Freebies

I've always been a big fan of biographies. Recent favorites include Simon Pegg's "Nerd Do Well" and Rob Lowe's "Stories I Only Tell My Friends." My wife picked out the latter for a car trip, and while I wasn't terribly enthused at the time, it turns out Lowe's autobiography is relentlessly entertaining--especially the audiobook version, which he reads himself.

Needless to say, as a longtime technology writer and enthusiast, I'm keen to read--or hear--the new Steve Jobs biography. But I'm not so keen on spending $16.99 for the … Read more

I'm usually pretty good at making decisions. Chocolate or vanilla? Easy: chocolate. Red wine or white? Easy: red. Coach or first class? Hey, this is the Cheapskate you're talking to, remember?

Today, however, I simply couldn't make up my mind. So many good deals, so little time. In no particular order:

1. Mwave has the Zonet ZNS8030 for $25.99 shipped. This little gizmo lets you attach a USB hard drive to your router, effectively turning it into network-attached storage. It's kind of like the Pogoplug, only smaller and cheaper.

2. Speaking of Pogoplug, last week … Read more

Looking for a boatload of free cloud storage? If you own an iDevice, you can score 50GB of it, no strings attached.

That's the deal being offered by Box.net: 50GB of online storage for anyone who installs the Box.net app on an iPhone, iPod Touch, or Pad. (Sorry, Android users--not sure why you're being left out.) The app itself is free, as is the Personal account you'll be creating. And if you already have an account, merely signing into it gives you that 50GB bump.

The promotion runs through December 2, but you get to … Read more

Move over, Skype. Watch your back, Line2. Good news, iPad and iPod Touch users. The new MagicJack app lets you make unlimited free calls to the U.S. and Canada, no strings attached, no credit card required. 

That means if you're a heavy gabber, you could theoretically drop to the cheapest available iPhone voice plan--and keep on gabbing. Of course, it also gives iPad and fourth-generation iPod Touch users an option for totally free phone service.

The first time you run the app, you get three choices. If you already have one of the famed MagicJack voice-over-IP gizmos, you can sign into your account, use your existing number, and access all of your associated contacts. That effectively gives you a second phone line for your iPhone--complete with its own voice mailbox.

If you're not already a MagicJack customer, you can quickly sign up for an account, and get a new phone number (sort of) in the process. That "number" is actually a 10-digit code that callers need to punch in after calling a main MagicJack number--a fairly major hassle, and a fact that's not explained anywhere within the app. (Nor is the number listed; it's 305-848-TALK.)

Alternately, you can skip both options and just start making calls. That's how I started my MagicJack testing, though later I linked the app to an inactive (but still operational) MagicJack account.… Read more

Every couple months, some software vendor I've never heard of pings me about a new DVD ripper or video converter that they're giving away. I always think there's going to be some kind of catch, like the program's in German or doesn't support Adam Sandler movies. (Actually, that wouldn't be a catch at all.)

Instead, it usually turns out to be a decent piece of software with no strings to speak of. And here's a fine example: From now until September 30, you can get uRexsoft DVD Ripper Platinum (Windows) absolutely free. … Read more

I know "Five-deal Wednesday" doesn't have nearly the same ring as "Five-deal Friday," and believe me, there's nothing I like better than an alliterative headline. But when so many awesome deals pile up on the same day, sometimes you just have to cut loose your alliterative leanings.

Sigh. If only grammar rodeos were real.

Anyway, today I've got three (three!) freebies, a dirt-cheap monitor, and a couple of sweet game bundles. Read on:

1. Wal-Mart wants you to know that in addition to regular old 4x6-inch prints, its photo department offers … Read more

Well here's some interesting timing. Just days after I finished playing Portal for the very first time (more on that in a bit), Steam is offering the game absolutely free.

Specifically, from now until September 20, you can download Portal (PC and Mac) absolutely free. Yesterday, it would have cost you $10.

Update: Many readers have reported difficulty signing up for a Steam account. My only suggestion is to keep trying, as I'm sure Steam's servers are overloaded. I'll update further if I learn anything more.

Update #2: Steam tech support just tweeted this fix: "… Read more

Need some games to keep you busy during this holiday weekend? From now through Labor Day (September 5), Gameloft is giving away a handful of Android games and discounting all others to 99 cents.

The giveaway requires a bit of hoop-jumping. For starters, you need to follow @GameloftAndroid on Twitter or like GameloftAndroid on Facebook.

Then, at some random time today, tomorrow, Sunday, and Monday, the company will make one Android game available free of charge via a special link (posted exclusively on Facebook and Twitter)--but only for 2 hours.

The promotion kicked off yesterday with N.O.V.… Read more

Just a quick reminder that I'm posting less than usual this week. (Sorry to newsletter subscribers who were confused by yesterday's duplicate mailing. My bad.) And Monday's Labor Day, so I'll see you back here on Tuesday! Have a safe and enjoyable holiday.

Free DVD rippers are pretty easy to come by these days (I seem to see a new giveaway or promotion once every month or two), but free Blu-ray rippers? Those are still fairly rare.

From now until Sept. 15, you can download Digiarty WinX Blu-ray Decrypter free of charge. It's not quite … Read more