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. Enlarge Image Head not included. Mpow There’s a gift-giving occasion rapidly approaching. Perhaps you’ve heard of it? Ah, …
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Boost Mobile cranks up unlimited music streaming
Boost Mobile has become the latest wireless provider to give customers unlimited access to streaming music. Starting today, Boost subscribers can listen to a number of music sites without using up precious data. Related Links Virgin Mobile adds unlimited music streaming, three new phones ROK Mobile wants to hit a high note with unlimited $50 music plan How to find …
Read More »Uber drivers’ class
Uber has been dealt another setback in its legal battle over how its drivers are classified. After granting class-action status in September to a lawsuit challenging how Uber classifies its drivers, a federal judge on Wednesday ruled that many more drivers in California can join lawsuit, even if they had previously accepted the company’s arbitration clause. The lawsuit, which accused …
Read More »Before you buy a used amplifier or speaker, definitely read this
I have no doubt you can score great deals buying used or vintage audio gear. Choose wisely, and you might wind up with something that sounds as good or even better than the best new stuff. That said, buying used gear is not without risk, so I turned to High-End Audio Auctions’ Adam Wexler for advice. He makes his living …
Read More »Microsoft’s virtual assistant Cortana lands on Android and iOS
Microsoft’s Cortana has arrived on Android and iOS smartphones. Starting today, you can grab the virtual assistant on devices running Android 4.1.2, iOS 8 or higher. You’ll be able to use Cortana to set reminders, look up information, or just keep tabs on your day. If you’re using an Android or iOS device, then Google Now and Apple’s Siri likely …
Read More »Get Pebble’s Timeline feature on original Pebble, Pebble Steel
Pebble on Wednesday announced the beta version of Pebble Firmware 3.8 for the original Pebble and Pebble Steel smartwatch lineup. It’s a fairly significant upgrade to hardware that’s, in some cases, nearly three years old by now. The 3.0 version of Pebble’s OS first launched on the newer Pebble Time lineup in February. The OS includes Pebble’s Timeline feature, a …
Read More »Peek at pages with 3D Touch in iBooks
iBooks is a bit easier to navigate with the addition of 3D Touch, particularly if you are one to take notes or add bookmarks. You can press as hard as you can while reading a book but you won’t get anything other than the same Copy/Define/Highlight/Note pop-up menu as before. I was hoping, for example, that I could 3D Touch …
Read More »Japanese company creating a robot companion for your desk
Earlier this year, Japanese company Softbank brought the world Pepper, a humanoid robot that has sold out in a minute each time it’s gone on sale. Now, MJI Robotics, another Japanese robotics firm, is introducing a smaller, more accessible companion. Demonstrated at this year’s International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo, the MJI (More Joyful Innovation) Communication Robot is an egg-shaped desktop …
Read More »New Otterbox case makes your iPhone look like it’s wearing a backless dress
Otterbox has a new Statement Series case for the iPhone 6/6S that looks both cool and a little odd at the same time. That’s because two-thirds of the case on the back is translucent but the lower-third is covered in swanky premium leather. Usually Otterbox cases have a good-sized Otterbox logo on the case, but the Statement makes a statement …
Read More »Wireless
Seems like a no-brainer: Enable your smartphone so it can rest on the table and get an instant power charge without the fuss of cables. Who wouldn’t want that feature, right? It turns out that the realities of wireless charging have been anything but simple. Even if your smartphone happens to have the capability, there’s a good chance it may …
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