Blog Archives for March 2012

Just as there's no such thing as a free lunch, quite a few apps out there entice you with a gratis download price tag, then ensnare you with in-app purchases. But just how much money are otherwise frugal folks willing to spend? And which in-app purchases will set you back the most money? dealnews investigates the cost of free apps.

If you're the kind of traveler who enjoys the act of traveling as much as the vacation portion of a trip, we encourage you to book a sea-bound voyage. Not only are cruise packages at some of the lowest prices we've ever seen, but the destinations are abundant. With a cruise package deal, you'll enjoy more than just the pleasures of traveling at sea and days in port; the savings to be had with these cruise deals may change the way you think about fun and relaxing vacations.

In less than a year 4G technology has matured from a cool add-on to have on your handheld to a must-have feature for any smartphone. But with so many models on the market, how do you know which phone is right for you or which model offers the best value? We've hand-picked five of today's best-rated (or most anticipated) 4G smartphones to help make your decision easier

The dealnews Podcast Episode 204 is here! This week, Jeff and Louis were left to fend for themselves, but they handle the situation with aplomb through such topics as: Employers asking for your Facebook login, Pottermore cranking out the Harry Potter eBooks, Instagram, Angry Birds, Draw Something, and more.

A few months ago, the increasingly popular Shopkick app announced that it had recently reached 3 million active users. These millions of consumers cash in on in-store savings from the shopping rewards application by earning points and rewards, as well as unlocking special discounts redeemable at the cash register. This obviously excites anyone invested in brick-and-mortar retail, but is the app really providing a sizable advantage over online shopping?

Yesterday, news spread that Newt Gingrich's campaign had decided to charge $50 a pop for photographs taken with him at a campaign speech in Delaware. Now, we don't report on political issues, as we are, after all, a shopping website. But we do report on deals. And we just couldn't help but point out that there are some more thrifty options available for our Republican readers out there.

If you're shopping at a Kohl's retail location and can't find what you're looking for, you can look to the Kohl's Kiosk, which houses the online version of the store's shopping experience. But will the kiosk let you redeem those online coupon codes we frequently find for Kohl's? And if so, is there an advantage to using the in-store kiosks for certain items over shopping at home from a computer? dealnews investigates!

At what point does exercise and work converge? Well, for personal trainers, that's every day. For the rest of us, however, it rarely happens. But thanks to the FitDesk, we can all experience the confluence of human existence's worst activities! Since we liked the idea of knocking out two chores at once, we wanted to see how well this exercise bike works. To read (and see!) our thoughts on the FitDesk, click through for our video review!

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing about the iPhone 5, the iPad 4, and Windows 8? Or the future of Apple, Microsoft, and Zynga? Well neither are we! YAY! That's why we put all the latest buzz from the Internet into one place, the Rumor Roundup! Go on, indulge your guilty pleasures! And then go tell everybody about them!

Have you ever seen a Pacific sunset? The majesty of the California coastline is breathtaking. And now's the perfect time to head west. The Golden State boasts some of the best wine, restaurants, scenic views in the nation. To help you experience all that California has to offer, we've found deals on flights, hotels, and activities.

Gas prices have been steadily climbing, and some experts are predicting that there's a chance we could see $5 a gallon gas prices come June. As consumers, we may not be able to control the escalating prices — but we're not powerless. Here are some sensible ways to save on gas and use less of it, so you end up with more cash in your pocket this summer.

Kids are taken from their families and forced to fight to the death on a remote island. This is the plot of "Battle Royale." But, it turns out, it's also the plot of a new book / movie combo, too: The Hunger Games! In this piece, we investigate the monetary value of Katniss' bag. You know, the one — NO SPOILERS!

The dealnews Podcast Episode 203 has been approved by the FDA for human consumption. (It contains 76% of your daily dose of comedy.) Discussed by our expert panel of non-doctors is the new iPad's bigger battery and hotter temperature; Windows 8; the New York Times creating further restrictions for online viewing, and more.

Since their mainstream debut at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show, 3D TVs have been a niche product. Sky-high prices, competing technologies, and expensive glasses have given consumers more than enough reasons to ditch these TVs in favor of lower-priced LCDs. However, we're predicting this summer will be the year of the 3D TV (finally), and here's why.

It's been roughly six months since the devastating floods in Thailand, and the storage industry is still struggling in the wake of the destruction. Analysts predicted hard drive prices would increase in the months following, and unfortunately, that's precisely what we've seen. But where do we stand now, and how long will it take for prices to stabilize? We looked at price trends in the dealnews archives to get a better picture.

Some people look at sunglasses as disposable items to buy at the dollar store, while others see them as fashion statements worth paying hundreds to get just the right pair. But we just want to make sure that you get a pair that protects your eyes. So here are some tips (and deals) to help you pick a pair that will suit your face and your budget at the same time.

While energy-efficient appliances can save you money through usage, few people realize that you can get a tidy refund via a tax credit too! And though it's too late to claim such a credit on last year's taxes, you can start planning for a payoff on this year's, by purchasing an Energy Star appliance. Here's what you need to know about the savings can you expect.

There will always be a deluge of people who always buy the latest and greatest from Apple, but what about consumers who are currently tablet-free and ready to jump aboard the slate train? We wanted to know how many first-time tablet owners plan to buy the new iPad, a previous generation, or a different platform entirely, so we asked our readers. And the results of the dealnews survey are in!

Any savvy traveler knows to check the fine print before making travel plans. We generally know that hotels require notice if we cancel our stay, and that airlines won't let us switch departure dates without paying a fee. But what happens if the vendors are the ones who change your plans?

The palindromic dealnews Podcast Episode 202 is ready for you, for ready is 202 Episode Podcast dealnews pallindromic The! Discussed by our expert panel of certified talkers is the unveiling of Google Play, Walmart offering UltraViolet copies of your DVDs, Netflix grasping at straws, Marvel pushing digital, total coverage of the London Olympics, homeless hotspots, Doritos Tacos, and more.

Anyone who has dropped or scratched their iPhone, tablet, or other gadget knows the importance of having a good case or screen cover on it. These accessories can be the difference between having a working device and one that's barely functional. But, it doesn't end there. We talked with some electronics experts for their ideas on the best ways to protect your gadgets from damage that goes beyond your basic cases and coves.

There are challenges that tell us how much heart we have, and the peak of a mountain is one that always looms above our heads. Every day, ordinary people attempt to ascend to altitude greatness, whether it's at Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, or Mt. Hood, Denali, or even Mt. Katahdin in Maine. We praise these climbers, but advise that before you begin your vertical ascent, you not only gear up, but brush up. Here are tips for preparing to undertake a mountain climbing adventure this spring.

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing about the iPhone 5, the iPad 4, and the iTV? Or the future of Apple, Microsoft, and Maggie Smith? Well neither are we! YAY! That's why we put all the latest buzz from the Internet into one place, the Rumor Roundup! Go on, indulge your guilty pleasures! And then go tell everybody about them!

Look around your own home, and you'll find power guzzling electronics and appliances in both likely and unlikely places. But by making some fairly painless changes, you can see big savings: in energy, cash, and yes, saving the planet. Here's a look at some of those power-hungry appliances, and what you can do to be more efficient and economical without backbreaking hassle.

It's the dealnews Podcast Episode 201 In this show, we cover the new iPad ... and that's about it. (There was a lot to say, so we said it.) There's also plenty of our usual jokes, laughs, and fun, so even if you hate Apple, you'll probably find this show enjoyable, anyway!

Universities understand that the stress of midterms must be offset by a week of leisure, and it's a pity that "going on spring break" ends at graduation. But why not change that this year with a trip to Mexico? With the deals we found on hotels, vacation pacakages, and fun-in-the-sun activities — in both Cancun and Cabo! — you'll be making those vacation days from work worth while.

One of the most notable upgrades for the third generation iPad is the inclusion of 4G LTE connectivity. But how much will that speedy service cost you? And if everything can be streamed and downloaded so much easier, how quickly might you use your allotted data?

The best way to improve your car's stereo system? It isn't exactly what you think. While new speakers and amplifiers are surefire ways to make your stereo louder, boosting its sound quality is as easy as peel-and-stick sound dampening material.

After months of speculation, Apple has officially announced its third-generation iPad, but the real story in Wednesday's announcement was actually the iPad 2. At $399, it's the most discounted and aggressively-priced iPad ever. But this is just the beginning of what's to come, as retailers and tablet manufacturers will assuredly need to respond to Apple's price cut. So how cheap could the iPad 2 get? And how will it affect Android pricing?

You have your hammers, screwdrivers, drills, and saws: a nice start on the tool collection needed for your hobbies and house work. But there are lots of other chores that demand more specialized tools, and there's a perfect one for each task. Here are five tools that all savvy homeowners should have.

Today is March 7, and we're just a few hours away from the official details of Apple's latest iDevice. We found in a poll conducted last week that 22% of our readers are planning on preordering the new tablet. But before you buy, there are a few things to keep in mind should you ever want to sell your new device.

When it comes to traveling, physical guidebooks and foreign language dictionaries may be going the way of the Dodo bird. Whether it's booking airfare, scouring for the best of the best in local food options, or navigating a new city's subway system, these 10 travel apps make vacationing easier.

The new year hasn't been kind to the cruise industry, with one mishap after another. But a cruise line's disastrous public image means good things for a customer's wallet — assuming you still want to step aboard a cruise ship at all. To coax hesitant travelers, numerous cruise lines have offered exceptional deals on their vacations. So how much can you expect to save?

Since the Apple event to announce the iPad 3 is in a few days, we thought we'd do something slightly different for the Rumor Roundup, this week. Not only are we rounding up the "true" rumors about the iPad 3, but also our hopes and (fever) dreams of what we'd like to see in the next version. See if you can spot the difference!

Remember that utterly awesome Tron Legacy Light Cycle we listed awhile back? It was our eighth most popular deal of 2011, and we still can't get that flashy ride out of our heads. So we started to wonder: just how much would it cost to legitimately own the Tron Light Cycle and keep it in tiptop shape, rideable, and street legal? (You know, in case we save so much money from bargain hunting that we have $55,000 lying around to buy it.)

Are refurbished shoes just a fancy way of calling them used? Nordstrom has reportedly begun selling "refinished" footwear at select Nordstrom Rack locations, and we want to know — would you buy them?