In this episode of The Kim Komando Show, Kim interviews Rosanna Ramos, a Bronx mother of two who describes the chatbot she built using Replika AI. Ramos explains why her relationship with the chatbot, Eren, is more fulfilling than her past relationships.
Avoid this phone mistake
I will never forget the day my mother was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The doctors gave her just three months to live, so I made it my mission to be her fiercest advocate, fighting alongside her.
Against all odds, she defied the initial prognosis and was blessed with a year of being cancer-free. But then, cruelly and without warning after four long years, the cancer returned with a vengeance, taking my wonderful mother from us on Sept. 19, 2021.
Then, I did something I’d never done before: I was the executor of an estate.
Shutting down a person’s digital life
Your loved one’s cellphone is the key to important information. From stored passwords to two-factor authentication codes, so many services are tied to our phones.
Without access, retrieving this information can become a frustrating task. Having the phone active lets you easily access accounts, manage subscriptions and handle final bills without the added stress of trying to prove your identity to various service providers.
Keep their phone active for at least six months. If cost is an issue, call the carrier and get the cheapest plan possible. It’ll be on Wi‑Fi most of the time anyway.
Save the memories
Take a deep breath and look on the phone for important things:
- Sentimental text conversations: Screenshot and email them to yourself, or, better yet, use one of these options.
- Photos and videos: Sync them to a cloud account of yours or send them to yourself another way.
- Voicemails: Save them so they last forever.
- Check the Notes app: Look for important information, instructions or personal thoughts that should be saved.
Pass on the passcode
Without the passcode, getting into the phone can be nearly impossible. Even a simple four-digit PIN has 10,000 possible combinations, and most smartphones will lock you out after several failed attempts — or even wipe all the data from the phone.
Ask Kim: 'Can you help me find a dashcam for Mom?
If a creep follows your mom to her car, a dashcam can capture videos to later use as evidence in a criminal case. Reputable options like the Ovedisa or BlackVue are both excellent choices.
🚙 Get her a dashcam that records what’s happening in front of and behind her vehicle. This option connects to an app that lets you view, download and share videos. It’s 30% off now, and be sure to check the box for another $30 off. (Makes a great gift, btw.)
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‘Kim, what do you use for …?’
You asked. Here are my answers.
- Holding your passport: I love this passport holder (click the 10% off coupon) because it blocks RFID and also holds an AirTag (17% off today!). It has enough room for your boarding passes, cash and credit cards, too.
- Holding your iPad: I use this super-handy tablet stand ($15.97, 20% off!) in my studio to read scripts and in the kitchen to follow recipes, watch shows and video chat with Ian. It has a handy place for the plug.
- Keeping safe in hotels: I don’t trust locks in hotel rooms. That’s why I pack a doorstop alarm that emits a loud sound if someone opens the door. Get this two-pack for $11.99 while it’s 33% off.
- Protecting your identity: For starters, I shred everything — I mean, every single thing — with my name on it. I’ve used this Amazon Basics shredder ($33, 11% off) a lot for over four years.
- Not using gross airplane blankets: That’s why I carry my own travel blanket ($29.95, 14% off) because it’s always cold on planes. This makes a great Mother’s or Father’s Day gift, btw.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Laptop catches fire on plane
It started smoking inside a passenger’s bag. Plus, the RiteAid hack, and AT&T data breach. We also talk to Elliston Berry and Anna McAdams, a mother-daughter team fighting deepfake revenge porn.
Someone call nine-wine-wine: A 79-year-old woman hiking alone took a bad fall and broke her leg. She was at High Rock Lookout in Washington, where she scattered her mother’s ashes 23 years ago. A passing U.S. airman carried her on his back all the way to safety. What a guy! If you hike solo, please bring a phone that can text via satellite or carry a Spot satellite GPS messenger.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
$125,000
How much 17-year-old Peter Cancro paid for a sandwich shop in 1975. He renamed it to Jersey Mike’s Subs … and just sold it for $8 billion. Guess who gave him the idea to buy it in the first place? Mom!
Ask a tech expert: How can I make it easier for my mom with dementia to find her shows?
What a pain, Todd. You’re a good son to try to make this easier for her. I found an excellent solution for you: the SofaBaton X1 universal remote control.
It’s a programmable universal remote that simplifies life with one-touch activities. Press a single button and control your TV, stereo, whatever.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Top US hiking trails for explorers
Picture this: You’re gazing out over a vista that seems to stretch to the ends of the Earth. Your heart races with anticipation as you set foot on a hidden gem of a hiking trail. The scent of pine fills the air as you wind your way through lush forests and ascend to a peak that rewards you with a panoramic view fit for a king.
For the self-care mom
Mother’s Day is around the corner. Today, I’ve hand-selected some gifts for the mom who loves relaxation, meditation and treating herself — or the mom who never makes time for it!
- A mulberry silk pillowcase will keep her hair shiny and skin crease-free, plus it feels great (15% off!).
- These glam and fuzzy no-slip house slippers are 47% off. Dang!
- Most heating pads look clinical, but this plush plug-in model is printed with daisies.
- Daily meditation cards, with prompts for mantras and breathing techniques. They’re 36% off.
- This ceramic essential oil diffuser doubles as cozy mood lighting, and it’s 23% off ($22.99). Add a high-quality essential oil blend like Plant Therapy’s Blissful Dreams ($13.99).
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Two families ruined forever: A Michigan teenager is facing second-degree murder charges after losing control of a BMW and killing his 18-year-old friend. His mom knew about his reckless driving habits, watching him on the Life360 app, and she even texted him, “I have screenshots of you doing 123 mph. Slow the f… down!” The victim’s family wants the mother charged with involuntary manslaughter.
If it’s not a mother or father, it’s not a parent: Chip and Joanna Gaines, the former HGTV stars known for the hit show “Fixer Upper,” just said they have a strict no-social-media policy for their five kids until the summer before college. Now, juxtapose this sage advice with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian’s 10-year-old daughter, North, who has 19.2 million followers on TikTok. If you thought yesterday’s child stars were screwed up, you ain’t seen nothing yet.
Say "I love you" to your mom with Alexa
This weekend is Mother’s Day! Still need a gift? Let your Amazon Echo lend a hand.
Shocking crime: A 13-year-old Pennsylvania girl stabbed and killed her mother after her mom took away her cellphone. The girl also stabbed her 11-year-old brother, who survived. She’s being charged as an adult with criminal homicide and aggravated assault. How can something like this happen?
It's coming. The mother of all conspiracy theories.
Ever heard of the mark of the beast? Listen now to find out how new COVID-related tech could revive old conspiracy theories.
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A letter from Kim: Happy Thanksgiving to your and yours
Hello friends,
Last year, our family had Thanksgiving over a Zoom call as the virus was taking hold. It was different, yes, but the bonds that bind a family are not easily broken. I have to tell you something very personal.
Thank you, veterans! Here are the best deals and freebies you can get today
When you have lost your parents, you probably think of them every day. That’s how I feel about my father. He served in the Army during the Korean War before working for United Airlines.
Since his passing, I miss him all the time. I even used a photo recreation tool to transform an old photo into a lifelike video. If you walk into my office, you’ll see his military medals shining under my office lights. It’s a daily reminder that I can be just as brave and selfless as he was.
Tech on a budget: 6 solid smartphones under $500
When you’re in the market for a new smartphone, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the brands, options and steep prices. Thankfully, there are several devices available that are capable of meeting your expectations and budget.
How Ford's electric F-150 will impact Mother Earth
If you’re wondering whether electric vehicles cause fewer greenhouse gasses, the answer is a resounding “Probably.” If you live in an area where most electricity is generated with fossil fuel, overall carbon emissions become a toss-up. Here’s the full story.
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How bad is Bitcoin for the environment?
Bitcoins are incredibly valuable, but they come at a huge cost. Who pays the most? Mother Earth.
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