CrunchGear » Doug Aamoth http://www.crunchgear.com Gadgets, gear and computer hardware. Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:00:44 +0000 en hourly 1 Animated musical Star Trek lamp http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/02/animated-musical-star-trek-lamp/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/02/animated-musical-star-trek-lamp/#comments Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:30:00 +0000 Doug Aamoth http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/02/animated-musical-star-trek-lamp/ Ah, perfect. Use your Star Trek cologne to woo the ladies and then wow the ones you bring home with this $100 Star Trek bedside lamp from Hammacher Schlemmer.]]> 78088 Ah, perfect. Use your Star Trek cologne to woo the ladies and then wow the ones you bring home with this $100 Star Trek bedside lamp from Hammacher Schlemmer.

Pop open a couple of juice boxes, light some candles, and then fire up the old lamp to let Shatner’s voice and the Star Trek theme accompany all 2-3 minutes of awkward, lanky lovemaking.

Per the product description:

This is the lamp that plays the iconic Star Trek theme song, including the entirety of the famous prologue: “Space… the final frontier…” spoken by William Shatner. As the music plays, an 8″ die-cast replica of the Starship Enterprise rotates on the the base of the lamp. The Starship Enterprise has authentic details like Bussard intake collectors and a sensor array platform that are illuminated by four color-changing LEDs. The shade has an image of the NCC-1701 flying at warp speed through the Final Frontier.

Set phasers to FUN!

The Animated Musical Starship Enterprise Lamp [Hammacher Schlemmer]

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/02/animated-musical-star-trek-lamp/feed/ 0 JBL resurrects ‘Creature’ speakers http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/02/jbl-resurrects-creature-speakers/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/02/jbl-resurrects-creature-speakers/#comments Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:00:00 +0000 Doug Aamoth http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/02/jbl-resurrects-creature-speakers/ Remember these things from back in the day? The “day” being 2002? JBL is bringing back the “Creature” series of computer speakers for the holidays.]]>

JBL

Remember these things from back in the day? The “day” being 2002? JBL is bringing back the “Creature” series of computer speakers for the holidays.

Called the Creature III, the system features a more compact subwoofer than previous iterations along with “a more streamlined, airy feel while staying true to its sci-fi roots.” It’s also staying true to its expensive roots — priced at $129.99 – and it’ll only be available at Apple stores and through Apple’s website. What’s that all about?

Looks like the system’s not quite available for purchase yet. Probably shouldn’t be too much longer, though.

They’re Back: The Beloved JBL Sci-Fi Speakers Return [Press Release]

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/02/jbl-resurrects-creature-speakers/feed/ 3 Acer aims to be first to market with Google Chrome OS netbook http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/02/acer-aims-to-be-first-to-market-with-google-chrome-os-netbook/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/02/acer-aims-to-be-first-to-market-with-google-chrome-os-netbook/#comments Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:30:00 +0000 Doug Aamoth http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/02/acer-aims-to-be-first-to-market-with-google-chrome-os-netbook/ Acer, no stranger to netbooks with Google-backed operating systems, is hoping to have the first Chrome OS netbook on the market by the second half of next year, according to DigiTimes.]]>

acerchrome

Acer, no stranger to netbooks with Google-backed operating systems, is hoping to have the first Chrome OS netbook on the market by the second half of next year, according to DigiTimes.

The company has apparently been developing the machine since the middle of this year. Acer’s JT Wang “expressed his confidence that the company will be the first vendor to launch [a] Chrome-based netbook in the market during a recent interview with Digitimes.”

The second half of 2010 is light years away as far as technology development is concerned but, hey, now you have something to talk about at your next dinner party. I’d bring it up right away, like before you even take your coat off.

Acer to launch Chrome OS netbook in 2H10 [DigiTimes]

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/02/acer-aims-to-be-first-to-market-with-google-chrome-os-netbook/feed/ 2 CrunchDeals: Peek e-mail device with $10 monthly service (today only) http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/02/crunchdeals-peek-e-mail-device-with-10-monthly-service-today-only/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/02/crunchdeals-peek-e-mail-device-with-10-monthly-service-today-only/#comments Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:05:00 +0000 Doug Aamoth http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/02/crunchdeals-peek-e-mail-device-with-10-monthly-service-today-only/ Now might be a good time to lock in one of these Peek devices if you’ve subscribed to the idea of mobile e-mail and texting without the cost and complexity of an entire smartphone. Today only, Peek is offering $10 monthly service for the lifetime of the device.]]> peek

Now might be a good time to lock in one of these Peek devices if you’ve subscribed to the idea of mobile e-mail and texting without the cost and complexity of an entire smartphone. Today only, Peek is offering $10 monthly service for the lifetime of the device.

That’s unlimited e-mail and texting, plus the cost of the Peek itself — the Pronto runs for $60 while the Classic goes for $20 (compare features here).

Peek [GetPeek.com]

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/02/crunchdeals-peek-e-mail-device-with-10-monthly-service-today-only/feed/ 1 Review: Dexim P-Flip Foldable Power Dock http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/01/review-dexim-p-flip-foldable-power-dock/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/01/review-dexim-p-flip-foldable-power-dock/#comments Wed, 02 Dec 2009 02:00:00 +0000 Doug Aamoth http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/01/review-dexim-p-flip-foldable-power-dock/ IMG_0457

Short Version: Equal parts backup battery and iPhone dock, Dexim’s $55 P-Flip Foldable Power Dock serves as a nice daily desk accessory and then easily pulls double duty as a portable travelling companion.

Review:

Guess what? There are a million iPhone accessories. And it’s not easy to stand out in the crowd if you’re a company that makes iPhone accessories. But sometimes the best course is to offer a simple solution that addresses more than one need for the common iPhone owner and to offer your product at a decent price.

In this case, Dexim has merged a small, unobtrusive iPhone dock with a portable backup battery. Exciting? Not really, but it doesn’t have to be because, at $55, you’re getting two accessories in one for close to the price of most competing backup battery offerings.

The dock is compatible with the iPhone 3G and 3GS and all generations of the iPod touch. The battery pack is 2000mAh, which is about 1.5 times the capacity of the iPhone’s internal battery. So you get about a charge and a half out of the dock. A full recharge of my iPhone 3GS took about an hour and a half.

Dexim rates the product as capable of 8 hours talk time, 15 hours of video, 15 hours of gaming, or 60 hours of music. I can confirm the 60 hours of music claim. I set my phone into airplane mode (turns off all data connections) and let it play music nonstop starting Friday night after work and noticed it had finally petered out on Monday morning. Side note: going without a phone for an entire weekend is weird for most of Saturday morning but becomes pretty nice after a while.

IMG_0465

The dock folds down to a very manageable travel size and can itself be recharged with a mini-USB cable. If you dock your phone into it while it’s charging, you’re able to synch with iTunes and all that good stuff.

The main downside is that if you use any sort of protective case, you’ll have to remove it in order to charge up your battery on the go. That’s the tradeoff for having a backup battery that doubles as a dock, though. Also, the $55 price tag may seem a bit high at first glance but considering that a fair amount of competing backup batteries go for around $50, the added bonus of the docking feature makes for a pretty decent purchase.

P-Flip Foldable Power Dock [Dexim]

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/01/review-dexim-p-flip-foldable-power-dock/feed/ 4 Review: Energizer Flat Panel 2X Charging System for Wii http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/01/review-energizer-flat-panel-2x-charging-system-for-wii/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/01/review-energizer-flat-panel-2x-charging-system-for-wii/#comments Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:00:00 +0000 Doug Aamoth http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/01/review-energizer-flat-panel-2x-charging-system-for-wii/ IMG_0416

Available starting today, the $30 Energizer Flat Panel 2X Charging System from Performance Designed Products is an inexpensive, quick, and cool way to juice up your Wii remotes.

This is an inductive charging system, meaning that there’s no need to connect any cables between the charging pad and the remote. The NiMH battery packs slips into the Wii controller and is magnetized to align with the special charging area on the black pad you see in the above photo. It’s a pretty neat feature that’ll add some much needed class to “Busch Light and Wii Bowling Thursdays” that have made your house so popular. Simply place the remote on the pad and watch it wiggle itself into the correct charging position like magic.

PL7581

At $30, the system is priced somewhere between entry-level and mid-range Wii remote chargers. I can tell you that without knowing the price beforehand, I assumed it’d retail for around $50 when I first took it out of the box and set it up. So there’s that.

The battery packs are nice and hefty and hold a charge for about as long as standard AA batteries – maybe a tad shorter, but not enough to make a huge difference. If you’ve been using regular batteries for your Wii remotes up until now, you’ll definitely appreciate switching to rechargeable ones over the long haul. And with inductive charging, you’re able to charge your Wii remotes without taking off any protective silicone jackets or the MotionPlus add-on.

Recharge time is refreshingly quick for an induction system. Inductive charging generally takes a bit longer than standard recharging systems but the technology has come a long way over the past year or so. The system I reviewed in March took a long time to recharge – overnight, pretty much — whereas this Energizer system takes about 3-4 hours.

Overall, I can safely recommend this product as a solid purchase for anyone looking for an attractive induction charger at a decent price. Battery life is good, recharge time is quick, and the magnetized charging surface adds a touch of cool for good measure.

PL7581

Energizer Flat Panel 2X Charging System [PDP.com]

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/01/review-energizer-flat-panel-2x-charging-system-for-wii/feed/ 10 VIA intros tiny Mobile-ITX platform http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/01/via-intros-tiny-mobile-itx-platform/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/01/via-intros-tiny-mobile-itx-platform/#comments Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:00:00 +0000 Doug Aamoth http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/01/via-intros-tiny-mobile-itx-platform/ You know that thing about robots eventually taking over the world? Or computers? Or robots with computers in them and at first you're like, “Hey cool, I’m friends with a robot and we play Scrabble together because he has a computer in him,” but after a while the robot gets all moody and you start to notice stuff missing from your room and all of a sudden the robot is, like, locking you out of your house and punching you in the upper arm for no reason? Maybe that robot would have one of these VIA Mobile-ITX boards in it. It’s small, is what I’m saying.]]> 4148627629_373e523017

You know that thing about robots eventually taking over the world? Or computers? Or robots with computers in them and at first you’re like, “Hey cool, I’m friends with a robot and we play Scrabble together because he has a computer in him,” but after a while the robot gets all moody and you start to notice stuff missing from your room and all of a sudden the robot is, like, locking you out of your house and punching you in the upper arm for no reason? Maybe that robot would have one of these VIA Mobile-ITX boards in it. It’s small, is what I’m saying.

And sure enough, it seems that VIA has indeed already kowtowed to our soon-to-be robot overlords, as evidenced by this quip in the company’s press release:

“Mobile-ITX offers system designers a more compact, flexible and feature rich solution for a range of device designs and is especially suited for next-generation, ultra-compact applications in military, medical, robotics and transportation segments.”

Robotics, eh? I’m going to move in with that cave guy until this blows over. Before I leave, though, I’d be remiss if I didn’t list some of the features of the Mobile-ITX platform:

  • Board size: 6cm by 6cm (2.36 inches by 2.36 inches)
  • “Support for complete range of I/O standards including USB, CRT, TTL LCD, PCIe, SPI, LPC, Video capture (or COM), SDIO, IDE, PS/2, SMB, GPIO, Audio, DVI, LVDS (by Transmitter).”
  • Low power consumption, 12-watt power supply, fanless design

It’d be nice to see this spill over into the consumer sector, though the importance of mere trinkets and gadgets seems greatly diminished when you’ve got robots after you.

VIA Mobile-ITX Form Factor [VIA.com.tw]

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/01/via-intros-tiny-mobile-itx-platform/feed/ 2 CrunchDeals: MSI X320 for $380 http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/01/crunchdeals-msi-x320-for-380/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/01/crunchdeals-msi-x320-for-380/#comments Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:30:00 +0000 Doug Aamoth http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/01/crunchdeals-msi-x320-for-380/ If you're keen on the whole low voltage ultraportable idea (bigger screens, slightly faster processors than standard netbooks) but you can’t quite stomach the $600+ price tag that accompanies most of those systems, you may be happy to hear that JR.com is blowing the MSI X320 right the hell out.]]> x320 If you’re keen on the whole low voltage ultraportable idea (bigger screens, slightly faster processors than standard netbooks) but you can’t quite stomach the $600+ price tag that accompanies most of those systems, you may be happy to hear that JR.com is blowing the MSI X320 right the hell out.

Now to be fair, this is basically a netbook in an ultraportable’s body. You get a big 13.4-inch screen and decently-sized keyboard along with a 2.8-pound weight and a thickness of just 0.79 inches, although the innards include an older Atom Z530 CPU, dumpy GMA 500 graphics, and Windows Vista Home Premium.

Full specs:

  • Intel Atom Z530 CPU at 1.6GHz
  • 2GB of RAM
  • 320 GB hard drive
  • 13.4-inch LCD at 1366×768
  • Intel GMA 500 graphics
  • Draft-N wireless, Ethernet, Bluetooth
  • Webcam, card reader, VGA out, 3 USB ports
  • Weighs 2.86 pounds, 0.79 inches thick

MSI Microstar X-Slim 13.4-inch X320-037US [JR.com via FatWallet]

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/01/crunchdeals-msi-x320-for-380/feed/ 2 CrunchDeals: 28-inch monitor for $250 http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/01/crunchdeals-28-inch-monitor-for-250/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/01/crunchdeals-28-inch-monitor-for-250/#comments Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:20:00 +0000 Doug Aamoth http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/01/crunchdeals-28-inch-monitor-for-250/ Costco has a pretty stellar deal on a big 28-inch monitor at just $249.99 with free shipping. That price is good until January 4, 2010 too, so start saving up if you haven't already.]]> 479958LL Costco has a pretty stellar deal on a big 28-inch monitor at just $249.99 with free shipping. That price is good until January 4, 2010 too, so start saving up if you haven’t already.

The monitor features the following:

  • 28-inch LCD with 1920×1200 resolution
  • 3ms response time, 400cd/m2 brightness, 800:1 contrast ratio
  • Inputs: 2 HDMI, 1 VGA
  • Headphone out, built-in speakers

All in all, not a bad deal for a monitor of that size.

UPDATE: Looks like it’s sold out. Hopefully they’ll get more in soon.

HannsG 28-inch Wide Monitor [Costco via FatWallet]

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/01/crunchdeals-28-inch-monitor-for-250/feed/ 6 Electric skateboard features 600-watt motor, top speed of 19 miles per hour http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/30/electric-skateboard-features-600-watt-motor-top-speed-of-19-miles-per-hour/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/30/electric-skateboard-features-600-watt-motor-top-speed-of-19-miles-per-hour/#comments Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:00:00 +0000 Doug Aamoth http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/30/electric-skateboard-features-600-watt-motor-top-speed-of-19-miles-per-hour/ Finally an answer to the age-old question of what can be done to improve skateboards and/or make them more dangerous. Hammacher Schlemmer’s doozy, “The 19 MPH Skateboard” is the answer.]]> 78142 Finally an answer to the age-old question of what can be done to improve skateboards and/or make them more dangerous. Hammacher Schlemmer’s doozy, “The 19 MPH Skateboard” is the answer.

It accelerates from zero to 19 miles per hour in four seconds and weighs 40 pounds. So if you don’t hurt yourself falling off of the thing, rest assured that you could incapacitate would-be skateboard thieves with a swift knock to the head delivered by a 40-pound longboard.

The battery is good for a range of 10 miles and takes about 4 hours to recharge. The maximum rider weight is 225 pounds, and I don’t have to tell you that if you see a 225-pound man careening towards you on a 40-pound skateboard at 19 miles per hour, your day is about to get a whole lot more interesting.

The 19 MPH Skateboard [Hammacher Schlemmer]

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/30/electric-skateboard-features-600-watt-motor-top-speed-of-19-miles-per-hour/feed/ 6 CrunchDeals: DJ Hero for $85 http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/30/crunchdeals-dj-hero-for-85/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/30/crunchdeals-dj-hero-for-85/#comments Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:23:29 +0000 Doug Aamoth http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/30/crunchdeals-dj-hero-for-85/ dj-hero.03.lg

Amazon is unloading Activision’s new-ish DJ Hero package for $85 across all current-generation systems – that’s down from $100+ elsewhere.

The bundle is also available on PlayStation 2, although it’s priced at $98.99. That’s “whack” as most popular DJ’s might say. That’s a thing, right? Whack? The standard bundle includes the DJ Hero game with over 100 songs and the turntable controller.

DJ Hero Bundle with Turntable [Amazon via dealnews]

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/30/crunchdeals-dj-hero-for-85/feed/ 5 Monopoly: Nintendo Edition http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/30/monopoly-nintendo-edition/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/30/monopoly-nintendo-edition/#comments Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:00:00 +0000 Doug Aamoth http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/30/monopoly-nintendo-edition/ In your face, parents all over the world. After pleading with your children to quit rotting their brains with non-stop video game playing, your suggestion of playing a board game instead has backfired on you with the Nintendo edition of Monopoly.]]> cd9b_nintendo_monopoly

In your face, parents all over the world. After pleading with your children to quit rotting their brains with non-stop video game playing, your suggestion of playing a board game instead has backfired on you with the Nintendo edition of Monopoly.

Longtime Monopoly fans will find the traditional streets replaced with Nintendo characters. Mario – easily Nintendo’s most recognizable face – can be found in the place of Boardwalk, the standard game’s most expensive property.

Other features include Nintendo-themed player tokens, a special 60-minute speed play mode, power-ups and invincibility instead of houses and hotels, and a slew of other enhancements and changes that ought to help bridge the gap between Nintendo fans and Monopoly nuts.

Available for $34.99 at ThinkGeek.

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/30/monopoly-nintendo-edition/feed/ 4 Presenting a collection of Cyber Monday deals for your perusal http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/30/presenting-a-collection-of-cyber-monday-deals-for-your-perusal/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/30/presenting-a-collection-of-cyber-monday-deals-for-your-perusal/#comments Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:55:00 +0000 Doug Aamoth http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/30/presenting-a-collection-of-cyber-monday-deals-for-your-perusal/ Today is Cyber Monday. It’s like Black Friday but with more indoorsiness. And while Black Friday is more of a brick-and-mortar, you’re-there-in-person type of thing, Cyber Monday is all online and there are far too many stores and deals to completely cover. Here’s a head start on some of the better deals from the bigger sites, though.]]> calendar

Today is Cyber Monday. It’s like Black Friday but with more indoorsiness. And while Black Friday is more of a brick-and-mortar, you’re-there-in-person type of thing, Cyber Monday is all online and there are far too many stores and deals to completely cover. Here’s a head start on some of the better deals from the bigger sites, though.

You’ll find pretty good deals at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Dell. Newegg, Office Depot, Office Max, and Staples have a few gems as well. Apple’s got a few discounts but only on accessories. Buy.com’s list is pitiful, as is Radio Shack’s. Target’s not offering a whole lot of electronics deals for some reason but there’s some decent pricing on other stuff.

Amazon.com

  • 8GB iPod touch for $158 (link)
  • Creative Vado HD camcorder for $89.99 (link)
  • Garmin nuvi 260w GPS for $114.99 (link)
  • Nintendo Wii plus $20 Amazon.com Gift Card for $199.99 (link)
  • Full list of deals here…

BestBuy.com

  • 19-inch 720p LCD TV for $159.99 (link)
  • Garmin nuvi 205w GPS for $104.99 (link)
  • 15.6-inch Acer Aspire Laptop with 4GB of RAM for $399.99 (link)
  • EA Wii games for $20 off (link)
  • Full list of deals here…

Walmart.com

  • Nintendo Wii Bundle (system, extra controllers, game, accessory) for $249 (link)
  • eMachines 15.6-inch Windows 7 laptop + extras for $368 (link)
  • Sony Bravia 32-inch HDTV for $398 (link)
  • 8GB iPod nano + accessory kit for $145 (link)
  • Full list of deals here…

Dell.com

  • ST2410 Full HD 24-inch LCD monitor for $184 (link)
  • 1.5TB Western Digital 3.5-inch hard drive for $99.99 (link)
  • Inspiron Zino HD desktop starting at $299 (link)
  • TomTom One 130 GPS for $79.99 (link)
  • Full list of deals here…

Newegg.com

  • Intel Core i5 desktop with 4GB of RAM for $649.99 (link)
  • ASUS 18.5-inch LCD monitor for $79.99 (link)
  • Garmin nuvi 205 GPS for $89.99 (link)
  • Full list of deals here…

OfficeMax.com

  • eMachines 18.5-inch LCD monitor for $69.99 (link)
  • Buy one, get one free on all ink and toner (link)
  • Samsung 23-inch TV/Monitor for $249.99 (link)
  • Full list of deals here…

OfficeDepot.com

  • Toshiba T135-S1310 13.3-inch ULV notebook with 9-hour battery for $599.99 (link)
  • Ativa 21.5-inch LCD monitor for $139.99 (link)
  • Full list of deals here…

Staples.com

  • Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 for $29.99 (link)
  • Acer 21.5-inch LCD monitor for $109.99 (link)
  • Full list of deals here…

Apple.com

  • Monster Beats headphones for $269.95 (link)
  • MoGo Talk for iPhone for $116.95 (link)
  • Eye-Fi 2GB Geo SD Card for $53.95 (link)
  • Full list of deals here…

Buy.com

  • TomTom One 130 GPS for $82.49 (link)
  • Full list of deals here…

RadioShack.com

  • TomTom XL 330-S GPS for $99.99 (link)
  • Full list of deals here…

Target.com

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/30/presenting-a-collection-of-cyber-monday-deals-for-your-perusal/feed/ 6 Awards: Best of Black Friday http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/25/awards-best-of-black-friday/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/25/awards-best-of-black-friday/#comments Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:00:00 +0000 Doug Aamoth http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/25/awards-best-of-black-friday/ blackfriday

Black Friday is just two days away. If you have what it takes to wake up at the crack of dawn, brave the crowds, and spot the best deals, there are plenty of savings to be had. Here’s a quick list of some of the best deals from the most popular product categories being offered by brick-and-mortar stores, followed by a few prestigious awards that have been given to various retailers.

Doorbuster deals have been marked with and asterisk and, where applicable, the next best non-doorbuster deal has been listed as well.

Best TV Deals

  • 19-inch: Walmart $128* / Best Buy $149.99
  • 22-inch: Radio Shack $199.99
  • 26-inch: Office Depot $299.99
  • 32-inch (720p): Target $246
  • 32-inch (1080p): Best Buy $439.99
  • 40-inch (1080p): Target $449* / Best Buy $499.99
  • 42-inch (720p): Walmart $448* / Best Buy $547.99
  • 42-inch (1080p): Sears $499.99* / Sears $549.99 (Plasma)
  • 46-inch (1080p): Walmart $798* / Best Buy $847.99
  • 50-inch: Walmart $598 (Plasma)

Best Netbook Deals

  • Best Buy: Compaq 10.1-inch $179.99
  • Radio Shack: Acer Aspire One 11.6-inch $249.99

Best Notebook Deals

  • Walmart: eMachines 15.6-inch $198*
  • Office Depot: HP 15.6-inch $299.99
  • Walmart: HP 17-inch $398

Best Desktop Deal

  • Office Depot: Compaq $229.99

Best Blu-ray Deals

  • Walmart: $78*
  • Best Buy: $99.99

Best GPS Deal

  • Walmart: TomTom One 125-SE $59

Best Hard Drive Deals

  • Target: 1TB Western Digital Desktop $59.98
  • Office Max: 500GB External 3.5-inch $49.99
  • Target: 500GB Western Digital Portable: $59.98

Best Digital Camera Deals

  • Office Max: Vivitar $39.99 (Point-and-Shoot)
  • Best Buy: Nikon D3000DX $499.99 (DSLR)

Best Monitor Deals

  • Office Max: Acer 18.5-inch $69.99
  • Best Buy: Acer 20-inch $79.99
  • Staples: eMachines 21.5-inch $89.98*
  • Office Max: AOC 22-inch: $99.99
  • Staples: Acer 23-inch $139.98

With the best deals in the most popular product categories out of the way, we can now move on to the awards section of the program. Please hold your applause until all of the winners have been announced.

The “So… Are You Guys Actually Having a Sale?” Award

And the winner is… GameStop. Aside from a few anemic doorbuster deals, the store’s Black Friday ad is chock full of plenty of regularly-priced items. Wii Fit and Balance Board for $99? Gee, thanks.

The “Why the Hell Are You Opening So Early?” Award

And the winner is… Old Navy. No electronics deals to speak of other than getting Lego Rock Band for free with any $20 purchase but for some crazy-ass reason, the stores are opening at 3AM on Black Friday. Because the only thing better than being in an Old Navy store is being in an Old Navy store at 3AM and then having to kill time until all the other stores open.

The “Doors Will Probably Literally Get Busted” Award

And the winner is… Walmart. Just like every other year, the retail giant will be offering plenty of insane deals to plenty of insane people. If you’re planning on shopping at Walmart this Black Friday and you’re reading this, you are not insane. Everyone else around you will be, though. Not you. I don’t want any trouble. I’m just a guy with a keyboard.

The “Under the Radar” Award

And the winner is… Target. The store lulls everyone into complacency with everyday household items and then sweeps the 32-inch and 40-inch TV deal categories like a ninja, with a 32-inch LCD TV priced at $246 and a 40-inch 1080p doorbuster TV priced at $449. Well played, Target. Well played, indeed.

The “One-Stop Shop” Award

And the winner is… Best Buy. Pretty good all-around deals, plenty of video game deals (especially the Xbox 360 bundles), and 18-month interest-free financing on all purchases totaling $249 and up if you have a Best Buy card make the store a good option if you want to immerse yourself in the Black Friday madness for an hour or two before going back to bed.

Walmart is another worthy option, although Best Buy’s “everyone waits in line for a ticket to buy doorbusters so there’s no mayhem when the store opens” policy seems a little less chaotic than Walmart’s “holy crap I thought there’d be more cops here now who’s going to stop these crazies from ripping the doors off the hinges sweet jesus they’re just like living zombies except much faster and exponentially angrier” Black Friday sales of years past.

See more Black Friday ads here…

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/25/awards-best-of-black-friday/feed/ 12 Gift Guide 2009: Best Gifts for Nostalgic Gamers http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/25/gift-guide-2009-best-gifts-for-nostalgic-gamers/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/25/gift-guide-2009-best-gifts-for-nostalgic-gamers/#comments Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:15:00 +0000 Doug Aamoth http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/25/gift-guide-2009-best-gifts-for-nostalgic-gamers/ The nostalgic gamer -- you know the type. Maybe you are the type (I’m definitely the type). The nostalgic gamer is in his or her late twenties to early thirties, was brought up on the Nintendo Entertainment System, and sometimes longs for the good old days when controllers featured only a few buttons (at most). Here’s a list of gift ideas for the nostalgic gamer.]]> The nostalgic gamer — you know the type. Maybe you are the type (I’m definitely the type). The nostalgic gamer is in his or her late twenties to early thirties, was brought up on the Nintendo Entertainment System, and sometimes longs for the good old days when controllers featured only a few buttons (at most). Here’s a list of gift ideas for the nostalgic gamer.

EA Sports Madden 95/NHL 95 Plug and Play TV Game: $16 (Amazon.com)

madden I take this thing with me whenever I travel. It contains two of the greatest old-school Sega Genesis games of all time: Madden 95 and NHL 95. It plugs into any standard TV via white and yellow AV cables and this two-player version here is perfect for reliving the glory days of mid- to late-adolescence with an old buddy. For best results, have Pearl Jam’s “Ten” album playing in the background and sit on a beanbag if there’s one available.

Product Page

ExciteBike: World Rally: $10 (Nintendo Wii/WiiWare)

excitebike Oh man, I downloaded this the other day and played it for about six hours straight. It’s ExciteBike, through and through, with the added bonus of online multiplayer and all new graphics. The game itself is still as simple-yet-addicting as ever, you can still build your own tracks, and the $10 price tag isn’t too bad considering the multiplayer feature augments the otherwise short single player mode with nearly infinite replay value.

Product Page

Portable Handheld Emulator: Starting at around $30

wiz Nothing gets a nostalgic gamer excited like the idea of taking old school games everywhere and, thankfully, there are plenty of portable emulation machines on the market. From the very-reasonable NES emulator reviewed here, to the slightly-more-expensive Genesis emulator reviewed here, you should be able to find an emulator for most older systems for under $50.

The ultimate portable, perhaps, would be the GP2X Wiz, a $180 handheld that runs just about every available retro system available and is backed by a vibrant community of users. Nobody beats the Wiz.

Retro Duo Twin Video Game System: $43.99 (Amazon.com)

duo If your favorite gamer hasn’t had the heart to sell, donate, or toss a single NES or SNES game cartridge despite numerous advancements in the magical field of PC-based emulation, then this Retro Duo console is a no-brainer. It’s cheap, too!

Less than $50 for a console that plays NES and SNES games and includes two controllers? There’s not much to consider there – it’s pretty much an impulse buy.

Product Page

USB NES Controller: $29.99 (ThinkGeek.com)

NES Playing old emulated NES games using anything other than an original controller just feels so… wrong. But if you don’t have the tinkering prowess to convert an original NES game pad into a USB version that can be used with your computer, you still have options. The $30 RetroLink USB gamepad takes care of the dirty work for you, allowing you to play those old NES games the way the gaming gods intended.

Product Page

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/25/gift-guide-2009-best-gifts-for-nostalgic-gamers/feed/ 1 Gift Guide 2009: Gifts for the Technologically Impaired http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/24/gift-guide-2009-gifts-for-the-technologically-impaired/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/24/gift-guide-2009-gifts-for-the-technologically-impaired/#comments Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:00:00 +0000 Doug Aamoth http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/24/gift-guide-2009-gifts-for-the-technologically-impaired/ If you’re like me, you’ve got a fair number of family and friends who don’t quite share the same level of enthusiasm for technology as you. But the thought of buying someone a gift that wasn’t a gadget? Insanity. Pure insanity. In that spirit, here’s a list of products that ought to make easy-to-use gifts for the technologically ambivalent in your life.]]> If you’re like me, you’ve got a fair number of family and friends who don’t quite share the same level of enthusiasm for technology as you. But the thought of buying someone a gift that wasn’t a gadget? Insanity. Pure insanity. In that spirit, here’s a list of products that ought to make easy-to-use gifts for the technologically ambivalent in your life.

For the Information Junkie: WikiReader ($99)

slide7 The WikiReader is a handheld device loaded up with every Wikipedia article available. It uses two AAA batteries, requires no data connection whatsoever, and features a power-sipping monochrome screen that works in direct sunlight. It’s the perfect gift for your yarn-spinning know-it-all grandpa, except now he’ll actually get his facts straight.

When it’s time to update the WikiReader to the latest articles, Gramps can have a new microSD card sent to him twice a year for $29 (just pop it in behind the batteries) or you can download the update yourself for free and load it up for him.

Product Page | CrunchGear Hands-on

For the First-Time Computer User: Litl Webbook ($699)

preview As the resident computer expert in your family, to hear that someone who’s never used a computer before wants to “see what all the fuss is about” and wonders if you can teach them how to use it should send chills up and down your spine (and up and down again).

The new Litl Webbook removes an entire layer of the traditional operating system, providing direct access to music, movies, photos, the internet and more. Everything is kept “in the cloud” and all system updates are pushed to the device automatically. Think of it as a smartbook.

There’s a two-year return period, a 12.1-inch LCD with a 178-degree viewing angle, and the device flips over into “easel mode” to double as a digital photo frame.

Product Page | CrunchGear Hands-on

For the Music Lover: SanDisk slotRadio ($79.99)

slotRadio_140 Take the portability of an MP3 player, strip out the hassle of loading music onto it, and you’ve got SanDisk’s slotRadio player. Once you’ve grown tired of the 1,000 popular songs included with the player, pick up another card preloaded with 1,000 additional songs for between $30 and $40 apiece and spread across genres such as Classical, Rock, Oldies, Country, and more.

Pop out the old card, pop in the new card. Boom. Simple like tapes and CDs, newfangled like an MP3 player.

Product Page | CrunchGear Review

For the Bookworm: Amazon Kindle ($259)

kindle You’ll probably want to drop some hints before you gift an e-book reader to someone, just to get an idea about whether or not they’d actually use an electronic gizmo for reading. Our own Devin Coldewey is in his late twenties and he won’t touch an e-book reader with a ten foot pole, opting instead to throw on a cardigan, light up an academic-looking pipe, and read a book the old fashioned way. He likes the smell of paper or something weird like that.

If you’re able to plant the e-book seed successfully, though, the Kindle should be easy enough to use for just about anyone. And it doesn’t require a computer, so there’s that. You could go with one of the other wireless e-book readers, but the Barnes & Noble “nook” is sold out and there’s loose talk that Sony’s Reader Daily Edition might be waylaid until after the holidays.

Product Page

For the Neatnik: iRobot Roomba (starting at $129.99)

roomba It’s a strange world when a robot is a vacuum and the entire combination is as simple to operate as hitting a single button. That’s Roomba for you, though. Perfect for the compulsive cleaner in your life, the Roomba series gets into corners and around furniture, finds its way back to its charging base, and makes the mundane chore of vacuuming a thing of the past. Truly anal neatniks may complain that Roomba misses a spot here and there but, hey, that just gives them something to clean by hand – and that’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Product Page

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/24/gift-guide-2009-gifts-for-the-technologically-impaired/feed/ 22 Amazon Black Friday deals http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/23/amazon-black-friday-deals/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/23/amazon-black-friday-deals/#comments Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:30:00 +0000 Doug Aamoth http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/23/amazon-black-friday-deals/ amazon-logo Not content to merely offer competitive pricing on Black Friday, Amazon has gone ahead and somehow turned Black Friday into an entire week. The online retailer will be offering plenty of deals every day – some better than others, with the best ones selling out quickly.

Although there are far too many items to list in a single post, here’s a look at what’s in store. Check Amazon’s Black Friday page each day for the full list of deals too.

Monday:

  • Samsung LN52B530 52-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV for $1299.99
  • Polk Surroundbar 360 for $399.99
  • LG 37LH55 37-Inch 1080p 240Hz LCD HDTV for $649.99
  • HP Mini 10.1-Inch White Netbook (Windows 7 Starter) for $378.99

Full list of electronics deals here…

Tuesday (pricing not revealed yet):

  • Magellan Maestro GPS
  • Plantronics Voyager PRO Bluetooth Headset
  • La Crosse Technology Digital Thermometer
  • DJ Hero Bundle with Turntable (Xbox)

Wednesday (pricing not revealed yet):

  • LG Blu-ray Player
  • Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Xbox)
  • Guitar Hero Smash Hits (PS3)
  • Rapala: We Fish with Rod Bundle (Wii)

Thursday (pricing not revealed yet):

  • We Ski and Snowboard (Wii)
  • Tekken 6 (PS3)
  • Sharp 32" LCD HDTV

Friday (pricing not revealed yet):

  • Altec Lansing Computer Speakers with Powered Subwoofer
  • Polk Bookshelf Speakers
  • MartinLogan In-Ceiling Speakers
  • Panasonic 46" 1080p Plasma HDTV
  • HP 15.6-Inch Laptop
  • Canon PowerShot 12.1 MP Digital Camera
  • Panasonic 42" 1080p Plasma HDTV
  • Dell Inspiron Mini Netbook with Integrated TV Tuner
  • Nintendo DSi Bundle with 5 Pre-installed Titles
  • Xbox 360 Bundle with 2 Games
  • Xbox 360 Limited-Edition Console
  • PlayStation 120 GB Bundle with 2 Games

There will apparently be sales on Saturday and Sunday, too.

Black Friday Calendar [Amazon]

Black Friday Deals Page [Amazon]

More Black Friday deals…

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/23/amazon-black-friday-deals/feed/ 8 Review: ReTrak Universal 90W Notebook Wall Charger http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/20/review-retrak-universal-90w-notebook-wall-charger/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/20/review-retrak-universal-90w-notebook-wall-charger/#comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:30:00 +0000 Doug Aamoth http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/20/review-retrak-universal-90w-notebook-wall-charger/ IMG_0442

Short Version: A universal notebook adapter with retractable cabling that extends to almost ten feet in length, comes with nine adapter tips, and features two USB charging ports.

Features:

  • 90-watt universal notebook adapter
  • Nine adapter tips
  • Retractable cables extend to provide 9.5-feet of total length
  • Includes two USB charging ports
  • MSRP of $99.99

Pros:

  • No tangled cables
  • Built-in USB charging ports
  • Decent system compatibility

Cons:

  • Not all that compact, despite marketing claims that it’s “up to 60 percent smaller than competitors.”

Review:

When it comes to universal notebook adapters, it’s important to keep a couple things in mind. First, the term “universal” is a bit misleading as you’ll be hard pressed to find the Mag Safe adapter tips used with most of Apple’s notebooks. But that’s more of a legal/patenting issue than an omission by universal adapter manufacturers.

Second, most of them are priced pretty similarly so it’s a good idea to focus on certain features that appeal to you. The 90-watt ReTrak Universal Notebook Wall Charger, for instance, sports two built-in USB charging ports and a retractable cabling system for $100 as its way of differentiating itself (there’s also a 70-watt version available for $80).

When I first wrote about this item back in October, I saw the product photo and thought, “Hey, this thing looks pretty tiny.” And, indeed, it’s billed as being “up to 60 percent smaller than competitors.” Here’s the product shot:

ETCHGNBW90

You’ll notice that the retractable cord doodads in the above photo appear to be small compared to the main adapter housing. In real life, though, they’re not nearly as svelte – see the photo I took at the top of this post for a more accurate depiction.

So my initial reaction after actually opening the packaging was more like, “Oh, it’s about the same size as most of the other adapters I’ve seen.” It absolutely may be a bit smaller than some adapters out there, but I’m not sure where that 60% figure came from. That must have been a gigantic adapter that was used for comparison.

IMG_0450

For the sake of our own comparison, here’s the adapter next to a 90-watt Sony adapter (on the right) and a netbook adapter (on the left). As you can see, it’s actually kind of big. Remember that you get the two USB charging ports, though, and the retractable cabling extends out to almost 10 feet in length without getting tangled up in your bag.

IMG_0446

Both retractable cables can be detached from the adapter, which is a nice feature, and you get a little carrying bag for transporting the main parts of the adapter and the tips. As for compatibility, the adapter works with various notebooks from Acer, Compaq, HP, Fujitsu, Toshiba, Gateway, Sony, and Dell (see the full list here).

The product works as advertised – I tested it with a 13.3-inch Sony, a 15.6-inch Gateway, a 15.6-inch Sony, and even an 11.6-inch Acer netbook, as well as several USB devices (iPod, iPhone, MP3 players, PMPs, pocket camcorders) with no problems whatsoever.

Bottom Line:

Even though it’s not actually all that compact, the ReTrak universal charger’s tangle-free cabling, broad system support, and nice added bonus of two USB charging ports helps it to stand out from similarly-priced adapters. If you’ve got a handful of notebooks and a pile of portables that have made travelling an unbearable mess of adapters and cables, this ReTrak adapter can help to simplify things considerably.

Product Page [EmergeRetail.com]

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/20/review-retrak-universal-90w-notebook-wall-charger/feed/ 3 Target leaks pre-Black Friday deals: Acer netbook for $199 http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/20/target-leaks-pre-black-friday-deals-acer-netbook-for-199/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/20/target-leaks-pre-black-friday-deals-acer-netbook-for-199/#comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:00:00 +0000 Doug Aamoth http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/20/target-leaks-pre-black-friday-deals-acer-netbook-for-199/ Target will be running a special Sunday-to-Wednesday circular this weekend full of pre-Black Friday deals. Most of the deals are okay, if unspectacular – 32-inch LCD TV for $398, $20 giftcard with Wii system purchase, etc. – while the 10.1-inch Acer Aspire One netbook ought to sell out pretty quickly at just $199.]]> target

Target will be running a special Sunday-to-Wednesday circular this weekend full of pre-Black Friday deals. Most of the deals are okay, if unspectacular – 32-inch LCD TV for $398, $20 giftcard with Wii system purchase, etc. – while the 10.1-inch Acer Aspire One netbook ought to sell out pretty quickly at just $199 (although don’t forget that Office Max will be selling a similar machine on Black Friday for $150).

There’s also a 50-inch plasma TV for $698, a 42-inch 1080p LCD TV for $597, and a dual-screen portable DVD player for $119. Check your paper this Sunday for the full list of deals. If you just said, “What’s a paper?” then maybe check Target’s website on Sunday instead.

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/20/target-leaks-pre-black-friday-deals-acer-netbook-for-199/feed/ 10 Rave reviews for steering wheel table! http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/20/rave-reviews-for-steering-wheel-table/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/20/rave-reviews-for-steering-wheel-table/#comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:30:00 +0000 Doug Aamoth http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/20/rave-reviews-for-steering-wheel-table/ You may recall that back in early September, we brought you news of this steering wheel table. Well, the customer reviews on Amazon’s product page are pouring in and it looks like this may be the sleeper hit of the season!]]> wheel desk

You may recall that back in early September, we brought you news of this steering wheel table. Well, the customer reviews on Amazon’s product page are pouring in and it looks like this may be the sleeper hit of the season!

Just take a look at what legions of fans are saying about the Laptop Steering Wheel Desk:

“Wow is this thing great! I use it as a “mini-bar” when the friends and I go out to the bars. I can quickly fix multiple shots of tequila for myself and the friends as we drive from one bar to the next. We also discovered that if you place a pillow on top of it and turn on the cruise control you can catch quick naps on the interstate.”

“This has been a total lifesaver. It allows me to prop my sheet music against the wheel, allowing me to play the guitar with both hands while driving.”

“My copilot and I both used these during our “daily grind” transcontinental flights from San Diego to Minneapolis. We had to modify them a bit to fit snug against the instrument panels (when we bought them we didn’t realize the planes we fly don’t have steering wheels!), but in the end it did the job. With our laptops firmly in place we were able to focus our attention on what really mattered, participating in raids with our WoW clan. During our last flight we were so immersed in trying to take down Eranikus that we overshot Minneapolis by a full hour and a half before some annoying flight attendant interrupted us, babbling something about ‘FAA and F16 fighters.’”

“The best usage of this product is that i’m allowed to make perfectly symmetrical lines of cocaine while driving. product.of.the.century”

“I collect bobble-heads, got ‘em all over my dashboard and behind the back seat — but I had run out of space to add my latest bobble-head additions to my amazingly decorated car! Where could I put my “Barack O-Bobble”? How would I display my “Jonas Bobbles”? Well, thanks to the Laptop Steering Wheel Desk, my collection can keep on growing!”

“Finally!! I don’t know if anyone else has small children that they drive with, but this has been a lifesaver for me. I get so tired of pulling over whenever my infant son soils his diaper. Now, whenever I smell that familiar stench, I just turn around, unbuckle him from his car seat and change him right on this desk. It is the perfect size for a newborn!”

“I am an OB-GYN and this has helped me take my practice mobile. It’s the perfect height for my patients to sit on so I can examine them while I drive. I highly recommend!!!!”

“I just picked uuyp my laptop hoder from the post offfice and I’m ddriving home now. It’s OK Iguess, but the bumpy road majkes it hard to type. And theree’s a lot of pedeestrians and traffi c that keep distracti9ng me fromm my computer.”

“Do you have any idea how hard it is to read Braille books while driving? Every time I’d hit something my book would slide off my lap onto the floor and I’d lose my place. Problem solved…Thanks Laptop Steering Wheel Desk.”

Needless to say, the item is in short supply. Hopefully Amazon will get more in stock soon.

Laptop Steering Wheel Desk [Amazon.com via The Register]

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/11/20/rave-reviews-for-steering-wheel-table/feed/ 7