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.
It's been about three years since the so-called 'Hot Coffee' scandal rocked the gaming world; a hidden sex scene in 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas'. It was the cause of an uproar from parents all the way up to Hillary Clinton, and, of course lead to the inevitable lawsuit. Now, as millions have moved on to enjoy 'Grand Theft Auto IV,' it seems that only lawyers still care about the infamous scene.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Galley said 5:10PM on 6-25-2008
The term "greedy bastards" comes to mind.
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Tigre said 6:58PM on 6-25-2008
Take-Two shouldn't give them one cent. I really don't see how a sex scene in game can offend anyone. Hell you had to go through steps in order to get to the mini-game. The government really needs to start backing companies when it comes to crap lawsuits like this and parents need to start acting like real parents and lay down the law in their how with their kids.
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Milo said 7:23PM on 6-27-2008
You must be a kid with no children. I am a gamer and find that some things SHOULD not be added into games. Most parents are bad parents. Letting kids even buy GTA 3 or 4.
Tigre said 1:46AM on 6-28-2008
Nope I'm an adult but your right I don't have any kids.
chevyfanboy said 6:00AM on 6-26-2008
Why is the media and gov. bashing violent video games, when they don't even question the war in Iraq, our support for Israel, or other stuff like this?
As for me, anyone who bashes video games from now on, will be on my 'People that shouldn't be trusted' list.
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stormy said 1:16AM on 6-26-2008
yeah, some random hard to find sex scene in a game is law suit material but everyone has to hear about 4 hour boners during the commercials on the nightly news. just because big drug companies are paying for advertising it's ok though right? hypocrites!
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Laurie said 11:31PM on 6-27-2008
You are my Hero! You said the truth! Thanks! I mean it.
Agent42 said 1:57AM on 6-26-2008
And the only parents joining on to this lawsuit are the ones who have 11-14 year old children playing a game rated M...17+ people... That means they have nothing to complain about. They BOX says don't let them play it there's stuff you probably don't want them to see. But they buy it anyway. And yet still have the nerve to complain to the company about it!
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spambofirstblood said 7:55AM on 6-26-2008
It's ok if your child plays a game that includes auto theft and murder but for God's sake don't let them see a sex scene!!! Killing and stealing is ok but love between two people is not.
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Paul W said 3:04PM on 6-27-2008
Spambo -
I doubt the people in the scene having sex were actually supposed to be in love...
jcurl said 5:35PM on 6-27-2008
sex does not indicate love but I agree with your other comment
JW said 2:09PM on 6-27-2008
More lawsuit abuse from whiny leeches in America! I'm glad we have nothing better going on in the world than worrying about a cartoon sex scene in a game that revolves around violence. Sorry bunch of B@57@&DS!
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chuck said 2:28PM on 6-27-2008
haha there is a lawsuit about a sex scene in that game but not the outragous violence and murder and drugs and everything else in that game. It really shows we have our priorities straight, you can kill all you want but for gods sake dont have sex!! This is ridiculous, parents need to stop sheltering kids from sex and start teaching them how to enjoy it responsibly.
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Aliphatic said 2:40PM on 6-27-2008
You're absolutely rigth. This is frickin' outrageous...if parents let their preteen kids play an "M" rated game (17+), and aren't concerned w/ adverse effects, then they probably shouldn't be putting up a law suit...."Yeah, I let my 12 year old play this game, I'm fine with the stealing cars, blowing holes in random civilians with a shotgun, and running from the cops, but...intimacy between two adults....Hell No!" *Sigh* Parents: learn when to say no!
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Dave said 2:47PM on 6-27-2008
Well, the lawyers seem to really be screwing all their clients in public and they aren't getting sued.
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Crystalinehero said 2:59AM on 6-28-2008
Wow you gotta be amazed at the parents who were trying to cash in. I should ask them if they think it was worth it. all that time crying bishing and whining for 35 dollars... lets see lawsuit started 3-4 years ago? that's about less then a nickle a day. Ha! Serves em right. Although it kinda ticks me off that they had to pay out the lawyers too stupid greedy jerks.
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undrgrndgirl said 3:07PM on 6-27-2008
i find it quite appalling that everyone gets soooo upset about a hidden sex scene...but has no problem with the VIOLENT content of such games...and letting those under 17 play them...geeze people get your priorities straight!
aliphatic you said it better than i have!!
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Rose said 3:23PM on 6-27-2008
In any "Class Action Suit" the lawyers are ALWAYS the ones that get the money. That's why you constantly see law firms making commercials asking those who have been diagnosed with, taken such and such meds., etc. to call them toll free so that they can include you in this suit. You see these ads in print all over, including USA Today, other news circulars, etc. This is "LEGAL" prostitution. You've probably received these "important announcements" from your credit card cos., phone bills, etc. giving you the choice to "opt out of this lawsuit" in writing; otherwise, you will likely be automatically listed as a plaintiff. When it is settled, you may receive a check, anywhere from .05 CENTS to $5.00.
All Trial Lawyers are Legal Prostitutes. Unless they work pro-bono for the indigent or represent the state in cases of true crime, such as going to bat for neglected or battered children, etc., I think we would truly be a much better and more productive society.
There will never be more reasonable monetary "caps", or policies on frivilous lawsuits, since the Trial Lawyers Association has too much money and muscle to line the lawmakers pockets; many of whom are lawyers themselves.
I agree with the previous comments on this issue, as well.
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Jay said 3:32PM on 6-27-2008
One of the best games of all time!
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bluesdog said 3:31PM on 6-27-2008
Grand Theft Auto.... How 'Bout Grand Theft Attorneys!!!!
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