Worried about holiday shopping stress and tech troubles? This guide offers simple solutions for a smoother festive season. From secret discounts to clever travel tips, we've got you covered.
Shopping Smart
Did you know about Amazon's hidden return trick? Flipping an Amazon shipping bag inside out reveals a resealable strip – perfect for those holiday gifts that don't quite match the online picture. Speaking of Amazon, Gmail's package tracking now offers real-time updates. Enable this feature in your phone's settings (Menu > Settings > General settings/Data privacy) to keep an eye on those deliveries. Need to hide your online shopping from prying eyes? Use the keyboard shortcut Windows key + M on a PC (reopen with Windows key + Shift + M) or Cmd + Option + H + M on a Mac.
Looking for deals? Amazon's Trade-in Program lets you exchange old tech for a gift card. Trading in Amazon devices like Kindles or Fire TV Sticks earns you an extra 20% off a new qualifying device. Be wary of drop shippers on Etsy. A reverse image search (drag and drop the item's image into Google Images) can reveal if a product is genuinely handmade or mass-produced.
Image: Someone enjoying online shopping during the holiday season. (iStock)
Tech Tips for Home and Away
Prevent blurry holiday photos by tapping the desired focal point on your phone's screen. Collaborate on a family playlist to avoid music squabbles. Share playlists on Spotify (Your Library > select playlist > three dots > Share) or Apple Music (Library > Playlists > three dots > Share Playlist). Visiting family? Secure your Kindle's steamy reads with a passcode (three dots > Settings > Device Options > Device Passcode).
Image: An Amazon courier delivering packages. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Traveling this season? Uber offers new features like UberXXL (larger cars for groups), UberX Share (cost-saving shared rides), and Uber Reserve (pre-booked rides). If you connect your phone to a rental car, remember to wipe your data afterwards via the car's settings menu. Plan your road trips using the time prediction features in Apple Maps or Google Maps. Track your luggage using your airline's app or a tracker like Apple AirTags or Tile.
Image: The Uber logo. (Getty Images)
Stay tech-savvy this holiday season with these helpful tips and enjoy a stress-free celebration!
