Gift-planning apps for your smartphone
— -- Question: I'm making my Christmas gift lists, but writing them on paper seems so old-fashioned. Is there a high-tech option for my smartphone?
Answer: There are several gift-planning apps for your smartphone. Look for Gift Planner on iOS for Apple devices or Gift Buddy on Android. You can use these in the store so you don't forget anything. Some apps do more than just gift lists. They can suggest products for specific people if you're stuck for ideas. You can also get price comparisons so you don't overpay. Go to http://www.komando.com/news to learn about more apps for gift planning.
Q: I still use an old VCR, but I'd like to upgrade to a digital video recorder. However, I don't want to pay an additional cable subscription fee. What options do I have?
A: If you don't want a cable or satellite DVR, a good alternative is a TiVo. TiVo units work with most cable and satellite services as well as over-the-air antennas. Of course, TiVo units are somewhat expensive, starting at $100. To get advanced TiVo services, you'll pay $20 a month. The upside to a TiVo is the hard drive is usually larger and TiVo has better recording capabilities.
Q: I've just updated my iPhone 4 to iOS 5 and noticed my friends adding smiley faces and other emoticons in text messages and e-mails. I want to do the same, but I'm not sure how to turn this feature on. What do I do?
A: Emoticons (the Japanese and Apple call them "emoji") were invented in the early days of computing as a simple way to communicate emotions. Apple included an emoji keyboard with iOS 5, but it isn't obvious. To enable this special keyboard, tap Settings>>General>>Keyboard>>International Keyboards>>Add New Keyboard>>Emoji.
Once the emoji keyboard is enabled, you access it by tapping the globe icon to the right of the on-screen keyboard's space bar.
Q: We have a 3-year-old who likes to play around on our laptops and smartphones. For Christmas, we're trying to decide whether to get him a children's learning tablet, such as the LeapFrog LeapPad or the VTech InnoTab. What do you think?
A: Both the LeapFrog LeapPad and the VTech InnoTab are cleverly designed, kid-tough gadgets. The chunky design is perfect for small hands and the touch screens are bright and large. Both gadgets support a lot of Disney-related content. They even have USB, so you can hook them up to your PC or Mac. But these learning tablets might not be the best option. Go to http://www.komando.com/news for an in-depth discussion of tech for tots.
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Kim Komando hosts the nation's largest talk radio show about consumer electronics, computers and the Internet. To get the podcast, watch the show or find the station nearest you, visit www.komando.com. E-mail her at techcomments@usatoday.com.
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