Features Archives for September 2012

With October just days away, it's almost no surprise that we are seeing the first alleged Black Friday 2012 ads. Not only might holiday shopping begin even earlier this year, but consumers should start to gear up for what to expect from this year's Black Friday deals.

Chores, bills, and incessant trips to and from soccer practice got you down? Let Peter Pan Syndrome come over you while simultaneously making your kids' dreams come true with a fun-filled getaway to Orlando and Miami, Florida.

Office-supply giant Staples outlined a major restructuring plan last Tuesday that has big implications for its foreseeable future. It intends to funnel $250 million into the development and integration of its online and mobile presence. But what will this mean for consumers?

An avid dealnews reader certainly knows how to land a good vacation package deal. But if you're not keen on the usual hot spots and aren't sure where to go, then consider taking a cue from the travel pros. We've got tips from those in the know about five affordable destinations that you may have overlooked.

The dealnews Podcast Episode 229 is ready for it's closeup, Mr. DeMille. This week, Apple Maps App gets shredded by an angry Internet, the Wii U goes on sale and sells out, Barnes & Noble announces video content, Fox starts distributing digital movies earlier and for less money, and more.

As more and more 4G LTE smartphones hit the market, we have begun to see marked improvements in coverage for the fourth generation (aka 4G) of mobile technology and data networks. But the quality of a 4G connection depends on the smartphone, carrier, and location — making it important to look at exactly what 4G can do for you.

Sure, Thanksgiving is a good nine weeks away, and planning for the holiday might be far from your thoughts. But now's the time to talk turkey, especially if you don't want to pay an arm and a leg for holiday travel. Here's why.

For the hardcore, long distance hiker, the weight of a pack can make or break an excursion, which means some of the luxuries of home have to be left behind. But with the BioLite CampStove, campers can enjoy both a stove and a charging station for their devices. But is it too good to be true?

Tired of rifling through the endless assortment of rewards cards in your wallet? Instead, you can transform your smartphone into a mobile wallet, granting you easy access to all of your credit, debit, and consumer appreciation cards. Much like choosing between a money clip and a leather tri-fold wallet, there are a number of mobile wallet apps to choose from.

The fearless and fun Molly Wood, Executive Editor at CNET, paused during her hectic schedule (is it ever slow in techland?) to share her five must-have gadgets with us.

It's about that time again: time to head to Las Vegas to bask in all the unapologetic glitz and gluttony that Sin City has to offer! This time around, take advantage of hotel deals that bundle VIP passes to buzzed about nightclubs and all-you-can-eat buffets, or include food, drink, and other resort credits that will make your trip all the more cost-effective.

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane rumors about Adele, Microsoft, Half Life, and Resident Evil? Well neither are we! Hooray! That's why we put all the latest biz-buzz from the Internet into one place, the Rumor Roundup!

With its brisk weather and colored leaves, fall is a beautiful time of year. But if you're not prepared, the cold air will soon invade your home, and those lovely leaves can make a mess of your gutters and yard. Make sure you're equipped for those upcoming fall chores with these tips and tools.

With the holiday season just a few months away, Toys "R" Us is gearing up to earn a place on its own 15 Fabulous Toys list with the October 21 release of its own Tabeo 7" 4GB WiFi Android Tablet. Priced at $150, how does this kids' tablet stack up against its child-friendly brethren, as well as full-fledged "adult" tablets that cost just a little more?

The dealnews Podcast Episode 228 is here, so put out your best china and light a scented candle. This week, we tell you everything you need to know about the recent Apple announcement (and some things you don't need to know), including details on the new iPhone 5, new iPods, new EarPods, iOS features, and more.

How many times have you been excited by a hotel or airfare sale that advertises an unbelievable price, only to be disappointed when you can't seem to find that low rate? We feel your pain, so we've put together these budget vacation strategies so that you can confidently find and book the lowest priced airfare, hotel, and car rental deals available.

Few things in sports are as elusive as an accurate golf shot. Improving the percentage of proper strikes per round is a challenge to all golfers. To aid in your quest for the best golf gadgets to improve your game, we've rounded up some trendy golf gear and reviews, to help you decide whether the benefits outweigh the cost.

The $200 mid-size tablet market is brimming with name brand tablets, and the latest edition to the mix is Amazon's new Kindle Fire HD. Coming in a variety of flavors — and price points — we scanned the Internet to see how it stacks up in reviews so far.

Another NFL season has arrived! Tailgating is fun, but attending games is even better — especially when you can secure great stadium seats without selling the jersey on your back. Here are some tips on how to get the best seats at the best prices, so you can help root your team to victory.

If any tech news is stealing thunder from Apple unveiling of the iPhone 5, it's the announcement of the long-long-long-awaited Wii U! The newest console in the Nintendo family is finally on its way, slated to hit stores in time for the holiday shopping season. But don't whip out your credit card to preorder it just yet.

Feel like relaxing on the beach or playing a round of golf? You can do both on your Carolina vacation. And there's no need to decide between North Carolina and South Carolina with these great deals on hotels in both states.

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane rumors about Doctor Strange, patent lawsuits, and Apple? Well neither are we! Hooray! That's why we put all the latest biz-buzz from the Internet into one place, the Rumor Roundup!

With its new specs and design, the iPhone 5 is sure to be in the hands of many fanboys and girls shortly. But should you upgrade to the iPhone 5 for $199? Or is a $0 or $99 iPhone a better bet?

The new iPod touch sure does look pretty! But with prices starting at a hefty $299, are the improved internal specs and larger storage worth it when you can buy a full-fledged tablet for less?

Apple's latest (and self-proclaimed greatest) updates to the iPhone and its line of iPods includes a "revolutionary" Lightning port that's 80% smaller than the previous 30-pin connector. This tiny change will also likely knock down the prices of older iPhone accessories.

The dealnews Podcast Episode 227 is hitting the Inter-waves. Be the first of your friends to surf on over to it and listen. But don't wipe out. Instead hang 10! Er... And other surfing terms and catch-phrases! This week, we go into detail about the new Amazon Kindles and Kindle Fires. Also included: Our usual banter and jokes, too. Enjoy!

A few helpful accessories can make your photography hobby a much more pleasurable experience — but not every burgeoning photographer has the cash to spend on extra gear. That's why we've put together this list of the best camera accessories priced under $20.

New homes, regardless of their size and design, always look a bit naked until trees grow tall enough to frame the yard. However, adding trees to your landscape shouldn't be haphazard. You (or at least you house) will be living with these trees for a lifetime, so take into consideration some of these factors in choosing the right trees.

Giz Wiz Dick DeBartolo is back with five more of his favorite gadgets. This week, he gives us the low-down on a must-have series of laptops, solar lights, and even a plush teddy bear speaker that dances as it plays music.

The rumored iPhone 5 will supposedly feature 4G LTE connectivity, and for many customers, this is an exciting upgrade. But will the faster service make that much of a difference in your experience? The answer might shock you!

Amazon announced the Kindle Fire HD last week, an update to its popular tablet. And while there's now several options to choose from, the $199 model now stands in direct competition with the Google Nexus 7. So how do the two 7" tablets compare? And which is worth your money?

If you're the kind of traveler who enjoys the act of traveling as much as the vacation portion of a trip, we encourage you to book a sea-bound voyage. Not only are cruise packages at some of the lowest prices we've ever seen, but the destinations are abundant.

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane rumors about the iPhone 5, the iPhone 5, the Xbox 720, and the iPhone 5? 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 New York Times reported that you can save $1,000 by switching to a pay-as-you-go plan. We began to wonder, though, what the nationwide cell and data coverage is like for these super-cheap networks. Check out these coverage maps for Virgin Mobile, Boost Mobile, and Cricket and decide.

The Raspberry Pi: Not your father's build-it-in-the-basement computer. At the size of a credit card, and a digestable $35, will this mini PC change the way people compute at home?

The dealnews Podcast Episode 226 can, once again, be seen and heard this week. (The novelty is sure to wear off soon!) Talked about this week: Musicians make peanuts from streaming services; eBooks price-fixing settlement means money coming your way; Walmart hates cashiers; more Facebook ads coming soon; more movies on Amazon Prime Instant Video, and, well ... more!

Need to brush up on the latest LCD television technologies? Here's a crash course on the features you need to know before your next LCD TV purchase.

Despite the digital camera market shrinking 17% in 2011, Nikon's latest point-and-shoot, the S800c, aims to resurrect the market by offering the first Android-operated digital camera. Priced at $350, though, will it sway consumers?

With the change of the season comes one of America's most beloved activities: tailgating. Throwing a really great tailgate starts with finding the right spot and then involves gathering some of these tailgating essentials.

September marks the end of summer, and our countdown to November, Black Friday, and the holiday season. But September has its own deal virtues — including Labor Day sales — so we've mined the extensive dealnews archives of sales, coupons, and individual products from the past few summers to find out what are the best and worst things to buy in September.

With experience as both a journalist and a musician, dealnews' Lou Carlozo weighs in his favorite audio gear that won't shatter your wallet.