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CNET’s Cheapskate scours the Web for great deals on PCs, phones, gadgets and much more. Questions about the Cheapskate blog? Find the answers on our FAQ page. And find more great buys on the CNET Deals page. You’ve heard this song and dance from me before: TV speakers suck. Sorry for the harsh language, but …

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21 Firefox shortcuts you need to know

By working some of these shortcuts into your Firefox habits, you can become a more efficient with your internet wanderings. I use a Mac, so I have listed shortcut combinations for a Mac keyboard, but an equivalent Windows shortcut exists for most if you substitute the Command key for the Ctrl key. I note where a Windows shortcut does not …

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ESPN’s next play: Direct to web?

ESPN is apparently ready to take a shot at offering a direct-to-web live-sports package. That is, if a report from The Information is on target. An anonymous source told the news site that the Walt Disney-owned sports network is planning to offer a package that would include niche leagues and maybe some college sports, but none of the network’s blue-chip …

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Super affordable Alcatel Dawn rises up at Boost Mobile and Virgin

Available on Boost Mobile and Virgin for $70 without a contract, the Alcatel Dawn is the newest addition to the prepaid carriers’ lineup of affordable Android handsets. The phone features a 4.5-inch display and a 5-megapixel camera on the back. It’s powered by a 1.1GHz quad-core processor and a 1,780mAh battery. As for storage, it has 1GB of RAM and …

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See a ​surreal fashion show befitting an ‘Aliens’ reboot

Fashion designers find inspiration in the most unusual muses — whether they be superheroes or crowded subways. But when it comes to transforming unusual materials into breathtaking gowns or 3D-printing one-of-a-kind footwear, Dutch designer Iris Van Herpen is the queen. The video “Defile Iris Van Herpen,” posted by Le Temps Tuesday, shows Van Herpen’s latest quirky fashion show for Paris …

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Facebook Messenger will soon have secret, encrypted conversations

Now playing: Watch this: Facebook Messenger adds end-to-end encryption 1:23 Can you keep a secret? Facebook thinks it can. The company shared its plans for completely securing conversations that you have in its Facebook Messenger app. Called “Secret Conversations,” the optional feature — which isn’t available yet — is ideal for safely sharing personal information, say like your credit card …

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