Blog Archives for February 2013

The dealnews Podcast Episode 248 will serve up some knowledge, hot and fresh, to your ears! This week, our panel talks about the new Google Glass video, the PlayStation 4 announcement, the state of the gaming industry, and more!

The thrift bandwagon is nearly at capacity, but that doesn't stop the ultra-rich from pinching their piles of pennies! Sure, the 1% could buy and sell every last one of you, but they like a good deal, just like the rest of us. So check out our list of tips to save money if you're super-rich!

Looking for a new car? Kelley Blue Book recently released its Best Resale Value Awards for 2013, naming the cars that retain the most value after five years.

Headphones and earbuds are our portal out of the present and into a world of music, podcasts, radio, and beyond. Dr. Dre, of all people, certainly knows that, and his line of Beats headphones have become ubiquitous with sound and style. Not sure which pair of Beats by Dre is right for you? Inside we look at the six latest models and discuss the pros and cons of each.

According to a recent study, more than half of all online transactions are never completed, resulting in what the industry has deemed "abandoned" shopping carts. Consumers walk away from potential purchases for a variety of reasons, but all is not lost for online retailers, as there are several ways for them to convert these lost cart causes into sales.

Despite Microsoft's image crisis, the PC maker still has some loyal followers, one of which runs a blog all about the company. ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley is a Microsoft user by choice and in this week's techie top five pays hommage to the purveyor of Windows with her favorite non-Apple gadgets.

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane rumors about Google, Apple, PlayStation 4, and more? Well, neither are we! Hooray! That's why we put all the latest biz-buzz from the internet into one place, the Rumor Roundup!

Sony took to the stage last night to announce the PlayStation 4. It brings along new hardware, new features, and new social integration. We tell you everything we know about the next-gen console. But what's more interesting is what Sony didn't announce!

Google just released a new teaser video for its wearable computer, Google Glass. Take a look at it and decide for yourself if augmented reality computing is the wave of the future, or an unsightly distraction. We want to know your thoughts!

The dealnews Podcast Episode 247 will slake your thirst for knowledge. This week, our panel talks about the rumored Apple iWatch, Best Buy price matching, watching more (and longer) ads, and more!

Few things can spoil your trip more than unexpected fees, but according to a recent report, airlines have changed a staggering 52 fees since January 2012. How can you keep all the potential surcharges straight?

Securing a new cell phone plan is far from straightforward; once you've decided what device you want, you still have to decide which carrier to sign up with, at which point you may wonder whether it makes sense to get a subsidized phone through a 2-year contract, or if the pay-as-you-go option is better for your needs. Then, of course, there's the question of coverage and plan pricing.

Before you throw your hands up in defeat and re-up with the same carrier for another two years because it's easy, take some time to compare the costs and potential savings of all the carrier options.

When your 2-year contract is up, where are you going to get your next phone? For many, that depends on where they can find a deal. We've combed through our deal archive to find out which carrier sees the best deals on new smartphones.

With Mobile World Congress on the horizon, smartphone fans can expect an influx of new phones in the coming months. And just as we saw with CES releases, there are plenty of bargains to be had if you know when and where to buy. Here are our predictions on how long you'll have to wait for this year's crop of MWC phones to go on sale.

If you've ever hired a moving service before, how did you do it? Did you take the time to price out all competitors, based on your very specific inventory and distance to be traveled, thus requiring each company to visit your home and give you a quote? Probably not, even though that would be the only way to ensure that you're paying the best price possible. Unpakt and Moveline, however, aim to streamline the moving process and make it more cost effective.

The Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue is known for its alluring backdrops and fit models in not-so-modest bathing suits. Yet this year, Target has dressed two models in its bikinis and has taken aim at SI's female readers in an effort to promote its own swimwear.

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane rumors about Xbox, Apple, Apple again, Batman, and more? Well, neither are we! Hooray! That's why we put all the latest biz-buzz from the internet into one place, the Rumor Roundup!

Sony will reportedly release its long-awaited PlayStation 4 next week, exciting gamers everywhere. But while we're intrigued by the PS4, we also can't help but wonder what this means for the PlayStation 3, which will undoubtedly see a price drop after Sony's announcement. We looked back into our archives to see what kind of discounts shoppers can expect in the coming weeks.

Earlier this month, Amazon announced that it will introduce Amazon Coins, a new digital currency for its Kindle Fire Appstore. Are these coins merely a way to generate more interest in Kindle Fire apps? Or should customers be wary of the new currency?

In 50 years, when your grandchildren ask, "Where is your Harlem Shake video, grandpa?" Will you have an answer? Well, dealnews does! Yep. We jumped on that meme bandwagon, alright! Enjoy.

The dealnews Podcast Episode 246 is here to fill your ears with consumer news. This week, our panel talks about future OUYA releases, U.S. Postal Service cuts, American Express Twitter purchasing, Valentine's Day, and more!

Traditionally, shoppers have been hesitant to buy clothes and shoes online because of the variation in sizing. But there are new tools at a consumer's disposal that aim to take the guesswork out of buying these items online, starting with the high-tech Shoefitr service.

Tax season is upon us, and — according to the ads that we're inundated with — there are web sites and software packages that can turn filing your own returns into a day at the beach. ~Do they work as easily as they promise? How much should you plan to spend in order to earn all the refunds that they propose to uncover?

If you're like us, then every time Valentine's Day comes around, you think: "Hey, I wonder if I could save money over the course of, let's say, 50 years if I just grew my own roses instead of shelling out $60 each time for a bouquet!" Well we decided it was finally time for this age-old theory to be put to the test.

Any grand romantic gesture you're planning this week may score you points for the time being, but it stands less of a chance of leaving a lasting mark if there's no way to document the moment. Whether seeking a point-and-shoot camera or something more substantial, this week's roundup of the best digital camera deals will help you remember this special Valentine's Day — or, if newly single, document the damage to your car in preparation for a reunion with an ex in small-claims court.

While money can't buy you love, it can certainly buy a very romantic night out. Valentine's Day spending is expected to only modestly increase this year, but that still amounts to a staggering $18.6 billion total. Here's how Valentine's Day breaks down by the numbers.

If you're familiar with the ongoing saga between e-commerce retailers and the states that want sales tax charged during online transactions, then you're probably aware that Amazon is slowly being forced to collect tax for a growing number of states. Last week, it was announced that Connecticut will be added to that list.

Earlier this week, Canada stopped producing pennies, but should the United States follow suit? After all, these tiny coins cost more to make than their face value. But what if we can no longer make exact change?

Typically when you make a purchase with your credit card, your bank charges the merchant an interchange fee for the transaction. But last week, retailers were given permission to pass this surcharge on to the customer. But will they? As it turns out, you shouldn't cut up your plastic just yet.

The dealnews Podcast Episode 245 asks: Are you ready for a podcast?! If so, press play and hear our panel talk about failed Super Bowl streaming, BlackBerry's new phones, OUYA preorders, Canadian pennies, and more!

While it's crucial to figure out what style of engagement ring your girlfriend will love this Valentine's Day, it's just as important to know what characteristics to look for in the quality. We've put together this handy diamond glossary to help you make sense of the terms used by gemologists and diamond merchants, so that you can wow her with one of the world's most precious stones.

Jos. A. Bank recently announced that it expects lower profits for the 2012 fiscal year, citing warmer winter weather as the cause. But could the real reason for this bargain suit purveyor's woes be that customers are no longer interested in its deep discounts?

CES announced last week that it will no longer partner with tech-news heavyweight CNET for its Best of CES awards program, after the publication relented to pressure from its parent company to drop the Dish Hopper from its list of the top electronics in 2013.

Best Buy enlisted the lovable Amy Poehler to shill its wares in a Super Bowl commercial yesterday, and consumers took to Twitter to voice their opinions. Did Best Buy score by hiring the plucky actress, and did anyone care what the ad was for anyway?

Valentine's Day is a time-honored celebration of love, and it's natural to want to give the world to those you love. But if your budget is thin this year, fret not! There are a variety of gifts you can buy that seem a lot more expensive than they really are.

KAYAK — an exceptionally useful travel price comparison site — recently unleashed an ingenious tool for budget-conscious travelers: airfare price forecasting. The site can now tell shoppers the likelihood that they're desired route will increase in price in the coming days. So how does KAYAK predict the future?

On Tuesday, Apple announced that it would start selling its fourth-generation iPad with a 128GB storage capacity, doubling the size of the previously-largest model. But do consumers really need this upgrade? And by extension, is it worth the extra money?