Blog Archives for 2011

Nothing can rain on your summer parade like a blown out pair of flip-flops. Maybe it's time to upgrade from the dollar store to something more finely crafted that comes with a lifetime guarantee? We have rounded up your best options for sandals that you can count on.

Back when Earth Day started in 1970, it was a bipartisan event to celebrate nature. These days, it's a consumer holiday where you can score freebies and deals for reducing, reusing and recycling. See all the offers that our Green Dad columnist, Lou Carlozo, has rounded up for you.

It's the prefect time to give your yard and outdoor space some much-needed TLC. Follow this list and you'll be set for a beautiful garden in five easy steps. Plus, you'll also save some money at the same time.

Internet alarm clocks are having a rough year as big-screen smartphones and app store-driven tablets have stolen their spotlight. However, despite their push into obsolescence, these night-table alarm clocks are refusing to budge. And with prices now heavily discounted, there's never been a better time to buy.

Don't like your Groupon? Bought one too many deals from Living Social? Looking for a bargain from somebody's overzealous buying? You need to visit the coupon reselling marketplace. Our consumer advocate Mitch Lipka offers you a few tips for how to buy and resell with the confidence that you aren't being scammed.

With gas prices skyrocketing, you're going to see a lot of old myths about how to make your car run better. What's true? What's not? Our Green Dad columnist, Lou Carlozo, sorts the myths from facts when it comes to making your machine run smarter.

A svelte laptop will never go out of style, and while many consider Apple's current-generation MacBook Air the pinnacle of ultraportables, new models are starting to encroach on Apple's territory. The latest contender is the Samsung NP900X3A laptop. But does this Windows newcomer have what it takes to topple Apple?

You might not have shed a tear of regret on hearing the announcement today that Cisco was calling it quits on the Flip camcorder, but our guest columnist, digital journalism pioneer Mo Krochmal, sure did. This is his sign-off to the Flip, which has served him well.

Ever wanted to smash up a laptop and see what's inside? The nice folks at Laptopmd.com allowed us to do just that for a new video series. After cracking a laptop open, our first episode takes a look at processors, and explains how to choose the best one for your computing needs.

May marks the 1-year anniversary of the abrupt demise of Apple's Lala.com, a cloud-based streaming music service that was a game-changer. So who is now at the forefront of the digital music industry and what can we expect to see in the future? We take a look at the major players along with some of our personal favorites.

If you get bad service from a retailer and want to complain about it, what are your options and how likely are you to resolve the complaint to your satisfaction? Our consumer advocate, Mitch Lipka, has a handy list to help you figure out your likelihood of getting a positive resolution from 10 popular Internet retailers.

We have seen major drops in 3D HD television prices over the past year, and at any given moment, our site is teeming with enticing deals on the new technology. But if you're considering taking the plunge and adding another dimension to your viewing experience, keep in mind that the spending doesn't stop with the TV alone — and with our recommendations, you'll save as much as $485.

In the war over cell phone turf, Apple's release of the iPhone on the Verizon network really shook things up. February's stats are in, and while Apple isn't going to topple the market leader just yet, it definitely won the battle in February.

Say you're standing in the grocery store, mulling two different choices. What's going to tip the balance for you? Price? Impact on the earth? Now you can get the earth-friendly choice and save money, with these 8 easy swaps brought to you by our Green Dad columnist, Lou Carlozo.

Did you know that Amazon deals sell out faster than any other store? Do you know which types of products sell out fastest? We publish almost 300 deals daily, so what's a deal seeker to do to keep up? We've listed the five fastest-selling deals on dealnews, and humbly offer up a solution to the problem of missing out: our new dealnews app.

Have you ever thought about why your favorite brand ranks above all the others? Interbrand Design Forum has, with its list of the top 50 brands of 2011, highlighting three emerging trends for this year in retail. Find out how the best retailers are aiming for the prize with staying power: your business.

While spring is taking its sweet time to arrive, at least on the East Coast, it's the perfect time to start gathering up the materials you need to go green — as in get your garden and lawn growing. Our Green Dad columnist, Lou Carlozo, has eight tips to get you started.

In case you hadn't checked your calendar today for wacky holidays, it's "World Backup Day." This is the one day of the year set aside to remind you to back up your data and make sure that if your laptop fries, you won't lose all your pictures, home movies and music files. Oh, and in case you needed a little enticement, deals and freebies abound!

Like it has done with its mascot, Mario, Nintendo has rebooted its DS handheld multiple times. In the DS' latest incarnation, Nintendo is betting hard on 3D gaming, but is the new handheld a gimmick or is Nintendo trailblazing the future of mobile gaming? Find out in our DS gadget battle.

L.L. Bean is aiming to be the next Zappos, using free shipping as a customer service tool to stand out above other online apparel retailers. Will the gimmick work to draw you in?

When you buy something using your credit card, a lot of activity is taking place behind the scenes, and that activity differs whether you are buying online or in a store. Which is safer? Our consumer advocate, Mitch Lipka, details one way you may be safer buying online than in a store.

Need a place to stash your iPad, but it's too big for your pocket or an armband or any other holster? This fashion need has now met the mother of invention and driven an entirely new line of tablet-friendly clothing. Here's what you need to stay on the cutting edge of mobile fashion with your iPad.

While a great many products are made in China, some critical components for everything from laptops to cars to the iPad2 comes from the area in Northern Japan hit hardest by the disasters there. What does that mean for consumer prices in the U.S.? Here's how six different products will be affected.

Last week, more than half of our readers told us they tell at customer service reps at least some of the time, so today, we offer some practical advice on how to stop the yelling and start getting what you want. Here are six ways to get what you want without flying off the handle.

The mobile Core i7 processor is Intel's top-of-the-line laptop CPU. We graphed the best deals on first-generation 16" and 17" Core i7 laptops over the past 12 months and discovered the magic price to pay.

Some people head out to drink at their local bars just for the chance to play a few arcade games, especially retro ones. But if you'd rather skip the beer and just focus on the games, you can now play at home. We tried out the new versions of Big Buck Hunter and its ilk to see if they're worth the money.

The competition is heating up for those who want to order something on line and have it in their hands a little while later, for no additional shipping fees. Walmart's new "Pick Up Today" program can have items in your car four hours after you order them online. Can it compete?

Thanks to local deal sites like Groupon, travelers can score great deals while on vacation. But how to sort through the seemingly endless list of copycat sites? Here's the ins and outs of the best sites, and how you can take advantage of them on your next vacation.

There were hundreds of stores selling the iPad 2 on its release day last Friday, but still thousands lined up around the country at Apple stores to get their hands on the new gadget the very first day. Why? We took our video camera to the Apple Store in SoHo, New York, to find out why people would choose to wait in line when they could order online.

The devastation in Japan has people around the world digging in to their pockets to help. We lined up our new columnist, consumer advocate Mitch Lipka, to give his best advice on donating money, from avoiding scams to how to maximize the money you give with matching donations like the one being offered by dealnews.

Anyone who's saved money buying online and avoiding sales tax should pay attention to the battle over sales taxes going on between Amazon, and other Internet-only retailers, and a dozen states around the country. The debate is getting fierce, with small businesses and your wallet caught in the crossfire.

Luxury handbag maker Coach is faced with a lawsuit for going after eBay resellers, even when they are hawking authentic bags. How far is too far when a company is trying to protect its reputation, its copyright and its bottom line? Find out the inside story, and then tell us what you think.

As people begin lining up for the iPad 2 release on Friday, we take a look at what drives early adopters. Do they think differently than those who wait for price drops? Do they get some special benefit out of ordering up the latest gadget on the market, regardless of what it costs?

2011 is shaping up to be the year of the 4G network with practically every mobile carrier prepping its next-gen network and building an army of 4G smartphones. But how do these new phones stack up when compared? We take a quick look at some of the most anticipated 4G phones to find out.

With such great deals out there for digital SLR cameras, just about anyone can channel their inner Annie Leibovitz. While additional equipment can run the gamut in price, our list of must-have accessories keep the true cost of DSLR photography in check.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday gave online retailers a major kick in the pants in 2010, spurring revenue growth for the first time in years. So now analysts are predicting a healthy upward curve for sales. But when will online shopping actually overtake stores? Place your bet in our poll.

While nobody likes to talk about it, we all have pest issues at some point (and we're talking about real pests, not computer viruses). If you've ever worried about spraying toxic chemicals around your house, especially where you eat, then we've got some solutions for you — some so safe you can drink them

The tablet is here to stay and this afternoon Apple schooled its competition with the release of the iPad 2. Or did it? We compare the new iPad with the the Motorola Xoom to find out which tablet will reign supreme.

Think you could be the next James Cameron and make billions with your own 3D movie? Now you can get started in your own garage with 3D gadgets, some of which cost less than $200. Find out how you can make your own 3D films and get on your way to stardom!

Shopping is serious business for most people, but retailers have come to learn that the more people have fun while they're browsing, the longer they'll stick around and the more they'll spend. Here are five ways that stores turn on the happy factor, so you'll play right into their hands.

Motorola's Xoom is set to outflank the Galaxy Tab and take on the iPad.

Google and Apple are vying for your digital subscription dollars in a fight that just intensified with the announcement of new collection systems. But the real question is, Are you willing to pay at all?

If you're a heavy laptop user, then you're eating through power every second. We've got 10 smart ways you can save while you're typing away (or playing games), which will make you feel a whole lot better when you get your electric bill at the end of the month.

Get your fingertips ready! The future of shopping is coming to your phone, and whether you are a fan of shopping on a 4" screen or not, new apps are going to entice you to buy everything from bananas to cars on your phone. Watch how it's going to work.

Over at Engadget, they've assembled a list of nominees for their 2010 Engadget Awards for the best of tech in 2010, and the most anticipated of 2011. We all love cool gadgets, but price is our bottom line. That's why we're asking you to vote on this in our poll: Which do you think is the best value among the nominees?

Borders is allegedly filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy next week. Did Borders' coupons predict its own demise? Our dealnews archives answer the question.

Nokia had a number of dance partners to choose from to make a new line of smartphones, and it picked Microsoft. But it's not clear yet if that will be enough to help Nokia come from behind to beat Google or Apple. It's all up to you, since you'll be the ones buying the phones. Will the new features listed here entice you to buy? Take our poll.

Like all great bands, Activision today announced the break up of its Guitar Hero franchise. Find out what that means for fans of the game and deal hunters alike.

This year, before you put in your usual order for flowers, or pick up a box of chocolates, think about putting a 2011 twist on your gift. Here are some unusual suggestions from our Green Dad columnist, Lou Carlozo.