Kim Komando Daily Tech Update

It seems that every couple of weeks, a new viral challenge pops up on social media. Some of these challenges are fun, some are dangerous but this one is really making waves. Kim looks at the 48-hour challenge and the impact it's having on parents and police. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you're a fan or not, romance eBooks are extremely popular on Amazon and some authors are raking in the cash. Kim looks at the business of writing and selling love stories on Amazon Kindle and how authors are cashing in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Russia is leaving the world wide web as we know it and they have built their own independent internet which they will test this year. Kim looks at the reasoning behind Russia's decision to leave the global internet and what it will mean to the Russian people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a fact that people are holding on to their smartphones longer and that's caused smartphone makers some worry. Sales of new phones have flatlined and in order get people to upgrade their devices, smartphone makers are set to unveil some new features. I'll tell you what smartphone companies are doing to get consumers buying and upgrading again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's nothing more annoying than getting a phone call from someone trying to sell you a product or service you don't want. Even worse, they use your cell minutes just to annoy you. The good news is, there are steps you can take to stop these unwanted calls and I'll tell you how. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all know Facebook is collecting data about us, and you won't believe the reason they say they do it. They must really think we're naive. Look at Europe for example: Facebook has to play by different rules there. European countries are cracking down on what data can be collected, and for good reason! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's scary enough that a thief would steal your smartphone right out of your hand while you're using it. Now, thieves are getting more aggressive: They're putting people in a choke hold demanding they change their settings. Why? Listen to find out what's behind this disturbing new trend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you worry about losing valuable photos if you were to ever lose your smartphone, listen up! There are many ways to retrieve those precious memories so be prepared if this day ever happened. I'll tell you how. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Facebook turned fifteen years old yesterday and sensationalized fake news such as "bacon is as harmful as cigarettes" are still rampant on the site. A bipartisan group of scientists studied so-called health news on Facebook and the results are not surprising. Kim looks at the results of this study and offers some advice on how best to handle these stories when they appear in our Facebook feeds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite all the privacy scandals, more than two billion users remain on Facebook. They stay connected with family and friends, find potential customers, and get the latest news - sometimes accurate, and sometimes not. But all those perceived benefits come at a great cost. Kim looks at a recent study that shows even a temporary break from Facebook can lead to greater happiness and satisfaction for almost everyone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even things you own that aren't already smart, don’t have to stay that way. An inexpensive smart plug can make your dumb appliance, lamp or hair dryer smart. Kim gives some tips on inexpensive ways to start upgrading your home to a smart home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Facebook got caught – again – with its hands in the data cookie jar. This time, an app tracked just every single thing you did on your phone and sent it all back to Facebook. Kim looks at the latest privacy violation from Facebook and what their real motive was behind it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For may people, watching the Superbowl is about more than just game, it's also about the amazing commercials. Well, this year one automobile maker is taking things to a new level. You can win a car if you don't watch the game. Kim looks at a new marketing campaign that's all about not watching this year's Superbowl. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many people have their favorite YouTube channels as well as their favorite YouTubers that they like to follow. Well, be careful! A clever scam is spreading on YouTube that you need to know about. Here's a hint: Someone wants to give you something valuable for free. Kim explains this latest phishing scam involving YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America's politicians have been so busy quibbling about walls and the shutdown, that they’ve completely ignored everyone who flies. Kim looks at how the partial government shutdown, as it engulfed the country, showed us for the first time how dangerous hobby drones can be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's say a husband is not happy that his wife no longer wants to take part in physical relations. Instead of talking about it with her, he can now use the same strategy as big advertising companies. He can target her with online ads. In this podcast, Kim looks at a new company that offers an interesting twist to targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sony's new puppy-sized robotic dog Aibo can walk around the house and check on the family. It has cameras, facial recognition, and is connected to the internet. But are we ready for that? In this podcast, Kim looks at what a robot like this really means to our privacy and security. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine that you're sitting down with the family to watch television. As you start looking for something to watch, what sounds like an emergency broadcast alert blares from the other room. Then, there is an announcement of something frightening. In this podcast, Kim tells the story of a family who had their Nest camera hacked and why we all need to make sure we are secure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maybe you’re the one person who has never had a Twitter or Facebook account. The massive social media network computers don’t know anything about you, right? Wrong. In this podcast, Kim looks at recent research that shows that even though you have never been on social media, these companies still know what you like, dislike, and how you respond to situations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With fame comes the need for having personal security and big tech companies are spending big bucks on keeping their executives safe. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at a recent report on the huge costs some tech companies like Amazon and Facebook are spending to keep their executives safe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have any of your online account credentials ever been stolen in a data breach? Since breaches are so common nowadays, there's a great chance they have, whether you know about it or not. That's why it's critical to know when a massive data breach happens, so you can take action. In this podcast, Kim talks about a data breach impacting hundreds of millions of email addresses, and yours could be one of them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Social engineering is the phrase that describes how people with an agenda use real names and sites to spoof you. And it seems that no one is immune to these elaborate manipulations. In this podcast, Kim looks at the latest scheme that spoofed the world's largest asset management company as well as some news organizations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A judge in northern California ruled that police can't force anyone to unlock their smartphones using biometrics like a fingerprint or facial ID. But, this case is far from over. In this podcast, Kim looks at what this decision really means and how the battle for privacy is far from over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered how much Google knows about you? There is a way to find out. Learn all the data Google has on you with a few simple clicks. In this podcast, Kim looks at Google's new way for users to take a look at all the data they've collected from them whether it's Gmail, Chrome or any other Google product. The depth of the results may shock you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Bezos' divorce provides us with a cautionary tale: text messages are forever. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at a few of the details that led to Jeff Bezos divorce and why we all need to be aware that the text messages and images we send last a lifetime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this day and age, many people are looking the make a little extra money to help pay the bills. Thanks to the internet and social media, it's pretty common to see an ad or a video advertising a way to make money selling online using the Amazon marketplace. However, there are people out there making money not by selling on Amazon but by selling the "secrets" to getting rich on Amazon. And many people are losing a lot of money on these scams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By now, you may have heard that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is getting and his wife are getting a divorce after 25 years of marriage. So, how much money are we talking? In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim talks about Jeff Bezos impending divorce and why it's the most expensive divorce in history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apple does not attend the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas as and exhibitor, but they do have a presence. The problem is, it's a big fat lie. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim compares what Apple's ad is saying to the reality of how secure a person's data is on an iPhone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CES starts today in Las Vegas and runs all week. That means that our lives are set for a major tech makeover. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim gives us a snapshot of some of the tech we'll see from CES this week and what it will mean to us over the next few years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The world's largest tech trade show starts tomorrow in Las Vegas. There will be so many new gadgets and tech on display, but there are some particular items to look for. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at what new technology we can expect to see from companies at this year's Consumer Electronics Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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