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.
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.
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.
Have you ever wanted to work a side job to make a little extra money from home? Maybe you’ve dreamed of leaving your current job to work full time from the comfort of your own home. Sounds good, but how do you differentiate between scams and legitimate money-making jobs? In this episode of Komando on Demand, Kim takes a hard look at work-at-home scams as well as work at home success stories. Kim also gives some tips and advice on how to tell whether that job offer is legitimate or a scam.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Apple Watch was built with the intention of being a health and fitness gadget. Most wearable devices can take our pulse and measure our blood pressure. Apple took this to the next level when it introduced a new feature this year. In this episode of Komando on Demand, Kim takes a look at the new Apple Watch Series 4 and its new ability to take an ECG. But how reliable is it?
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.
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.
Trouble sleeping? Anxious? Depressed? You’re not alone. What if the relief you needed was right at your fingertips? Mobile meditation apps have been popping up and many are turning to them for relief. But are they really worthwhile and effective? In this Komando On Demand podcast, Kim will share some valuable insight to decide whether these apps are worth checking out – and why.
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.
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.
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.
The entertainment industry is spending millions to resurrect dead celebrities using sophisticated digital technology that will ensure that iconic figures like Michael Jackson, Carrie Fisher and Audrey Hepburn live on forever. Could this technology replace real life actors? And what are the moral ramifications of this amazing technology? In this Komando on Demand podcast, Kim speaks with some of the digital wizards who work major movie magic to bring deceased actors and entertainers back to the big screen.
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.
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.
How often do you turn to the internet for answers about health concerns, creating travel plans, where to eat, and directions to get there? If your answer is “All the time,” you’re not alone. But could our dependence on tech be inhibiting us from thinking critically and making decisions? While the jury is out about whether or not our tech is really dumbing us down, there might be some evidence that we are relying on tech to perform things that used to define us as uniquely human.
