You're buying so many tech gifts this year, so wouldn't it be nice of those companies actually gave you a present in addition to their products? Yes, we thought so, too.

We saw an interesting deal between Sharp and new video-on-demand service Vudu, where the purchase of a new Aquos LCD display gets you a free Vudu set-top box and $50 in download credit. You'll put that to good use, for sure.

But instead of melting your brain on all that video, wouldn't it be nice if you actually read a book now and then? Click your way to Sony's site, where you'll find a deal that will put 100 classic books in your hands when you buy one of its Readers, a competitor to the Amazon Kindle. The books offered include such classics as Mark Twain's 'Huckleberry Finn' and H.G. Wells' 'The Time Machine.'

Finally, if you're looking for an audio experience, buying the Microsoft Zune will garner you a $20 gift card from Best Buy or $15 in downloads from Amazon.com.

Let's see, that's video, words, music... looks like we've covered our bases.

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We don't mean to encourage bad planning on your part but with enablers like this what's any self-respecting true procrastinator to do? We say wait until the last minute and give it a whirl.

A flat fee of $25 covers the delivery charge -- and that includes delivery of heavy items, like TVs, or really huge gaming accessories (example only -- they don't really sell these).

Of course you could always go for a gift card -- or even an online gift certificate -- but all that does is reveal how little effort you put into getting a present. So we say get something with real heft. And don't worry -- your secret is safe with us.

One last note: In a quick look at what they have available, we saw a lot of "Out Of Stock" items, so your procrastination may still have gotten the best of you.

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Do we send too many discounts and deals your way? Hardly. In gift-giving, it is indeed the thought that counts but that doesn't mean you should also count away all your dollars when we can easily help you save a few. Something you may not know is you can often find great deals at so-called regional electronics chains instead of only relying on the big nationals or Amazon.com. And the good news is that all of these retailers let you get the same deals online and have merchandise shipped wherever you want. Here are three that could work for you.

Abt Electronics, a stalwart of the Windy City and one of the biggest consumer electronics retailers in the country that still happens to be family owned, is offering a Panasonic 32-inch high definition LCD TV for only $698 and free shipping. This normally goes for about $200 more.

Go West to Frys.com, which has the iRobot Roomba 400 for only $89.99 while it lists for $119 elsewhere. This little automatic vacuum cleaner seems smarter than some small dogs - or that kid you knew in school who ate the paint chips.

Finally, look to New York's B & H Photo and Video for a decent deal on the Samsung BD-P1400 Blu-ray Disc player. They're listing it for $289.95 while it often goes for about $100 more.

Happy shopping folks! Let us know how it goes.

Do we have a deal or three for you!

This week it was easy to find a few good prices on product the big box electronics retailers are trying to move off their Web sites. Some small items, some big. All still in time for you to be the Santa of everyone's dreams. (We couldn't find a good deal on coal, so we hope there are no naughty boys or girls on your lists.)

Amazon.com has the 8 gigabyte iPod Touch waiting for you at $369 and its free super-saver shipping should still get the package to you by Friday if you order right away. The Touch is the iPod that looks like the iPhone. No, it's not a phone but the display is cool enough to make you cool enough, which is part of the allure, right?

And while we're on the topic of iPhones and the iPod Touch, J&R Computer World has a little deal going on some "open box" protective screens for these devices. We know, we know -- "open box" makes you nervous but when it comes to products with no moving parts or plugs, a good deal is a good deal. Take a look.

Only one week to go before the big day. Snap to it! You don't want to disappoint.

Forget past passions of online bidding for hard-to-get holiday gifts. This year the hot items you can't find are (of course) the Nintendo Wii and (surprise!) Amazon's new Kindle wireless electronic reader, which is garnering final bids of $1,000 and up on Ebay.

Kindle is sparking a new fury of interest ever since Amazon sold out of all units and isn't able to deliver any more until after Christmas.

The idea of e-book book readers isn't new. (Does anyone remember the Rocket eBook? One of our early favorites, indeed.) Our question: are the people bidding on Kindle going to give it as a gift or do they just want one for themselves? It is better to give than to receive....

From BetaNews

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Hi friends. In the mood for a good deal on a gift? We did a little poking around this morning to find some worthy stocking stuffers you might consider -- especially since the price tag is nice.

Amazon today is offering deals on SanDisk Sansa MP3 players, including a 68 percent off the list price for a 4 gigabyte Sansa e260, which will now only set you back $79.

eCost is wasting no time moving a small collection of JVC Everio High-Definition Camcorders. This is an excellent device that we've used personally and while a little on the bulky side compared to other consumer models the large hard drive and HD capability make for a fine experience. Normally priced at $1,700, eCost is willing to give it to you for $779. Move fast, though, not many are left.

Don't underestimate what a truly capable universal remote control can do you for you. Buy.com has a deal going on the Harmony Advanced Universal Remote, normally listed at $249 but right now going for $166.93 and you get free shipping.

We'll keep our eyes and ears open to help you out with your last minute shopping. We know you're just like us, waiting until the last possible moment...

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And you thought everything was going to High Def in a handbasket? Here's more evidence we live in a lo-fi world: a more YouTube-capable experience is out from Helio, maker of the Ocean, an already cool mobile communications device (the word "phone" just doesn't cut it) that provides video, GPS and a whole slew of other features in addition to making calls.

Many mobile phones already let you watch YouTube clips and some even let you upload to the site but Helio's new YouTube application, available only on the Ocean so far, lets users log in to access more "core" features available on YouTube, such as ratings and access to personal videos. Plus, there's no fee for using the feature, which is always nice.

Best of all, the application lets you upload captured video, GPS tag it, and then share it. You can also browse, rate, comment and subscribe to other YouTube users' channels.

From what we've seen so far, this is certainly the most robust YouTube offering on a cell phone, particularly since it takes advantage of the Helio Ocean's new built-in GPS and high-speed 3G uploading and downloading capabilities. Take your video obsession with you wherever you go, assuming you actually have one of these babies. Do you?

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LG Electronics announced it is putting its second-generation hybrid high definition disc player on retail shelves, making good on a promise made in September at the CEDIA trade show to have the new devices ready for the holidays.

The LG Super Blu Player, officially known as the BH200, will carry a $999 price tag and is capable of reading high-definition discs in the two competing formats currently on the market, Blu-ray and HD-DVD. (Blu-ray is supported primarily by Sony and Panasonic while HD-DVD is the darling of Toshiba and Microsoft.) The player also works with standard DVDs.

Until the consumer electronics industry can settle on a single high definition format for discs -- something we don't expect to happen anytime soon -- a dual format player is the only solution for movie aficionados who just have to have the latest movie in HD.

While Samsung has announced its new hybrid player will be out soon for $200 less, during a visit to LG's headquarters in scenic Palisades, N.J., marketing vice president Allan Jason pointedly explained the value in LG's offering. "It's one thing to say you have a better price on a product. It's another to actually have product on store shelves," he said. LG says the BH200 is available at retailers nationwide, however a quick check of Best Buy's Web site shows product is sold out there and at its stores across the country -- even in Minneapolis, Best Buy's home town. Same goes for Circuit City online and at its retail locations, even in its Richmond, Va., backyard.

Kudos to LG for having a popular product. Too bad for those of us not fast enough to the store to grab one.

From BetaNews.

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Remember the breakup when she (or he) got your gadget? Whether it was the flat screen TV, laptop computer or robot vacuum cleaner, original ownership is often a point of contention when it comes to divvying up the domestic gadgets during a breakup. Well, it's been awhile, but the British have saved the day. Online electronic retailer Pixmania and law firm Lloyd, Platt & Company have brought the prenuptial agreement into the 21st century with the "E-nup".

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Well, Black Friday came and went, but it's still kind of Black Friday at many places through the end of the weekend. This means hundreds of amazing deals on electronics and other digital doodads, not to mention insanely long lines. We don't really think all the fuss is worth it, particularly since two weeks ago, we bought a Panasonic 42-inch plasma HDTV for about $1,100. In fact, we're confident that deals will persist for the next five weeks of holiday shopping. And let's not forget that many of these Black Friday sales are also available online. But if you're in the mood to shop this weekend, and sometimes that's enough of a reason to deal with the crowds, here are some sites you should check out before you god.

DealNews: This site lists the latest deals on all sorts of merchandise, including, of courses, deals on electronics. Sales are listed by retailers (Apple Store, Sears, Amazon.com), as well as by specific item (such as LG's 42-inch plasma HDTV for $899). You can also print out coupons here.

Gadget blogs and sites: Both Engadget and Gizmodo have exhaustive lists of all the deals that are to be had today. Or, if you don't have time to browse through each and every deal and link, you can check out the top ten Black Friday deals that Laptop magazine has compiled.

Retrevo: This newly launched site lists the latest deals, and, unlike a lot of other sales listing sites, even tells you what it thinks is a good discount versus just a discount. but also offers a nifty new shopping tool that lets narrow down gadgets by price range, brand, feature list, then scours the Web for online deals, user and blog/Web site reviews, and images and gives you a customized breakdown of price and quality on whatever you're looking for.

BlackFridayInfo: This site comes alive today with pretty much every Black Friday deal that any major retailer might have, and offers links to online deals right on the main page, so you'll never have to leave your desk!

Assorted tips: If you know what you want, but just don't have a strategy for beating lines or traffic, you're in luck, because everyone in the gadget and product review business usually has its own Black Friday guide. Just do a search for "Black Friday tips" and you'll likely find a full list of stories such as this one.

For more ideas on what to buy this holiday season, check out the Switched Holiday Gift Guide.

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