Why You Can Trust CNET Five-deal Friday: A $5 custom iPhone case, $50 Pebble and more
From the Cheapskate: I could tell you about the other stuff, but wouldn't that spoil the surprise?
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.
Quick update regarding yesterday's deal: Although the refurbished Roku Streaming Stick is sold out, you can still get a $10 credit to use on anything Efurb sells (now or in the future). Likewise, the red SanDisk Sansa Clip Zip MP3 player I'd mentioned is sold out as well, but the Clip Sport model is still available (as of this morning, anyway) -- again at $14.99 shipped after you apply your credit.
Today I looked high and low for some super-standout deal, and it just didn't materialize. I did, however, find a bunch of smaller items that seemed pretty sweet, so what started out as a bunch of bonus deals has morphed into another fabulous five-deal Friday!
Don't skip this stone
Here's a sweet rerun: A4C via Ebay has the refurbished Pebble smartwatch (black) for $49.99 shipped. I continue to consider it the best smartwatch you can buy for a few simple reasons: It's compatible with Android and iOS, it delivers notifications like a champ, it lasts 4-5 days on a single charge and it doesn't cost $350.
Quick bit of advice, though: Spend a few bucks on a plastic screen-protector, as the original Pebbles tend to get scratched up.
Obligatory mobile charger
Folks, you would not believe the number of mobile-charger deals I get pitched on a daily basis. (Bluetooth speakers, too.) I'm just as sick of them as you are, but every now and then I feel compelled to share a standout -- because, well, when the zombie apocalypse comes, you'll be glad you have extra power packs.
Like this one: For a limited time, Amazon has the Aibocn 10,000mAh Power Bank for $11.99, shipped free with Prime. This little white brick features dual USB outputs (1-amp and 2.1-amp), status LEDs and an apocalypse-friendly flashlight. It's only $2 off the regular price, but still a solid deal on a high-capacity charger.
The case for a custom case
What could be better than an iPhone case emblazoned with a photo of your partner, pet, kids or even just your company logo? Nothing, if that case runs you a mere five bucks. For a limited time, Groupon has Printerpix custom-printed iPhone 5/5S/6 cases for $5 (and iPhone 6 Plus cases for $7).
They're fairly basic plastic shells, of course, but they normally sell for $40 and have outstanding customer-review scores. What's annoyingly unclear in the listing is whether shipping is included; my guess is it's not. (Also, be prepared for a heinous amount of upselling as you check out at Printerpix.)
This is how I roll
If you love all things remote-controlled the way I love all things remote-controlled, there's nothing "meh" about this deal: Today only, and while supplies last, Meh.com has the Orbotix Ollie RC robot -- aka BB-8's spherical cousin -- for $68, plus $5 for shipping. Price elsewhere: $100.
This is actually a much more fun and versatile toy than those Sphero sphere-shaped 'bots (sorry, BB-8). Like those models, the Ollie is controlled via app.
Underground boatload
If you haven't already installed Amazon Underground on your Android phone or tablet, time to pull the trigger: The app now offers over 750 freebies with a combined value of over $10,000 (according to Amazon -- I don't have time to do that much math).
One great bet: Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse, a Disney game that normally sells for $9.99. Another: Disney's DuckTales: Remastered, also $9.99 if you don't have Underground.
OK, that's a five-deal Friday wrap! Who's buying what?