Byline
The FC Tech editorial team writes buying guides, how-tos and explainers on consumer technology for US readers.
30 articles
Every major gaming platform gives parents tools to limit content, screen time, spending and who kids can talk to, but they are off by default and spread across menus and apps. This guide explains ESRB ratings, what each control does and how to set up a sensible plan that grows with your child.
A startup offer often swaps some salary for stock options, but the number of options alone tells you almost nothing. This guide explains ISOs, NSOs and RSUs, vesting and cliffs, strike prices and 409A valuations, exercise windows and the tax basics, plus the questions to ask before you sign.
Buying a phone in the US means choosing a device, a carrier and a way to pay at the same time, and the carrier deal often costs more than it looks. This guide explains unlocked versus carrier phones, how installment plans and trade-in credits really work, and what to check before you sign.
Most early-stage US startups raise their first outside money on SAFEs or convertible notes rather than selling shares at a set price. This guide explains how each works, what valuation caps and discounts do, a worked example of conversion, and the dilution traps founders and angel investors should understand.
Public charging in the US mixes several connector types, a handful of large networks and very different charging speeds. This guide explains NACS, CCS and J1772, how fast charging really works, how stations bill you, and how to plan an EV road trip without range anxiety or wasted time at the plug.
US phone plans fall into three families: postpaid plans from the big carriers, prepaid plans paid in advance, and MVNOs that resell the same networks for less. Here is how each works, what deprioritization and hotspot limits mean, and how to work out what you actually need.
A password manager creates and remembers a unique, strong password for every account, so one breach doesn't unlock the rest of your life. This guide explains how they protect your data, built-in versus standalone options, what to look for, and how to set one up and move your passwords across in an afternoon.
You may not need to pay for an office suite at all. This guide compares Microsoft 365, Google Docs and Workspace, Apple's iWork apps and LibreOffice for home users, students and small businesses, covering cost, collaboration, file compatibility, offline work and the questions that decide which suite fits.
Matter is the industry standard meant to let smart plugs, lights, locks and sensors work with Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa and SmartThings at once. Thread is the low-power network many Matter devices use. Here is what each does, what a border router is, and what to check before you buy.
Switching between Mac and Windows is easier than it used to be, because so much now runs in the browser and the cloud. The real questions are your software, your phone, your budget and how you like to work. Here is a clear comparison and a step-by-step plan for moving files, apps and habits.
Laptop spec sheets are full of model numbers that mean little to most buyers. This guide translates them: what the processor, memory, storage, graphics, screen, battery and ports do, which specs are worth paying for, and which ones you can safely ignore for everyday work, school and creative projects.
Startup funding follows a broadly predictable path in the US, from founders' savings and angel checks to seed rounds and a priced Series A. This guide explains each stage, who invests, what they look for, the securities rules that apply, and the trade-offs founders accept with every dollar raised.
