Blog Archives for March 2013

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane rumors about Apple, Google, 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!

The practice of showrooming and buying goods online instead of at a brick-and-mortar store is starting to really annoy retailers, and one merchant has decided to solve the problem by charging customers an entrance fee. Would you be willing to pay it?

It's barely been a week since Canon announced its new digital SLR, the Canon EOS Rebel T5i, and already the verdict is fairly unanimous: the T5i is essentially the same as its predecessor, the T4i. However, the price difference between the two is significant.

Tax season is upon us! But before you throw your copy of Turbo Tax into a turbo-charged blender, remember that the I.R.S. tax code is full of little-known (yet legal) deductions you could and should utilize. We spoke to a certified CPA who shared with us seven commonly overlooked tax deductions.

BlackBerry needs its new BlackBerry Z10 smartphone to be flawless and revolutionary enough to get consumers excited. But can the Z10 save BlackBerry? We turn to the expert reviews to find out.

Easter marks yet another holiday made for spending, as well as consuming copious quantities of chocolate. This year the National Retail Federation estimates that the average celebrant will spend approximately $145.13 on candy, decor, apparel, and food. And after conducting our own Easter egg hunt for stats, we've got other numbers on tap regarding this Spring holiday.

It's a commonly held belief amongst grocery store chains that the further a shopper walks into a store, the more likely it is that he or she will spend more money. But as it turns out, most shoppers actually end up covering less than half the area of an average supermarket, which means grocers aim to get us to walk around even more — and our own smartphones may be helping them accomplish this end.

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane rumors about LEGO, Amazon, Justin Timberlake, 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!

Lululemon announced this week that it's recalling some of its yoga pants from stores because they were made too sheer. Since it's not everyday that we encounter a product recall that's seemingly so absurd, we decided to enumerate some of the most ridiculous recalls in recent history.

With the first quarter of 2013 drawing to a close, February's retail numbers brought a surprise to many sectors. While analysts expected to see a continued dip in sales across the board — what with higher payroll taxes, sequestration, and rising gas prices — February actually saw a surprising increase in retail sales. Here's a look at what that means could mean consumers.

The newly-announced Samsung Galaxy S4 will be released on April 26 and we should start seeing deals that take as much as 50% off the subsidized price starting this summer. But if you don't want to wait that long, here's how you can get the S4 for just $2!

The dealnews Podcast has hit Episode 250! That's over five years of our lives dedicated to bringing you consumer news ... and laughs (hopefully)! In this milestone episode, we talk about the death of Google Reader, Kickstarter, watch computers, and how you can win our NOOK giveaway!

With more men literally bringing home the bacon (from the supermarket), are "man aisles" helpful find-it-in-one-place shopping aids for bachelors and dads alike? Or are they just a marketing ploy to selel more beef jerky and beer?

The past and present champions of Android smartphones, HTC and Samsung, go head to head as we compare the recently unveiled Samsung Galaxy S4 and the HTC One. These contenders are well-matched, and a wealth of tech followers and writers have already fawned over their features. So when it comes to the crème of the 2013 crop of phones, which reigns supreme?

Who doesn't workout better when paced by a good beat? Thankfully we live in the age of the MP3 player and the smartphone, so we're able to carry our music with us 24/7. Whether you need tunes for a run at the gym or jaunt around the yard on a riding mower, we've compiled some guidelines to help you pick the perfect pair of headphones for an active lifestyle.

Contributing Joystiq editor Mike Schramm was formerly a senior editor at WoW.com, and was one of the founding editors of Massively. Today, we're grateful to add Schramm to our ongoing series, a Techie's Top 5, to see what gadgets this gamer can't live without.

Two more cruise ships experienced mishaps while out at sea yesterday, and just like last month's catastrophe, both involved mechanical failure. These public disasters should deter many travelers from booking a future cruise, right? According to our readers, maybe not.

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane rumors about Apple, Google, Charlize Theron, 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!

It's been almost two years since Roku refreshed its set-top box. With minor UI and hardware improvements, is the new Roku 3 the only streaming device you'll ever need? Should you choose the Roku 3 over the Apple TV? Is it worth the upgrade from your current Roku box?

Given all the backlash JCPenney weathered over eliminating sales in favor of "everyday low prices" (a policy they've since rescinded), you could almost predict that the retail giant would have to do something risky and daring to win disgruntled shoppers back — something "fresh," if you will. Say hello to Joe Fresh at JCP.

The dealnews Podcast Episode 249 is delivering consumer news right to your front door. This week, our panel talks about Google Glass, airlines changing how and what we pay for airfare, how EA handled the new Sim City launch, Apple's streaming music service, and more!

eBay announced that it will cease to offer its Instant Sale trade-in service, leaving consumers with one less outlet for electronics resale. How will this affect consumers, and what services should you consider instead?

It's currently illegal to unlock your own cell phone, but getting your carrier to do it for you isn't all that easy. We explore why unlocking has become a hot-button issue, and explain how you can unlock your phone legally.

As the winter melts away into a soggy spring, daylight savings has required us to push our clocks ahead an hour, and it's always a difficult thing at first, no matter its annual occurrence. To help get you going an hour earlier, we recommend an excellent cup of coffee each morning. Luckily, brewing the perfect cup of coffee doesn't require a degree in rocket science and isn't all that pricey, either.

St. Patrick's Day shall soon be upon us. It's a time for counting the copious consumption of all things Irish, semi-Irish, or not even remotely Irish. And the consumer forecast this St. Patrick's Day calls for more than 133 million celebrants to take part in the action, with spending to reach to a whopping $4.7 billion. Here's how Americans will be spending the green on March 17.

The soon-to-be released Samsung Galaxy S4 has many people geeking out over the phone's alleged new size and technology. But some consumers might not be ready to jump aboard the S4 train just yet, knowing that in a few months, it will probably drop in price. But how long will it take to find a deal on the S4?

Awhile back, we asked our readers to review Walmart's Straight Talk Wireless service, and now that we're moving further away from carrier contracts, it seems even more important to discuss whether these plans are worthwhile.

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane rumors about Apple, YouTube, Sony, Jay Leno, 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!

Late last year, it was discovered that Apple was discreetly selling its refurbished wares through eBay, at the exact same prices. But today, dealnews found that several of the items have dropped to prices that are lower than what the Apple Store charges directly — and in some cases, by a significant margin. What gives?

Will a $10 LED light bulb spark a revolution of replacing already energy-efficient CFL lights in homes across America? LED manufacturer Cree hopes so, with its new line of cheaper LED bulbs.

The Sony VAIO turns 15 this year, and the brand is still going strong. To celebrate the model's success, we've compiled reviews on four VAIO series that are consistently available at budget-friendly prices. Which Sony VAIO laptop is right for you?

Amazon's got its reviews section, and now the mega retailer has implemented a Customer Q&A section to help those undecided buyers become even more informed about a product before purchasing. But those user-submitted questions don't go to Amazon experts; they are emailed to actual past customers who've bought the product(s) in question. As savvy Amazon consumers, how will this affect you?

There are those who love grocery shopping, but for those of us who loathe it, wouldn't it be ideal to get groceries from your favorite local supermarket, without ever having to leave the comfort of your couch? An ever-growing number of grocers are offering ways for customers to order groceries online, but is it right for you?

CES 2013 saw its share of new smartphones, tablets, and, of course, HDTVs. But this year, it also saw major Chinese manufacturers TCL and Hisense — otherwise known for their budget sets — push tier-one ultra HDTVs. Will the media blitz pay off? And will consumers eventually have cheaper ultra HD options at their disposal?

Living in the age of online shopping and m-commerce, it has become arguably harder for stores without an online presence to compete with the lower prices of many online merchants. But still, are there any items you'd never consider buying online? From clothing to groceries, we discuss how potentially problematic purchases are made easier through online shopping.

While not all Americans will receive money from Uncle Sam this year, at least 76% of our readers have some sort of tax return coming their way. And for some, that might be a substantial chunk of change. So what will consumers do with their tax refunds?

It's common knowledge that the cost of higher education is continually on the rise. And while college can never be free, there should at least be a crash course on how to save on everyday education. In that vein, we've put together a handful of free resources that can get you learnin' without spending what you're earnin'.

While many Americans bemoaned the expiration of key Energy Star tax credits at the end of 2011, thanks to the American Taxpayer Relief Act, these credits are back. With them, you could save up to $500 on your 2012 taxes if you invested in green technologies for your home.