Author: By J. D. BIERSDORFER

Apple’s software for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch can handle extra international keyboards for text entry in dozens of languages.

You can usually do basic editing with the free touch-screen versions of Microsoft’s Office apps, but you need to pay up to fully use the programs.

Older iPhone models often take a performance and power hit when a new version of iOS arrives, but software updates may help.

The popular video site can be the Wild West in terms of content, but you have a few ways to block inappropriate clips for young viewers.

The Do Not Disturb feature in iOS 11 is meant to cut down on distractions behind the wheel, but you can turn it off when you take taxis and trains.

Pricey stylus tools bring useful features for creative professionals, but the less expensive models may be fine for handwriting and sketching.

Microsoft’s virtual assistant can answer to anybody who says its name, but you can train the program to take most of its orders from your voice.

When the power goes out with bad weather, disasters or other events, hand-cranked chargers or solar-powered solutions can keep your battery going.

Recent iPhone models include a “Raise to Wake” setting that can be useful, but if you worry about battery life, you can turn if off.

Several apps can translate photographed type into text you can edit, but if you use Microsoft Word, the Office Lens app simplifies the process.