Kim Komando Daily Tech Update

Is that big screen a deal?

7 min
Jan 19, 20264 months ago
Listen to Episode
Summary

This episode focuses on how consumers are unknowingly paying for TV surveillance through discounted smart TVs that use automatic content recognition (ACR) technology to collect viewing data. The episode also covers innovative tech products including LEGO Smart Bricks with embedded sensors and health monitoring devices like smart mirrors and body scanning scales.

Insights
  • Smart TV manufacturers subsidize hardware costs by monetizing user viewing data through ACR technology that screenshots content every few seconds
  • The true cost of discounted electronics often includes privacy trade-offs that consumers don't fully understand
  • Physical toys are being enhanced with AI and sensor technology to create more interactive experiences without requiring apps or connectivity
  • Health monitoring technology is becoming more sophisticated and accessible for consumer use, though it may encourage obsessive tracking behaviors
  • Subscription models are becoming standard even for hardware products, creating ongoing revenue streams for manufacturers
Trends
Data monetization as a business model for consumer electronicsPrivacy erosion through embedded surveillance technology in home devicesIntegration of AI and sensors into traditional physical productsSubscription-based revenue models for hardware productsConsumer health monitoring technology becoming mainstreamSmart home devices collecting behavioral data for advertising purposes
Quotes
"If you purchased a new big screen TV recently at an incredible price, say 400 bucks for a 65 inch 4K, you probably bought more than you bargained for."
Kim Komando
"Every few seconds, ACR screenshots your screen. It doesn't matter what's on cable, local, national channel, streaming, or even gaming. It's all in the database."
Kim Komando
"And that's why you got a great deal on that tv. And now that great deal is spying on you every single day."
Kim Komando
"There's no app, no WI fi. You just build and play."
Kim Komando
"$900 for it to tell you when you're gonna die, plus $100 a year subscription. Of course there's a subscription fee."
Kim Komando
Full Transcript
4 Speakers
Speaker A

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0:00

Speaker B

Right after today's daily tech update, I'm.

1:01

Speaker A

Going to play for you a great.

1:03

Speaker B

Clip from my nationally syndicated radio show. It's called I know, the Kim Commander Show.

1:05

Speaker A

Funny how that works.

1:09

Speaker B

And hey, if you're not subscribed to it wherever you get your podcast, what are you doing?

1:10

Speaker A

You're missing out. You need this intel to live in today's world. If you purchased a new big screen TV recently at an incredible price, say 400 bucks for a 65 inch 4K, you probably bought more than you bargained for. I'm Kim Commando for NetSuite AI is everywhere. Companies using it are getting ahead. Download the free business guide demystifying AI right now@netuite.com Kim why would a big screen 4K television that should cost 12 to 1500 dollars go for as little as 400K? Consider that every smart TV is built with something called ACR automatic content recognition. Every few seconds, ACR screenshots your screen. It doesn't matter what's on cable, local, national channel, streaming, or even gaming. It's all in the database. That information is then sold to advertisers, politicians for political campaigns, insurance companies, you name it. And that's why you got a great deal on that tv. And now that great deal is spying on you every single day. Almost a million folks wake up with my free newsletter. It's five star rated and it's designed to keep you tech ahead. Sign up@getkim.com and now, as promised, a.

1:16

Speaker B

Clip from my weekend show The Kim Commando Show. It's pretty much the best radio show in the world, but I may be just a little biased.

2:23

Speaker A

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2:30

Speaker C

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3:31

Speaker D

Lego Smart Bricks I saw this and I am baffled how this works.

4:04

Speaker B

Okay, It's a regular 2x4 Lego brick packed with sensors, a speaker, LEDs, and a tiny chip so kids can just build things normally. But now when you fly your spaceship.

4:09

Speaker A

Around, it will make engine sounds that match the movements.

4:22

Speaker B

If you build a car, it revs right? The bricks talk to each other. There's no app, no WI fi. You just build and play.

4:24

Speaker A

Launches march.

4:31

Speaker D

Here's the craziest thing. They take the brick and they put it on a car and they start driving the car around and it's making car noise. Then they take the same brick, put it on a plane. It's there, they're playing with it. It's making plane noises. Then they put it on a duck and it makes duck noises. But then they lay the duck on its side and it starts making duck falling asleep noises like.

4:32

Speaker A

It'S amazing.

4:55

Speaker D

I am baffled how this thing works normally. I can look at something. Oh, it probably does that. And maybe it does that. I have zero idea.

4:56

Speaker B

I have no idea how this works either.

5:04

Speaker D

I think I have one answer, and that's magic. That's the only thing I can come up with. They're wizards and this is magic.

5:06

Speaker B

Think about this the next time you step on a LEGO brick.

5:13

Speaker D

Right?

5:17

Speaker B

If it's one of these LEGO bricks, sorry.

5:17

Speaker D

Back to you.

5:20

Speaker B

It's going to light up and do like a victory lap while you hop.

5:21

Speaker D

Around or call 911.

5:24

Speaker B

Why do those things hurt so much?

5:27

Speaker A

I don't know.

5:29

Speaker D

It's the sharp corners, I think it's like, oh.

5:29

Speaker A

Have you ever looked in the mirror.

5:33

Speaker B

And thought to yourself, I don't look good? No, I mean, I haven't. I've never looked in the mirror and.

5:34

Speaker D

Said, I look in the mirror and I go, boy, are you vibing.

5:38

Speaker B

I look in the mirror and go, thank God you had good looking parents. The neurologic longevity mirror predicts your actual health trajectory.

5:42

Speaker D

Nobody wants to know this.

5:53

Speaker B

You stare at it for 30 seconds and then you get scores on your cardiovascular risk, metabolic health, heart health, your real physiological age versus your calendar age and mental stress levels.

5:55

Speaker D

There was no part in the Disney movie where she went, mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all? And the mirror's like, I think you have eczema. And you're gonna die in three years.

6:07

Speaker B

$900 for it to tell you when you're gonna die, plus $100 a year subscription.

6:21

Speaker D

Of course there's a subscription fee.

6:26

Speaker B

Now the why things body scan too. You step on the scale, you grab the handle, and in 90 seconds it tracks over 60 biomarkers. Heart efficiency, cellular age, artery health, early pre diabetes signs, no blood tests, eight electrodes in the glass, four in the handle. $600 is pending FDA clearance and it.

6:28

Speaker A

Should be here in the second quarter of the year.

6:52

Speaker D

You're going to get that? I don't know.

6:54

Speaker B

You're going to get it. Yes, you will.

6:56

Speaker A

I know.

6:57

Speaker B

You know, I'm already looking at like. I mean, I already got all these stats on my watch and you're overwhelmed by them. No, I look at it and I'm looking at my V2 Max and it's going up.

6:58

Speaker D

And I mean, I'm like, that's what I'm saying. You're going to get that. You're going to say you shouldn't get it because you're going to go hyper on it. But you're going to get it and you're going to go hyper on it.

7:07

Speaker A

Yeah, you're probably right.

7:18

Speaker D

You're not scale. You're going to be vibing.

7:19

Speaker A

Hey, if you love staying tech ahead, then you're going to love love. I'm talking about my free newsletter called the Current. Join almost a million folks who get it every single day. It's quick, smart, and only takes five minutes a day. Yes. Sign up right now at getkim. Com. That's getkim. Com.

7:23