Consumer Tech Update

Russia is leaving the world wide web as we know it and they have built their own independent internet which they will test this year. Kim looks at the reasoning behind Russia's decision to leave the global internet and what it will mean to the Russian people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a fact that people are holding on to their smartphones longer and that's caused smartphone makers some worry. Sales of new phones have flatlined and in order get people to upgrade their devices, smartphone makers are set to unveil some new features. I'll tell you what smartphone companies are doing to get consumers buying and upgrading again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's nothing more annoying than getting a phone call from someone trying to sell you a product or service you don't want. Even worse, they use your cell minutes just to annoy you. The good news is, there are steps you can take to stop these unwanted calls and I'll tell you how. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all know Facebook is collecting data about us, and you won't believe the reason they say they do it. They must really think we're naive. Look at Europe for example: Facebook has to play by different rules there. European countries are cracking down on what data can be collected, and for good reason! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's scary enough that a thief would steal your smartphone right out of your hand while you're using it. Now, thieves are getting more aggressive: They're putting people in a choke hold demanding they change their settings. Why? Listen to find out what's behind this disturbing new trend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you worry about losing valuable photos if you were to ever lose your smartphone, listen up! There are many ways to retrieve those precious memories so be prepared if this day ever happened. I'll tell you how. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Facebook turned fifteen years old yesterday and sensationalized fake news such as "bacon is as harmful as cigarettes" are still rampant on the site. A bipartisan group of scientists studied so-called health news on Facebook and the results are not surprising. Kim looks at the results of this study and offers some advice on how best to handle these stories when they appear in our Facebook feeds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite all the privacy scandals, more than two billion users remain on Facebook. They stay connected with family and friends, find potential customers, and get the latest news - sometimes accurate, and sometimes not. But all those perceived benefits come at a great cost. Kim looks at a recent study that shows even a temporary break from Facebook can lead to greater happiness and satisfaction for almost everyone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even things you own that aren't already smart, don’t have to stay that way. An inexpensive smart plug can make your dumb appliance, lamp or hair dryer smart. Kim gives some tips on inexpensive ways to start upgrading your home to a smart home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Facebook got caught – again – with its hands in the data cookie jar. This time, an app tracked just every single thing you did on your phone and sent it all back to Facebook. Kim looks at the latest privacy violation from Facebook and what their real motive was behind it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For may people, watching the Superbowl is about more than just game, it's also about the amazing commercials. Well, this year one automobile maker is taking things to a new level. You can win a car if you don't watch the game. Kim looks at a new marketing campaign that's all about not watching this year's Superbowl. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many people have their favorite YouTube channels as well as their favorite YouTubers that they like to follow. Well, be careful! A clever scam is spreading on YouTube that you need to know about. Here's a hint: Someone wants to give you something valuable for free. Kim explains this latest phishing scam involving YouTube.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America's politicians have been so busy quibbling about walls and the shutdown, that they’ve completely ignored everyone who flies. Kim looks at how the partial government shutdown, as it engulfed the country, showed us for the first time how dangerous hobby drones can be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's say a husband is not happy that his wife no longer wants to take part in physical relations. Instead of talking about it with her, he can now use the same strategy as big advertising companies. He can target her with online ads. In this podcast, Kim looks at a new company that offers an interesting twist to targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sony's new puppy-sized robotic dog Aibo can walk around the house and check on the family. It has cameras, facial recognition, and is connected to the internet. But are we ready for that? In this podcast, Kim looks at what a robot like this really means to our privacy and security. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Imagine that you're sitting down with the family to watch television. As you start looking for something to watch, what sounds like an emergency broadcast alert blares from the other room. Then, there is an announcement of something frightening. In this podcast, Kim tells the story of a family who had their Nest camera hacked and why we all need to make sure we are secure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maybe you’re the one person who has never had a Twitter or Facebook account. The massive social media network computers don’t know anything about you, right? Wrong. In this podcast, Kim looks at recent research that shows that even though you have never been on social media, these companies still know what you like, dislike, and how you respond to situations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With fame comes the need for having personal security and big tech companies are spending big bucks on keeping their executives safe. In this episode of Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at a recent report on the huge costs some tech companies like Amazon and Facebook are spending to keep their executives safe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have any of your online account credentials ever been stolen in a data breach? Since breaches are so common nowadays, there's a great chance they have, whether you know about it or not. That's why it's critical to know when a massive data breach happens, so you can take action. In this podcast, Kim talks about a data breach impacting hundreds of millions of email addresses, and yours could be one of them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Social engineering is the phrase that describes how people with an agenda use real names and sites to spoof you. And it seems that no one is immune to these elaborate manipulations. In this podcast, Kim looks at the latest scheme that spoofed the world's largest asset management company as well as some news organizations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices