop a winning mobile strategy.
- Live Webcast
Give Your Users What They Want with Cloud and Mobile - Date: Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Time: 2:00 PM EDT
You will learn:
- How moving to the cloud can help accelerate mobile adoption in your organization.
-... - Bring Mobile Innovation to your Enterprise. With the mobility revolution well underway, CIO's and Line of Business owners are faced with the struggle to develop a winning mobile strategy.
- The Mobile Enterprise Today's mobile enterprise requires important data anywhere, anytime. And with mobile enterprise applications, IT needs to offer simple, easy-to-use apps that employees will... All Mobile/Wireless White Papers | Webcasts