Blog Archives for 2014

This morning Apple lifted the veil on its rumored budget iMac. Unfortunately, it's not the budget machine we hoped it'd be as it comes with a significant hardware downgrade; we think the iMacs from Apple's own refurb store are a better deal.

Dreaming of a summer getaway to the Sunshine State? So are we! And luckily, it was an especially good week for deals on Florida hotels. We did some deal-slinging and pulled together five hotel sales to help you turn your daydream into an affordable reality.

A new report by the Wall Street Journal indicates the Amazon smartphone will be an AT&T exclusive. But Amazon may have another trick up its sleeve as rumors indicate Amazon may pay for part of its customers' data bill by using a hybrid of AT&T's Sponsored Data program.

We talked to Priceline.com about how you can get the most bang for your buck this summer while traveling. Check out our list of the U.S. cities that have had the biggest hotel price drops since last year, and make your dollar stretch a little further!

We hope you're hungry, because deals are on the menu. The very best restaurant deals, that is! To find out which restaurants offer the best dining coupons and deals, we searched our archives from the past two years to find out where a hungry dealhunter should go for a taste of savings.

Consumers are fickle: Today's prized possession is tomorrow's trash. But these clever craftspeople and companies are recycling and repurposing materials into all kinds of beatiful and useful items. Check out our top 7 items made with repurposed materials.

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

We looked at the basic terms and types affiliated with new energy-saving light bulbs in our light bulb buying guide. Though the initial costs are higher, these bulbs are not only better for the environment, but will also save money in the long run — if you choose correctly for your needs.

Amazon launched its very own Prime Music streaming service, touting it as yet another benefit of being an Amazon Prime member. The service is free (and ad-free) for Prime subscribers, but it remains to be seen whether this addition will make membership more attractive — especially when other streaming services seem to offer a better user experience.

Airbnb — the company that made sleeping in strangers' beds seem like a reasonable alternative to a hotel — is testing out a new foray into the "Sharing Economy" market: Hooking you up with an intimate dining experience... cooked by strangers.

Apple devices are some of the most sought-after products in the gadget world, but many consumers don't realize that where you buy your Apple gear largely determines how much you'll pay for it. We rated the retailers with the best deals on today's Apple tech from the iPhone to the iPad.

We recently got our hands on the new Amazon Fire TV and thought we'd give it a try. Not only does this video review take you through some feature highlights, but we'll also tell you when you can expect to see a discount.

From diagnostics to insurance to safety, here are some of the best smartphone features for car owners looking to make their travels as smooth and safe as possible.

Father's Day is right around the corner on June 15, but we're betting you still haven't found a gift. Because dads are notoriously hard to shop for, we've made some Father's Day eCards (with a little help from Awkward Family Photos) to point you towards the perfect gift.

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane hearsay about Amazon, Google, Smartwatches, 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!

It's time to get your dad a Father's Day gift he'll really love: a golf vacation. We've found travel deals to suit every budget.

Organic food isn't just for your kitchen table anymore. Pet food manufacturers are jumping on the organic pet food bandwagon. Though prices are much higher, vets indicate the savings in health care could be worth it — as long as you know what you're buying.

During its WWDC keynote address on Monday, Apple announced HomeKit, the company's attempt at home automation. When connected to compatible devices, you'll be able to turn lights on and off, lock doors, adjust your thermostat, and more. In this video, our experts discuss if the time for the smart home has arrived.

Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference kicked off this week, and while we didn't see the budget iMac or Retina-based MacBook Air we had hoped for, the subdued event did usher in some major changes for Cupertino's infamous App Store — including the use of app bundles to promote sales.

Does the debut of the PS4 and Xbox One mean that mobile, PC, and Nintendo gaming faded further away? DealNews' 2014 gaming survey painted a picture of our gaming readers as more welcoming of non-console gaming, and more generous (but discriminating) with their money.

We spoke with several industry experts who shared their thoughts on how to land the right luggage for your budget. And even if a suitcase isn't all that glamorous to you, just think of all the exotic places it can take you!

If you've purchased something online, you've probably got a story about getting burned by a shady merchant. Here at DealNews, we take multiple steps to ensure every deal we list is verified, price-checked against other deals, and sold by a reputable retailer. While we can't give you our instincts and experience, we can share a few guidelines to help you shop smarter on the Internet.

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane hearsay about iWatch, Community, Mortal Kombat, and more? Well, neither are we! That's why we put all the latest biz-buzz from the internet into one place, the Rumor Roundup.

Dr. Dre can now add Apple executive to his ever-diverse resume. The rap mogul, along with Beats co-founder Jimmy Iovine, sold their Beats empire to Apple for a cool $3 billion. But some Beats fans aren't thrilled about the idea of Cupertino controlling their favorite streaming service. What do you think?

Companies are supposed to advertise their products responsibly, but sometimes items hit store shelves backed by misleading language or unproven claims. And in the end, this hurts consumers who put their trust in these claims, in the form of their hard-earned dollar.

A new study concluded that people are willing to pay more for, "cute" or "playful" products, and interact with them more. In this brief — yet lively — video, our experts discuss what they've paid more for, because it was whimsical.

With less than seven days to go before the start of Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, shipping estimates for Cupertino's all-in-one desktop are beginning to slip across various retailers. For consumers, that means holding off on all purchases as rumors indicate a new budget iMac could make a splash in less than a week.

If you're like most people, high school just doesn't feel like it was that long ago (for better or worse). Well, wanna feel old? Here's a list of consumer experiences that the kids graduating from high school this year have never had!

Webrooming is the opposite of showrooming: researching products online, then purchasing in store. It's becoming increasingly popular, and it's great for consumers and struggling brick-and-mortar retailers. But is it becoming a problem for e-retailers?

Customer loyalty isn't to be underestimated, especially in the case of companies where millions of marketing dollars are at stake. Here are eight examples of rebranding attempts that went awry for a variety of reasons.

Amazon has been known to play hardball when it comes to contract negotiations and Hachette is the latest publishing house to feel its fury. The massive online retailer is blocking titles from the publisher while pushing for low prices. Is this good for consumers, or a childish move by Amazon?

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane hearsay about Apple, Star Wars, Facebook, 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.

Despite the rising cost of food, the organic food industry continues to thrive. And with new contenders entering the arena, the organic food industry — which was once dominated by premium stores like Whole Foods — could finally see some serious competition. For consumers, that translates into more affordable prices.

The Surface Pro 3 is a high-end tablet designed to replace your laptop. There's only one problem: this $799 tablet doesn't include a keyboard. Factor in that additional cost, and you have a far more expensive "laptop killer."

As if we needed any more proof that 2014 will go down as the year of the hack. The massively popular online auction site eBay just became the latest hacking victim, and is recommending that users change their passwords.

During a recent conference, the CEO of Levi Strauss revealed that the pair of jeans he was wearing has not been washed in over a year. The claim is that they last longer if you don't run them in the washing machine... ever. In this brief — yet lively — video, our experts discuss if this is gross.

We researched and tested some of the most popular airfare booking apps available, and found lots of pleasant service, but not all that offered the best deals. So which app is the most worthy of your time?

Writing a bad review is a powerful form of catharsis. You spent money on a good or service and had a negative experience, so you do the only thing you can: try to warn others. But what happens when the business you're reviewing takes issue with your commentary? Recently, some authors of negative reviews have begun receiving lawsuit threats.

Leaked photos from tech blog PhoneArena have revealed what looks like the Samsung Galaxy S5 Prime, a rumored smartphone that pushes the limits of the current Galaxy S5. If true, the new phone could be the reason we've been seeing killer deals on the current Galaxy S5.

Memorial Day is a time of remembrance but also travel and celebration. With the help of AAA and Washington.org, we've compiled a list of numbers that will give you an idea of the size and scope of the holiday.

Our crack team of deal-slingers unearthed an excellent discount on the famed Soho Grand Hotel, and we'd be remiss if we didn't point out that the Soho Grand is not just a regular hotel; staying there is more about the experience than the actual process of finding a place to lay your head.

Are you tired of reading rumors about the latest technology? Sick of hearing insane hearsay about Apple, Google, Red Dead Redemption, and more? Well, neither are we! That's why we put all the latest biz-buzz from the internet into the Rumor Roundup.

The sharing economy is the rise of people renting out their stuff to others, over and over, to make money. Poster-company Airbnb is on track to be worth $10 billion! But here are 10 things we're hoping we never see enter the "sharing economy."

The Internet Tax Freedom Act of 1998 is set to expire on November 1, which means internet access and usage in the US could soon be taxed for the first time. Combined with efforts to standardize a sales tax on online purchases, these new taxes could mean a big hit on consumers.

The Samsung Galaxy S5, which has quickly become a media darling smartphone, will soon enter the DealNews hall of fame. It is on track to hit $0 (subsidized) before Black Friday, a feat that took its two predecessors much longer to accomplish.

Starting on June 9, Microsoft will begin selling its Xbox One console sans the Kinect sensor, effectively lowering the price to $399. The Xbox One is now in line with its biggest competitor, but is the lower price point as good as it sounds?

A recent study by Bankrate.com revealed that 80% of Americans carry less than $50 in cash at any given time. In this brief — yet lively — video, our experts reveal how close we are to a cashless society, and the pros and cons of ditching the bills.

Vibram has settled a lawsuit that accused the company of offering misleading claims about the health benefits of its shoes. In light of the dilemma, we asked our readers — who have been very interested in FiveFingers shoes over the years — what they thought. And apparently, Vibram love cannot be stopped by million-dollar lawsuits.

We took a look at eight foods that may be in for a price hike this summer, and there's good and bad news. You aren't likely to starve, but you may need to seek out some budget-friendly alternatives to your usual fare.