Digital Life Hack

January 1, 2019

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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. 

December 31, 2018

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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.

December 28, 2018

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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.

December 27, 2018

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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.

December 26, 2018

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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.

December 25, 2018

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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. 

December 24, 2018

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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.

December 21, 2018

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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.

December 20, 2018

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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.

December 19, 2018

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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.

December 18, 2018

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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.

December 17, 2018

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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.

December 14, 2018

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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.

December 13, 2018

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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.

December 12, 2018

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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.

December 11, 2018

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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.

December 10, 2018

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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.

December 7, 2018

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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.

December 6, 2018

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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. 

December 5, 2018

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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. 

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