Features Archives for 2012

There are many times throughout the year in which consumers nationwide are compelled to shop, but Black Friday is specifically an event for the budget-minded and deal-savvy. For this reason, dealnews readers have particularly good insight about how to approach the holiday and make the most of the deals. Here's how you all are planning on spending Black Friday 2012.

Who hasn't daydreamed about being an international super spy? The adventure! The action! The dubious morals! The getting shot at, being disavowed by your government, and left for dead in a foreign prison! Hmmm ... OK, it doesn't all sound so great. But that doesn't mean you can't pretend to be James Bond in the safety of your own home by picking up one of these spy gadget deals we've rounded up for you!

Today, we analyze the Black Friday ad leaks from Pep Boys and Ace Hardware. We scrutinize how do they stack up to each other and, more importantly, to historical price trends. Is it worth getting out of bed to get down to either of these stores on Black Friday?

PayPal announced that it will price-match your holiday purchases this year, as well as offer free return shipping when the store you ordered from doesn't cover the cost. It sounds great on paper, but make sure you pay attention to the fine print.

The small tablet market is bustling these days, with many great devices competing for consumers' attention. The Apple iPad mini, Google Nexus 7, Amazon Kindle Fire HD, and Barnes & Noble NOOK HD each offer something slightly different. To help you decide which tablet is right for you, here's a rundown on the pros and cons of each.

Marty Moe has gone from AOL to The Verge and is now on to his latest endeavor, Polygon, which hopes to do what The Verge did for tech for coverage, but for the $25 billion gaming industry. To find out more about the launch, we sat down with Marty Moe just hours after Polygon went live to talk about his plans for the site, and how he hopes it will stand out among the countless portals covering the gaming universe.

Acid-wash jeans, mullets, flared collars, Black Friday deals. These are all things that we once thought were so great, back in the day, but look silly when viewed from a modern perspective. Join us, won't you, as we take a look back at several Black Friday deals of yesteryear. They are delightful in their awfulness!

Black Friday ads continue to get leaked left and right. We got our hands on the leaked Dell Home Black Friday ad, which offers our first look at the electronics deals this year. Here's our analysis on whether the deals on HDTVs, laptops, cameras, and more are doorbusters or duds.

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane rumors about Star Wars, Apple, Netflix, 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!

Not sure where to look for deals this Black Friday weekend? We checked our archives for the top five online stores that offered the largest number of Editors' Choice-caliber deals during the shopping holiday, and Amazon came out on top. However, the online superstore has some fierce competition.

Well dealnews readers, we finally made it to November, one of the happiest months for budget-conscious shopping. Not surprisingly, many items hit their lowest price points this month around Black Friday. But let's not forget that there are deals to be had all month long! Here's your guide to the best and worst things to buy in November.

The dealnews Podcast Episode 234 is here to haunt you ... with knowledge! This week, it's a fun-size episode that covers very important Halloween-related consumer news including: The cost of Halloween, sexy Big Bird and other top adult costumes, presidential mask predictions, and more.

The recently-released Optimus G is LG's latest flagship handset and the first quad-core processor smartphone available in the States, and is quickly being dubbed "The most powerful smartphone in the world." But does the Optimus G actually live up to the claim? Our friends at GadgetReview scoured the Internet for reviews to find out.

There is nothing quite like a good night's rest whereafter you wake up feeling energized and awake. Unfortunately this level of beauty sleep often comes with a price. Although Tempur-Pedic mattresses have a reputation for being among the priciest solutions to a good night's sleep, over 7 million people have made that choice, and are resting easy and are content with their memory foam beds.

Whether you're a showroomer or an early-morning in-store Black Friday shopper, having your smartphone nearby is a smart move this holiday season. From special QR codes to price matching via your smartphone, retailers will rely on the latest technologies to deliver discounts right into the hands of shoppers.

As the entire Eastern Seaboard receives a windy wash from the hurricane, some consumers may be considering a last minute emergency food kit purchase. While this is an excellent resource to have on hand, shoppers should take a moment to study those food labels, as serving sizes don't always translate to the portions we're used to eating.

The reins of Digitizd, a tech news site that offers insight into the constantly changing Web 2.0 landscape, have passed from David Pierce to Adam Thompson. We sat down with Thompson to get the scoop on his five favorite gadgets, with an emphasis on affordability over high-end.

The Black Friday ads for Tommy Hilfiger and Victoria's Secret have leaked! While Tommy may offer some pretty choice discounts, the promotion from Victoria's Secret leaves us feeling underwhelmed. However, a look into our archives suggests that the lingerie store may offer something better come Black Friday, anyway.

Black Friday will always be a frenzy of bargains. However, there are some elements that change with the times. Since we at dealnews feel that the best way to make the most of this epic shopping event is to be prepared, we've compiled this list of ways in which Black Friday 2012 will be different than previous years. Here's what to expect.

Whether you're interested in the childlike wonder of Orlando's theme parks, the charm of a gondola ride in Fort Lauderdale, or the Latin flair of Miami, we've got the deals you need to make Florida an affordable vacation.

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

We often list cheap fake mustaches on the site, and it got us wondering: do they actually disguise your identity? We sent intrepid reporter, Jeff Somogyi, into a Starbucks to find out.

Toys "R" Us recently released its Fabulous 15 list of the hottest toys for the holiday season. You may be tempted to get your kids' wish list completed early this Black Friday, but we tracked the deals on last year's Fabulous 15 to see when the toys hit their lowest prices of the season, and you may do well to sit tight for awhile.

The dealnews Podcast Episode 233 is here with a barrel of apples in-arm. This week we cover the latest Apple event, including the new iPad mini, the new iPad, the new Mac mini, and other small Apple products.

Earlier today, we wondered why anyone would buy the newly revamped iPod touch for $299 when the even newer iPad mini is available for just $30 more. We're now taking that questioning a step further: for consumers who just want a budget-friendly Apple tablet, why buy the iPad mini at all?

The iPad mini is finally a reality! But does giving the people what they want hurt Apple's other product lines? Who will buy an iPod touch when you can get an iPad for just a few dollars more?

Here are dealnews, we of course like good prices, but we also love everyday data that sheds light on what Americans like to indulge in. As we come closer to the spookiest of holidays, here's a look at the real sweetness behind Halloween candy. So, double bag those pillowcases for the customary Halloween candy binge and take a moment to review the facts and figures behind the hidden world of candy.

The Black Friday countdown has begun. And while every day is Black Friday at dealnews, there are just a few weeks left for trimming the fat from your budget in order to save up for a big Black Friday purchase like a new HDTV. Just take heed of these money-saving tips, and you'll be set for a new TV in T-31 days.

Does Microsoft want to be more like Apple? It would sure seem so, judging from the company's latest decisions regarding its retail stores and Windows Surface RT tablets. Inside, we make our case, as well as offer insight on what this could mean in terms of deals.

What do you know about Black Friday? Test your knowledge of Black Friday fact vs. fiction with the dealnews "Master List of Truths" about the busiest shopping day of the year. After all, Black Friday is only four weeks away!

Fancy letting your hair down whilst a Caribbean groove resets your stress level? Get ready for a relaxing tour because we've found deals in the Bahamas, Jamaica, and more. These two-person flight and hotel packages are a great way to treat your partner to a little romantic break.

On October 23rd, it's expected that Apple will finally announce an iPad mini. We thought we would take this occasion to share with you all the rumors - past and present - that we could find and remember that relate to this long-time-coming device. So, c'mon in to this week's Rumor Roundup! It's Apple-tastic!

Suffering from a stiff neck or back pains? It may be time to buy a new mattress. But mattress shopping can actually be fun if you know what you're looking for. Here are some guidelines on how to pick out the perfect mattress.

Love them or hate them, rebates are quite popular with bargain hunters. Yet over the last few years the number of deals with rebates have declined. However, the mail-in rebate isn't extinct; it's just a bit more rare, and slightly more precious, as deals with rebates now yield even better prices than before.

The dealnews Podcast Episode 232 is here to educate you about the latest consumer news ... and have a laugh while doing it. Edutainment. This week: iPad mini invites go out, but Jeff misses them; Time Warner starts charging for their modems; Best Buy wants to be relevant this holiday shopping season; Microsoft Surface RT tablet prices; Amazon breaks even; Boba McRib; and more!

Black Friday promotions are designed to drive shoppers into stores and kick off the holiday shopping season. And each year, these ads are leaked to the public before their intended release date. But this isn't always an accident, and in many cases, there's a marketing strategy behind leaked Black Friday ads.

As the Black Friday season ramps up, dealnews will be analyzing every Black Friday ad we come across, separating the bad deals from the good, and in the process letting you know which sales are worth your time. Today, we cross-examine the 2012 Harbor Freight Tools Black Friday ad. And as it turns out, there are many notable items, including a slew of products that are less than last Black Friday.

Although solid state drives are still costlier than traditional drives, prices on SSDs have fallen to the point where outfitting a laptop is no longer a luxury. But in terms of price-per-GB, are you better off buying a low-capacity drive or will you (and your wallet) benefit more from investing in a high-capacity SSD?

The newest editions to Barnes & Noble's NOOK tablet family are not only cheaper, lighter, and far more capable than the 7" NOOK Color, but the 2012 NOOK HD family also boasts features — like better resolution and design — that rival its brand name competitors.

Aimed at discussing the intersection of technology, science, art, and culture, The Verge has earned its place in tech world. And The Verge's Senior Reviews Editor David Pierce is no stranger to gadgets. In this week's installment of the Techie Top 5, we get the scoop on his must-have electronics.

Worried that you might have a ghost, but think ghost hunting equipment is too expensive? Who ya gonna call™ to get the best bets for budget bustin'? dealnews, of course. In this video, our resident spirit-finder, Jeff Somogyi, reviews and gives you tips on several pieces of equipment that every "real" ghost hunter should have.

If there's one date on which Walmart stands to make a lot of money — even more than usual — it's Black Friday. But the reailer could also stand to lose big this year if its employees make good on a threat to walk off the job on Black Friday, citing unfair labor practices, including low worker pay.

Can a $13 eBook reader make a splash in an already-crowded tablet market? German company Txtr hopes so, as it's looking to debut a no-frills eReader in conjunction with AT&T and Sprint. But other than a rockbottom price, what does the Txtr Beagle offer?

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane rumors about the latest from Apple, Google, and Batman? 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 undeniable nip in the air this morning triggered a warning in our minds: Winter is coming. So we took refuge in researching sunny vacations, and up popped Mexico. Besides the pictures of pristine white beaches and palm trees, our interest was piqued when we learned that Mexico's climate stays above 75°F year-round. And thanks to the price tag provided by these deals, we won't have to sell any more of our children to get there.

Full-frame sensor are typically associated with very high-end digital SLR cameras, with equally high price tags. But recent debuts from Canon and Nikon include a full-frame censor at a much lower price point. So what does this technology do for your photography, and will we soon see new price lows on full-frame DSLRs?

If our Black Friday Predictions toy piece didn't already get your heart racing about the upcoming shopping season, then this should: Toys "R" Us just released its list of the most anticipated toys for the holidays. (And yes, it is only October.) If you have a kid in your life, you better familiarize yourself with this selection of playthings. To make it a tad easier, we've cherry-picked our favorite five toys.

The dealnews Podcast Episode 231 is gonna teach you a thing or two ... and have a laugh along the way. This week: iPhone 5 camera problems; Halloween spending; 1 billion Facebook users; Starbucks tries to figure out tipping in a digital world; Google's next Nexus devices, haggling at Amazon; and more!

As the amount of digital content we consume increases and the quality of that content improves, we turn to bigger and better digital storage options. But how much storage do we really need? And does buying brand name storage matter?