thumbs

Thumb through user opinions

Thumb for Android gives you an easy way to pose questions to and get instant opinions from the public. If used correctly, this simple app can be a valuable tool for casual research or daily decision-making. It's also fun if you just want to have people chime in on random topics.

If the concept of Thumb seems familiar, that might be because the app was originally released under the name Opinionaided. Though its name is different now, the app has retained all of its core functionality and is more or less the same as before.

There are two ways … Read more

Facebook gets 6,600-pound chocolate thumbs-up

Reaching 1 million Facebook fans was a big deal for Cadbury Dairy Milk in the U.K. It was such a big deal that Cadbury stacked 6,600 pounds of Dairy Milk bars into the shape of a giant Facebook "Like" thumbs-up.

The edible hand took two days to build. The crew dressed in matching purple tops, making them look suspiciously like escaped Oompa Loompas.

According to the time-lapse video, there were some worrying moments during construction, but the thumbs-up managed not to squish anybody. A Facebook fan named Denise had the honor of putting the last piece of chocolate into place.

Cadbury offered some handy comparison charts to give fans an idea of just how large the hand is. It's as tall as two small cars or six rockhopper penguins standing on each other's heads. It weighs as much as 24 baby elephants.… Read more

Padintosh turns iPad 2 into classic Mac

There's something magical about the 1980s and Apple computers. The fashions sparkled. The computers were lovably chunky.

Hop into the DeLorean of your mind and go back in time by inserting your iPad 2 into Thumbs Up World's Padintosh cover. It instantly transforms your svelte modern machine into a classic Macintosh, right down to the dingy off-whitish color.… Read more

Get an 8GB Kingston Mini Fun flash drive for $7.95

OK, time to test the new-and-improved Cheapskate newsletter system, which shoots out the e-mail shortly after my post goes live.

That's key today, as we're looking at an item that's likely to sell out fast.

While supplies last, Buy.com has the Kingston 8GB DataTraveler Mini Fun flash drive for $7.95 shipped.

Update: Sure enough, it sold out. But as at least one helpful commenter pointed out, Newegg continues to offer the 8GB DataTraveler 108 drive for $7.99 shipped. Excellent alternative.

(In case of sellout, here's a preemptive backup: B&H Photo … Read more

Get an 8GB Kingston flash drive for $7.95

The weekend before last, I happened to spy an 8GB SanDisk Cruzer Edge flash drive on sale for just $4.99 at Best Buy. It was sold out online, but the inventory checker showed it to be in stock at my local store. I called first, and, sure enough, they had some. I asked them to hold three, and a couple hours later walked out with three 8GB flash drives for 15 bucks (plus tax). That was a really, really good day.

This deal isn't quite that spectacular, but it's close--and there's no sales tax involved (unless … Read more

Get a 16GB flash drive for $7.09 (after rebate)

A 16GB flash drive for $18.99 is pretty good deal. At $17.09, it's even better, especially when you factor in free shipping. But $7.09? That's just about the deal of the century. OK, decade. Year, maybe. Oh, fine, month!

While supplies last (an important disclaimer for this deal), Newegg has the Corsair Flash Voyager 16GB flash drive for $18.99 shipped. Coupon code BLKNOVUSBD drops it to $17.09, and this $10 mail-in rebate (PDF) brings your final price to $7.09.

It seems like most of the flash-drive deals I post sell out very … Read more

Get a 16GB flash drive for $10.84

Here's something you don't see, well, ever.

While supplies last, Wal-Mart has the PNY Mini Attache 16GB USB flash drive for $10.84, plus sales tax in most states. Shipping adds another $1.97, though you can skip that by picking one up in-store. (I'd call first to make sure they have them in stock.)

Update: Looks like the sale is over, folks. The price is back up to around $29. (Or perhaps it was a price mistake?)

Even with shipping, that's the lowest nonrebate price I've seen on a 16GB drive. It's still … Read more

Get an 8GB flash drive for $8 shipped

This is an update of a deal I posted a couple months ago.

What do I want in a flash drive? A tiny, capless design. A nice color. A heavy-duty metal casing and a keyring loop that won't break.

That describes today's deal in a nutshell. While supplies last (and they may not last long, if the past is any indication), Newegg has the Kingston DataTraveler DT108 8GB flash drive for $7.99 shipped.

Update: Sold out! Sad but true. Fortunately, Adorama has the same drive for just a buck more. Still an awesome deal.

It'… Read more

The 404 899: Where we take you to school (podcast)

Wilson begins this episode of The 404 Podcast with a few words of encouragement to our young listeners starting their first day of school today.

Unsurprisingly, Mr. Tang excelled in all his classes and never once printed a cheat sheet on a Coke-bottle wrapper--unfortunately Jeff and I can't say the same for our own salad days. Anyone know how to calculate the area of a triangle?

Aside from recalling our high-school days, today's show rundown kicks off with Nike's announcement of the long-awaited shoes from "Back To the Future II." Nike's head designer Tinker Hatfield invited members of the press to a big announcement that's likely to coincide with this preview trailer showing Marty McFly's closet full of Air Mag 2015s. Power laces and light-up soles!

We'll also break news about a partnership between Google and Zagat's (rhymes with "da cat") Restaurant Guide, shed some light on reports about Netflix capping multiple streams, and you'll also find out how you can rent the studio set from the Conan O'Brien late-night show!

The 404 Digest for Episode 899

It's about time: Nike goes "Back to the Future." Conan writers put studio up on AirBnB. Scan shows what the right 3DS thumb stick add-on might look like. Google buys Zagat, in original-content gambit. Video voice mail from David showing a retro pinball arcade.

Video voice mail from Tessa and Matt on a backpacking trip in the Sierras. Justin's Daily Bathroom Break Video: Going to the Store: Normal Guy, Normal Walk.

Episode 899 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more