There have been a lot of big fails in consumer tech over the years. Remember the exploding Samsung Galaxy Note 7 and Amazon’s Fire Phone? Add Google Glass to the list. But now all the major tech companies are going back to the drawing board to create a better version of those dorky glasses.
Buying guide: Best smart speakers on sale right now

Ready to get new smart speakers for your home or office? Luckily, there are always tons of sales going on, and we’ve got the inside scoop.
Gone are the days of paying full price for smart speakers and other tech. If you’re a savvy shopper, you know how to hunt down deals. Tap or click for the best tech deals to upgrade your business.
If you’re trying to keep up with the Joneses, one of this year’s hottest gadgets is the smart speaker. We’ll help you decide which one you should buy.
Say hello to your new BFF
If you could, you would hug Amazon’s Echo (3rd gen), because this smart speaker is determined to make your home life simpler. Utter the name “Alexa,” and she’s at your beck and call, whether it be to play music, create a shopping list, read an Audible book or control your smart home.
Available in five hues, this latest generation voice-enabled device has a 360-degree premium speaker with Dolby processing and continues to feature tens of thousands of skills (You may need a separate smart home hub to manage some smart home devices).
It’s not the size of the package
Consider the Echo Dot, Amazon Echo’s little brother. While it may be small (the perfect size for a nightstand), the Echo Dot w/clock model is mighty in terms of capability. Of course, you can ask Alexa to set an alarm, update you with a weather forecast or perform a host of other skills.
The LED display on the Echo Dot w/clock can display the time, outdoor temp or timers, and its brightness automatically adjusts, day or night, thanks to a light sensor. Want to know what else it can do? Check out these five clever ways to use your Echo Dot.
Show how much you love someone this Christmas
Get the reaction you were expecting when you gift the Echo Show (2nd gen). You’ll enjoy watching movies and TV on the 10.1” HD touchscreen display, while the premium speakers allow you to stream music and audiobooks in sharp stereo sound. This device further boasts a smart home hub and two-way doorbell and camera audio.
The Echo Show 2nd gen goes from the living room to the kitchen as it’s the ideal cooking companion that can provide recipes, set timers and create shopping lists. Staying in touch with your loved ones is simple as well, with hands-free video calling and messaging.
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Save money with this shopping tool that alerts you when prices drop
If you regularly shop online, this tool could help you save a bundle each time prices drop.
The next big thing in tech
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This week, I received questions about virtual assistant spies, saving important texts, burner phones, and more.
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Each week, I receive tons of questions from my listeners about tech concerns, new products, and all things digital. Sometimes, choosing the most interesting questions to highlight is the best part of my job.
This week, I received questions about hidden phone trackers, ending robocalls, checking strange links, and more.
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On the July 13, 2019, episode of The Kim Komando Show, a caller asked about dash cam technology to install on his vehicles to help with some family issues.
Kim recommended that you can find dash cams for over $100, but you don’t need to spend that much. She also recommended to the caller that he and his wife try dash cam apps for their smartphones or smart devices.
Find out what Google knows about you
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