Blog Archives for 2008

Checking your e-mail on the road has never been easier thanks to a host of new mobile broadband services that keep your laptop connected when there's no Wi-Fi. But which of these data plans offers the most affordable rates? We looked at each carrier's bottom- and top-tier plans to find out.

Why spend good money on bloated software when you can find leaner, faster apps that can do the same job for free? We found 13 free alternatives for eight commercial apps you use everyday.

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.

High definition is the holy grail of video. However, unless you're subscribed to a monthly cable or satellite plan, finding HD content can be difficult. Fortunately, the Internet has a growing number of sites that provide free (and legal) HD programming. From the Tonight Show to Grey's Anatomy, the following sites can help satisfy your HD fix

Don't call it a come back, the rumors never left. Our Rumor Roundup, on the other hand, is back for a new year of tearing apart those who would have us believe in nonsensical things.

Can a small device the size of a pack of gum save you money on your phone calls? That's what MagicJack, a phone service provider, promises. The USB-based device uses your Internet connection to let you make and receive calls without the hefty costs levied by traditional telephone operators. But can this device become your main phone line?

Itching to go somewhere new this weekend? TripAdvisor's new Gas Tank Getaways tool claims it can find inexpensive destinations you can reach with a tank of gas or less. Is it accurate? We put it to the test to find out.

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.

Okay, you've been e-dating for weeks, and you've finally asked her out. She says yes. SHWEET. You'll want to look sharp, but unfortunately, all you have to wear is your Wi-Fi Detector Shirt and a pair of pale $5 jeans you bought off of dealnews ... from 1998. The good news is, we've gathered a list of tips and examples — from a woman's perspective — that will let you put together a men's "first date" outfit for under $100, from head to toe. It's dealGQ to the rescue.

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.

Google's first smartphone, the T-Mobile G1, made its official debut Tuesday morning. Like Apple's iPhone 3G, the $179 G1 has full touch-screen functionality and works on both Wi-Fi and 3G networks. But does this new smartphone pack enough muscle to beat Apple's industry leader? Our first Android v. iPhone comparo is on.

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.

In our on-going investigations into how you can save a little bit of cash, yet still consume the media at a rate you're accustomed, we look into thrifty book-buying habits.

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?

It's already 100 days to Christmas. We've been watching the trends, analyzing the data, and it's time for us to put our soothsaying skills on the line. From $149 Blu-ray players to 50" plasma HDTVs for $699 — and dozens more — check out dealnews CEO Dan de Grandpre's Black Friday 2008 predictions to see what this year's crop of Black Friday deals will be. Plus, Apple prophecies, advice on when to buy and when not to buy, and more. Nostradamus would be proud.

Buongiorno! For an upcoming feature, dealnews will be reviewing and evaluating different methods to learn a language. Starting today, and continuing over the next month, three of our editors will each take a different approach to learning Italian. Jeffrey Contray will be using Rosetta Stone's online software; Louis Ramirez will be using Pimsleur Basic Italian audio lessons; and Jeff Somogyi will be using whatever he can find for free online. (Podcasts, mostly.) Click here to read more.

In this, the second part of a 2-part series exploring a year's worth of Rumor Roundups, I've further pushed the limits of the faith my editors have in me to deliver interesting content. So read on! I might not be around much longer if this is the kind of pap I write about!

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.

In our on-going series of taking your thrifty-ness to the next level, we take a look at simple things you can do to get your credit card debt under control. It's easier than it sounds!

Confused by the recent barrage of airline fees? We uncover the latest charges so you're not shocked at the airport.

This week both Apple and Microsoft unveiled new MP3 players. With new software, new hardware, and lower prices, it's hard to tell which players offer the better value, so we put them side by side to find out.

Can you believe it's been one year since I started doing these Rumor Roundup features? In honor of this Event Most Awesome, the powers-that be have given me the space to do a 2-part retrospective of the best posts! I'll make them regret THAT allowance!

Every semester students from across the country drop thousands of dollars on overpriced textbooks. Rather than get gouged by your campus bookstore, we'll show you how to get the books you need at a fraction of the cost.

Just when we thought we had seen the last of the browser wars, Google is stepping into the foray with a Web browser of its own. We give Chrome a test drive and tell your our first impressions.

With over 1,000 applications ready for download, the iTunes App Store is perhaps the iPhone's biggest feature. But before you spend a small fortune downloading apps, we've sampled a few free apps that are worth your time.

Summer's last hurrah has officially arrived, but fortunately it comes chock full of deals. Below we've listed some of this weekend's best Labor Day specials to help you get a jump start on your fall shopping.

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.

People love to speculate about tech. So we scan the internet and put all of those rumors here, in our Rumor Roundup. Use your eyes to read them!

It's time, once again, to gather together our past blog posts so you can catch up on every random thought / sporadic ramblings we've written about over the past month.

Come on in and check out all the rumors we've found. They're waiting for you.

Make the most of online shopping and buy with confidence with our helpful tips about fit, construction, and style.

We've got the best accessories under $35 to keep you looking pretty and polished everyday.

Gas prices may be stabilizing, but the cost of fuel is still nearly three times what it was just a few years ago. We'll show you three ways to save money at the pump and keep your car from guzzling up too much gas.

Whether it's bohemian or luxurious, finding an affordable spot to rest your head can be a difficult task. In fact, the mere thought of rummaging through endless travel sites in search of hotel deals sounds laborious enough to make you want to stay at home. To lift some of that burden from your shoulders, we're sharing some of our favorite tips and websites so that you can find affordable lodging no matter where you're going.

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

Oh, Internet, you so cray-zay. The things you say! Honestly, sometimes I think the blog-o-sphere keeps churning out wild rumors simply for the benefit of our weekly Rumor Roundup!

For the past ten years, the World's Longest Yardsale — stretching from Gadsden, AL to Defiance, OH — has been an annual pilgrimage for dealnews' Cherri Simonds. This year's was her last. Find out why.

We give you the lowdown on our favorite travel-inspired brand, Tibi.

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

Not all rumors that make it into our Rumor Roundup are crazy, far-out predictions. Actually, this week, some of the rumors were a bit obvious. But that's OK by us because we have plenty of snark to go around.

Want to save a little money? Starting today, select states will waive state taxes on your clothing, shoes, and consumer electronics purchases. Click here to see if your state is one of the lucky 16.

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

No one denies that the Internet is a great source of information and learning. But, did you know that SOME people use the web as a way to communicate rather insane ideas? (I know, I was shocked, too!) Well, in our Rumor Roundup, we express OUR insane ideas about the current rumors about tech. We MIGHT just be "part of the problem".

With so many great deals passing by our eyes all day, it takes a huge amount of willpower to keep our wallets in our pants (or purses). But sometimes we just can't help ourselves. Inside, you'll see how the dealnews staff has completely failed to resist our shopping urges.