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.
With all the high-tech toys and gadgets we carry around every day, there's one thing that's always seems to drag us back to the twentieth century: the wallet. Whether it's made of leather or vinyl or even Tyvek, the wallet feels incredibly dated and often quite bloated-- especially when over-stuffed with faded and torn membership cards. It creates an unsightly bulge that's even more pronounced with the smaller and shorter summer clothes most of us are about to start wearing
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
My Opinion said 4:14PM on 5-15-2008
I think this is stupid AND I don't see how this would EVER fly with the companies that issued any of the cards. Just ridiculous.
As for photos, we already have that option with any cell phone that has a picture phone...it's not privy to i-phones. Point and click and save.
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No Way said 4:29PM on 5-15-2008
SUCH a bad idea
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hmm... said 4:28PM on 5-15-2008
Umm...Did anyone proof read this article/story/bullsh!t before it was published?
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Maria said 4:35PM on 5-15-2008
So, I guess they want everybody to invest in an IPhone ($300-$400) to get rid of a wallet that might cost you $30-40???? It does not makes sense at all.
Even if it is a futuristic idea, a lot of things have to happen before the switch comes to place.
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Diane Sperry said 4:40PM on 5-15-2008
I love the idea of some sort of ID or I D community or state card that replaces everything usually in a wallet. I certainly need to learn how to operate an IPod. I just wish I had enough money to buy one in the first place. I am still in debt trying to fill up my take each week to get to work. for as long as I have a job that is. Have a great day
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Sissy said 5:37PM on 5-15-2008
I wouldn't waste my money on an i anything...lol
I bought a no-brand player on ebay for about 80 bucks...and it plays music, movies, has cam (takes still and video w/sound), play video games, and bunch of other stuff that the ipod can't do, for a fraction of the cost. Save your dollars, use your sense...don't pay for the i
billygirl ilovepink said 2:07PM on 6-28-2008
diane sperry, something or other
that's sad, dude.
Sarah said 4:39PM on 5-15-2008
Ummm... Aren't iPhones just as big as wallets? Plus, most women carry around purses with their wallets in them. It's not that hard to carry around.
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Stephanie said 5:12PM on 5-15-2008
personally i love this idea for such things as store cards... i work at a supermarket and i see the collection of cards most people have on their key chains (sometimes 10-15). Obviously there is still a need for credit cards and cash in a real wallet, but this could definately reduce bulk.
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Rick said 5:24PM on 5-15-2008
These plastic ID cards are a reality. But, instead of giving you a balance on your U.S. Currency, it will give you your balance of AMERO"s, the new currency to be revealed in 2010 for use by the newly formed economic union of Canada, United States and Mexico, inititated by the passing of NAFTA: the North American Free Trade Agreement ( and flood the U.S.A. with illegal aliens pact). No joke. Google NAFTA or AMERO and see what you get. Good bye soveriegn USA, hello to no borders, hello to a lesser value currency than we have now, hello third world country, hello poverty row.
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Fred said 5:26PM on 5-15-2008
So, Einstein...
What happens when the battery dies on your IPhone?
Are retail stores really going to accept a picture of your credit card, or is it just for the "swimcard" pictured?
I embrace technology and change, but this idea is just stupid!
What's wrong with carrying a wallet?
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Olyveoil said 5:31PM on 5-15-2008
Just think, everything that you hold private will be available to anyone who is in possession of one of those scanners/cloners. All they have to do is point and upload, you'll never see it happening since the cloner doesn't have to be within sight of you.
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zargon said 9:18AM on 5-16-2008
I never had a fat wallet, but it did collect stuff. However, since I have switched to hy-brid money clip, I never had any problems. It is small so I can't jam a bunch of crap in it and I like that fact that is goes in the front pocket instead of the back.
I have my ID, my 2 bank cards (personal and joint) and my favorite CC along with some misc punch cards. Works perfectly, never have had a problem and it stays small.
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