Blog Archives for December 2014

A 22-year-old programmer named Aktarer Zaman made headlines this week when he was sued by United Airlines and Orbitz over his website Skiplagged, which helps travelers find cheaper fares through the practice of "hidden city" ticketing. According to the complaint, United says the whiz kid "intentionally and maliciously" interfered with airline industry business relationships "by promoting prohibited forms of travel." But what is this practice, and do the airlines have any right to shut it down?

The week after Christmas is also known as the week in which everyone returns all the awful sweaters (and other unwanted gifts) that they received for the holidays. In this brief video, our experts discuss the ins-and-outs of returning unwanted merchandise.

Complaining won't make the cold weather go away, though the right garments can certainly keep it at bay. Here we survey 10 clothing choices that will turn cold and frosty into warm and toasty. Hot cocoa is optional; just don't spill it on these fine specimens of anti-winter wizardry.

Merry Christmas! No doubt you reading this through a food-and-nog coma, having already given and received enough presents. But with the holiday gifting season over, you can think about what you REALLY want. If that pottery kit from Aunt Marge isn't doing it for you, see if you can use the store credit on one of the items below, like an unlocked, refurbished iPad mini for the best price we've ever seen, or a 65" Smart HDTV. These offers and more are in the Editors' Choice deals that we found overnight and early this morning

Amazon houses a rich ecosystem of marketplace sellers that have clawed their way up to top seller status. But cashing in on the marketplace model isn't a matter of merely posting products. You've got to work it, though the question remains: How? We talked to some experts to find out.

With the temperature dropping and family and friends gathering close, what better way to pass the time than watching some seasonal programming? You don't need a cable subscription to enjoy your favorite holiday episodes from hit TV shows, since many are available online. So come all ye un-entertained, and enjoy some of our favorite streaming holiday TV specials.

Steam's annual Holiday Sale means massive discounts for PC gamers. Since many of the best Steam Sale deals pop up only briefly, we've rounded up a few quality titles to watch for that will help fill your game library without emptying your wallet. You're likely to find these games, at these prices, and know that they're worth your time.

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

T-Mobile unveiled a new perk that allows users to rollover unused data from month to month. Except the wireless provider can't actually call it "rollover." That's fine though, because CEO John Legere claims that the current name, Data Stash, is cooler anyway. Readers, help us find the answer to this debate!

Why chance ruining the holiday by getting your kids toys that'll harm them? That's not very cheery and in the spirit of things! To make sure you don't spend Christmas in the E.R. check out W.A.T.C.H.'s list of the season's 10 Worst Toys.

The rumor going around is that the next version of the Windows operating system will be subscription-based. Either you'll pay a monthly fee to use it, or you'll pay a monthly fee for add-ons. In this brief video, our experts discuss the pros and cons of paying a monthly fee to use software.

The last weekend before Christmas is a heady, anxious time for shoppers. The so-called "Super Saturday" sales that occur during this time offer one last chance to score a deal on that perfect present. Super Saturday falls on December 20 this year, and we've searched our archives to give you all the data you need to prepare.

Sick of hearing about Zuzu's petals for the millionth time? Do you think the flag pole scene in A Christmas Story is just endangering children at this point? Check out our list of 10 lesser-known holiday films, many of which can be found for free or cheap online.

Love bourbon, bacon, and chocolate? Too bad. Those are just a few of the things you can expect to pay more for next year, thanks to droughts, increased demand, and, possibly, hipsters. Find out what else will be more expensive next year.

The Great Recession may have technically ended over five years ago, but that's probably a surprise to millions of Americans still worrying about their budgets. A modicum of relief is on the way in 2015, as prices fall on some popular goods and services. From cranberry sauce to a Kia sedan, read our predictions for things that will be cheaper in the coming year.

While it's possible today to start big, big, big with a bankroll of private financing, that's not exactly how many of America's iconic brands got off the ground. In an overwhelming number of cases — and with the seven examples listed here — humble origins preceded the evolution into something huge.

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane hearsay about Apple Watch, Mass Effect 4, Windows 10, 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!

In the past, we've cautioned against buying an "Ultra HD" 4K TV because there was barely any content for it and they were still too expensive. A year has passed, so has the situation changed? In this video, our experts discuss if 4K TVs are now a smart purchase.

As you go on your shopping runs this ho-ho-holiday — whether at malls or on the Internet — you're probably not thinking much about the smells, colors and textures around you. But retailers certainly are, and their manipulation of these things can encourage you to spend more money.

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane hearsay about Apple, Star Wars, Assassin's Creed, 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!

Everybody take a deep breath: Black Friday has come to an end. While there are still some Cyber Week sales to consider, and an onslaught of holiday promotions on the horizon, we can at least close the book on Black Friday 2014. Which retailers made the week awesome, and which just made the week more difficult?

Today Amazon announced that it will sell its own line of diapers, stepping into the world of house-brand products like Target's Up & Up line. But if you were hoping for much cheaper, generic-level pricing, think again.