The week in tech: 5 must-know things

• Best game apps of 2012 include 'Angry Birds,' 'Temple Run'
• Netflix to add social features, Facebook sharing app
• Tyra Banks talks Twitter

Were you one of the lucky people who upgraded to a new iPad, Android phone or other gadget this holiday season? This week we took a look at everything you need to know about new tech toys and devices, from the best games to the smartphone malware you need to avoid. Here's what you need to know about the week in Tech:

1) Top apps and games for smartphones and tablets

So you FINALLY got a smartphone or a tablet! There are so many apps available for your new device that it's tough to choose just a few to download. USA TODAY's Marc Saltzman and Brett Molina have guides for the best apps for your new gadget.

Saltzman's picks for the best new smartphone and tablet apps include music streaming service Songza, how-to app Snapguide and the immensely popular Google Maps. But make sure you check out older apps such as Skype, Flipboard and Evernote.

Molina ranked the best game apps of 2012. Gamers young and old will love Angry Birds Star Wars, a puzzle game set in the movie franchises' most popular locations, and Temple Run, a simple-but-fun quest to grab an elusive golden idol.

2) Android virus uses your phone to spread spam

Android users beware! A new smartphone virus is spreading on the popular mobile platform via text message. The virus arrives as an offer for free versions of popular games, including Grand Theft Auto and Angry Birds. Once opened, the message infects a user's smartphone and automatically sends out thousands of viral messages in just a few hours.

How can you guard yourself against this virus? Make sure you only download games and apps from the Google Play store. If you receive a suspicious text message offering free games, forward the message to 7726, a free service set up to reduce spam. And take a word of advice from Cloudmark Researcher Andrew Conway: "If an offer is too good to be true, it's fake."

3) Netflix to add social features next year

If you're a film nerd or TV geek who loves to recommend new movies and TV shows to your friends, you're in luck. Netflix has been cleared to add "social functionality" to its popular video streaming service next year.

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said during Facebook's F8 conference last year that these new social features would include a Facebook app where users could share recently watched TV shows or movies.

4) Talking Your Tech: Tyra Banks

Tyra Banks took a break from grooming runway hopefuls on America's Next Top Model to talk to USA TODAY's Jefferson Graham about her new app. Smize Yourself gives users detailed instructions about how to pull off Tyra's most famous modeling move, the "smize"— smiling with your eyes.

Tyra also dished on her obsession with social media and explained how she connects with her fans: "When I answer people, they're like `Dang, you're one of the only public figures who answers.' I do it all myself. The future is in photos for social media. More and more people are not reading, so I try to attach a photo to most Tweets."

5) TECH NOW

USA TODAY contributor Jennifer Jolly offered tips on how to get the most out of new gadgets, how to unplug from your devices during the holidays and how to update your Facebook privacy settings in this week's installments of TECH NOW.

Here are a few of her best tips:

— When you get a new gadget, save ALL of the packaging—the box, the instructions, etc.—so that you can return it or upgrade later.

— Set the Do Not Disturb feature on your iPhone so that your attention isn't lured away from your family by the chimes of a new text message alert.

— If you want a quick recap of what shows up on your Facebook Timeline, you can make edits on the site's Activity Log.