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.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
paul said 2:33PM on 2-29-2008
Get a handheld cell phone jammer here
cell phone jammer
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william said 11:01PM on 11-19-2008
don't forget this device can stop a pace maker too and a number of other small devices yes they should not be legal and for people that is so inconsideration using a phone in the wrong places, just because you pay for service use it but be concentrate of others, some Americans are so stupid smoke and eat at same time too smoke and drink same time too drive use cell phone accident too stupid does stupid dies buy another stupid,and yes i mean it .
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Stephen said 11:43AM on 11-05-2007
Why are they illegal? Jammers should be approved for legal use at:
Movie Theaters
Churches
Libraries
Schools
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Michael Bierman said 12:22PM on 11-05-2007
I AGREE WITH STEPHEN ON THAT LIST, BUT HOW WOULD YOU STOP JERKS FROM MESSING WITH EVERYONE FOR LAUGHS, WITHOUT HEAVY FINES?
Michael of Art
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Michael Bierman said 12:16PM on 11-05-2007
Where is my confirmation email?
Michael Bierman
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Michael Bierman said 12:19PM on 11-05-2007
You sent my question concerning my confirmation email rather than my comment to the post.
I am getting tired of the shabby problems of posting on aol.
Michael Bierman
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Michael Bierman said 12:22PM on 11-05-2007
Forget this problematic post.
Michael of Art aka Michael Bierman
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Michael Bierman said 12:24PM on 11-05-2007
Thank you for finally posting my comment.
Michael of Art
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Tim said 3:11PM on 11-05-2007
A cell phone jammer beats an ice pick. Talk on a cell phone in a theatre and take your pick (no pun intended).
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Jessica said 3:27PM on 11-05-2007
Why are they illegal? Jammers should be approved for legal use at:
Movie Theaters
Churches
Libraries
Schools
11/05/07 11:43 AM
yea and in case of emergency your suppose to do what???? Especially in places like schools where workers can be quite anal about letting students use phones.. even in emergency situations. I'm sorry but if I'm paying for my cell phone service I have the right to use it where I see fit.. not where YOU see fit! You think this should be legal you pay for all the time i can't use my phone!
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selikhO said 3:29PM on 11-05-2007
it's actually a very scary device that could be used as a helpful tool to commit any kind of violence or crime to prevent a victim from calling for help.
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Jessica said 3:40PM on 11-05-2007
it's actually a very scary device that could be used as a helpful tool to commit any kind of violence or crime to prevent a victim from calling for help.
11/05/07 3:29 PM
EXACTLY!!! Some people should consider thinking before they talk! I'm not one to use my cell phone in a library or movie theater but this day in age it is a wonderful safety device for us! Just think what will happen when criminals start getting their hands on these!
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terrymcfalls said 3:34PM on 11-05-2007
two way callers are the most rude,,,these ill bred fools share there stupid azz life on speaker phone,and the ovious losers with the cheap clothes and blue tooth take the cake,and dont ever go to a show with more than 10% blacks,thats off the hook..and no your stupid azz kid does not need a phone in school,call the office,we did it for years...
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Judy said 3:47PM on 11-05-2007
I think the owners of businesses and public establishments should be allowed to use these devices and therefore have the ability to choose if they want cell phone usage or not.
If people don't like the fact that their cell phone doesn't work in a particular bar, restaurant or theater, then they should take their business elsewhere.
There is no constitutional "right" to being allowed into bars or theaters and certainly no right to unlimited cell phone usage wherever you want.
Businesses have the right to refuse service to anyone so long as it's posted. So, they should be able to post that cell phones are not allowed in addition to jamming the signal. I mean, why not? It's a free country not just for cell phone users, but for business owners as well.
Also, for public safety, it wouldn't be a bad idea to allow hospitals, airports and other places with sensitive electronic equipment to install these devices as well.
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Rick said 3:50PM on 11-05-2007
Cell phone jammers are illegal for a number of very good reasons.
Unapproved transmitting devices can not only block Chaty Kathy (which maybe nice and all), but may interfere with other, more important, wireless traffic. Business, emergency, and civil service lines could be blocked as well, and the person using the jammer may not even know what kind of damage is being caused.
Also, I'd hate to miss an important phone call because someone with no patience thought it was a great idea to block a good part of MY wireless communication lines because OTHERS are rude.
What happens if you missed a call from school, saying your kid was sick while you worked at the library? What about that important phone call about the car/house/big-ticket-item, but miss it because you finally figured out that your kid was sick, and you are NOW in a jammed area at school!?
Don't get me started on problems that could arise from 911 calls.
I'd hate to imagine how someone working in a S&P 500 company would like to find out that most of his or her calls were blocked at his hotel room because the jamming signal crossed over to his room from the church next store.
There are ways to deal with annoying cell phone users, but cutting off access to everyone like we are nothing but irresponsible kids isn't the answer... or at lest I hope it isn't the answer to today's problems.
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szy_2001 said 2:47PM on 7-14-2009
You say that there are other ways to handle rude people who disturb others by yapping on their cell phones in public spaces - what exactly would you suggest? Since these people are quite aware that there are other people around them that may be disturbed by their yapping yet do it anyway, it's pretty safe to assume even a polite request that they desist is going to cause an argument. Who needs it when all you are looking for is just peace in the first place? I don't have one of these devices but I absolutely understand people who use them.
Jim said 4:00PM on 11-05-2007
I want one,I hate these people that interfere with my space with their idiotic blabber !
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donnie said 4:02PM on 11-05-2007
if people didn't abuse thier cell phones such as talking the entire they're driving, walking around stores just having conversations they should be having in private there wouldn't be much of a market for the jammers. If people used a little common sense and couristy when using their cells that would go along to solving the problem. I don't need to listen to someone talking about last nights party while I'm in a resturant or at the store. I have a cell which when I use it in public I try to be considerate of the people around me. Everything in moderation,what did people do before we had cells, if I remember correctly the world got along just fine without them. There's a time and place for everything.
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doc said 4:03PM on 11-05-2007
everyone i find with a jammer will be FORCIBLY detained and turned over to the police. there is no possible legal use for a jammer.
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Jim said 4:40PM on 11-05-2007
I WILL HAVE ONE !
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