My husband Barry and I seem to lose the remote way too often. With this new feature, it won’t be a problem.
Google launches Pixel 8 and more new tech - Everything you need to know
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Apple’s fall device drop gets all the love, but Google wants you to remember it’s here, too — with lots of shiny new tech and some seriously impressive AI upgrades coming soon to a phone near you.
Let’s break down everything Google just announced and see how the Pixel 8 stacks up against the new iPhone 15.
Batting 1,000
That’s how much the Google Pixel 8 Pro costs (OK, it’s $999) — up $100 from the top-tier 7 model. For a grand, it includes Google’s zippy Tensor G3 chip and a camera good enough to rival the iPhone 15. Neat feature: Zoom Enhance lets you go in and add details after you’ve taken the shot and want to zoom in on a pic.
The other random but cool addition is a temperature sensor that can accurately measure how hot or cold a surface, object and maybe even your forehead is.
It comes in black, porcelain and light blue — shipping expected Oct. 12.
What about the non-Pro?
The Pixel 8 is going up $100, too. It’s faster and slightly smaller than the 7 — and gets access to Google’s new AI photo editing tools (along with the 8 Pro).
- Magic Editor uses AI to change the scenery in a photo, remove distracting elements and even move people around.
- Best Take is a group-shot game-changer. The idea is to take several pictures, choose the best face for each subject and merge them into one final image. Finally, everyone looks good!
- Audio Magic Eraser tones down distracting sounds in audio tracks ruining your video.
The 8 is $699, or $799 if buying from Verizon. It comes in rose, black and hazel and is expected to ship on Oct. 12, too.
Updates till 2030
Hey, at least if you spend all the money, you know your phone will work for many years. Google says the 8 and 8 Pro gets seven years of “OS, security, and Feature Drop updates” for both phones.
Find out who's calling you from an unknown or blocked number
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Scam and spam calls are getting more common. And they’re hard not to answer because the number comes up as “unknown.” When there’s no caller ID number, you can’t be sure if it’s a spam caller or an important call you’ve been waiting for.
Wait on a new iPhone or Pixel: Google announced a surprise event for Aug. 13. Rumor has it we’ll see the Pixel 9 (and Pixel Watch 3) in action. I’ll update you on all the particulars, but just know the current Pixel model will get cheaper as soon as this one is announced. The same goes for the new iPhone with iOS 18 that’s slated to drop in September.
Smartphone charging mistakes you're making and how to fix them
Sometimes we take our phones for granted. They’re powerful, incredible devices that we tend to misuse without meaning to. Some common mistakes you’re making with your smartphone now could damage its battery and reduce its lifespan.
5 signs you need a new laptop
Even the most reliable laptops have an expiration date. But it can be hard to tell whether your machine is dying or just in need of repair. Luckily, you can look out for a few surefire signs you need a new one.
Need a new laptop but can’t afford it? Just take my one-minute laptop quiz. You’ll answer a few questions about your needs and price range. Then, I’ll tell you which laptop is your best fit.
Allowing specific calls while on Do Not Disturb
Do Not Disturb keeps calls and texts from bugging you, but what if there’s a person or two you want to get through any time? Here’s how to flag important contacts and silence the rest.
Don’t buy this now: Google’s just announced six new Chromebooks, including their AI-enabled Chromebook Plus line. With a Chromebook Plus laptop, you’ll get AI wallpapers, an AI text and photo editor, and Google’s Gemini AI assistant built in for as low as $429. Not bad, but I wouldn’t shell out for a first-gen AI laptop. They’ll only get better.
How to set emergency contacts for iPhone
I hope you never need to use them, but everyone should set up emergency contacts. I’ll walk you through the process. It only takes a minute!
BlackBerry movie trailer
Before the iPhone there was the BlackBerry. It’s the star of a new comedy about the tech that brought us to where we are today
Marty Cooper, the inventor of the cellphone, recalls the first historic call
Imagine a world sans cellphones. It’s tough to grasp, right? It’s the 50th year of the cellphone, and we’re honored to have its inventor, Marty Cooper, on The Kim Komando Show. Marty Cooper is a trailblazer whose game-changing invention has transformed our world. He shares insights on the cellphone’s journey and discusses its future prospects.
Smartphone security: Do you need a VPN on your phone?
Compared to computers, smartphones have weak defenses and easy-to-crack passwords. They’ve also got a ton of valuable data. Just think about everything on your phone.
Chances are your work email is connected, which means a savvy cybercriminal could steal your company’s secrets. There’s also your contacts list, which is stuffed with phone numbers and maybe even emails.
5 ways to block or hide your number when making calls
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Robocalls have been an annoyance for years, and with technology constantly advancing, it’s only going to get worse. And they’re not just interruptions these days. Many are calls from scammers looking to rip you off.
That’s why it’s important to be proactive and stop these calls dead in their tracks. You have several clever ways to keep scams and robocalls at bay. Tap or click here to stop robocalls for good. How are these callers getting ahold of your number in the first place?
Lock down your phone from snoops and hackers
Your phone is full of secrets, whether you think about it that way or not. Would you want just anyone to see your private conversations, swipe through your photos, or open up your emails? Of course not.
There are digital spies to worry about, too. Tap or click to see which apps are accessing your camera or microphone.
True or false: you should plug in your phone before bed
Many tech myths are floating around, like more bars on your phone means better service. Type *3001#12345#* into your dialer and press the call button to access “Field Mode” to get details about local networks and cell towers. Tap or click to learn what the test results mean.
5 simple ways to speed up your smartphone
Long gone are the days of upgrading your phone every year, at least for most of us. It’s expensive and just plain overkill when today’s smartphones last much longer than that.
If you’re keeping yours for the long haul, that means you need to treat it better, too. Are you making any of these common mistakes that can kill your phone a lot faster?
Clever uses for your old phone: Security camera, alarm clock, emergency calling
Most of us have a drawer full of old gadgets lying around. Letting them pile up and collect dust isn’t just a waste of money but also a missed opportunity. You’d be surprised by how many useful things your old phone is capable of. In this Komando DIY, we’ve got four things you can do with your old smartphones after you upgrade.
Best smartphone cameras available now, ranked
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Smartphones are expensive these days, which makes choosing one a major decision. Aside from price and performance, features like 5G, durability, and cameras are all important to consider.
Smartphone cameras are good enough today that they can replace point-and-shoot cameras for many people. Some are even sufficient for business and work purposes. Tap or click here to see how to turn your smartphone into a webcam.
Google just announced $350 loaded phone to take on the iPhone
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If you’re in the market for a new phone, you don’t have to break the bank to get a model with a high-powered camera, fast processor and extra goodies like fingerprint sensors.
In fact, budget smartphone models are starting to make a comeback in a major way. Between a shrinking economy and cheaper parts, device manufacturers like Samsung and Apple have recently delivered quality phones for well under the $1,000 mark. Tap or click here to see our favorite budget smartphone picks.
T-Mobile's new Scam Shield helps you fight annoying robocalls
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The war against robocalls has been an unforgiving one. Just as it seems like consumers take one step forward, it’s two steps back as the people behind the calls switch up their tactics and figure out new ways to clog up our inboxes.