Consumer Tech Update

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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gone are the days of neighborhood watch groups. Now, social networking has take over as people post videos from home cameras, put up stuff for sale, and more. Is there a difference now between being neighborly and spying? In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at how neighborhoods have evolved in how information is shared amongst neighbors.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the happiest time of the year. It’s also the busiest time, for hackers. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim gives 3 tips on how to outsmart hackers this holiday season, especially when traveling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Virtual assistants like Alex, Siri, and Google Assistant are always listening so naturally they know if your relationship is on the rocks. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at the AI behind virtual assistants and how this technology can predict relationships and match people to his or her perfect partner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're paying too much for your cell phone service, Google has a cheap cell service for you. However, there are a few things you should know about. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at Google's cell phone service Fi and its pros and cons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Innovative technology affects almost every part of our lives. For instance, online shopping is more popular than going to an actual store. Now, Neo Banks are taking online banking to a whole new level. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at the rise of Neo Banks as well as the pros and cons of these all digital banks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices