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.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
TJ said 5:34PM on 12-10-2008
I think that all depends on the terms of your relationship.
In other words: ask before you do.
On the other hand, one of my favorite quotes (unknown source) is: "It is nearly always easier to ask for forgiveness, than to ask for permission."
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sk8rpro said 1:38PM on 12-11-2008
I would have to say that sex with robots is cheating - regardless if you have a (real) companion or not. Making love is about having a relationship with that person, and when you're focused on having sex with unreal things, then you don't care about relationships.
My advice - don't make robots for that purpose!
TJ said 2:30PM on 12-11-2008
So, I'm guessing you're anti-prostitution then?
linda said 6:09PM on 12-10-2008
will this robots be like Mr. Data? a fully functional android?
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hello ap said 9:05PM on 12-10-2008
how is having sex with a robot real,its a robot made of metal for petesakes.so in order for it to be real with a robot,the real robot needs the 3 main qualitys in a woman in order for it to be real
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Robot Sex Toy said 9:48PM on 12-10-2008
Hey, girls are already having sex with robots. They just call them vibrating dildos.
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robolover said 2:39AM on 12-11-2008
God, please don't make sex robots that talk.
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danielistical said 7:44PM on 12-12-2008
GREAT....you can get turned on then turn them off
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redconvoy said 7:14AM on 12-13-2008
First, it's the Real Doll and now this???? Wouldn't there be some problems with that hygenically?
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Dgr2d2 said 10:19AM on 12-13-2008
I got arrested for sex with an underaged robot....she lied about her build date.....If gays can get married can i marry my robot android...she was getting a lil lose so i took her back for a restoration job...kinda brings new meaning to plug n play....we really didnt mesh I was ac and she was ac/dc....i was 110 and she was 220...dam i didnt know her meter was running.....
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Kevin said 11:36AM on 12-13-2008
No disassemble number 5!
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burtsz said 12:26PM on 12-13-2008
Is a prostitute robot a "loose screw?"
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Raphael said 1:35PM on 12-13-2008
Why rent a robot prostitute, when you can buy your own personal robo-whore? Look -- it's just the next-generation blowup doll, and those haven't exactly been hard to sell!
Yes -- in America, we ARE prudes when it comes to sex. But my philosophy is that if it's not hurting anybody else, then go for it. And what I like, you may not -- and that's our right.
As for whether it's cheating, I think not. It's not a living human being, so it's essentially a masturbatory aid. If the wife or girlfriend gets upset, then tell them that if they are willing to have sex with you daily (or get rid of their own sex toys), you'll stop using it. It will never beat a living person, but if your "special" living lady is not in the mood and you are, then I see nothing wrong with it.
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Jim said 1:58PM on 12-13-2008
Please, please.....put my name on the top of the waiting list for this miracle product!
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Bud Maxwell said 2:27PM on 12-13-2008
Well, have to admit it sounds better than a knothole in a tree.....but if its portable, should we invest in battery stock, or extremely long extension cables? In any event, all marriages after five years is automatically going to bed with a robot. Ask any couple.
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Jim said 10:42PM on 12-13-2008
Sleeping with American women is the same as robots anyhow. They have no imagination and the passion of a stuffed toy.
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Rhonda said 2:05PM on 12-21-2008
Jim,evedintly u have not meet the right one u must be looking in the wrong places,,speaking for my self, if a man turns me on n not just out for him self,i will do most any thing to please him n fullfill his fantacise's .. im very open minded.....
ryan said 2:29AM on 12-26-2008
What does that say about YOU, buddy!?!
Big Hairy Bob said 9:14AM on 12-14-2008
What about the internet? That is kind of like a robot right? I must admit I have had internet sex or what they used to call cyber sex. One word of caution if you do have internet sex don't do it on a work computer. I learned that one the hard way with my laptop which I took home. I figured I would just delete the internet files and no one would know since I did it at home. Wrong! After a few months I was called into the office by my boss letting me know that the IT department had found my "sexual conversations" and nude photos of me that I had e-mailed to cyber dates. I was so embarrassed and lucky to not have been fired since I had done this at home on weekends and not during work hours. I was reprimanded and lost use of the laptop though.
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Rhonda said 1:59PM on 12-21-2008
yes i would consider it cheating!!! i consider vibraters cheating!!
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