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.
While the world mourns the untimely death of Hollywood star Heath Ledger, questions are already surfacing regarding the publicity campaign for the latest installment of the highly popular Batman films. For much of the past year, 'The Dark Knight' has been the subject of an elaborate online advertising campaign built around Ledger's character, the evil Joker. Now it is a matter of debate whether Warner Bros., the studio behind the film, will alter its marketing strategy following the actor's passing.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mike Shane said 7:14PM on 1-31-2008
well yea, i dont really know if they should keep viral marketing going for this movie, They payed their respects on the websites by saying Loving memory of heath ledger, but idk im kinda double sided about this, Warner needs to make money,i guess warner thinks that everyone should get on with their lives idk
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Elizabeth said 8:36PM on 1-31-2008
I think they should continue just as if Heath were alive. It sounds like he would have been the kind of person who would of wanted it that way. In an article I read he said he had a lot of fun doing this character. Maybe they should ask people close to him what they think.
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ganon1027 said 2:46AM on 2-01-2008
Well first off I have to say that if Mike Shane is a little double sided about the situation then he and Harvey Dent have somethin in common! Ha ha... and I whole heartedly agree with Elizabeth that it would be what Heath wanted... a wanted... after all if I were to kick the bucket early I'd rather be remembered As An insane Clown Prince Of Crime rather than a Gay Cowboy (not that theres anything wrong with being a gay cowboy heh heh heh) plussss I sugest that a bunch of hardcore fans take pictures of themselves dressed up like their Gotham Idol during his funeral to protest the protest of Westboro Baptist InSaNe picketing idea... i think that would cause a nice stir heh heh heh...
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wvumazza said 6:54AM on 2-01-2008
You ever think that when Ms Olsen was called that there was evidence in the room and a note to Ms Olsen from Keith, and that is why she was called....Then, Olsen told her to get rid of the evidence, so there would not be a scandal....
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Moe said 2:32AM on 2-03-2008
Scrap the movie. Write off the loss. The guy is dead. No need to have his family live thru this nightmare.
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kat said 9:05AM on 2-08-2008
I see no reason to stop advertising. Heath as an actor was probably not very involved to begin with- To me the viral campaign was about the legacy of a character decades old that Heath Ledger had only just become part of. From everything I've seen and heard his talent added several wonderful dimensions but he was an artist and I think his art will always be a tribute to his legacy, not something that would cause his family pain.
With that said, I do appreciate that the studio has stopped promoting the film for now. I think a period of mourning and respect is certainly in order. I have Never felt more regretful or personally upset by another public death. It's been expressed and I believe that the actors and creators of The Dark Knight are also upset by the tragedy and I think they have and will continue to deal with the loss respectfully.
Heath put his heart into his work. I'd love to see his legacy live on in a well done and beautiful film.
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