After you plunk down your hard-earned cash for a shiny new gadget, you want the gizmo to keep running as long as possible. Manufacturers design their products to allow for "firmware updates," downloadable revisions that can make your gear run faster and crash less often. Check out PCWorld's guide to updates for the most popular hardware.
--Managing Editor Kimberly Brinson

Top Stories

Update the Firmware on Your HDTV, Camera, Smartphone, PC, and More
Software updates aren't just for PCs any more. Here's how to fix bugs and add new features to your existing hardware with a few easy patches.

FAQ: Net Neutrality and Why You Should Care
It's one of the most important issues--if not THE most important--in the life of the Internet so far. Yet it's widely misunderstood. Here are the facts.

Apple's New iPods, iTunes and Apple TV: A Visual Tour
Apple's Fall Music Event delivers on an array of new gadgets and resources--take a look at the new lineup.

For more For more Apple iPad, iPod, iPhone news and more, visit PCWorld.com.

News

Gmail Prioritization: More of This, Pleas
Gmail's priority inbox uses algorithms to arrange e-mail by 'importance.' With any luck, algorithms will be able to ween out the junk from some other services as well.

Paul Allen's Lawsuits: What's up With That?
Analysis: The Microsoft co-founder's patent violation claims are likely to hurt consumers with technology price hikes financing a gigantic corporate patent war.

The FarmVille Almanac
Hooked on FarmVille? This handy seasonal guide to the wildly popular Facebook game gives you the facts you need to step up your game.

For the latest reports, visit our News page .

PCW Business Center

Gmail Priority Inbox Puts Focus on What's Important
Gmail Priority Inbox intuitively sorts incoming e-mail to organize messages based on importance and enable users to filter frivolous e-mail and improve productivity.

Visit the PCW Business Center.

Blogs

New iPods vs. Old: Specs, Design Reveal Big Improvements
Comparing technical specification of the most recent generation of iPods with their most recent predecessors show big improvements - not to mention better design aesthetics.

Video of Puppies Thrown into River Spark Outcry and Sleuthing
Internet sleuths band together to track down a girl who threw six puppies into a river.

Samsung Galaxy Tab vs. the iPad: The Tablet Battle Begins
Samsung's Galaxy Tab, a 7-inch Android slate, is set to debut this week--and if Android's attack on the smartphone market is any indication, Apple may have a tough fight ahead.

For the latest news and opinion, visit our Blogs page .

Reviews

Sony Reader: A Visual Tour
See how Sony's latest e-reader devices compare with the previous generation--and with Amazon's Kindle.

Top 10 Monochrome Laser Printers
Got a lot of text to print, and fast? Check out our reviews of monochrome laser printers for small offices and workgroups.

Compare prices on printers.

For more reviews, visit PCWorld.com.

How-To

Keep Your PC Awake, Install Apps Fast, and More--for Free
Free apps and services keep your computer awake while it's idle, download and install apps all at once, and give you a real Facebook Dislike button.

How to Record Streaming Audio
Want to revisit your favorite Internet-radio memories? Heres how to record streaming audio on your PC.

For more tips, visit PCWorld.com.

Videos

Which Android Smartphone Is Right for You?
There's a huge number of Android phones on the market, but how can you know which one is right for you? Smartphone expert Ginny Mies takes a look at five of the most popular models.

For more videos, visit PCWorld.com.

Downloads

Luminance HDR
This free high dynamic range processing tool creates composite photos with gorgeous colors.

For more free and trial software, visit PCWorld.com.

PC World Community

Windows 7 Confusion
Join the discussion.

Visit the PC World Community