What We're Reading September 14:
New Federal School-Meals Rules Could Lead to Rising Lunch Prices (Education Week)
$99 TouchPad - Will Another Maker Meet Demand for a Low-cost
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.
Want the cheapest Samsung Galaxy Tab? You can now get one for $199.99, marked down from Sprint's initial $399.99 offering, reports GizmoCrave.com, which speculates the deep-discount price may be... Read more on gizmocrave.com »
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 »
Cheap Android apps will soon be available through Amazon, reports GottaBeMobile.com. Now that Amazon is going after Google for a share of the growing Android apps market, expect to see some price... Read more on gottabemobile.com »
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 »
Choosing the cheapest iPad data plan is a bit like playing roulette. There's a lot of chance involved because you just don't know which way the ball (or in this case, your demand for data) will go. That's... Read more on CNN Money »
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 »
Which free apps help save money? There's Mint and Skype and GasBuddy, to name just a few. Thanks to TheNextWeb.com for pointing us to these and several other useful apps. Read more on TheNextWeb »
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 »
CNET has the goods on a new cheap texting app that can save you big bucks off your currently astronomical text charges. Isn't it fun to play bea-the-carrier? Read more on CNET »
Say you've got a few employees, or maybe friends, and you need some cheap tethering. Say what? As BNET explains, it's a way to instantly turn your laptop and other electronic devices into hotspots. Read more on BNET »
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 »
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 »
A new $49 iPhone from AT&T may be one more sign that the giant service provider may soon be facing some stiff competition. But why not grab a deal when you can? For new customers that also means signing... Read more on eWeek »
Cell phone bills can be steep, as we all know. ABC 30 reports on a couple of providers that consumers say offer good value. Read more on ABC 30 »
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 »
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 »
For those of us on the go, here's a handy idea: take your hot spot with you. The New York Times tells us how this is done, but more importantly, how we can do this cheaply. Read more on The New York Times »
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 »
Yet another new, cheap smartphone. This one from Nokia, to be used with T-Mobile service. Brighthand has a rundown on the features. Read more on Brighthand »
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 »
