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.
When the New York Times revealed in December of 2005 that the U.S. government was eavesdropping on citizens' telephone and e-mail conversations without warrants, a retired AT&T technician named Mark Klein knew he had physical evidence showing how the feds had been stealing information from AT&T's network. 
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Angela said 10:37AM on 7-21-2009
Dear Mr. Klein, poor misguided Mr. Klein. What on earth would possess you to think AT&T didn't know about the wiretapping fraud? And why, oh why, would you ever think you were the only one to know? Do you live in your parents' basement? I mean, let's get real here. You had hardcopy proof of government misdeeds and nobody, but NOBODY, would touch it? Not even the L(iberal) A(ss) Times? What does that tell you? But you go on to find yourself an advocate on the lunatic fringe, and following his advice you not only did it, but you stepped in it, too.
Best of luck to you, Mr. Klein. You're gonna' need it. Apparently you still can't quite read the writin' on the wall.
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Mikee said 11:37AM on 7-22-2009
Seriously, Angela? Are you that retarded?
Dale said 11:10AM on 7-21-2009
If YOU think you have a story Mr.Klein, I have one about the Post Office, that I would LOVE to tell. Stay true to yourself and THANK YOU for your services
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Tech said 11:54AM on 7-21-2009
So what else is new? During the 60's they were pulling this same crappolla all the time. This country isn't run by the front "government", it's run by the FED oil banksters who control ALL the money and therefore EVERYTHING else! The old Godfather David Rockefellerwith the CFR,Trilateral,Bilderburg, Bohemian Grove set run the show and have since they bought the USA back in 1913 creating the FED/IRS scam under Wilson.(who they bought by financing his campaign) Created the CIA from their OSS which ran right out of Rockefeller's offices in NYC. John F. Kennedy tried to take them out but George Bush and the CIA's Operation 40 types took care of that.(Then Bobby, MLK, his kid, and now even Senator Paul Wellstone, Rove's IT guru Mike Connell, etc.etc. etc.) Pulled 911,the Patriot Act.Homeland Security, launch wars for fun and profits and are trying to consolidate and run the world financially. Kennedy fired Dulles and was going to end their CIA etc. but guess who was on the Warren Commision and has the airport in DC named after him? Dulles. Back to Hollywood Insider! Did Britney get new boobs?
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