trade-in

HTC One buyers can score cash by trading in current phone

Those of you who pick up the HTC One smartphone could get cash back if you trade in your current phone.

Kicking off Thursday, the offer rewards buyers of the HTC One with as little as $100 or as much as $375 for trading it any one of a number of phones. The trade-in promo page lists the following phones: iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, Samsung Galaxy S3, Motorola Droid Razr, LG Optimus 4X HD, BlackBerry Z10, BlackBerry Curve, and BlackBerry Bold.

But a variety of other phones are also eligible depending on their condition. HTC's Trade-Up page lets you … Read more

IRS doesn't believe in warrants for e-mail

CNET Update gets worked up over warrants:

The Internal Revenue Service has documents suggesting that it doesn't need a search warrant to access e-mail or private messages on Facebook and Twitter. CNET's Declan McCullagh has the story looking into the privacy guideline at the IRS that goes against what many lawmakers have argued.

Today's tech roundup also looks into the user data stolen from Vudu's offices, and T-Mobile's push for converts with an iPhone trade-in promotion.

Watch CNET Update in the video above, and subscribe to the podcast via the links below.

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Ahead of iPhone 5 launch, T-Mobile touts trade-in program

T-Mobile is cranking up the hype for its iPhone 5 launch on Friday.

The carrier added another incentive to hop on its bandwagon, extending its trade-in program to include older iPhones from other carriers. In exchange, customers can avoid putting money down for a new iPhone 5, as well as get a reduced monthly rate.

It is clear T-Mobile is excited to offer the iPhone, a key product that's been missing from its lineup as virtually every other carrier -- big and small -- began offering it. T-Mobile is hopeful that Apple's iconic device can reverse years of … Read more

Staples: Snag $400 by swapping old gadget for Windows 8 device

Staples in dangling a $400 trade-in deal to steer customers toward Windows 8 devices.

How does it work? The retailer's "Trade up to touch" Web page explains the process.

You first have to buy a Windows 8 touch device from Staples. It can be an all-in-one PC, a notebook, or a tablet, but it must be one of the qualifying items on the retailer's list. The list includes all-in-ones from Hewlett-Packard and Dell, laptops from Lenovo and Asus, and the various flavors of Microsoft's Surface RT and Pro tablets.

You then identify the device that … Read more

Get the most cash for your used electronics with Flipsy

Selling or trading in your older used electronics for some fast cash is quick and convenient. You don't have to deal with pesky eBay fees, or haggle over the final sales price with a stranger on Craiglist. Sites like Amazon Trade-In, eBay Instant Sale, and Gazelle all make it easy to send in a used item. You mark the condition of your item, ship it off, let the company inspect it, and wait for the cash to show up in your PayPal or Amazon account. I rounded up five trade-in sites here if you're interested in reading more … Read more

In search of the perfect, diaper-free gadget trade-in box

Shortly after its rebranding in 2008, year-old gadget trade-in service Gazelle had a problem.

People were sending in diapers.

Not used diapers, of course. But after agreeing to send the company their old smartphone in return for cash, some customers were eschewing typical pack,aging materials in favor of whatever was in their house. As it turned out, this could be spare diapers, worn-out shoes and even pillows.

Why was this happening? The service, which buys used gadgets then sells them off to third-parties, was giving customers U.S. Postal Service shipping boxes and an envelope. People took one look … Read more

Get prepared for Windows 8

Thursday's CNET Update prepares for a new era:

Windows 8 arrives at 12:01 a.m. local time Friday -- are you ready? CNET has everything you need to prepare for the new system, including a buying guide, as well as tips and tricks to navigating the new interface.

Microsoft's Surface RT tablet also arrives Friday, but Surface is just the start of a new line of devices from Microsoft. CEO Steve Ballmer has said Microsoft will build more devices under its name. So maybe we'll see a Surface Mini someday, or even a Microsoft Phone.

Google … Read more

What you need to know about Windows 8

Friday's CNET Update is charmed:

Brace yourselves: Windows 8 is coming. Today's tech news roundup goes over the new Windows operating system, available Friday Oct. 26. Be sure to read up on CNET's complete guide to using Windows 8 before upgrading. And if you are in the market for one of the many Windows 8 computers, don't get tripped up by the different versions of Windows 8. Just remember: Anything with "Windows RT" will not run your older Windows software. The Windows RT version of the Surface tablet is already facing shipping delays. However, … Read more

After Apple verdict, a rush to unload Samsung phones?

Last week, a jury found that a number of Samsung devices infringed on Apple's patents, including the Galaxy S II. Is it just a coincidence, then, that consumer electronics resale site Gazelle has seen a huge bump in trade-ins of Galaxy S phones and other Samsung devices?

Gazelle's Anthony Scarsella told me today that the Web site has seen a 50 percent increase in Samsung trades in the days since the verdict was handed down.

"The Galaxy S II has been the most popular model," Scarsella added. … Read more

Amazon offering top dollar for iPhone trade-ins

Planning to upgrade your iPhone to whatever model Apple announces next month? Amazon wants to make it worth your while.

As of today, the company is offering some of the highest trade-in values I've seen on used iPhones. The only catch? Your payout comes in the form of an Amazon gift card, not actual cash.

Amazon is accepting used, fully functional iPhones from AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon. As with most trade-in services, you must specify whether your model is in acceptable, good, or like-new condition. That dictates the amount you'll get in return.

For example, my … Read more