Kim Komando Daily Tech Update

If you have an iPhone, you're probably familiar with the "Find My iPhone" app. Turns out, it can do more than just find your missing phone. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at the story of a man who used the "Find My iPhone" app to find his stolen car. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Netflix has released their first interactive movie. Viewers can now control the decisions of the movie's characters and take things in different directions. It's definitely a unique way to watch a movie, but is there more? In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at how Netflix's new interactive movie is also giving the streaming giant more information than just how many people have watched. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's been so much talk lately about 5G coming in 2019. Compared to 4G, 5G is 20 times faster. It's also going to revolutionize communication. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at the impact 5G is going to have on our technology and it's more than just faster speeds on our smartphones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If it seems like only a few years ago that pagers, VHS tapes, and floppy discs were everywhere, you are clearly NOT a millennial. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at technology that millennials have never used and maybe have never seen before. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So many of us make New Year's resolutions whether it's losing weight, getting organized, or learning a new skill. But what about New Year's resolutions for your digital life? In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim offers some resolutions we can all do to help us in our daily digital lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Parents use specific apps installed on their children's devices to track their location, their web history, and more. Now, these apps are being used by suspicious partners to catch their infidelity. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at how apps meant to be used by parents to keep their children safe are now being used to spy on people's relationships. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amazon's Alexa was one of the most popular Christmas gifts this year. Virtual assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant are incredibly helpful but should kids be taught to say please and thank you when interacting with these devices? In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim gives some reasons why using good manners will go a long way with kids and tech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now that all the presents are opened, and the big day is past, let's look at the top items to buy right now – the day AFTER Christmas. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at the top items we should be buying now that Christmas is over from tech to decor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Christmas day across America and today, I want lay aside the consumerism and technology for once, and instead make just a few simple observations and "thank you’s." Take a minute today and say thank you and Merry Christmas to special people in your life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For millions, the holidays are a mixed bag of emotions, including anxiety and depression. And as it turns out, social media may be partly to blame. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at new research about stress and anxiety that people feel during the holidays and what people can do about it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's no secret that our convenient digital voice assistants like Amazon Echo record and save our commands. But what if your conversations were sent to a stranger? In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at a story about Amazon Alexa sending private conversations to a stranger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you use your Facebook login to access an app or a website, how much of your data do you expect them to share? It turns out that Facebook has been handing out a lot more data than we thought to big companies. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at a New York Times report about Facebook violating users' privacy rights once again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you stressed because of the holiday rush? Listen to this one-minute podcast for the inside scoop on how meditation apps can help — or hinder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You're driving home from work, wondering what you should make for dinner. Suddenly, on your car dashboard an ad shows up for home meal delivery. Unbelievable? Not really. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at how car manufacturers are using your fingerprint for more than just unlocking your car. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amazon's Alexa can now remind you to turn off the lights and feed the dog. Is this a great breakthrough or just plain creepy? In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at a new feature of the Amazon Alexa that can learn your behavior and then predict what you're going to do next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There used to be a time when we'd trust everything we read in newspapers, saw on the evening news and read on a website. Now, Americans are getting their news from a whole new source. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at how social media has become the new source of news for most Americans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Still looking for the best tech gifts to get that special someone this holiday season? There's a whole bunch of cool gadgets out there for last minute shoppers. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim shares a few tech gift ideas for everyone on your list... even your dog or cat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cybercriminals and scammers have changed strategies in a big way. Now they're targeting users of one particular operating system more than any other, including Windows. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at the latest study that shows which operating system is the biggest target for cybercriminals and scammers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many of the most popular apps we download on our iPhones or Android devices track our location usually through GPS or cell tower triangulation. These apps say it is to better deliver content. It turns out that's not all they're doing. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim shares research data on just how much of your location these apps are tracking and what is being done with the data. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever watched a movie on your new high-def television and thought that maybe something was off with the picture? Movies are shot on film and soap operas are shot on high-speed video so the look of each is very different. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim explains this phenomenon of the "soap opera effect" and how you can turn it off to enjoy movies they way they were meant to seen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the latest update of its Watch OS software, the Apple Watch 4 can now take your ECG. Now you can panic in the comfort of your own home. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at the ECG feature of the Apple Watch 4 and explains the functionality behind it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cameras are so small that they can be hidden anywhere, even in the shower of your hotel room. And that's when an extortionist can strike. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim tells the story of a woman who was caught on a hidden camera in her hotel bathroom and what happened next is truly scary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A lot of new parents have a tough time picking names for their new offspring. It used to be going through the baby name book and checking names online. Now it's social media. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at the impact social media has made for new parents picking the name of their child and why it has become so prevalent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gone are the days of neighborhood watch groups. Now, social networking has take over as people post videos from home cameras, put up stuff for sale, and more. Is there a difference now between being neighborly and spying? In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at how neighborhoods have evolved in how information is shared amongst neighbors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the happiest time of the year. It’s also the busiest time, for hackers. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim gives 3 tips on how to outsmart hackers this holiday season, especially when traveling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Virtual assistants like Alex, Siri, and Google Assistant are always listening so naturally they know if your relationship is on the rocks. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at the AI behind virtual assistants and how this technology can predict relationships and match people to his or her perfect partner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're paying too much for your cell phone service, Google has a cheap cell service for you. However, there are a few things you should know about. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at Google's cell phone service Fi and its pros and cons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Innovative technology affects almost every part of our lives. For instance, online shopping is more popular than going to an actual store. Now, Neo Banks are taking online banking to a whole new level. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at the rise of Neo Banks as well as the pros and cons of these all digital banks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clever scammers are out with a new way to steal your money and your identity and it involves Google Maps. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at the latest tactic that scammers are using with the help of Google Maps to steal your banking information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hedda Martin has congestive heart failure and the hospital where she is to have the transplant told her to set up an online fundraiser to pay for the operation. When the story hit the internet, people expressed outrage at the transplant center. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at the big picture of what these types of stories really mean once they go viral. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2018 shopping season is in full swing and with all the sales going on, it's time to save some big bucks. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim gives 3 insider tips on how to save the most money as we shop this holiday season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday upon us, it's time for people to get shrewd and savvy when shopping the deals this holiday season. In this episode of Consumer Tech update, Kim gives some tips to shoppers on how to get the best price on those big ticket items everyone will be buying this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the holiday shopping season and that means everyone is getting a ton of email receipts and shipping emails. However, some of these emails might not be from legit sources. It could be from scammers. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at the latest scam hitting our inboxes this holiday season and what steps we can take to stop these scammers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the years, we've seen big companies that have been in business a long time eventually shut their doors forever. In many cases, the rise of Amazon has been used as a reason companies don't survive. But even Amazon itself is not immune to being "too big to fail." In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at statements made by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his thoughts on the company's future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Keeping gifts a secret can be difficult these days with so many people shopping online. Seeing what people purchase online is easier than you think. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim gives some tips and tricks on how to prevent family and friends from seeing what gifts they are receiving this holiday season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Smart speakers, smart outlets, baby monitors and more are all great tech Christmas gift choices for friends and family. Unless, they're spying on you. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at a recent study from Mozilla that reviews some of the top tech gifts of this holiday season and how well they deal with security, encryption, and your privacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Siri has been a part of the iPhone since 2011 and has come a long way in the past 7 years. Starting as a voice recognition program, Siri has advanced to new levels and functionality. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim gives some tips and tricks to show how helpful Siri can really be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Social media was supposed to make us feel more connected with family and friends. Instead, it is causing depression and anxiety. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at new research showing that social media is driving more people to depression and anxiety than ever before due to "the fear of missing out." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Putting lifesaving personal medical devices like pacemakers and drug infusion pumps online saves lives. Doctors can know almost instantly if something is going wrong with their patients. The problem is: all these wireless devices have huge vulnerabilities to hacking. How safe are we? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You can depend on smart speakers like Alexa to tell you the weather, turn off the lights and order an Uber, but can you depend on them in case of an emergency? In this Consumer Tech Update podcast, Kim gives you her thoughts on the matter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you remember the long sleepless nights caring for a newborn? Dad Gary Taylor saw this as a business opportunity. He created a crib with a built-in iPad to keep babies occupied. Is this really the wave of the future: Babies getting nurtured by electronics? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Smartphone sales are declining. Better cameras, larger screens, and faster chips are not innovative enough to keep customers upgrading their phones. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at the next big leap smartphone makers are taking to bring in revenue but at a potentially huge cost to consumers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all know to cover up our webcams with tape so hackers can’t see what we’re doing. One laptop manufacturer took this a step further. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim talks about how one laptop manufacturer is taking steps to prevent hackers from seeing and hearing you through your computer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Smartphones are expensive and everyone always wants to get the latest and greatest. But would you get a new smartphone knowing it would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars? In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at the true cost of owning the latest smartphone and the dollar amount is shocking. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Midterm elections are just a few days away and a new app that is meant to encourage people to vote is also irking some voters. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at the app "Vote With Me", talks about how it works and if it is an invasion of privacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before you rush out and buy a new TV, toys or computers, do some checking to see if any big retailers have released their Black Friday or Cyber Monday ads. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim gives some updates as to when and where to buy toys, clothes, tech and more on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apple announced some of its new iPad and Mac computers yesterday in Brooklyn just in time for the holiday season. Along with an impressive array of upgrades to the iPad, Macbook and Mac Mini they also announced some significant price increases. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim gives some reasons why Apple products are going start costing more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Halloween is a fun time of year for kids to go out all dressed up and wander the neighborhoods getting candy. But, what safety precautions can parents take to make sure their kids are safe trick or treating? In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim gives some tips on how parents can use technology to make sure everyone has a safe and fun Halloween. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scammers use phishing emails constantly to try and steal your data and your money. They use popular brand names so that we think we are receiving emails from those companies. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at the top company brands that scammers use as well as what days of the week scammers like to send these phishing emails. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does it seem like your internet connection is running slower than usual? It's easy to test your connection speed, but are you getting the internet speed that you're paying for? In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at internet connection speeds and gives some tips on how to make sure you're getting what you're paying for. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices