Blog Archives for 2011

As we head into spring and the days get longer, people have more sunny hours to daydream. It just means more rumors. That's cool, we'll take all comers and shove 'em into our Rumor Roundup! Enjoy!

Thanks to local deal sites like Groupon, travelers can score great deals while on vacation. But how to sort through the seemingly endless list of copycat sites? Here's the ins and outs of the best sites, and how you can take advantage of them on your next vacation.

We've all done it at some point: Yelled at a customer service representative over the phone for bad service. Why do we do it when we know it's not good behavior? There's a lot going on in the heads of the yellers, and we got to the bottom of it.

Count up how many batteries you use in your house. Multiply that by the number you need to buy per year. Now multiply that by the cost. While your head is still spinning from the impact to your wallet, find out what our Green Dad columnist, Lou Carlozo, found out about maximizing your battery power.

Pop Tarts for 18 cents each? Raisin Bran for $1.74 a box? Too good to be true, or just the best deal on the Web? We did a little price-checking and follow-up with regular customers to see if Amazon's Subscribe and Save program gives the best prices, and is worth sticking with over time.

There were hundreds of stores selling the iPad 2 on its release day last Friday, but still thousands lined up around the country at Apple stores to get their hands on the new gadget the very first day. Why? We took our video camera to the Apple Store in SoHo, New York, to find out why people would choose to wait in line when they could order online.

The devastation in Japan has people around the world digging in to their pockets to help. We lined up our new columnist, consumer advocate Mitch Lipka, to give his best advice on donating money, from avoiding scams to how to maximize the money you give with matching donations like the one being offered by dealnews.

Anyone who's saved money buying online and avoiding sales tax should pay attention to the battle over sales taxes going on between Amazon, and other Internet-only retailers, and a dozen states around the country. The debate is getting fierce, with small businesses and your wallet caught in the crossfire.

Rumors live only a brief time upon this earth. That's why we have to put as many as we can find into our Rumor Roundup. It's our way to be sure these unsung heroes of the Internet have their day in the sun.

With St. Patrick's Day approaching, what better way to prepare than to drink all the quality beer you want without paying a huge tab? We've rounded up the best beer kits available on the Web to quench your thirst.

Luxury handbag maker Coach is faced with a lawsuit for going after eBay resellers, even when they are hawking authentic bags. How far is too far when a company is trying to protect its reputation, its copyright and its bottom line? Find out the inside story, and then tell us what you think.

As people begin lining up for the iPad 2 release on Friday, we take a look at what drives early adopters. Do they think differently than those who wait for price drops? Do they get some special benefit out of ordering up the latest gadget on the market, regardless of what it costs?

2011 is shaping up to be the year of the 4G network with practically every mobile carrier prepping its next-gen network and building an army of 4G smartphones. But how do these new phones stack up when compared? We take a quick look at some of the most anticipated 4G phones to find out.

With such great deals out there for digital SLR cameras, just about anyone can channel their inner Annie Leibovitz. While additional equipment can run the gamut in price, our list of must-have accessories keep the true cost of DSLR photography in check.

You might not have realized the last time you picked out sneakers that there's a science to how sneaker manufacturers choose the color combos. But we've got the scoop on why they match the hues the way they do.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday gave online retailers a major kick in the pants in 2010, spurring revenue growth for the first time in years. So now analysts are predicting a healthy upward curve for sales. But when will online shopping actually overtake stores? Place your bet in our poll.

While nobody likes to talk about it, we all have pest issues at some point (and we're talking about real pests, not computer viruses). If you've ever worried about spraying toxic chemicals around your house, especially where you eat, then we've got some solutions for you — some so safe you can drink them

If the intermittent appearance of the sun recently has encouraged you to buy a new pair of running shoes from one of the numerous choice sales we've listed, then congrats! You've taken the first step toward spring fitness. But, if you truly want to shake off the shackles of cold-weather apathy and get moving, you still need an extra accessory or two.

Ever wandered through a store and suddenly felt relaxed and didn't know why? It could've been the soft background music, or a lavender scent, or some other gimmick the store is employing to get you to spend more. Find out what's behind the secret efforts.

The tablet is here to stay and this afternoon Apple schooled its competition with the release of the iPad 2. Or did it? We compare the new iPad with the the Motorola Xoom to find out which tablet will reign supreme.

In today's world of smartphones, RSS alerts and WiFi everywhere, what does it take to be a truly obsessive deal seeker? We found one guy who has taken the art of finding a deal to a whole new level. Find out his tricks.

With just months to go before Amazon.com celebrates its Sweet Sixteen, we wanted to know how much the online retailer's customers know about the company. So we've created this quiz to test your "Amazowledge."

Think you could be the next James Cameron and make billions with your own 3D movie? Now you can get started in your own garage with 3D gadgets, some of which cost less than $200. Find out how you can make your own 3D films and get on your way to stardom!

Shopping is serious business for most people, but retailers have come to learn that the more people have fun while they're browsing, the longer they'll stick around and the more they'll spend. Here are five ways that stores turn on the happy factor, so you'll play right into their hands.

Motorola's Xoom is set to outflank the Galaxy Tab and take on the iPad.

Google and Apple are vying for your digital subscription dollars in a fight that just intensified with the announcement of new collection systems. But the real question is, Are you willing to pay at all?

If you're a heavy laptop user, then you're eating through power every second. We've got 10 smart ways you can save while you're typing away (or playing games), which will make you feel a whole lot better when you get your electric bill at the end of the month.

Get your fingertips ready! The future of shopping is coming to your phone, and whether you are a fan of shopping on a 4" screen or not, new apps are going to entice you to buy everything from bananas to cars on your phone. Watch how it's going to work.

Over at Engadget, they've assembled a list of nominees for their 2010 Engadget Awards for the best of tech in 2010, and the most anticipated of 2011. We all love cool gadgets, but price is our bottom line. That's why we're asking you to vote on this in our poll: Which do you think is the best value among the nominees?

Borders is allegedly filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy next week. Did Borders' coupons predict its own demise? Our dealnews archives answer the question.

Nokia had a number of dance partners to choose from to make a new line of smartphones, and it picked Microsoft. But it's not clear yet if that will be enough to help Nokia come from behind to beat Google or Apple. It's all up to you, since you'll be the ones buying the phones. Will the new features listed here entice you to buy? Take our poll.

A new national survey is out that breaks down gadget ownership by age group. Come take our poll and find out how you stack up, or claim your status as one of the "gadget-less" (although if you're reading this, you have some kind of electronic device…).

Like all great bands, Activision today announced the break up of its Guitar Hero franchise. Find out what that means for fans of the game and deal hunters alike.

You know you want to buy chocolate, but do you know why? It's not just about supermarkets placing candy next to the cash register. There are secret feelings of guilt, hidden memories of pleasure and other factors at work. You might even be biologically predestined to need chocolate. Find out all the reasons why you buy chocolate in our psychological investigation.

This year, before you put in your usual order for flowers, or pick up a box of chocolates, think about putting a 2011 twist on your gift. Here are some unusual suggestions from our Green Dad columnist, Lou Carlozo.

We crunched data for weeks to come up with the predictions on our list of 12 things that will cost less in 2011. The story got out there far and wide, and now we've teamed up with Mint.com to bring you an illustrated version with a cool infographic. Check it out!

When a leading marketing research company applied some new science to the age-old question of "what brands do you like?" it came up with some unusual answers. Find out what six years of study and $8 million found out about why men shop differently than women.

Forget the roses. What will really say I love you, and will create a memory that will last forever, is a Valentine's Day experience. There are great options all over the country, and we've rounded up the best of them for you to choose from.

From iPods to necklaces, the following vendors will guarantee Valentine's day delivery when orders are placed before the listed deadlines.

Wondering what it takes to make it to the top of the list of retailers liked on Facebook? A million likes? 10 million likes? We've got a list of the top 10 in order, and you'll be surprised at the number of followers at the top of the list.

Picking a TV to buy is a lot like getting married — you're going to be spending a lot of time together in your house, and you hope it will last forever. To help you pick a TV mate, dealnews has created its own version of a dating game (because we know what you're really thinking about when you hear about ultra-slim displays). Sit back, relax and enjoy the show!

Even if you are not a Green Bay Packers or Pittsburgh Steelers fan, your heart is telling you to Go Green this Super Bowl Sunday, as in, root for the environment. But how do you get a room full of partying jocks to follow your lead? Try these 10 plays.

If you are one of the millions easily lured by free offers, stop and think for a minute about what's behind these deals so you don't spend more than you intend. We've dug into the psychology of free to keep you safe from being scammed.

Big screens require a big budget. Or so we used to think. Recent data we've collected shows that in the past 12 months, name-brand 55" LCDs — the especially top-of-the-line models with built-in 3D — have plummeted in price. Find out by how much.

Do you ever balk at trying on clothes at a store — especially bathing suits and other intimates — because you just don't want to get naked? Technology is coming to your aid! Check out this virtual fitting room that allows you to try on clothes in the comfort of your own home, without even taking your clothes off.

Stuck at home this winter while the weather is blustery? Now's the time to take a look at the way you are dealing with the cold, and we've got suggestions for improvement, from the type of rock salt you use to the drafty spaces under your doors to cozy hot chocolate you can order online.

Stuck in the snow? With most flights not going anywhere, and the winter not even half over, you know that even if you haven't been delayed so far this winter, you likely will be at some point. Here's some advice we rounded up to help you get through the experience.

Ever wonder why iPhone apps, which are already pretty low in price, go on sale or are free? We did, which is why we asked a number of app-makers what's behind the decision to go free or go on sale.

Ever wonder what it's like to be one of the businesses giving out a Groupon deal? Are you flooded with customers within minutes? Does it cost tons of money? Is it worth the hype? We've got the behind-the-scenes story of one dating service that is living the dream.