Traditionalists might balk, but the holiday shopping season is already underway. Skeptical? Head to your local department store and you'll be inundated by Christmas trees and ornaments. Bargain hunters, though, know that the real deals are more than a month away.
Black Friday, traditionally, is when retailers truly slash prices. Early birds can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars off of their holiday bills. Switched.com checked with a few elves, who gave a sneak peek at what you can expect deal-wise this year.
Blu-ray Players and Movies: Blu-ray is shaping up to be the biggest door buster of this year's Black Friday. de Grandpre expects at least one retailer will offer a Blu-ray player for just $49. Look for bargains on Blu-ray films as well, with last year's hit titles (such as "Iron Man") to fall as low as $5.
Laptops: With the proliferation of Netbooks this year, it's never been easier to find affordable portable computing, but Dan de Grandpre, CEO of DealNews.com says it will get even cheaper on Black Friday. Look for well-equipped Netbooks to sell for $199 – and basic 15" laptops to go for as little as $249.
HDTVs (Pretty big): The holidays are typically the best time to buy a new TV – and Black Friday is the time to do it. If you're looking for a normal sized set, you're in luck. Piper Jaffrey analyst Mitch Kaiser says he expects to see 32-inch LCD sets for as low as $299. GottaDeal.com is estimating 37-inch plasma and LCD sets will fall to $399 or less.
HDTVs (Really big): Need something bigger? How about a 46-47 inch LCD set for $599 – a 25 percent savings? Or a 52-inch LCD for $999? Dealnews says you can expect both. Plasma deals will be a little harder to come by, but a 50-inch set should run roughly $899.
HD Camcorders: You've wanted to shoot your child's school play in HD for a while, but haven't been able to spring for the pricey camcorder. This might be the year. Low-end, flash-based 720p models could drop as low as $60 (though you won't be able to zoom with those). Expect a high quality 1080p HD camcorder for $349.
GPS: While navigation systems have dramatically expanded their reach this year – even making it onto the iPhone – there's still a market for car-based systems. Dealnews predicts you'll be able to find a no-name entry-level system for $49, while a Garmin or Tom-Tom brand will be as low as $69.
Digital Picture Frames: Showcasing your digital pictures consistently gets cheaper. This year, skip the 7-inch screens and focus on the 8- or 9-inch ones, which should be available on Black Friday for as little as $30.
Monitors: Computer monitors might not be the sexiest of gifts, but they're usually welcomed with open arms – and they'll be cheap this year. Name brand 22-inch LCD models may go for as low as $99, while 24-inch models will drop below $150.
Memory: Don't know anyone who needs a monitor? External hard drives are always popular, since they're an easy way to back-up data. Dealnews expects a 1TB drive to fall as low as $49 this year. Gottadeal is looking for 8GB flash drives to hit $15.
The U.S. may have the most fearsome military force in the world, but it seems it's defenseless against popular sites such as MySpace and YouTube. Citing "recreational traffic impacts" the U.S. Defense Department has blocked those sites and 11 others, preventing their access from any DoD-owned computer or network. This means that most soldiers deployed on active duty, far away from their personal computers at home, will be unable to log onto these sites. The move is unfortunate, considering many soldiers rely on MySpace for keeping in touch with friends. 
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 11)
sparky said 1:46PM on 5-14-2007
i think that is wrong, theese soldiers are out fighting for our country, far away from friends and family, and you take away their main source of communication, to keep im touch with loved ones, not only is it wrong , i think its very bad for moral ,
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Kevin said 1:49PM on 5-14-2007
This is also about operational security. If you don't think Al Qaeada, Hezbollah, and other intelligence agencies aren't looking at these sites, think again. Until we all learn how to discipline ourselves with sending out information it is only prudent to stop access. Our adversaries can learn a great deal form these sites, it is called open source intelligence. This is a new world and everyone is learning how to operate in it.
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Eric Ryan said 2:00PM on 5-14-2007
Give me a break Kevin! I highly doubt one of these soldiers is giving any sensative information or operation info on these sites!!!! Its our soldiers communicating with family , friends !!!!
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SPEC5 said 1:59PM on 5-14-2007
BUSHITLER AND HIS GESTAPO HATE FOR THE TRUTH TO GET OUT
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mack said 3:10PM on 5-14-2007
great . it's time this administration faced reality and not bush's make believe world
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Tsily1979 said 2:04PM on 5-14-2007
I think that our military is afraid of this generation, those who are savvy enough on the computer to really express themselves and stay connected to people at home. I really doubt that any military person would be dumb or callous enough to place classified information on their blogs or sites. They do, however, tend to tell and show the truth. When seeing the videos and blogs, it was one of the few ways that people back at home could really see what things are like. We surely couldn't depend on CNN or C-SPAN for accuracy. By taking away access to these sites by our military personnell, we are also losing our ability to see the truth for their eyes. Everything our media shows us has to meet some approval by the Pentagon. They coudln't have that assurance and couldn't tell us what to think when things were shown on YouTube or MySpace. Not only that, they are damaging soldiers' morale. So, the military seems to be shooting down troops' morale and cutting people off from the truth. It seems that this is far more costly than their claimed network hiccups.
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George B said 2:03PM on 5-14-2007
FYI, it wuz chenny's idear. If's ya are tellin da peoples 1 thin buts day can see sumptin dif'rent on Utube its makes me luk bad.
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cliantha said 2:08PM on 5-14-2007
the military used to screen all mail. closing these sites is no different. soldiers can inadvertantly post sensitive material easily. it is unfortunate that this makes it harder for soldiers and their families to communicate but safety has to be the highest priority.
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jason said 2:07PM on 5-14-2007
If you don't think intel. is being leaked out, don't forget about Geraldo Rivera disclosing our location in 2003. That is why they ran him out of Iraq. What you may not think is crucial information may be exactly what the enemy is looking for.
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rhiannon said 2:08PM on 5-14-2007
Given the times we live in, this was a necessary step to be taken.Sadly we aren't the only military that monitors this medium. The internet is a great tool, but its also not a secure medium. I have sons in the military as well as other friends. We know enough to be selective as to what is said. But it would be all too easy to send something you may see as innocuous and have it picked up by another that could glean so needed info from it. I can also see where you think its wrong...but when do you throw down a restriction is the question.Personally, I would rather not hear from my sons for a period of time, if it means keeping them safe. I know that sounds cold, but if it comes down to themn contacting me for a breif few minutes, or them returning safely from where ever....then am going with the second hands down. There was a time we worried about a telephone line not being secured [ and yes it was stated up front..this line in not secure] now its office computers. If you look at it in that way, its being down for their safety that are the target. Many go over with their personal laptops...that is all well and good..this is just affecting office computers. All it takes is getting an ISP address and then its a matter of locking a lazer scope on target. Yes this can be seen as Big Brother...but there are times when the rational makes sense. yes it may make the troops disgruntled ...but it is done to keep them safe as well.
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jimmy said 2:09PM on 5-14-2007
NOW...who is it that is threatening our
freedom ?
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joe r. taylor said 2:23PM on 5-14-2007
there is no democracy in the military; never has been, never will...!!!
we are in a war status and freedom for our boys is suspended. it should have been during the vietnam war. why is youtube so damn important for soldiers to receive? i use yahoo,aol, and netscape to filter my messages.
wake up and grow up...!!!
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Daf said 2:12PM on 5-14-2007
Kevin is right. During the second World War, the posters in the post offices said: "A slip of the lip can sink a ship." because it did happen. Spies were stalking and listening. Writing to friends is good, but what is said can be harmful. The army is finally making sense.
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debra said 2:13PM on 5-14-2007
I think this is wrong..I understand that this was probably done because some of the soldiers have been posting pictures and comments that could give away their locations..I have seen some of them myself. They said they were going to crack down on the ones doing this...I guess it was just too much effort on their part to check the sites and punish the ones that are actually guilty...let's just take it away from all of them because a few can't follow the rules. Make the guilty ones accountable and leave the rest alone!!! For some of our soldiers these sites are the only way they have to communicate with their family on a regular basis...oh yea..I keep forgetting...when you belong to our government..family comes last!!
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Calvin said 2:14PM on 5-14-2007
Operational Security my arse! If you're dumb enough to think that Terrorists are going to be checking myspace and youtube for sensitive information, than you need to join up with the rest of us Real Soldiers & gain some experience. Another example of "censorship" becuz some idiot posted something that MIGHT be deemed sensitive information somewhere? Gimme a break. We knew our rules when we were overseas, & nobody was that dumb. This is bullcrap, plain & simple bullcrap, and that's the opinion of a United States Soldier.
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Devynn said 4:04PM on 5-14-2007
how about encouraging soliders to use the sites as propoganda tools to promote how great the war effort is going. show us back home how you're helping the good ppl and stoping the bad. it's not that hard to do. as for the enemy, by blocking access to these sites, you're letting them win. they use these sites to promote their agenda and they're damned good at it. why can't we do the same thing? i think a lot of ppl in DC and at the pentagon are just old foogies who don't understand the technology or know how to use it. so instead of asking questions and learning and embracing it all, they cut it off as if it isn't good enough for them. i doubt any of the rules will catch on. these kids are smart and know how to get around things. :)
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Mike said 2:19PM on 5-14-2007
My son is in Iraq and fighting for all of us to have our freedom. I support the DoD for blocking the use of these sites. After all our country is at war and a war I support. Take the fight to the terrorist so it doesnt come to our home land. I am amazed at how many so called Americans that think we are safe. Better wake up people, this WAR! Not some kids playing vidoe games. ITS FOR REAL!! So in short, Good Call DoD Dont give our enemy anything to work with and lets get after the shameful scums.
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Shannon said 2:16PM on 5-14-2007
That really stinks. E-mail & MySpace is one of the very few ways I get contact from my brother-in-law stationed in Iraq. Oh yeah I'm getting loads of sensitive info from him (sarcasm there in case you didn't get it.) Actually since my husband broke his back last month, the internet has been a godsend in being able to be in touch.
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B said 2:17PM on 5-14-2007
I personally am in communication with several soldiers overseas. There is WAY too much info posted on myspace along with pictures. Soldiers post pictures that show details of their locations, the sites are directly connected with their families and friends (which can be used against them if God forbid there was ever a hostage situation), and questions are constantly asked of them publically on there. The info they provide is insane. Kevin is right, it's NOT safe. Some soldiers aren't very bright either and will post details that definitely shouldn't be there and since their officials can't sit there and babysit everything, it only makes sense to remove their access. It's not worth risking the lives of others for contact on myspace. There is still email, IMs, webcams, letters, and phones that can be used. Lack of myspace is not the end of the world.
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Pentagon said 2:18PM on 5-14-2007
Pentagon was tipped off the by frequent visits to "lonelygirl15" by Al Qaeada, Hezbollah, and other intelligence agencies.
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