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.
How to get the lowest price on Amazon
Have you stopped to realize lately what an absolute revolution online shopping has caused in the way we buy things? You can find so many amazing things, from car accessories and groceries to office supplies and sporting equipment. It’s the perfect way to get anything and everything you could ever want.
Because online retailers are in such fierce competition with each other, you can find super-low prices and save serious money online. But with so many good deals all around, how do you know for sure that you’re really getting the absolute lowest price?
On Amazon, for example, prices continually fluctuate up and down. Without checking the price of an item for a while, you won’t know whether the price is currently high or low.
What you really need is something to monitor those prices to tell you the best time to buy.
CamelCamelCamel does just that. It’s an Amazon price tracker that basically does everything for you except actually buy the item.
You can browse CamelCamelCamel to see the top trending deals on Amazon, or you can sign up for price-drop alerts on items on your wish list. Each item has a neat graph showing you price trends, and you can check out the product details so you make sure you really want that item.
This is really helpful if you’re looking for a specific quality item and you want to make sure you’re getting the best quality for the best price.
Create an account with CamelCamelCamel to get started. You will need to provide a valid email address and create a password if you want to get price-drop alerts. You can also sync your CamelCamelCamel account with your Facebook or Twitter accounts. Once you sync your accounts, you can sign in with any of those sites instead of remembering yet another password.
If you purchase items from Amazon on a regular basis, you should consider signing up for an Amazon Prime membership to get free two-day shipping and access to thousands of movies, TV shows and songs.
Smart speaker comparison chart
Amazon may have had a head start with the Amazon Echo but with the launch of the Google Home, Apple HomePod and Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Home, the other tech giants are quickly catching up.
Click here to read more about the Amazon Echo vs. Google Home.
5 essentials when buying a connected car
We all like to stay connected. We sync up our gadgets and phones. We use smart technology in our places of work, and even in our homes. And guess what? That same connectivity and convenience are quickly becoming a standard feature in our cars too.
Amazon's Alexa shares private conversations with strangers
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.
Amazon's Alexa can now predict what you'll do next
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.
Amazon - Too big to fail?
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.
The best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on 4K TVs, computers, smartphones, smart speakers, and more
Shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday means getting the best deals on the latest tech like laptops, televisions, tablets, smartphones, and so much more. In this episode of Komando on Demand, Kim shares insider secrets on scoring the best deals you can get your hands on during the biggest shopping days of the year. Kim talks to retail and shopping expert Sarah Hollenbeck from blackfriday.com about some of the best deals from Best Buy, Amazon, Target, Walmart, Kohl’s, Macy’s, and other retailers.
The best streaming services for movies
If you’re looking for a good movie, should you relax with Amazon Prime Video or Netflix? In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at a recent comparison between the two streaming services in terms of quantity of movies, streaming quality, and ultimately which service gives you the most bang for your buck.
The inside scoop on Amazon Go, the cashierless stores
What if you could go into a store, grab what you want and leave? No lines, no waiting, no… cashiers? In this episode of Komando on Demand, Kim looks at Amazon Go, the future of shopping technology, and how AI and Algorithms are changing the way you shop. It looks like shopping in a brick-and-mortar store is going to rock again.
Amazon gets a bad rap for its so-called employee "cages"
Have you heard about Amazon’s patented employee cages? The idea sounds outrageous but is there more to the story? In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at why Amazon has created this so-called cage and why they are getting a bad rap about it.
Your Privacy - Amazon’s Alexa comes to Marriott hotel rooms
When you get a hotel room you expect privacy, right? That’s why not everyone is happy about Amazon and Marriott hotels teaming up. By this summer, all hotel rooms will have Alexa. Listen to this Consumer Tech Update as Kim explains how it will work and raises questions we all should be asking.
Two U.S. Senators demand answers to Amazon Echo & Alexa’s eavesdropping
After a family proved that Alexa was listening in on private conversations, two U.S. Senators want answers from Amazon. Listen to this Consumer Tech Update as Kim asks why they want answers from Amazon.
Is Amazon’s Alexa listening and recording more than you realize?
Is Alexa spying on you? Your personal voice assistant might be a double agent. It works for you by answering questions and making life easier. She’s also working for Amazon collecting information. You can listen to everything Amazon has stored away and delete your past. You might have growing privacy concerns. In this free Komando on Demand podcast, you’ll hear how to listen to everything you have said to Alexa and how to the delete the recordings.
7 facts about Big Tech and money
Every quarter, publicly traded companies report how much money they’ve made. Big Tech is made up of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google and Microsoft. Here are seven stunning facts about these companies.
Amazon's incredible first quarter of 2018 revenue
Each quarter when the time comes to report on business earnings, we take a step back and marvel at Amazon. First quarter sales are typically the lowest across the board, but not for this retail giant. Sales are astounding!
Amazon Alexa for kids
Building on the success of the Amazon Echo and Alexa, there’s now a kids’ version called the Echo Dot Kids Edition. But for parents, the question is: Do you really think it’s a good idea to put one of these in your child’s room?
Everything you need to steal a car is available on Amazon and eBay
Next time you park your car think about this: Everything someone needs to steal your vehicle in less than two minutes is for sale on Amazon and eBay. They can find the two most common and inexpensive electronic devices they’ll need. Do you know what they are?
The Amazon effect at $14 per hour
Amazon has dramatically changed our lives, there is no doubt about that. But the question is: Exactly how has it changed us? Amazon Prime now has one hundred million members. Yet Amazon employees make an average of $14 per hour. How come?
Why Apple's HomePod is in real trouble
HomePod is Apple’s much-publicized competition to Amazon’s best seller, the Amazon Echo. Since its very recent introduction, HomePod sales have been nothing less than dismal. The word is out that it’s real trouble. But here’s why you might want to buy one anyway.