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 1)
Ken said 2:05PM on 1-27-2009
Sounds like the congressman is worried about his picture being taken without him knowing it. I wonder how many breaking news stories of politicians, police brutality and crime have been brought to our attention by the stealth nature of our cell phones. Having read news stories about those that we have trusted in the past violating that trust causes me to sound so sceptical. What a shame.
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Larry said 5:14PM on 1-27-2009
There should be no Cell Phone cameras at all. People do not want the police to take pictures at stop lights, or cameras on buildings but yet want cameras on cell phones. I say lets put cameras on all buildings, at all intersections and along the highway so as to catch speeders, reckless driving and ETC. The cameras on building could also catch a person with another man or woman instead of their mates. Also in the work place to catch employies that are not working fast enought or slacking at their job, I know we would catch plenty here. I also think all peole should have their DNA taken and put on file for future use. And why should we complain when the government was to listen on our phone calls, I say go for it, I have nothing to hide. A national ID card with all personal Information on it would be OK with me also. Get caught without your card and go to prison for 5 years. Big Borther needs this information on you.
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CAMMY : ) said 9:51PM on 1-27-2009
It's a very legit proposal...women everywhere have learned of men who walk with their phone camera ready, they lean up on girls at the bar, they get their phones in postition to take shots up their skirts. And like the article states, there are numerous reports of women having their pix taken in dressing rooms or other places.
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vistacruiser72 said 1:24AM on 1-28-2009
i am in complete agreement with making phone cameras make a sound ---- better yet no cameras in the phone
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Spencer said 1:14AM on 1-28-2009
In an ideal world sure, but really... It'd only be days before someone came up with a clever piece of phone software that disables the click and puts it on the web.
Or alternately, pervs would just shoving wads of chewing gum into their phones' speakers...
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aphotog said 6:57PM on 1-28-2009
Sure, lets make more laws so that manufactures have to redesign, thus driving up costs, because hey, the economy is doing great.........
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Annee said 7:58PM on 3-08-2009
Larry @ Jan 27th 2009 5:14PM
There should be no Cell Phone cameras at all.
Absolutely!. There is no good reason to have a camera on your phone. People have shown that they have NO respect for the privacy of others. It used to be if you took a picture, you had to have the PERMISSION of everyone in it before it could be published.
Somehow the internet escapes the "publisher" definition. It certainly should NOT.
If my kids were at home yet, they would NOT have a cell phone with texting or camera. Nothing but trouble.
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annee said 8:00PM on 3-08-2009
aphotog @ Jan 28th 2009 6:57PM
Sure, lets make more laws so that manufactures have to redesign, thus driving up costs, because hey, the economy is doing great.........
$$$$$$$$$$$$
no problem, no redesign, just take the bleeping camera out.
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