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 it comes to bears, we agree with talk show host Stephen Colbert's stance. They're godless, killing machines. That means Kris Rowley, the State of Vermont's Certified Information Security Officer (CISO), is one lucky lady. While hiking this summer, Rowley escaped unharmed from an encounter with a bear, all thanks to her iPhone. 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
wrs589 said 2:43PM on 10-15-2009
Why should they replace it?
It's not a warranty covered fault.
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blazineric said 2:56PM on 10-15-2009
So if I throw my iPhone at a drunk driver while he is driving toward me, but the hit of the iphone on the windshield distracts him long enough for me to jump out of the way Apple should replace it????
Give me a break!
Using that non-logic It would make more sense that Apple should CHARGE this woman because if was not for their awesome product, the Bear would not be so interested in it. For instance... If she threw a boring LG DARE at the bear, it would most certainly claw his way to her demise.
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cseanbates said 3:00PM on 10-15-2009
Feel for her if you want, but for the price of an iPhone she escaped a bear mauling. If you think about it she got a very good bargain and really the whole pay for a new phone seems pretty minor in the grand scheme of things. Though now I think I might have a new App for the iPhone.
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radmoose said 3:22PM on 10-15-2009
She THREW the iPhone to avoid a bear attack?
Didn't she know there's a app for that?
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xstartup00x said 3:38PM on 10-15-2009
Why is this news? All the people that actually DIE everyday and with everything going on in this world we stil have to hear something stupid like this? I could only imagine how self centered the lady is that this happened to that she would actually call the news and tell them about it.
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J said 6:21PM on 10-15-2009
"Why is this news? All the people that actually DIE everyday and with everything going on in this world we stil have to hear something stupid like this?"
You came to Switched for that stuff? You didn't come to read inconsequential stories about gadgets?
Then leave. You're in the wrong place.
Martesa said 5:08PM on 10-15-2009
This is the dumbest thing I ever heard! Why on Earth should Apple be responsible for replacing her iphone? Now, with some laptop protection plans, you can pay for replacement protection, even if the replacement is due to damage from dropping it, etc., i.e., for a price, you can be protected against your own clumsiness. ONLY if Apple offers such a protection plan, and ONLY if she had the foresight to purchase that plan should she expect any kind replacement or discount on a replacement. Otherwise, it's absurd to think Apple should replace this, and it's even more absurd to call them to task for not replacing it! She should just be glad she's alive and call it a day, rather than calling media attention to Apple for not replacing something that wasn't their fault to begin with. As someone else said, she should be damn grateful to Apple that the bear was intrigued. To be honest, this whole story sounds a little suspicious, anyway.
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