A holiday gift from Google: Free Wi-Fi at airports

Computers & Internet
By Sage McHugh on November 12, 2009 in

Airport Wi-FI
This holiday season, Google is giving the travelers the gift of free Wi-Fi at 47 airports nationwide. The promotion began on November 10 and will run until January 15. You can view a full list of participating airports at Google's free holiday Wi-Fi site. According to Engadget.com, this arrangement is "expected to cover about 35% of all US travelers." Read more

Watch out for falling LCD TV prices on Black Friday

Electronics
By Carl Laron on November 11, 2009 in

Low priced TVs for the holidays

If you're wondering just how low LCD TV prices are going to drop this holiday shopping season, the answer could be, "Very." iSuppli, a market research company focused on the electronics industry, says that we could see some real bargains. For instance, premium-brand 32-inch LCD TVs might be found on Black Friday for just under $300, while select big-name 42-inch LCD TVs could potentially be snared for just under $500. That follows the ongoing trend of sharply-declining LCD TV prices over the last year.

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Shock, awe and apathy: Reactions to Maclaren's stroller recall

Family & Pets
By Christine Frietchen on November 11, 2009 in

Maclaren strollers recalled

The Maclaren website and phone system were overwhelmed to the point of crashing yesterday as worried parents tried to request repair kits for their strollers. This comes as a result of a massive recall of every single Maclaren stroller sold in the United States over the past 10 years. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, twelve children lost fingertips when they were caught in the strollers' hinges as they were being folded and unfolded. Reaction among parents ranges all the way from shock to apathy.

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On Black Friday, cheap electric razors abound

Health & Beauty
By Alex Nunez on November 11, 2009 in

Electric razor on sink

It looks as if there'll be no shortage of men's electric shavers offered at Black Friday sale prices this year. Based on what we're seeing in leaked circulars from Sears, Kmart, and Kohl's, you'll be able to choose from one of the best-reviewed rotary shavers overall -- the Norelco arcitec -- as well as a variety of second-tier models from the top manufacturers at attractive prices.

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Yum: Kohl's $10 waffle maker sounds good to us

Kitchen & Food
By Christine Frietchen on November 11, 2009 in

Oster Rotating Belgian Waffle Maker

So far, we've seen a lot of ho-hum appliance deals in early Black Friday circulars -- lots of mediocre coffee makers and hit-or-miss slow cookers. But here's one that's a solid pick if you're looking for a fun kitchen-gadget gift that's not a big investment.

The deal: Oster Rotating Belgian Waffle Maker for $10 (after $10 mail-in rebate)

The store: Kohl's doorbuster, Friday only, 4:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (or until sold out)

The verdict: Fluffy Belgian waffles for $10? Definitely a steal

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Braun, Norelco deliver electrifyingly close shaves

Health & Beauty
By Alex Nunez on November 10, 2009 in

Shaver Guy

One thing's certain: men no longer have any excuses for being poorly-groomed. Even if you shun the dizzying array of excellent traditional razors on the market today, you can still count on getting a consistently close shave from the best men's electric shavers.

If a foil shaver is your preference, the Braun Series 7 760cc (*Est. $235) is dubbed the "king of shavers" by the U.K.'s The Sunday Times newspaper. It's expensive, but it gives a close shave, is self-cleaning, and holds its battery charge for a long time. If you prefer a rotary-style electric razor, the Philips Norelco arcitec 1050X (*Est. $175) is the top pick. It's cool-looking, is comfortable to use, shaves well, and is easy to clean.

You can read about these best-reviewed razors, as well as the top wet/dry and budget models, in our freshly-updated report.

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Amazon's Kindle still the best ebook reader... for now

By Scott Nyerges on November 10, 2009 in

Woman with Kindle

In the latest update to the ConsumerSearch report on ebook readers, the Amazon.com Kindle 2 (*Est. $260) retains its title as the best ebook reader. But the competition is getting fierce. The Sony Reader Touch Edition PRS-600 (*Est. $300) is a viable alternative to the Kindle, many reviewers say. Once you look past the Kindle and the Sony, you're faced with a large number of also-rans like the  iRex Digital Reader DR800SG (*Est. $400), the Astak EZ Reader Pocket Pro (*Est. $200), the Cool-er ebook reader (*Est. $250) and the BeBook (*Est. $250)

In the latest update to the ConsumerSearch report on ebook readers, the Amazon.com Kindle 2 (*Est. $260) retains its title as the best ebook reader. But the competition is getting fierce. The Sony Reader Touch Edition PRS-600 (*Est. $300) is a viable alternative to the Kindle, many reviewers say. Once you look past the Kindle and the Sony, you're faced with a large number of also-rans like the  iRex Digital Reader DR800SG (*Est. $400), the Astak EZ Reader Pocket Pro (*Est. $200), the Cool-er ebook reader (*Est. $250) and the BeBook (*Est. $250) Read more

Cell phones for kids: important buying advice

Electronics
By Molly McLaughlin on November 10, 2009 in

Cell Phones For Kids: Important Buying Advice

Cell phones are more than just hip accessories. They can be essential tools for keeping in touch during emergencies, or just for keeping tabs on your kids while you're at work or when they're out with friends. Of course, once you buy your child a cell phone, they'll want to do more with it than simply talk to their parents, so you have to set some limits. Here are some tips on buying the right cell phone for your child.

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Kohl's USB camcorder is cheap, but is it any good?

By Scott Nyerges on November 10, 2009 in

Among the early-bird Black Friday specials at Kohl's is the Shift3 Slide Mini Digital Video Camera (*Est. $40), a pocket-sized camcorder. Much like the Jazz T20 (*Est. $20) that Kmart is enticing Black Friday shoppers with (discussed in a blog post last week), the Shift3 is a budget alternative to the best-selling Pure Digital Flip Mino (*Est. $130).

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All Maclaren strollers to be recalled due to finger amputations

Family & Pets
By Christine Frietchen on November 9, 2009 in

Maclaren Volo

It's not yet official, but the news has been leaked to New York's Daily News and was on CBS News this morning. Maclaren, in cooperation with the Consumer Products Safety Commission, is poised to recall every umbrella stroller it's made since 1999 -- more than a million models -- including several of the strollers recommended in our reports on umbrella strollers and double strollers.

According to the Daily News, 12 children allegedly suffered amputated fingertips when their fingers were caught in one of the stroller's hinges. Maclaren will send consumers guards for the hinges, which should correct the danger.

It's not yet official, but the news has been leaked to New York's Daily News and was on CBS News this morning. Maclaren, in cooperation with the Consumer Products Safety Commission, is poised to recall every umbrella stroller it's made since 1999 -- more than a million models -- including several of the strollers recommended in our reports on umbrella strollers and double strollers.

According to the Daily News, 12 children allegedly suffered amputated fingertips when their fingers were caught in one of the stroller's hinges. Maclaren will send consumers guards for the hinges, which should correct the danger. Read more

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