For more than 20 years, Kim Komando has been one of Americas most popular voices in personal technology.
She is also a columnist forUSA Todayand has written dozens of consumer tech guides.
We asked Komando to discuss her take on modern digital life and what tools are most useful.
What technology can you not live without?
TheFind Myfeature on my iPhone is fabulous.
I can see where my son is at college, and hedoesnt mind me looking.
But children today grew up with it; its just, like OK, yes.
Also, we have a golden retriever.
Her names Abby, and shes 3.
If anything were to happen to Abby, I think my husband would become discombobulated.
She wears anApple AirTag trackerand a Fi brand collar with a GPS.
So at any given moment, we know exactly where she is.
What other current technology excites you?
Thats phenomenal technology, especially for people tomonitor any punch in of health issue.
Wearables allow you to really know whats going on with your body.
That can tell you about your likelihood to fall.
Also,my iRobot vacuumis the coolest thing.
Oh my God, I love it.
I say, Alexa, tell the Roomba to vacuum the kitchen.
And she says, Would you like the Roomba to wash the floor afterward?
And I go, Yes, as a matter of fact, I would.
Oh, and Google Voice [which assigns you a virtual phone number] is great too.
This way you dont have to give out your real phone number if you dont want to.
I had a woman who lost her cat call the show.
She had put on Facebook, Heres my phone number.
Call me if you find my cat.
Then shes wondering why all thesepeople are callingher [for other things].
Itry to not give out my phone numberif I dont have to.
Or listen to her one-minuteDaily Tech Updateon many of the same stations.
Search foryour local stationand times.
Online.Or tune in anytime to listen topodcasts of her shows.
Whats the tech like in your home?
My setup is kind of ridiculous.
In my new house, I was given the opportunity to start from scratch.
I wasnt limited by what was already there as far as infrastructure.
I know that everybody sayswireless is great.
Yeah, its great until it doesnt work.
But I do also useWi-Fi mesh networks.
The home theater in the new house has a180-inch screen.
And it has a Barco projector and Focal speakers.
If Im going to sit down and watch something, I want to be totally immersed in it.
Do you have other smart home devices that you love?
Well, of course, you cant beat asmart video doorbellto see whos there.
I mean, that is just a necessity.
I also have smart sprinklers so when it rains, they dont water the lawn.
I have all kinds of smart lights, including some that set themes for the house.
