Consumer Tech Update

Amazon is about to change Christmas and holiday shopping forever. Big sales begin this Tuesday and continue at a frenzied pace through Christmas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you updated your iPhone to Apple’s latest operating system, iOS 14, in the past few days you may have already noticed that your iPhone’s daily battery life has somehow grown shorter. Here’s why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every year antivirus company McAfee releases its official list of celebrities, starlets, and big names that, when you search them out online, you’re very likely to land on a website that will quietly install a virus — or worse — on your computer. Here's who topped the list this year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Online learning is simply not as good as being in a classroom — and neither is taking an exam online. Universities are turning to artificial intelligence to catch cheaters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let’s start the week with a look at the next 60 seconds on the internet. You won't believe all the messages shared, meetings hosted, photos uploaded and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You probably have your own method for keeping your phone charged — but according to research, you’re probably doing it wrong. The way you charge your phone could be shortening the battery’s lifespan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to smartphones, everybody’s a photographer. It’s easy to take quality photos with our phone’s camera. Here’s a secret: You don’t need buy expensive Adobe Photoshop to edit your photos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We hear all the time about great new smartphones costing four figures, all the way up to $2,000. But you don’t have to pay these big bucks! You can still get a great phone for way less than $300. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With all the manufactured hype and excitement of the new iPhone 12 coming in fewer than two weeks, let’s look at older, obsolete iPhones that pose a danger to users. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s safe to say Samsung’s new folding smartphone is no home run. Computer maker Lenovo is hoping that even though customers ignored folding smartphones, things will be different with their powerful new folding laptop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does America really think of social media and its effect on the election? I bet you won't be surprised to learn the vast majority of us want a social media break the closer we get to the election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maybe you’ve heard about Amazon’s new security drone. It’s designed to fly around, inside your home, and frighten burglars away. But here’s why some homeowners and apartment dwellers are more frightened of the drone than a burglar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If there’s one rule of thumb to follow when you’re shopping online, especially at Amazon, it’s to read the reviews. But how can you tell a fake review from a real one? Now, an algorithm will tell you in a few seconds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most popular smart speakers are Amazon Echos with the digital assistant Alexa. I’m sure you already know the basics: Reminders, news and weather. But Alexa can help in ways you might not be aware of. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your home, as you see it from the street, can be seen by everyone, worldwide, using Google’s Street View. Here’s how you can make your home disappear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How many times each day are you captured by security and traffic cams? Here’s a hint: It’s a lot more than you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most Americans scroll through endless headlines of bad news every day. We’re left with feelings of depression or anxiety — or both. What can you do? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week you may have heard me talk about the expense and dangers of ransomware. Now, ransomware is responsible for its very first death. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does your smartphone ever secretly listen or watch you with its camera? It has in the past, and it does now. But if you use an iPhone, you now have a way to make it stop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It seems like wherever you turn, some streaming service, app or site is trying to sell you a monthly subscription. Here’s the free trial and if you don’t unsubscribe, you’re billed automatically. Today, how to handle it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices