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.
A man in Berkeley, California was struck and killed yesterday while crossing the train tracks on foot. Witnesses say that he was distracted by talking on his cell phone, resulting in the accident. The man stood by the side of two sets of the tracks waiting for one train to cross, then immediately stepped out onto the tracks and was struck by a second train passing in the opposite direction.
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Reader Comments (Page 32 of 32)
Diana said 6:11PM on 12-31-2007
I think Chris hit the nail right on the head..... "Darwinism at its finest" Brilliant
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ddanley5 said 6:47PM on 12-31-2007
PEOPLE WHO ARE THAT STUPIDE DEESERVE WHAT THAY GET I LIVE I VEGAS AND CELL PHONSE AND DRIVING DON'T MIX LIKE THE SAY U CAN'T FIX STUPIDE
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dvikings28 said 7:45PM on 12-31-2007
How could he not hear the train because trains are really loud. He must have been paying to much attention to his Cell phone
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Jim said 9:02PM on 12-31-2007
The fact that people unfortunately lose their lives crossing train tracks is due to their lack of awareness of the dangers involved. I think too many of these victims are just not smart enough to be alert. Why they are not ALERT while crossing train tracks is either just plain stupidity or just don't care of the dangers surrounding them.
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FSW said 9:26PM on 12-31-2007
Umm, excuse me, Nilla, but where is Your Responsibility to take care of Your Self and Pay Attention ???????
""Nilla says:
It was not the only the cell phones fault. First of all there should be a blocking at every train crossing, to make sure no one is able to even set foot that close to the train!!! And that's that! People should not be able to accidentally walk on the tracks. Where are the guarding rails when you need them?11/20/07 2:13 PM""
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dommale52 said 4:30AM on 1-01-2008
The gene pool got a little deeper that day. He can't father kids now
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Michelle said 12:58PM on 1-01-2008
Ok listen, there shouldd haave been gaurd rails because it could have been a child! I mean what if aaa young child was simply not paying attention a walked onto the tracks. What if it was your child.
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andrea said 2:33PM on 1-01-2008
Some people are challenged doing 2 things at once, whether it is talking and walking, driving and talking, having passengers in a car, driving and adjusting any controls, radio, heat etc. A cell phone is just one additional distraction for those people. Like it or not, we are ALL one of those people at some point. Most of us think we multitask well, I doubt everyone will agree with us. Let's be honest and not criticize so much. Legislation and all the laws in the world would not prevent such a tragedy.
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Bekki said 4:23PM on 1-01-2008
I am an American I will call whoever a Dumbass, Stupidshit,Moron, Shithead, Idiot, or anything else I want to. Did you ever think that it might be you they run into? Or your son or daughter, while texting talking or making that phone call while driving instead of watching the road? Helloooo!!!!!!!
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francena said 6:29PM on 1-01-2008
I think all of you who repied forgot there was a life lost and a family grieving you should be ashamed of yourselves. my condolences to the family and friends of this person.
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Donna said 8:14PM on 1-01-2008
Shouldn't have been crossing the tracks in the first place when a train is coming.
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latiki said 9:57PM on 1-01-2008
cell phones are a great thing but people forget about comman curtsy when using them ,its very rude to be screaming into your phone in public and hearing a 2 way conversation is worse ,i saw a woman crossing the street and never even looked to see if any cars were coming and almost got hit and had the nerve to cuss out the driverwho had the light . cell phones should be put away when in most public places unless its an emergency not for all the stupid chit chat
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KC said 10:57PM on 1-06-2008
You mean to tell me that NONE of you talk on your cell phone while driving or walking? I bet you even talk on your cell phone when you are eating in restaurants.
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Larry said 11:00PM on 1-01-2008
Somebody needs to give Nilla a cell phone and directions to the train station
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jeannie said 10:27AM on 1-02-2008
The same thing happened in my community last winter. A 22 year old guy had his hood up waiting for a train to pass and stepped into the path of another train. NO CELL PHONES INVOLVED PEOPLE. Just another tragic accident from not being careful enough. So get off your high horses about cell phones. People cause accidents, not cell phones or even trains.
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Jenny said 2:56PM on 1-02-2008
I do not understand how he did not hear or see the train. Where is the common sense. First, you need to look both ways before crossing a railroad track and street. He wasn't taught safety rules.
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Andy said 8:10PM on 1-02-2008
Hope, that's a huge generalization. I'm an American, an American TEENAGER no less, and my life doesn't revolve around my cell phone, ipod, or any electronic device. It's that materialistic 5% that draws the bad press and the "American Stereotype." Just my American opinion.
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kikyogurl625 said 9:58PM on 1-02-2008
this guy was a real idiot, nd his stupidity caused hime to die
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SEXEBOXER said 3:09PM on 1-26-2008
PEOPLE JUST DON'T TAKE THE TIME TO LOOK WHEN THAY ARE ON THE PHONE WHEN CROSSING RAILRODE CROSSINGS.
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SEXEBOXER said 12:14AM on 1-06-2008
SOME PEOPLE NEVER LEARN ALL THAY THINKABOUT IS THE CELLPHONE CALL.
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