Blog Archives for 2008

Linens 'n Things, Circuit City, KB Toys ... all bankrupt. The current economic crisis is going to put more stores in bankruptcy or out of business. How can this affect you? What other pitfalls should you avoid as the holiday shopping season peaks? We'll break down the potential trouble spots and warn you of other potential problems. Plus, a list of stores to avoid.

Here at dealnews, we take multiple steps to ensure every deal we list is verified, price-checked, and sold by a reputable store. But what happens when we come across a deal from an unknown vendor? Here are some of the investigative steps we take that you can take too, to safeguard your credit card information before making that online transaction.

Worried that holiday shipping deadlines are coming soon? Don't panic! Expect a long list of stores to offer free or discounted last-minute shipping — as late as December 23 — with guaranteed Christmas Eve delivery. To ease your fears, we compiled a list of stores that had such offers last year. We expect an even bigger list this year, and we'll post last-minute shipping deals as soon as we find them. So sit back and relax. Your holiday shopping is under control.

Like it or not, cable TV prices are going up. Fortunately, new online TV sites have launched, and the old sites are improving. Budget-conscious couch potatoes have more options than ever for free Internet TV. We revisit this issue: Has online video matured to the point where you can ditch cable and just watch free TV on the Internet?

In case you missed it, here's our list of holiday shipping deadlines for Christmas Eve delivery. Browse through our list and mark your calendars, as these are the dates you can't afford to miss.

The busiest shopping day of the year has come and gone, and as we did last year, we here at dealnews are taking a look back at some of last week's biggest bargains and biggest failures. We present to you, the best and worst of Black Friday 2008.

In this, the season of giving, we thought we'd share some of our favorite family recipes for the holidays. Some have been passed down from generation to generation, others are new traditions. Either way, these are the recipes that would cause a revolt at the table if they were left off the menu. Enjoy!

This year's holiday shopping season is expected to be a bargain hunter's paradise. With struggling vendors and a sagging economy, everyone's vying for your dollar. But unless you know how to score the best deals, chances are you can wind up spending more than you wanted. Follow our Black Friday Strategy Guide and you'll not only find the best deals, but you'll do so without breaking a sweat. Or possibly without leaving home.

The world's love affair with touchscreen smartphones continues as RIM and Verizon Wireless unleash the first touch-sensitive BlackBerry. But can does this button-less smartphone let you push out e-mail as fast as its counterparts? We spent 24 hours with the new BlackBerry Storm to find out.

Finding the perfect engagement ring can be as difficult as asking your girlfriend to marry you. While we can't help you with the latter, we can show you how to pick a ring that will match both her style and tastes.

In the market for a new smartphone? With their laptop-like features, today's all-in-one models can keep you entertained and connected no matter where you go. From the Blackberry Bold to the T-Mobile G1, we tested three of today's most sought after models to find out which mobile is worth your hard-earned cash.

Come on in and check out this week's Rumor Roundup. We search the web and bring all the crazy ideas that are out there into one, convenient location: here.

Using your cell phone to find online deals isn't new, but T-Mobile's G1 is taking the concept to a new level. Currently, there are three barcode-scanning applications that use the Internet and the G1's GPS capabilities to zero in on low prices. We put the three Android-based apps to the test to find out how well they worked.

We got our hands on the T-Mobile G1, the new Google Android-equipped smartphone from HTC. We've been putting it through the ringers over the past couple of weeks to see if it's truly an iPhone killer, if it's worth the switch to T-Mobile, or if it's just a lot of hype. See what our Features Editor Louis Ramirez discovered ...

Sony and Amazon are pushing digital books into the mainstream, but despite repeated attempts, eBook readers have remained a luxury rather than a necessity. We examine some of the benefits of owning a dedicated eBook reader, along with some budget-friendly alternatives Amazon and Sony don't want you to know about.

Have a weak spot for gadgets? So do we. But you can't always afford the gear you want. Or can you? We created a list of five daily expenses you can eliminate to help you save up for the tech gear you want. You'll be surprised at what you can save up for in just one week.

It may look like a prop from a sci-fi movie, but Vuzix's futuristic video goggles claim they're like watching TV on a 62" screen — for less than half the price. We donned a pair to find out how much big screen real estate these goggles deliver.

This weekend's best laptop deals include a $399 2GHz mid-size notebook from Acer, a 17" HP Pavilion AMD Turion 2GHz, a 15" Toshiba Satellite Dual-Core 2GHz, and more.

Digital cameras let you unleash your inner Ansel Adams, but what you do with the pictures you take afterward is another story. To help you get the most out of your digital camera, we looked at five online photo-finishing services that let you store and share your shots, as well as buy prints and merchandise.

A new iTunes competitor stepped into the ring last Friday, promising DRM-free tunes and free, unlimited streaming. But does MySpace Music have what it takes to challenge Apple or did the site's new overhaul miss the mark? We spent the past three days with it to find out.

This weekend's best laptops deals include a trio of Core 2 Duo systems such as this mid-size 15" Sony VAIO Core 2 Duo 2GHz, 14" and 15" Gateway Core 2 Duo 2GHz systems, and more.

Saving up for a big ticket item? In order to help, we've dug up accounts that automatically deposit money into your savings when you do everyday things like use your debit card or pay your bills online. So whether you're saving for a short-term goal, like a new computer, or just looking to fatten your emergency funds, these methods are a fool-proof way for the lazy person to save money, all FDIC-insured.

This weekend's best laptops deals include a stylish 15" Sony VAIO Core 2 Duo 2GHz, a 17" Toshiba Athlon 64 X2 1.9GHz, a 16" Acer Aspire Core 2 Duo 2GHz, and more.

It's been roughly seven months since Hulu's inception and already the NBC Universal- and News Corp.-backed giant has won over viewers with its clean interface and well-balanced mix of content. But creeping up behind Hulu is a small wave of new aggregators eager to steal some of its followers. Are these new sites worth your time or is Hulu still on top of its game?

This weekend's best laptops deals include a well-equipped 17" Dell Studio 1735 Core 2 Duo 2GHz, 15" Sony VAIO Pentium Dual-Core 1.8GHz, 15" Gateway Core 2 Duo 2GHz, and more.

Buying a new video card can be a confusing experience if you're new to the graphics card scene. To help you purchase a card that won't drain your savings, we've combined our best deals with the latest video card benchmarks from Anandtech so you get top performance for your dollar.

The '90s style is back in a big way -- get the look via plaid shirts, boyfriend jeans, and roomy cardigans

Like it or not, gaming is an expensive hobby. Between the cost of peripherals, online services, and new releases, it's easy to dig yourself into a financial hole. We'll show you where to look for deals on both old and new games alike.

Tired of paying too much at a high-end restaurant? We'll help you manipulate the system to get yourself cheap — if not completely free — meals at ANY eatery.

Stylenotes falls in love with the strappy shoe trend, and finds versions for $100 or less.

Stylenotes pinpoints the menswear-inspired footwear trend, and finds affordable versions from patent leather to peep-toe.

Stylenotes features three hot denim brands you ought to know -- Cheap Monday, Earnest Sewn, and Acne Jeans.

Stylenotes staffers bravely risked turning orange and tested over a dozen self tanning products. Find out what we recommend, and what to watch out for!

Stylenotes' latest Girl Tech feature explores the world of colorful, hip, tech items from earphones to cameras.

It is possible to look stylish while working up a sweat! We've got some chic workout apparel you won't want to miss!

The stylenotes staff dishes on what we're wearing this season, while offering up several affordable options for each trend.

Get ready for the summer with stylenotes' recommendations on products that will keep you looking glam – with or without a tan.

A die-hard couch potato tries to save money by abandoning his cable plan for 30 days and embracing free Internet TV.

We've profiled today's top three fashion jewelry designers -- Rachel Leigh, Kenneth Jay Lane, and CC Skye -- to bring you the best, high-quality baubles on a budget.

The lips have it! Stylenotes tested a ton of lip-plumping products to bring you the very best plumpers for your money!

Stylenotes has picked the chicest swimsuits and coverups this season, from monokinis to triangle bikinis, beach tunics, and more.

The fabulous foursome (Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha, & Miranda) are back, and more fashionable than ever! Read on for how to get the SATC look at prices nowhere near that of Manolos.

Not sure what the hottest trends for summer 2008 are? We've picked the top seven items that you've got to have in your wardrobe rotation this season.

Think in black and white for spring via polkadots, stripes, vivid prints and patterns.

Want to be green when you work from your computer? "Green computing" really means two things: using less power and building with recyclable or biodegradable components. We run down options that will have your next PC sipping less power and doing less harm to the environment once you toss it.

Going green with your garments has never been easier -- hence we've pulled together some great brands that aren't only conscious of the earth, but also of incredibly good style.

Looking for an eco-friendly way to dispose of your old gadgets? We've found seven ways that you can reduce your carbon footprint, and in some cases, make some money while doing it.

We've tested dozens of mascara, to bring you the very best from volumizing, lengthening, waterproof, and more, in a price range of $1.99-$23.

We all love a little black dress, but sometimes when an outfit needs a little more oomph, it's good to have a little red version on hand. We've rounded up the most flattering options at all prices so anyone can introduce this lively staple to their wardrobe.