Consumer Tech Update

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

There are a frightening number of ways cybercriminals can hack into our tech. But now they've got an even easier method to take over smart speakers — or really anything equipped with voice control. That's pretty scary. I'll tell you how it works. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's easy to get suckered into buying things you don't really need this time of year. But if you're shopping for new tech, there are a few items you really should wait to buy. Need a new TV? I'll tell you when to pull the trigger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you, like most people, glued to your phone? You know it's a time suck, it's probably hurting your posture and they're expensive to boot. But your smartphone could be doing even more damage. Here's what researchers have to say about our tech obsession. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking to add a dashcam to your car? It can be a pricey endeavor. But your smartphone can get the job done for free with just an app. Need more features than a free app offers? I've got you covered, too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've probably heard 10,000 steps per day is the magic number to keep your waistline trim and your cholesterol and blood sugar under control. That's about five miles, and it should suffice, right? Not so fast. Researchers say the number is even higher. Lace up your sneakers! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Look around the next time you're at a restaurant. How many kids are quietly watching videos on a phone or tablet? Give a crying toddler a phone, and he or she is entertained for hours. But does that screen impact the way his or her brain develops? It does — much more than you might realize. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Airbnb's CEO says the company is banning rentals marketed as "party houses" — and taking other steps to keep users safe — after a Halloween party gone horribly wrong. Now the question is, how will Airbnb enforce this?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Entertainment is more on-demand than ever, and I'm not just talking about streaming. For kids today, YouTube has replaced plain old TV, and the number watching each day is staggering. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you haven’t upgraded to a new Apple device in a while, pay attention. Apple is warning customers older iPhones and iPads could break if you don’t take this essential step. And we’re talking fast — as in this weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've probably seen scooters from Lime, Bird and Jump popping up across the country. Have you ever wondered how they get charged and put back in the right spots each night? It's all done by people who call themselves "juicers," and they're making big money. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The older our kids get, the more freedom they want. Yours may be ready to trick-or-treat without you, but you probably still want to keep an eye on where they are. I'll tell you a few simple ways to use tech to make sure everyone has a safe and fun Halloween. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Technology isn't just changing the way we do our jobs - it's changing the way we get them, too. More and more companies are turning to artificial intelligence to help with hiring. Here's what it means for you if you're on the market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sick of those never-ending scam calls? Yeah, me too. These days, your phone rings and there's a good chance it's a robocall that feels designed to drive you crazy. Did you know your phone, your wireless provider and even Google can help you block them out? Here's how. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's even more data about you than you realize floating around the web. One of the biggest collectors? Google. Here's an easy way to see what info is stored on Google's servers based on your preferences, browsing history, searches, purchases and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Social media started as a way to connected with friends and family and share snippets of our everyday lives. But now social media is a full-fledged business, and influencers are the pros hard at work trying to impact our buying decisions. Can you really trust what they post? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Consumer Tech Update, Kim looks at how employers are paying for their employees to get chip implants that contain their personal data and financial info. What does this technology mean for all of us in the future? Would you ditch your credit card for an implant in your hand or finger? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the neighborhood block watch a thing of the past? In many communities, social networking has replaced the need for people to wander their neighborhoods. Now sites and apps are your digital connection to your neighbors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another day, another scam. But don't think this one is just the like the others. Here's how these frightening sextortion scams work and what you can do to prevent yourself from being blackmailed and harassed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you think about someone using your wireless network, you might think lagging video or slow performance. But what about criminals using your network in ways you don't even want to imagine? It's possible, and I'm sharing a trick to prevent it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices