Consumer Tech Update

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Kim Komando is your tech expert. Listen to her take on real topics you care about every weekday. You'll hear facts, opinion and the latest tech information underneath the surface. Don't miss your daily tech update in just one minute.

Kim Komando


    • Oct 16, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • daily NEW EPISODES
    • 3m AVG DURATION
    • 4,081 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Consumer Tech Update

    Erotica comes to ChatGPT

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 16, 2025 7:47


    Here comes the dirty talk. This December, expect to have sexier convos with your favorite chatbot. Cool or not? Here's my take in this short podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Fix typos fast with this phone hack

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2025 8:03


    Stop wrestling with your thumbs to move that tiny cursor. There's a hidden trick on your phone that lets you glide right to the mistake and fix it in seconds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Why now's actually a great time to buy an EV

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2025 7:47


    The $7,500 federal credit is gone, but automakers are slashing prices to move cars. I explain why this could be your moment to score a deal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Lazy shopping, smart saving

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2025 8:44


    Don't waste time hunting for coupon codes. Let your browser (or AI) do it for you and score deals you didn't even know existed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    ChatGPT plans the perfect holiday or not?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2025 6:39


    AI's a fun travel buddy until it books you into a hotel that doesn't exist. Here's why you should double-check before you trust it with your getaway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Use AI for the best packing list

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2025 7:57


    Tell it your destination and plans, and it'll make a smart list for you. Stress level: zero. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Tesla's self-driving mode under fire

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2025 6:13


    Federal investigators are looking into crashes, fires, and injuries linked to Tesla's self-driving feature. Experts say it's another reminder not to trust it with your safety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Put your phone in calm mode

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2025 9:49


    Tired of nonstop buzzes and pings? Use your phone's built-in Focus tools to silence the noise, block distractions, and finally get a little peace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Forgotten gadgets that still have value

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2025 6:28


    Dig through your drawers. Old BlackBerrys, Nokias, and even cassette answering machines are now collectibles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    How to fix your parents' computer (without losing it)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2025 7:13


    Sick of playing tech support for Mom and Dad? There's a simple way to help them with their computer without explaining every click. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    That's not Medicare on the line

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2025 7:03


    Open enrollment kicks off next week, and so do the fake calls. If someone asks for your Social Security or bank info, hang up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Geocaching for newbies

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2025 9:20


    Hidden treasures are all around you. You just haven't noticed them yet. This global game makes finding them addicting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The day that all videos became untrustworthy

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2025 10:22


    Remember this date. It's the day AI finally made fake videos indistinguishable from real life. OpenAI's Sora 2 changes everything. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Lock your PC by walking away

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2025 7:19


    Hackers love an unlocked computer. Here's the Bluetooth-powered way to make your PC or Mac protect itself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Digital clues in Palisades Fire

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2025 8:23


    Police say an Uber driver and ChatGPT left the key evidence. How tech exposed a modern-day firestarter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Protect your face from AI fakes

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2025 9:48


    OpenAI's Sora 2 lets you build a digital version of yourself for videos, ads, and social posts. Cool idea ... until your AI twin ends up in the wrong hands. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    AI is quietly blacklisting job seekers

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2025 9:10


    About 9 in 10 recruiters use AI to scan resumes. If you used AI to write yours, you could be flagged as dishonest or unqualified. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The passport stamp is history

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 9:47


    Your next European trip won't come with a passport stamp. Soon, travelers will face high-tech border kiosks that scan your face, fingerprints, and passport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Gen Z tech rewind

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2025 9:06


    Gen Z is ditching do-it-all smartphones for flip phones, CD players, and even cassette tapes. Find out why old-school tech is back in style and how stars like Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter are cashing in. Don't toss that dusty Walkman yet, it might be worth more than you think! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Tech myths we can't stop repeating

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2025 8:19


    Think you know tech? Three myths everyone believes about cameras, batteries, and the dark web could be costing you more than you realize. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Singularity

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2025 9:21


    The next big thing is not a gadget or an app. It's The Singularity. A moment when AI networks wake up, connect, and change life on Earth forever. Here's what you need to know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Beware of “pixie dust”

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2025 10:12


    Pixie Dust is a decade old Wi‑Fi exploit that can crack your router in seconds and most devices are still vulnerable. Researchers found only 4 of 24 devices patched and seven never updated. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Who gets the ticket?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2025 8:00


    Driverless cars are hitting the roads in major cities, but when they break traffic laws, police are left scratching their heads. Who gets the ticket when there's no driver behind the wheel? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Bring an old laptop back to life

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2025 9:37


    Got an old laptop or PC? Don't toss it. Install Chrome OS Flex and bring it back to life for free with minimal hassle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Your computer's about to be worthless

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2025 7:49


    Microsoft is ending Windows 10 support on October 14, leaving over 400 million PCs vulnerable. Without costly extended updates, students and small businesses face tough choices on security and upgrades. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Stop being a pushover with ChatGPT

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2025 9:04


    Always the peacemaker? You've been running an unpaid role as everyone's feelings manager. Here's how ChatGPT can help you stay calm, clear, and in control without burning out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Why cable TV is a very sad place

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2025 11:19


    Streaming dominates while traditional TV fades fast. Nielsen says cable viewers are mostly down to five channels: ESPN, a cable news pick, and a lifestyle network, proving we have left linear TV behind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    How scammers get free stuff from your doorstep

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2025 8:41


    Think your neighbor's package mix-up is innocent? It could be a scam to get free stuff from Amazon. Here's how the trick works and what you should do instead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The government shutdown

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2025 7:13


    A shutdown won't cut your internet or cell service, but it could mean flight delays, stalled tax refunds, and federal services grinding to a halt. Here's what it means for you and your family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    You're paying for shows you don't watch

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2025 10:35


    The average American spends nearly $200 a month on streaming and internet. Chances are, you're paying for shows you don't even watch. Here's how to audit your subscriptions, cut the fat, and still catch every show you love. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Goodbye glass dashboards

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2025 7:49


    After years of forcing us to fumble with glossy touch screens, carmakers are finally listening. Mercedes, Volkswagen, Tesla, and more are bringing back buttons and knobs in 2026 models so drivers can keep their eyes on the road instead of the dashboard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Why you should not use WhatsApp

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2025 9:09


    Scammers know exactly how to trap you. When a friendly message on social media suddenly moves to WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram, it's a red flag.  Here's how to spot the warning signs and stay safe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    How bots fooled Cracker Barrel

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2025 7:52


    Cracker Barrel changed its logo after an online backlash, but nearly half the outrage came from bots. Real customers followed the fake mob, and the chain's growth stalled almost overnight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Hidden cameras in your airbnb?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2025 11:47


    A Georgia couple found hidden cameras in their Puerto Rico Airbnb, capturing private moments with their kids.Here are four smart steps to spot hidden cameras, protect your privacy, and stay safe while traveling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    42 billion and still no service

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2025 9:10


    The government has spent $42 billion to connect rural homes to broadband and not a single one is online. Meanwhile, Starlink is already delivering internet nationwide without taxpayer money. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Credit bureaus are selling you out

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2025 10:04


    Drowning in junk mail? Credit bureaus sell your info to banks and insurers, fueling all those “pre-approved” offers. Here's how to stop them for good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Secret messages through Google Docs

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2025 8:58


    Forget phones. Students are turning Google Docs into secret chat rooms. With invisible text and shared files, it looks like homework but it is really the new way to pass notes in class. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    She made $93K selling grocery lists online

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2025 7:45


    One Ohio mom turned $45 into $93,000 on Etsy by selling simple printables. Here's how you can start your own side hustle with templates people actually buy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Millions are falling for fake apps

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2025 8:10


    Fake AI apps are flooding app stores, stealing logins, and tricking users with bogus reviews. Here's how to spot them and keep your phone safe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Pay up or get buried in fake reviews

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 8:25


    Small businesses are under attack with fake Google Reviews demanding cash. Here's how scammers target contractors, movers, and repair shops and what you can do to protect your reputation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Were you tricked into joining Amazon Prime?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2025 8:03


    Amazon admits misleading 40 million customers into Prime. The FTC trial ends with a $2.5 billion payout. Here's how much you could get back and what to do next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    How to write a book with ChatGPT

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2025 10:47


    ChatGPT can help you turn your knowledge into real income by publishing and selling books on Amazon. With the right topic, a little guidance, and free tools, you could earn thousands a year from what you already know. Here's how to get started. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    You were right all along

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2025 7:58


    YouTube admitted it suppressed COVID dissent after daily pressure from the White House. Google says it will reinstate suspended accounts but offers no apology. Here is the proof and what it means for free speech online. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Don't get tricked by “oops” money

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2025 8:57


    A “wrong number” cash drop on Zelle or Venmo is not a mistake. Criminals use stolen cards to make you the fall guy, tricking you into sending your own money. Here is how to spot it and stay safe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The enemy is already here

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2025 9:12


    A nationwide SMS flood almost struck New York. While the Secret Service shut down a massive SIM server ring that could have sent 30 million texts per minute and knocked out 911, the threat shows how vulnerable our networks remain. Here is what happened and how to stay prepared. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Your Bluetooth is spying on you right now

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2025 8:34


    Bluetooth is tracking you even when your GPS is off. Apps use it to map your movements and build profiles. Here's how to stop them and protect your privacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Amazon Prime Lawsuit

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2025 8:08


    Prime is easy to join but a nightmare to cancel. Millions are suing as the FTC says quitting takes navigating multiple pages and answering endless questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    How to find your lost documents with AI

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2025 10:52


    Stop wasting hours hunting for files. Learn how AI in Google Workspace and Microsoft Copilot can find your documents in seconds and boost your productivity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    iPhone Air: beauty or bust?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2025 7:54


    Apple's new iPhone Air is making headlines as the thinnest iPhone ever, lighter than Samsung's slimmest models. But with a single camera and a $1,000 price tag, is it worth it? Here's what you need to know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Never get lost hiking again

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2025 7:29


    Hit the trails smarter. From AllTrails' 450,000 mapped routes to Cairn's safety check-ins and PeakFinder's mountain IDs, these hiking apps turn your phone into the ultimate trail guide. Here's what you need to know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The glasses that will change everything

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2025 9:08


    Oakley and Meta just launched sunglasses that look normal but secretly record everything you see. The AI-powered Oakley Meta Vanguard could change privacy, sports, and even journalism forever. Here's what you need to know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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