Blog Archives for 2014

Laptops are seeing a resurgence, thanks to some competitive pricing and the saturation of the tablet market. We'll be compiling all the latest news, ads, buying guides, and any other information you'll need to get the best laptop on Black Friday on this page; so be sure to bookmark it and check back regularly.

More people are turning to online shopping for the holidays, and a lot will peruse department stores specifically on Cyber Monday. To find even more facts and figures for November — like how many turkeys America will consume this Thanksgiving — read on!

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane hearsay about Guitar Hero, Apple, Krypton, 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!

Black Friday is a fairly predictable day, but occasionally we come across a landmark deal or promotion that wows even us. These rock star deals are small in number, but they've helped mold Black Friday into what it is today. As we approach Thanksgiving, we'd like to pay homage to these industry game-changers.

If you've been holding off on buying the Xbox One, then it might seem like good news that Microsoft has announced it will slice $50 off the price of the console. But in actuality, we have consistently seen deals for the Kinect version for less — way less — than Microsoft's new price.

Many people have flocked to eBay as a cool platform for hawking hot items, but how can you make your own wares stand out from the pack? We talked to two experts for some pointers on making the move to eBay PowerSeller.

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane hearsay about Apple, Renee Zellweger, Mosquitos, 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!

This week, a Black Friday deal leaked when a LEGO fanatic received an order that somehow included the Black Friday promotional item for next month. What a clumsy mistake... or was it? We look at the reality of Black Friday ad "leaks."

DrivePop's offer of "unlimited lifetime" cloud backup service for a fixed, up-front price turned out to be too good to be true. Can consumers do anything when a company cancels an unlimited deal?

By now, most consumers know that the iPad mini 3 and its predecessor are essentially the same tablet. But many don't know how retailers will react now that there are three generations of iPad mini tablets on the market simultaneously. We've analyzed the iPad mini landscape to let you know which mini tablet you should buy and at what price.

Boooooo! That's an expression of discontent for a holiday without any numbers to define the consumer trends. But there's no need to get your Superman tights in a bunch. We've been stirring the cauldron night and day to deliver the digits to delight the demon shopper in us all.

It's been less than 24 hours since Apple's iPad announcement, yet we already know of one likely way to save $80 on the new iPad Air 2 — wait for Black Friday. Last year, the now-defunct iPad Air saw incredible deals during Black Friday week with retailers slashing its price to $429, while others bundled it with generous $75 and $100 gift cards. Here's what you can expect in the coming days.

During Apple's event today, Tim Cook and crew barely mentioned the iPad mini 3; in fact, they uttered a few short words about the new device, despite previously spending at least 10 minutes fawning over the updates on the iPad Air 2. Why, exactly, did Apple downplay its own product announcement? Probably because the iPad mini was barely updated at all.

Macaroni Grill recently released a commercial with Sir Mix-A-Lot's classic "Baby Got Back" to declare that they like "big crusts." So we dug into the internet archives to find more examples of commercial music choices that were just wrong, wrong, wrong.

Ready or not, Black Friday ads are here. To kick off the holiday season, we have our first sales circular leak courtesy of Black Friday veteran Harbor Freight. So now that the holiday seal is broken, here's what else you can expect from retailers in the coming weeks.

According to a study on coffee drinking trends for 2014, 34% of Americans consume gourmet coffee beverages daily, up 3% from last year. So we took a look at five autumn beverages offered by national coffee and tea chains, concoctions both hot and cold — in more ways than one. Here's how they stacked up and went down.

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane hearsay about Apple, Amazon, The Fantastic Four, 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!

Some business have excessively complicated pricing structures or billing procedures, which result in them pocketing extra cash when customers don't (or can't) make the smartest shopping decisions. So what's a savvy shopper to do? We've rounded up five commonly confusing services and talked about how you can save despite the obstacles.

Why can't we just let TV shows and movies die, without having to bring them back later? Are we doing ourselves a disservice by rehashing old ideas? Or does it lead to enough great new things that we should keep at it? Tell us your thoughts, inside!

The best way to make the most of Black Friday is to be prepared, which is why it's never too early for our annual Black Friday deal predictions! If you're wondering what the doorbuster deals will be in TVs this year, or whether or not we could see a slew of iPhone deals, then you've come to the right place. We also have predictions for Android smartphones, tablets, toys, video games, clothing, and more.

Logs. Pie. Coffee. Harry, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. This is the waiting room. When you see me again, it won't be me. I will see you again in 25 years. Meanwhile...

The product choices on late night infomercials are as copious as the number of cable channels these days, whether they claim to keep you warm on the couch or get your shoes on and off with ease. Here we present a roundup of eight products that live up to all the pitched promises — or don't! And if you're moved to buy something yourself, rest assured: satisfaction is guaranteed (so we've been told).

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane hearsay about Apple iPads, Stan "The Man" Lee, 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!

As cooler temperatures approach, it's time to pack up your flip flops and opt for more practical footwear. 6pm is currently taking up to 65% off a selection of UGG shoes, all with free shipping. Here are some of our favorites, ranging from outdoorsy boots to party pumps.

People have probably had meltdowns since humans started exchanging goods and services. Today, thanks to security cameras, smartphones, and the Internet, when store customers completely lose it, we can sometimes watch the drama unfold. Here are 10 of the best retail freakouts that can serve as reminders to keep your cool — and maybe to shop online when possible.

Though there's never a bad time to turn off all the lights and enjoy a horror movie, there is a best time to go ahead and do so, and that time is right now. Halloween is this Friday, and we're once again beseeching you to consider some cult-favorite horror options to get you into the spirit of the holiday.

Yes, it's only the first week of October, but it's time to start talking about Black Friday. After all, preparation is the best way to manage your expectations and get the best deals possible once the big day is upon us. In that spirit, here's our annual list of the ways in which Black Friday will be different this year!

People are saying Ello, a new ad-free social media platform, might be the successor to Facebook! We got our hands on some invites and gave it a whirl; in this video, we discuss if Ello — or anything at all — can replace Facebook.

Camping in the fall can be a delight, but at the end of the day, your comfort depends on picking the right sleeping bag for the weather and your needs. How do you make the right choice? Here are the factors you should consider, and some deals to make the purchase even easier.

A great meal never goes out of style, so we're back with another list of the top smartphone apps for finding food and drink deals. From Happy Hour and food truck trackers, to an app that finds deals at the best local restaurant options, here are our top picks.

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane hearsay about Apple Watch, iPads, Captain Kirk, 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!

Toys "R" Us just released its list of the most anticipated toys for the holidays. (And yes, it is only October.) If you have a kid in your life, you'd better familiarize yourself with this selection of playthings. To make it a tad easier, we've cherry-picked our favorite five toys.

With the astounding sales of the iPhone 6 and 6 plus (over 10 million units sold), it's clear that people really like larger phones. Our experts discuss if phablets and tablets are mutually exclusive technology, or is there's room in our hearts for both.

Spirit Airlines has made something of a hobby of courting public ill will. But its recent move to increase baggage charges during the holidays leaves the airline looking more like Ebenezer Scrooge than ever.

These days, Apple deals are easy to find, but when you buy your Apple kit is just as important as where you buy it. We took a deep look at the deal life cycle of four landmark Apple devices, and as it turns out, you can save a sizable sum right before, and after, an Apple device is updated.

The MacBook Air has gone from being Apple's priciest notebook to being its cheapest, entry-level machine; just this April, Apple refreshed its 11" MacBook Air for the fourth time and simultaneously lowered the retail price to $899. That cut was unexpected, but appreciated — namely because it has driven deals prices for the MacBook Air to new lows. If you're on the hunt for a MacBook Air deal, when can you expect the best prices?

The rumor mill has been buzzing for some time now, and the word is that Apple will release new iPads in October. That wouldn't be surprising since the company did so last year too. This predictability is extremely useful for the dealhunter, because it becomes easier to predict when you'll find the best deals.

Although iPhone deals were initially hard to come by, retailers like Walmart and Best Buy have now changed the deal industry by discounting new iPhones just days after their announcement. So bargain hunters are faced with a new dilemma: When exactly can you get the best deal on the iPhone of your choice? We took a look at our deals from the past three years to find out how discounts roll out during the life cycle of Apple's smartphone.

Is it time to start booking your Thanksgiving trip home already? Our deals suggest that it is. And while flexible travelers might be able to wait a while before booking their flights, we recommend that anyone with specific "Thanksgiving dates" take advantage of one of our current airfare sales and book now to lock down a good price.

Once the domain just of the knowledgeable and wealthy, wine-buying is being disrupted by the internet (just like everything else). Ready to stock your cellar or impress dinner party guests? There are plenty of online wine shops out there, so we've put together a guide to some of the most popular and interesting options.

Retailers have long been paying top dollar to search engines and others to get a peek at your browsing habits, and you can see the evidence in the ads that pop up later on. But Personal BlackBox is developing a way for consumers to bottle their online and retail activity to sell.

Are you a recent victim of credit card fraud, like the just-announced hack at Home Depot? Have you noticed suspicious charging activity on your statement? Credit card fraud can be stressful, but we've come up with a few tips to help you prevent identity theft from taking a toll on your credit history.

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

Ever since Apple officially announced the Apple Watch last week, we've all been busy discussing the merits of the emerging smartwatch category. But when it comes down to it, do shoppers even want a smartwatch, Apple or otherwise? We polled our readers to see what they make of it, and as it turns out, not everyone is ready to jump aboard the latest trend in tech.

America is a land of bigness: we're the home of the Grand Canyon, the Cadillac Escalade, and the Big Gulp. But there are a few products where you're actually better off "skimping" and getting the smaller, less expensive option. From perishable goods to things that are expensive to maintain or store, bigger isn't always better.

When it comes to managing your money in the digital age, you have a lot of options. Older software mainstays have been joined by web and mobile applications, all promising to be the only tool you need for getting – and keeping – your finances in order. We rounded up the best, most affordable choices for different financial objectives and styles.

With better features, the iPhone 6 Plus is obviously a high-end phone, but it also comes at a higher starting price: the iPhone 6 is $199 with a 2-year contract, while the Plus starts at $299. Thus, we were curious to know just how many people are actually interested in the pricier model. As it turns out, quite a lot of you.

Smartwatches are the hottest new gadget in the tech world — but they're still pricey, and most need a smartphone to function. Is it worth the investment? Read on to see a few of the top ways a smartwatch could improve your daily activities.

If you're a retailer hoping to cash in on unpredictable events like sports championships or costume trends, it becomes something of both a science and a gamble. To find out how different kinds of stores work the stocking game year round — and how shoppers can benefit — we spoke with a retail expert to get the inside scoop.