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.
Long time news anchor at French network TF1, Patrick Poivre d'Arvor (known also as PPDA), has been fired in (according to some reports) the most unceremonious way possible -- via text message. 
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Thomas Molina said 8:15PM on 6-16-2008
The one that actually hired him in the 1st place should have had the gutts to fire him behind close doors or in a private meeting at the office. what if there wasnt any new technology like texting or cell phones or internet, what and how would he have done his dirty duty. isnt enough man to stand up to his employees and do the job right.
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Darin said 9:26PM on 6-16-2008
Wow how cruel to be som weak as not to do it face to face and its time and speed need that is killing us.. Speculation and everybody thinking they need it now and faster info means more profits or advantage over some body else but thats wrong
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Emily said 10:16PM on 6-16-2008
One of my relatives was fired via speaker phone. She was at home, working, and her supervisor of over 5 years had her call into HR and told her she was being "dismissed" and no longer an employee of the company.
She still has friends that work there and her "ex"supervisor told one of them that she wishes she could still be friends with her. She's lucky the computer she had at her house was returned in one piece.
She was so upset that without thinking she shut it down and within a minute she was unable to get back on so she could retrieve some emails that she hadn't already made copies of. They wanted her to come in the next day, after the termination email had gone out, and return the equipment. She sent it back with a co-worker that lives near her.
It just shows that some people can dress like they have class but one day the true colors shine. And I am sure that the sup is counting her days, her best friend (not my relative) is gone, her bosses boss is gone that bosses boss is also gone. What goes around comes around.
I hope this guy gets a gig on a different network and takes the fans and the sponsors with him. Next time we'll see who's canned via text, and I hope it's caught on tape.
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G. Harris said 10:23PM on 6-16-2008
I think it is totally wrong, but it seems to be the new way in businesses these days. It is a very uncaring way, in this electronic age people are very cold and rely on these ways to deal with employees and not having to face them. I think it is a cowardly way to operate.
Gh
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roni said 11:18PM on 6-16-2008
I can see where the boss is coming from, he used the technology of text messaging as a metaphor to fire the guy. If I got fired that way i'd use my own metaphor by putting some dog poop on my ex-boss's house and lighting it on fire. For you're full of sh***.
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M. Washburn said 11:21PM on 6-16-2008
It seems callous, cruel and heartless, and devoid of decency or business etiquette.
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basbleu said 11:47PM on 6-16-2008
Does it matter how one gets rid of a dud? I left a separation notice on my secretaries desk and she took the hint and did not return to work. There is no easy way to fire someone but, it is a lot easier when one does not have to confront that person and get into explanations and make excuses and listen to explanations of why her work was lousy. Fire the dud any way you can or want, there is no law which says you have to be polite and bring the Kleenex.
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Cheryl said 12:47AM on 6-17-2008
I worked at a very well known "convenience foods" manufacturer. Most of you probably have some of their cereal or waffles at home. One Monday, I had a catastrophie at home and called in to let my boss know that I wouldnt be in. At the time, I thought he was just busy or distracted when I called because he seemed confused when I called, and I told him I would call later in the day to update him.. He stammered out an "ok" and we hung up. Later, as I was checking my emails, I read the one from my employer stating that my services would no longer be needed and I was to return all uniforms, keys, and company equipment immediately. Right away, I checked the time the email was sent to me, and it was about 4 hours old when I called and talked to my boss.
Apparently, I caught him off guard, because at the time I called, he already knew about my termination with the company. I didnt. And he chose to not bring that up. Didnt even have the balls to tell me over the phone, or at least to check my email for an important announcement.
Nowadays, bosses and managers get to hide behind the keyboard and dont have to look you straight in the eye when they deliver the bad news.
Talk about spineless.
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eaglelover said 12:58AM on 6-17-2008
Maybe CBS will see this story and finally get rid Couric,this way!
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otrpu said 1:05AM on 6-17-2008
Used to be one went into a booth to have a telephone conversation, which should be private and not shared with people that don't really care to hear other's conversations. Kids got no sence. . .fire um all via text message. Most don't have good sence anyway.
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Lakergregg said 2:44AM on 6-17-2008
My boss fired me when I went on medical leave, than I decided to be "the" bigger person and ask if I could have a second opportunity.
He said I wasn't eligible for rehire, oh really, I never received the memo from G-d, the government or whomever makes that call.
S. Palmieri you're a chicken s--t human being.
Thanks.
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F M Richbourg III said 6:11AM on 6-18-2008
I used to teach business etiquette in college. Terminating an employee in any way other than by telling them in person in a polite way is very bad form to say the least. It is, in fact, cowardly and cruel. One should choose one's employer with exceeding care. An employer who displays such callous disregard for the feelings of his employees should be avoided at all costs because that weaselly wicked attitude will be reflected in every aspect of your employee-employer relatilonship. Few things are worse than having to work for a cruel boss and you never have to compromise that way.
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Tom said 4:04AM on 6-17-2008
MSNBC, please, please, please, send Oberman that text. Did I say please?
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Marlene said 6:41AM on 6-17-2008
In the U.S., this is exactly the kind of thing that results in lawsuits. This boss has no GUTS! But um okay I won't say that.
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roland garros said 9:01AM on 6-17-2008
well that's why people who get fired like that come back and terminate their former bosses and coworkers with five automatics and 800 rounds of ammo.
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kaiser wilhelm said 8:59AM on 6-17-2008
typical french.
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Liam said 8:10PM on 6-26-2008
Not very "tres magnifique" for him!
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