Live Smart: Consumer - Courant.com

Kevin Hunt: West Hartford Wal-mart, BJ's Cited For Pricing Violations

Kevin Hunt - The Bottom Line — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:26:00 GMT

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Leo Barrieau probably didn't realize the power of the consumer when he complained to The Bottom Line in April about improper unit pricing at two retail stores in West Hartford.

Kevin Hunt: Bloomfield Lawyer To Comcast: What Are These Charges?

Kevin Hunt - The Bottom Line — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:04:00 GMT

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Today's secret word is "Xfinity." That was supposed to be the password for a Bloomfield resident's Comcast wireless service until he found out otherwise after his computer crashed in January and he couldn't rejoin the home network.

World's Markets, Malls: A Great Bucket List For Shoppers

By KORKY VANN, kvann@courant.com — Sun, 19 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Like a lot of folks, I've got a bucket list of things I want to do and see before I head to the big mall in the sky.

Misdiagnosis: More Common Than Drug Errors or Wrong-Site Surgery

By SANDRA G. BOODMAN, Kaiser Health News — Sat, 18 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Until it happened to him, Itzhak Brook, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Georgetown University School of Medicine, didn't think much about the problem of misdiagnosis.

Kevin Hunt: Why Consumer Cellular Is Better Than Your Wireless Service

Kevin Hunt - The Bottom Line — Sat, 18 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

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Consumer Cellular remains relatively unknown among wireless carriers despite giving its subscribers what every AT&T or Verizon (or cable television) customer desires: a no-contract, low-cost, buy-only-what-you-need option with basic service starting at $10 a month.

Consumer Reports: Food-Preservation Lessons From Storm Sandy

Sat, 18 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

With six months elapsed since Superstorm Sandy socked the mid-Atlantic and predictions pointing to a very active Atlantic hurricane season this year, Consumer Reports has taken stock of the superstorm's impact and distilled its lessons.

What's the best way to deal with lawn grubs?

Sat, 18 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Q: What is the best way to deal with lawn grubs? They are getting worse every year, along with the crows and skunks that are tearing up the sod to eat them.

Consumer Reports: Smartphone security tips

Sat, 18 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

A smartphone can contain a lot of information that its owner would rather keep private. But 39 percent of the more than 100 million American adult smartphone owners fail to take even minimal security measures, such as using a screen lock, backing up data or installing an app to locate a missing phone or remotely wipe its data, according to Consumer Reports' Annual State of the Net survey.

Swype, at Google Play, adds Dragon Dictation for voice-to-text

Sat, 18 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Swype, one of our favorite Android keyboards, finally shed its long-held beta tag recently and made its way over to Google Play, where it's available for $1. The official version comes bundled with Dragon Dictation for enhanced voice-to-text, and adds a few new features for the typo-prone.

FitCycle app puts cycling classes on your phone, kills boredom

Sat, 18 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Training on an exercise bike is one of the most efficient workout methods, but it's no fun to just sit on a bike and ride. FitCycle puts workout routines and cycling classes on your Android phone so you can listen and follow along while you pedal. The app keeps you motivated, and keeps your workouts interesting.

On The Street With Google Glass: An Early Look

Sat, 18 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Back when she was in college, software developer Monica Wilkinson says, she used to dream of "being able to carry a computer in my head," instead of lugging her books and laptop all over campus. As she tried out her new Google Glass recently, Wilkinson said, it felt like that fanciful idea had become real.

Google Glass: The Specs

Sat, 18 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

With a lightweight metal and plastic frame, Glass looks something like a pair of high-tech spectacles without traditional lenses. Here are some specifications:

Kevin Hunt: Bowers & Wilkins Z2 Speaker Dock Review

Kevin Hunt - The Electronic Jungle — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:23:00 GMT

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The aerophobic Z2, the first speaker dock from Bowers & Wilkins that doesn't look like a dirigible and doesn't cost $600, would still be easy to pick out in a police lineup of compact, midpriced systems.

Kevin Hunt: Sales Tax On Free-Item Coupon? A Supermarket Dustup

Kevin Hunt - The Bottom Line — Mon, 13 May 2013 22:09:00 GMT

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You're welcome to play along in today's edition of "Is It Just Me?," where no question is too small for The Bottom Line.

Korky Vann: In Salisbury, Prime Finds Sells Antiques For Charity

Korky Vann — Sun, 12 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

When it comes to a perfect country destination for a perfect spring day, it's hard to beat Salisbury. The little spot, just a few miles from the New York border, features all the things you'd expect in a picture-perfect New England town — beautiful stone churches, art galleries, country inns, charming tea rooms and unique emporiums.

Best Windows 8 gaming laptops

Sat, 11 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Even though we're still waiting for a true no-compromises Windows 8 gaming system, many of the high-end laptops and tablets we've tested are still great for games, from the premium performance of the Qosmio X875 to the very reasonably priced Lenovo IdeaPad Y500.

Consumer Reports: Why $60 Ninja Is Top-Rated Blender

Sat, 11 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

A top-notch blender is a versatile kitchen appliance, good for making smoothies and frozen drinks, plus less obvious dishes, such as hummus, churn-free ice cream and even hot soup.

App review: Yahoo Weather

Sat, 11 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Yahoo recently released a new weather app for iOS whose interface puts other weather apps to shame. It's easy to use, filled with information, and as gorgeous as they come.

Google Now, a proactive personal assistant, available for iPhone, iPad

Sat, 11 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Google Now, a mobile feature designed by the Silicon Valley tech giant to give users information they might want before they search for it, is finally available for the Apple iPhone and iPad.

Should deck be stained again or painted?

Sat, 11 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Q: Our deck has been previously stained, but it has worn off. The deck is not covered, so I want something durable. Would I be better off staining it again or painting it?

Many opt for high-deductible health plans despite risks

By LISA ZAMOSKY, Los Angeles Times — Sat, 11 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Alice Marie Francis believes it's important to have health insurance, but finding a plan that fit her budget was no easy task. "Money is tight," says the 50-year-old Burbank, Calif., mother of two, whose children are insured by their father's work-based policy.

Kevin Hunt: For Two Years, Tolland Woman Gets Notices, Bills For Hartford Property She Doesn't Own

Kevin Hunt - The Bottom Line — Sat, 11 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

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For at least two years, says Debra Gebhardt of Tolland, she has received assessment notices, bills and statements for a property she doesn't own and knows nothing about other than its street address in Hartford.

Trainer or animal behaviorist for your dog?

Tue, 07 May 2013 20:07:48 GMT

Trainer or animal behaviorist?

Signs Your Dog Needs Help

Tue, 07 May 2013 20:07:48 GMT

Does your dog need professional help?

Dog Eat Dog: What's In The Food You Give Your Pet

By JACKSON LANDERS, Slate — Tue, 07 May 2013 20:07:00 GMT

If the package of dog food that you regularly purchase for your dog had a picture of a dead dog on the front accompanied by the words, "Fortified with 100 percent natural dog meat!" would you still buy it? Probably not. And yet this might very well be what you are scanning at the grocery store checkout and scooping into your dog's bowl.