Blog Archives for 2013

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all the backlash JCPenney weathered over eliminating sales in favor of "everyday low prices" (a policy they've since rescinded), you could almost predict that the retail giant would have to do something risky and daring to win disgruntled shoppers back — something "fresh," if you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

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane rumors about the Xbox, BlackBerry, Google, Paul Rudd, 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 dealnews Podcast Episode 248 will serve up some knowledge, hot and fresh, to your ears! This week, our panel talks about the new Google Glass video, the PlayStation 4 announcement, the state of the gaming industry, and more!

The thrift bandwagon is nearly at capacity, but that doesn't stop the ultra-rich from pinching their piles of pennies! Sure, the 1% could buy and sell every last one of you, but they like a good deal, just like the rest of us. So check out our list of tips to save money if you're super-rich!

Looking for a new car? Kelley Blue Book recently released its Best Resale Value Awards for 2013, naming the cars that retain the most value after five years.

Headphones and earbuds are our portal out of the present and into a world of music, podcasts, radio, and beyond. Dr. Dre, of all people, certainly knows that, and his line of Beats headphones have become ubiquitous with sound and style. Not sure which pair of Beats by Dre is right for you? Inside we look at the six latest models and discuss the pros and cons of each.

According to a recent study, more than half of all online transactions are never completed, resulting in what the industry has deemed "abandoned" shopping carts. Consumers walk away from potential purchases for a variety of reasons, but all is not lost for online retailers, as there are several ways for them to convert these lost cart causes into sales.

Despite Microsoft's image crisis, the PC maker still has some loyal followers, one of which runs a blog all about the company. ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley is a Microsoft user by choice and in this week's techie top five pays hommage to the purveyor of Windows with her favorite non-Apple gadgets.

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane rumors about Google, Apple, PlayStation 4, 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!

Sony took to the stage last night to announce the PlayStation 4. It brings along new hardware, new features, and new social integration. We tell you everything we know about the next-gen console. But what's more interesting is what Sony didn't announce!

Google just released a new teaser video for its wearable computer, Google Glass. Take a look at it and decide for yourself if augmented reality computing is the wave of the future, or an unsightly distraction. We want to know your thoughts!

The dealnews Podcast Episode 247 will slake your thirst for knowledge. This week, our panel talks about the rumored Apple iWatch, Best Buy price matching, watching more (and longer) ads, and more!

Few things can spoil your trip more than unexpected fees, but according to a recent report, airlines have changed a staggering 52 fees since January 2012. How can you keep all the potential surcharges straight?

Securing a new cell phone plan is far from straightforward; once you've decided what device you want, you still have to decide which carrier to sign up with, at which point you may wonder whether it makes sense to get a subsidized phone through a 2-year contract, or if the pay-as-you-go option is better for your needs. Then, of course, there's the question of coverage and plan pricing.

Before you throw your hands up in defeat and re-up with the same carrier for another two years because it's easy, take some time to compare the costs and potential savings of all the carrier options.

When your 2-year contract is up, where are you going to get your next phone? For many, that depends on where they can find a deal. We've combed through our deal archive to find out which carrier sees the best deals on new smartphones.

With Mobile World Congress on the horizon, smartphone fans can expect an influx of new phones in the coming months. And just as we saw with CES releases, there are plenty of bargains to be had if you know when and where to buy. Here are our predictions on how long you'll have to wait for this year's crop of MWC phones to go on sale.

If you've ever hired a moving service before, how did you do it? Did you take the time to price out all competitors, based on your very specific inventory and distance to be traveled, thus requiring each company to visit your home and give you a quote? Probably not, even though that would be the only way to ensure that you're paying the best price possible. Unpakt and Moveline, however, aim to streamline the moving process and make it more cost effective.

The Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue is known for its alluring backdrops and fit models in not-so-modest bathing suits. Yet this year, Target has dressed two models in its bikinis and has taken aim at SI's female readers in an effort to promote its own swimwear.

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

Sony will reportedly release its long-awaited PlayStation 4 next week, exciting gamers everywhere. But while we're intrigued by the PS4, we also can't help but wonder what this means for the PlayStation 3, which will undoubtedly see a price drop after Sony's announcement. We looked back into our archives to see what kind of discounts shoppers can expect in the coming weeks.

Earlier this month, Amazon announced that it will introduce Amazon Coins, a new digital currency for its Kindle Fire Appstore. Are these coins merely a way to generate more interest in Kindle Fire apps? Or should customers be wary of the new currency?

In 50 years, when your grandchildren ask, "Where is your Harlem Shake video, grandpa?" Will you have an answer? Well, dealnews does! Yep. We jumped on that meme bandwagon, alright! Enjoy.

The dealnews Podcast Episode 246 is here to fill your ears with consumer news. This week, our panel talks about future OUYA releases, U.S. Postal Service cuts, American Express Twitter purchasing, Valentine's Day, and more!

Traditionally, shoppers have been hesitant to buy clothes and shoes online because of the variation in sizing. But there are new tools at a consumer's disposal that aim to take the guesswork out of buying these items online, starting with the high-tech Shoefitr service.

Tax season is upon us, and — according to the ads that we're inundated with — there are web sites and software packages that can turn filing your own returns into a day at the beach. ~Do they work as easily as they promise? How much should you plan to spend in order to earn all the refunds that they propose to uncover?

If you're like us, then every time Valentine's Day comes around, you think: "Hey, I wonder if I could save money over the course of, let's say, 50 years if I just grew my own roses instead of shelling out $60 each time for a bouquet!" Well we decided it was finally time for this age-old theory to be put to the test.

Any grand romantic gesture you're planning this week may score you points for the time being, but it stands less of a chance of leaving a lasting mark if there's no way to document the moment. Whether seeking a point-and-shoot camera or something more substantial, this week's roundup of the best digital camera deals will help you remember this special Valentine's Day — or, if newly single, document the damage to your car in preparation for a reunion with an ex in small-claims court.

While money can't buy you love, it can certainly buy a very romantic night out. Valentine's Day spending is expected to only modestly increase this year, but that still amounts to a staggering $18.6 billion total. Here's how Valentine's Day breaks down by the numbers.

If you're familiar with the ongoing saga between e-commerce retailers and the states that want sales tax charged during online transactions, then you're probably aware that Amazon is slowly being forced to collect tax for a growing number of states. Last week, it was announced that Connecticut will be added to that list.

Earlier this week, Canada stopped producing pennies, but should the United States follow suit? After all, these tiny coins cost more to make than their face value. But what if we can no longer make exact change?