All posts in: Now or Later

How to find the best deal on major layaway plans

By Sage McHugh on October 3, 2012 in

A rundown of the layaway policies in effect at big-box stores nationwide

If you're considering putting your holiday gifts on layaway this year, we can help you find the best deals. In order to boost business and reward shoppers, some major retailers have reduced or even waived layaway initiation fees. Here's a rundown of the layaway policies in effect at big-box stores nationwide. Read more

The virtual supermarket is out of the bag

Kitchen & Food
By Sage McHugh on August 4, 2012 in

Tesco virtual supermarket

If you dread grocery shopping -- in person or even online -- perhaps a virtual alternative would entice you. In spring of 2011, supermarket giant Tesco installed a virtual grocery store in a South Korea subway station (pictured at left). To simulate the in-store experience, a giant electronic billboard, resembling shelves, features images of common products along with prices and a QR code. Customers can scan desired items via an application on their smartphones, add them to a shopping cart and checkout to complete the purchase. Groceries are later delivered to their homes at a scheduled time. According to Mashable.com, "the app is now the most downloaded shopping app in South Korea, with 900,000 downloads since it launched in April 2011."

So what does the success of a virtual supermarket overseas mean for the rest of us? Read more

Should you buy a 4G phone?

Electronics
By Molly McLaughlin on May 6, 2011 in

HTC Thunderbolt

4G was the buzzword in the reviews we consulted for our recent update of the cell phone plans report. In theory, 4G will bring blazing fast speeds and new capabilities to your smartphone and other wireless devices. In reality, it's not quite there yet. While the four major U.S. carriers have some sort of 4G plan in place, coverage is spotty and there are less than 10 4G smartphones available. Verizon, the best reviewed carrier overall offers just one 4G smartphone (the HTC Thunderbolt), though its 4G network shows the most promise. The top regional carrier in our cell phone plans report, U.S. Cellular, does not yet have a 4G network at all. Read more

Another season, another new iPod

Electronics
By Christine Frietchen on September 10, 2009 in

iPod nano

Just in time for the holidays, new Apple iPods were unveiled yesterday. The most significant changes affect the iPod nano, which now comes with a video camera. Also new is an FM radio; other MP3 players have had this feature for years. Lastly, a pedometer feature keeps track of your steps. Design-wise, the nano looks pretty much the same; the screen is a little taller and the colors are a bit shinier. If you already own an iPod, is the new nano worth the upgrade?

Read more

Is 3D the new HDTV?

Electronics
By Carl Laron on September 2, 2009 in

3D

Is 3D the "next big thing" in home theater, and will it make all those shiny LCD and plasma sets on retailers shelves obsolete?

That's what some pundits, such as DVICE's Stewart Wolpin are speculating, though I'm not so sure.

Without a doubt, several manufacturers, most notably Panasonic, are taking 3D seriously The company recently announced a promotional partnership with movie maker James Cameron (of "Titanic" fame) for "AVATAR," a sci-fi film shot completely in 3D (using Panasonic equipment in part) and set to debut this December. In Panasonic's announcement, Cameron said "I believe 3D is how we will experience movies, gaming, and computing in the near future."

Read more

Back to top