Features Archives for February 2012

It's the dealnews Podcast Episode 200! This landmark episode features guest appearances by past panel members, trips down consumer-news memory lane, as well as instructions on how to enter our big, celebratory sweepstakes in which you can win a Kindle Fire, Roku 2 XS, or a $50 Amazon gift card (as well as a SharkBanana). We also find time to discuss Hulu, netbooks, Netflix, Google's augmented reality glasses, how to pick the right lightbulb, and more. A good time will be had by all!

After what feels like months of speculation, Apple has finally sent out the invitations to the media, and consumers are ready to save the date: the iPad 3 will be announced on March 7. And while the rumors about what it will offer continue to swirl, we're turning our attention to price: specifically, how long you'll have to wait until the iPad 3 goes on sale.

Have you got a plan to pay back Uncle Sam? With tax season in full force and the April 15 deadline inching closer and closer, many folks have already learned that they owe both federal and state governments a couple of bucks. There are a few different ways to pay what you owe, but beware of using your credit card to pay your taxes.

Who doesn't workout better when paced by a good beat? Thankfully we live in the age of the MP3 player and the smartphone, so we're able to carry our music with us 24/7. The only other piece of equipment you need for a portable concert is the proper headphones, and we've compiled some guidelines to help you pick the perfect pair of headphones.

It's rumored that Apple will announce the much anticipated iPad 3 next week, and it will likely be another compelling iDevice. But will you purchase it? You'll sure want to! That is, unless you have one of these five very good reasons not to buy the iPad 3.

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing about the iPhone 5? The future of Apple, Microsoft, and George Lucas? Well neither are we! That's why we put all the latest buzz from the Internet into one place, the Rumor Roundup! Go on, indulge your guilty pleasures! And then go tell everybody about them!

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is the quintessential Southern vacation spot. Even if you've been to its 60 miles of sand and sun many times, its affordable accommodations make it a destination spot for relaxation and fun that's worth the repeat visits. We've found some hot deals to facilitate you working on your tan down at Myrtle Beach: from transportation to hotels, and more.

The U.S. operates an $18 billion a year coffee trade, and in the quest for both convenience and connoisseur-quality brew, many consumers have turned to Keurig and its K-Cup system. By offering more than 200 varieties of coffee, tea, hot cocoa, and specialty/iced beverages that can be brewed in minutes, we can't help but wonder what the daily and yearly cost of this coffee convenience is. Do you come out ahead by choosing K-Cups over Starbucks?

RIM recently announced the long-awaited BlackBerry PlayBook 2.0 OS, an upgrade to its tablet's previous software. But across the board, reviews have expressed disappointment with the updates. Considering many dealnews readers have purchased a PlayBook during the numerous sales we've seen in the past few months, we want to know what you think of the additions. Is built-in email, a calendar and contacts application, and BlackBerry Bridge enough?

According to the FBI, in 2010 a home was burglarized once every 14.6 seconds. What's more, the U.S. Fire Administration estimates that there were 362,100 residential building fires last year. Fortunately, with a home security camera system you can reduce the chances of your home being robbed, and with a home safe, you can safeguard your precious documents from fire damage.

 For tips and deals to help make these purchases a little easier, read on!

In the dealnews Podcast Episode 199, the panel talks about the sneak peek of OS X Mountain Lion, Samsung's all-OLED manufacturing scheme, why Internet connected TVs are not so Internet connected, harmful toothbrushes, and vat-grown meat. Plus, Jeff displays a little bit of "the crazy," and so very much more!

Amazon's Kindle Fire has been skyrocketing its way to the top of the tablet charts, and in an attempt to extinguish its success, Barnes & Noble unveiled its new 8GB NOOK Tablet for just $199. This aggressive move by B&N marks the start of a no-holds-barred tablet war with Amazon. But should NOOK fans jump on this "price cut" or is there a chance we'll see better deals on the NOOK in the near future?

Despite a slow start, Android tablets are finally gaining momentum with consumers, and have claimed 39% of the tablet market — a 10% increase from the previous year. But with so many options to choose from, how do you know which tablet is worth your time? We sifted through some of today's most buzz-worthy models to find out.

Do you break into a cold sweat when someone walks by your cubicle? Well then maybe you shouldn't be shopping online at work! But, if you must (and we all must, right?!), at least have an excuse ready! Here are 10 reasons why it's OK to shop online at work, whether you need to make yourself feel better or if you have to wiggle out of an uncomfortable situation with your boss.

On the heels of the iPad 3 announcement (and some of the lowest priced iPad 2s we've ever seen), and with Android tablets claiming a whopping 34% of the market, we know our readers love their tablets. So we've brought you the top deals on tablet cases and sleeves to keep your prize possession protected.

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing about the iPhone 5? The future of Apple, Microsoft, and Nicolas Cage? Well neither are we! That's why we put all the latest buzz from the Internet into one place, the Rumor Roundup! Go on, indulge your guilty pleasures! And then go tell everybody about them!

Just a few generations back, the formula for a spiffy house contained two simple elements at its core: a high stack of rags and plentiful elbow grease. Then came a newfangled wave of disposable cleaning aids, like the beloved Swiffer mop. But in many cases, reusable materials and inexpensive household cleansers could've done the same job for just pennies. We examine some of the most popular disposable cleaning products, and what they'll cost you over the course of a year, along with far less expensive, more eco-friendly alternatives.

If yesterday's roundup of Caribbean island deals wasn't quite your speed, maybe you'd instead prefer the rich, thriving culture of New Orleans. The Big Easy's decadent French architecture can serve as a backdrop for an adventure into a world of exotic Creole food, riverboats on the Mississippi, and sun-drenched afternoons. And with the deals we found on hotels, vacations, and activities, you'll do it all on a dime.

This morning, Apple gave us a sneak peek at its upcoming OS X update, Mountain Lion. That's cool and all, but how does it stack up to the real thing?

We got our hands on a list of the 10 most-visited Caribbean islands, and — luckily for readers with wanderlust — most of them are extremely deal-friendly. So we pulled all the current deals we could find on these popular locations, to help you plan your next Caribbean adventure. Whether you want to lounge in Aruba, walk the beaches of Jamaica, or hit up the Dominican Republic, St. Martin, and more, be sure to read on!

The dealnews Podcast Episode 198 serves up thoughts on the iPad 3, and the 'casters discuss whether or not Han shot first. Then there's chatter about Amazon producing original content, Sony possibly exploiting celebrity deaths, and non sequiturs: hoverboards, Kodak, Shamrock Shakes, and more.

Here at dealnews, we're not about to resolve the great debate between Apple iPad loyalists and those who love the Android tablet platform. We'd rather see everyone get on the same side of a battle: fighting high prices. We've searched high and low for five great tablet deals, so flex those touchscreen muscles and let's get started with the bargain hunting.

There was probably a day in your childhood when, dressed in your yellow rain suit and galoshes, you loved stomping around in puddles. Now, all grown up, you find rain too wet, and always screwing up your playtime. The spring rainy season isn't too far off though, so don't let a little water get you down. We've detailed some guidelines for buying rain gear to keep you nice and dry whether you're outside for play or en route to work.

When you shop online as much as we do at dealnews, you're going to experience the occasional snafu with delivery. In particular, we've encountered many complaints about the service provided by UPS. So we want to know: how often has your excitement over an arriving UPS delivery turned into anger resulting from a missing package or terrible customer service?

Today is Valentine's Day, and you still haven't decided how to express your love for her? While we don't necessarily recommend following your wallet over your heart, today we've found the best last-minute Valentine's Day gifts for those with emptier hands and pockets. From Krsipy Kremes to FTD and Amazon, it will be happy Valentine's Day after all.

Seeing as the iPad is the number-one selling tablet in the world, there's a very good chance that you own one. And there's also a good chance that you own the latest and greatest version: the iPad 2. But what if you also happen to be an Apple-phile, and the promise of an upcoming iPad 3 release is tempting you to upgrade? Then be sure to check out our detailed plan of action for ensuring that you get the best value for your iPad 2.

Rumors! You know the Internet is going to continue to crank out "news" about Apple, Google, Adele, Amazon, et al. The least you can do is read them. That's why we put all the latest buzz from the Internet into one place, the Rumor Roundup! If you don't read them, the Internet will feel like it went through all that trouble for nothing!

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 luckily for you, and for the entire male population, we decided that it was finally time for this age-old theory to be put to the test. Click through for our cost analysis of growing your own roses, and you just might learn a thing or two along the way about life, love, and shrubbery.

Even if you're not hurting from a cold winter this year, we bet a little Florida sunshine on your skin and temperatures that let you strut around in shorts or a sundress would be a welcome change from the gray, seasonal limbo. To help you get to the Sunshine State on a budget, we've highlighted a few deals on flights, hotels, and activities that'll get you one step closer to a sunny day at the beach!