So much more than a phone, smartphones let users surf the web, read email, check the weather, view maps, get directions, track calories, update statuses for social media accounts, check bank and credit...
Today we have three tablet deals, including a refurbished Kindle Fire from Amazon for only $139. Other deals include a kids' playhouse with walls to color in, deals at popular clothing stores, and more.
Ebay:
Today's daily deals include women's jewelry, retail store coupons, and more. Groupon:
Groupon just released several new deals, including chocolates and jewelry for Valentine's
These days there are free apps for everything from tracking a run to finding low gas prices. But what about Black Friday? Yes, there are apps for that special shopping day, too -- and the good ones...
Here are some frugal stories we're reading:
Taking a long trip? Unplug your bills (MSN Money)
The Frugal Traveler: Tips for navigating the teen sports circuit (Orlando Sentinel)
Here's a roundup of new content on Cheapism, which includes new reviews, updates, and blog posts:
New Reviews: Scooters and Toys. If it's something that gets kids...
Cutting through the clutter of smartphone options can be tough. Our updated guide aims to spotlight the best new budget smartphones just in time for your back-to-school or back-to-work needs.
T-Mobile is preparing to offer cheap unlimited mobile plans, VentureBeat reports. One plan with a contract is $79.99 and one without is $59.99. The contract plan can be used with T-Mobile's “Even... Read more on Venturebeat »
Cheaper cell phone options are easy enough to find, but you've got to be willing to give up your contract plan. In its place, writes The Post and Courier, you would choose one of several prepaid... Read more on The Post and Courier »
As competition heats up, a cheap RIM smartphone may soon hit the market. According to Business Insider, the maker of the BlackBerry is determined to keep pace with companies offering cheap smartphones... Read more on Business Insider »
What is the cheapest cell phone plan? That's a question that probably bounces around your head every day. So here comes Digitaltrends to minimize the confusion with a simple approach that sorts... Read more on Digitaltrends »
Will the iPhone be cheap in our lifetime? That probably depends on how old you are. The New York Times puts the kabosh on rumors that Apple is working on a smaller iPhone but keeps our hopes alive... Read more on The New York Times »
Yes, there are ways to make free cellphone calls. But should you? The New York Times argues not, even after explaining how you can do so. Now it's up to you to decide. Read more on The New York Times »
Yours for the taking: 1000 free AT&T iPhone minutes. This is not a scame, insists TUAW.com, but a way for the original iPhone carrier to say "thanks" to customers. (Here's what we want to know: Read more on TUAW.com »
What's the cheapest cell phone plan? Given the enormous array of providers and options, that question is a real brain teaser. But WSLS.com has the beginnings of an answer by pointing you to a free... Read more on WSLS.com »
Trying to figure out how to get your hands on a cheaper Verizon iPhone? Toptechreviews.net offers up some valuable information that can help you weigh all your options. Just remember, not much in... Read more on toptechreviews.net »
A cheap cellphone car mount is one of those must-have accessories for anyone with a smartphone apps habit. See how Lifehacker attacks this challenge. Read more on Lifehacker »
Looking for the cheapest smartphone plan may be one of the most frustrating and confusing searches you'll ever undertake. So here comes CNET to your rescue, with a chart comparing the cheapest bundles... Read more on CNET »
Cheap cell phones in exchange for a service contract? It may be the devil's bargain, but as the Mercury News points out, it's a darn good way to get a smartphone at a cut-rate price and a simple... Read more on Mercury News »
If you do a lot of traveling, you surely want to know what are the cheapest global phones. PC Magazine did some checking and concluded there's no simple, or cheap, answer. Read more on PC Magazine »
The best cheap prepaid phone plans aren't necessarily the ones you see advertised. PC Magazine has a round-up of 10 companies that offer hard-to-beat deals for the minutes you need. Read more on PC Magazine »
Who needs a smartphone when you can get a messaging phone for free, or at least cheap. Phonedog offers up four for your cool consideration. Read more on Phonedog »
A very cheap Android smartphone from T-Mobile. See what Devicemag.com has to say about it. "T-Mobile has a plethora of top-notch Android smartphones which are already being sold through various... Read more »
Update: read our cheap tablets review which includes a hands on review of an iPad knockoff: http://www.cheapism.com/cheap-tablets Yet another cheap iPhone knockoff from the Chinese. But this... Read more on Cultofmac.com »
The mobile phone wars keep getting more interesting. Virgin Mobile just introduced a no-contract prepaid plan and Android smartphone, a move PC Magazine suggests is aimed at Cricket, which did the... Read more on PC Magazine »
Here's another cheap cell phone plan you might want to check out. As the Associated Press reports, Wal-Mart is now offering a month-to-month family plan with unlimited calling. This makes cell phone... Read more on Associated Press »
Broadband bills got you down? It's time to perk up. WalletPop reports on a cheap prepaid data plan offered by Virgin Mobile USA that handily beats the pricey contracts. Read more on Wallet Pop »
It's hard to beat the appeal of a cheap smartphone with a prepaid plan. But read this review of the Kyocera Loft by PC Magazine before rushing out to buy your very own. With the good, there's also... Read more on PC Magazine »
Smartphones are becoming so mainstream that even the smaller carriers are now pushing them. Wirelessground.com reports that MetroPCS will soon offer a BlackBerry Curve with a very reasonably priced... Read more on wirelessground.com »
If you're needing a new cheap smartphone, the next generation Nokia E73 might suit you just fine. A review in The Washington Post gives it a thumbs up, but notes that the $70 price tag requires... Read more on The Washington Post »
Cellphone bills are no joke. Lots of minutes you may not use and hefty fees that seem excessive. Time urges readers to look for cheaper ways to buy the service you need. Good luck. Read more on Time »
While the iPhone is very popular in the press, it's not the most cost-efficient smartphone for frugal buyers. Consumers are able to acquire many other comparable smartphones by committing to a long term... Read more on Cheapism »
Are smart phones the new loss leaders for big box retailers? It certainly seems that way. According to SmartMoney.com, mass merchandisers are offering these little devices at unbeatable prices -- Read more on SmartMoney.com »
Can you keep up with the constantly changing pricing plans for the bevy of personal communication devices? We can't. So here's CNN Money to give us all the low-down on AT&T's new plan for 3G data... Read more on CNN Money »
Here's a tip, courtesy of The Washington Post, for getting the most out of your cellphone camera. Put a cheap "magnifier" in front of the lens. Hardly a Star Wars fix, but hey, if it works... Read more on The Washington Post »
Following closely on the heels of the cellphone market, pre-paid plans are beginning to make inroads into the smartphones arena. CNET reports on this growing trend, which is another piece of good... Read more on CNET »
It had to come to this. Now you can get a multi-function phone in a watch. The Design Blog has the scoop on this cheap (as in, less than $100) device. Read more on The Design Blog »
More cheap smartphones. Wireless and Mobile News reports that Verizon has cut the price of the Palm Pre Plus and Palm Pixi Plus to $49.99 and $29.99, respectively, after rebates. If you ever wanted... Read more on Wireless and Mobile News »
It's not quite bait-and-switch, but Verizon is now letting some smartphone customers use Skype's free calling services. Why? Because, says Seeking Alpha, prices for talk time are falling, so the... Read more on Seeking Alpha »
Price wars are a wonderful thing. According to CNN Money, the price of prepaid cell phone plans is falling as the scrappy carriers fight to lure business from the high-cost contracts offered by... Read more on CNN Money »
More news from Apple: use your iPhone for VoIP calls and save yourself a bundle. The New York Times has a rundown on the variety of plans you can choose from. Stay tuned for Skype's response. Read more on The New York Times »
Just when you thought the wireless providers might be cutting you a break on your cell phone bill, think again. CNET points out that new pricing plans by the big companies might save you money on... Read more on cnet »
Still looking for way to reap big-time savings? CNN Money weighs in with three big ideas to help you trim your budget this year. Read more on CNN Money »
Cellular customers of AT&T and T-Mobile USA have cause for cheer. An article in The New York Times reports on a gadget that affixes to your PC and acts as your own private cell tower. The bottom... Read more on The New York Times »
Going overseas is no excuse not to stay in touch --especially now that international calls with mobile devices are so cheap. Read this article from The New York Times and you'll find some sweet... Read more on The New York Times »
After holding out since the summer, AT&T is finally allowing iPhone programs that allow users to make phone calls through the internet, saving them lots of money. Read more on Financial Times »
Vonage has introduced a new application much like Google Voice, turning iPhones and Blackberries into big time money-savers, especially for anyone racking up lots of international calls. The wireless... Read more on Network World »
Service options, cell phone models, calling plans -- it's enough to give anyone a headache. So here's a blog entry, courtesy of About.com, to help you sort out the cheap from the pricey crowd, and... Read more on About.com »
Protect your iPhone now! You've got two cheap choices, according to The Consumerist: buy a cardboard case or make one from a recycled juice box. We kid you not. Read more on The Consumerist »
Enough, already! Smart phones, features phones, just regular phones...How do you decide? Verizon is betting bargain-priced data plans will entice users to sign on for its two new feature phones. Read this... Read more on Sci-tech-today.com »
It's cheaper than ever now to take a little bit of home with you when you travel. Not literally, of course. But as The New York Times reports, the competition for those international calls is heating... Read more on The New York Times »
For all you tech-, gadget-, and network-addicts, there's a new fix on the market. Cultofmac.com reports on something called MiFi, your very own WiFi hotspot that can be yours from Verizon for a... Read more on cultofmac.com »
Smartphone technology is now accessible to the masses. A new phone from Samsung, says Brighthand.com, with those all-important touch-screen features, costs $100 plus a monthly service contract with... Read more on Brighthand.com »
More new smartphones on the market mean lower prices and more features. According to Channel Web, Nokia is about to roll out three new smartphones that are relatively affordable and stocked with lots of... Read more on Channel Web »
Does the battery on your iPhone or iPod give out at just the wrong moment -- like when you don't have your charger handy or there's no outlet nearby? iPhone Footprint suggests a solution to your dilemma: Read more on iPhone Footprint »
