Blackfriday -- Engadget

Black Friday sales decline for the first year ever

by Nilay Patel, posted Dec 9th 2008 at 1:49PM

Doesn't look like Black Friday escaped the sad face known as the US economy -- the NPD Group just ran the numbers and found that overall sales during the weekend after Thanksgiving went down eight percent from 2007, which is the first decline ever. Of course, maybe we'd have all been tempted to buy more if the bargains weren't all so totally lame -- there was no way we were going out there to face the crazy murderous rush to get $5 off a 1GB flash drive or whatever. That said, sales of laptops went up 19 percent, and 30-inch and larger LCD TVs went up 18 percent, so things weren't entirely gloomy, but NPD says Black Friday might be turning into more of a showcase event rather than a blitzkrieg holiday shopping kickoff, which would be just fine with us -- don't worry, we'll still give away tons of gear. We love you, after all.

Black Friday Giveaways (part 10): the LG Prada phone

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Nov 28th 2008 at 11:59PM

We've decided to end the Engadget Black Friday Giveaways with a blast from the past. Remember this guy? It seems like only a week ago that Apple was being accused of ripping off this LG and Prada collaboration with the iPhone. Ah... memories. Well, you can at least still impress some folks down at the local discotheque with this one -- just make sure no one accidentally pours a vodka and Red Bull on it. Here's how we do it.

We'll put up a gadget on the site, and you can only enter it until the next gadget lands (usually within a couple of hours). If you miss your shot, sorry, we're moving on to the next gadget. Good luck! Oh, and don't forget the rules. (Yeah, there are always rules.)

Leave a comment below. That's it! Who loves you, baby.
You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) You can enter different giveaways in today's Black Friday giveaways, but you can only enter this one once.
If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine.
Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers or US contest laws if you have to be mad.
Winners will be chosen randomly.
Entries can be submitted until the next contest goes up. After that we're all done. Good luck!
Full rules can be found here.

Last round's winner: Apitt! (Remember, winners are selected at random.)
This contest has closed, the winner is mj! (Remember, winners are selected at random.)

Black Friday Giveaways (part 9): Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth headset

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Nov 28th 2008 at 11:00PM

Tired of always having to hold that heavy phone up to your ear? Sick of being the target of your friends ridicule? Want to escape the indescribable pain of not being able to use both hands when you're on a call? The Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth headset is here to help. Ready to win this baby? Here's how it's done.

We'll put up a gadget on the site, and you can only enter it until the next gadget lands (usually within a couple of hours). If you miss your shot, sorry, we're moving on to the next gadget. Good luck! Oh, and don't forget the rules. (Yeah, there are always rules.)

Leave a comment below. That's it! Who loves you, baby.
You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) You can enter different giveaways in today's Black Friday giveaways, but you can only enter this one once.
If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine.
Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers or US contest laws if you have to be mad.
Winners will be chosen randomly.
Entries can be submitted until the next contest goes up. After that we're all done. Good luck!
Full rules can be found here.

Last round's winner: Richard! (Remember, winners are selected at random.)

Black Friday Giveaways (part 8): Gears of War 2 Limited Edition bundle

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Nov 28th 2008 at 10:00PM

Do you love love love Gears of War 2? Want to own the ultimate collector's kit? Okay. Here's what you get: Gears of War 2 Special Edition game, GOW2 hooded sweatshirt, GOW2 novel, the first issue of the GOW2 comic book, and Beneath the Surface: An Inside Look at Gears of War. Ready to own this extremely rare box of goodies? Here's what's what.

We'll put up a gadget on the site, and you can only enter it until the next gadget lands (usually within a couple of hours). If you miss your shot, sorry, we're moving on to the next gadget. Good luck! Oh, and don't forget the rules. (Yeah, there are always rules.)

Leave a comment below. That's it! Who loves you, baby.
You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) You can enter different giveaways in today's Black Friday giveaways, but you can only enter this one once.
If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine.
Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers or US contest laws if you have to be mad.
Winners will be chosen randomly.
Entries can be submitted until the next contest goes up. After that we're all done. Good luck!
Full rules can be found here.

Last round's winner: Michelle Alaimo! (Remember, winners are selected at random.)

Black Friday Giveaways (part 7): Nokia BH-601 stereo Bluetooth headset at Engadget Mobile

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Nov 28th 2008 at 8:30PM

Need to do some serious stereo Bluetoothing? Here's your answer: Nokia's BH-601 headset. Want to win these without doing anything at all (well, almost anything)? Just enter a comment over at Engadget Mobile. What are you waiting for? Get to it!

Black Friday Giveaways (part 6): Zune 120 and premium earbuds

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Nov 28th 2008 at 6:56PM

Don't be crazy alright? Just get your comment in below, because if you win this one, you're walking away with a totally boss Zune 120 plus a sweet pair of those premium earbuds. You'd have to be crazy, stupid, or some lethal combination of both not to jump at this one. Now here's how it's done.

We'll put up a gadget on the site, and you can only enter it until the next gadget lands (usually within a couple of hours). If you miss your shot, sorry, we're moving on to the next gadget. Good luck! Oh, and don't forget the rules. (Yeah, there are always rules.)

Leave a comment below. That's it! Who loves you, baby.
You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) You can enter different giveaways in today's Black Friday giveaways, but you can only enter this one once.
If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine.
Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers or US contest laws if you have to be mad.
Winners will be chosen randomly.
Entries can be submitted until the next contest goes up. After that we're all done. Good luck!
Full rules can be found here.

Last round's winner: hammerhead_12! (Remember, winners are selected at random.)

Black Friday Giveaways (part 5): Universal Remote's URC Digital R50 over at Engadget HD!

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Nov 28th 2008 at 5:45PM

Our main cats over at Engadget HD are getting into the Black Friday giveaway game with us, and they've got a button-festooned R50 up for grabs! If you're down to get some more free stuff, truck on over there and get your comments in.

Black Friday Giveaways (part 4): Archos 5 and DVR Station

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Nov 28th 2008 at 4:15PM

Now come on, this is some seriously sweet stuff. The multi-function Archos 5 (now with updated firmware which the company says addresses a handful of issues we had) is a choice deal unto itself, but toss in that DVR Station, and we think it's clear just how serious we are about holiday cheer. If you don't throw your hat in the ring for this one, you may just be faking a love of gadgets. Want to make this happen? Here's how it works.

We'll put up a gadget on the site, and you can only enter it until the next gadget lands (usually within a couple of hours). If you miss your shot, sorry, we're moving on to the next gadget. Good luck! Oh, and don't forget the rules. (Yeah, there are always rules.)

Leave a comment below. That's it! Who loves you, baby.
You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) You can enter different giveaways in today's Black Friday giveaways, but you can only enter this one once.
If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine.
Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers or US contest laws if you have to be mad.
Winners will be chosen randomly.
Entries can be submitted until the next contest goes up. After that we're all done. Good luck!
Full rules can be found here.

Last round's winner: Curt! (Remember, winners are selected at random.)

Black Friday Giveaways (part 3): Peek handheld

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Nov 28th 2008 at 2:45PM

Look, maybe you don't want to win the handsome Peek email device for yourself, but we guarantee there's someone in your family who'd like it this holiday season. Or... maybe you want to get one and take a stab at hacking it to bits? Regardless, this is your chance to make off with one for free. Here's how it all goes down.

We'll put up a gadget on the site, and you can only enter it until the next gadget lands (usually within a couple of hours). If you miss your shot, sorry, we're moving on to the next gadget. Good luck! Oh, and don't forget the rules. (Yeah, there are always rules.)

Leave a comment below. That's it! Who loves you, baby.
You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) You can enter different giveaways in today's Black Friday giveaways, but you can only enter this one once.
If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine.
Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers or US contest laws if you have to be mad.
Winners will be chosen randomly.
Entries can be submitted until the next contest goes up. After that we're all done. Good luck!
Full rules can be found here.

Last round's winner: dcoaster! (Remember, winners are selected at random.)

Black Friday deal roundup: recession edition

by Paul Miller, posted Nov 28th 2008 at 2:08PM

Sure, we get to say the word "recession" because we're just that "with it," but were we really being honest, we'd call these deals "kind of weak," or perhaps "simplistic, repetitive, and absolute doggerel." Or maybe we're just spoiled. Either way, we haven't seen much worth lining up at 3am for this morning, which is why we're safely indoors, coffee in hand, making fun of the poor souls out there braving the cold. But, in case you wanted a refresher of what's out there, online and off, here's what we've got so far:

New finds:

The rest:

These are by no means a comprehensive list of the deals -- some legendary, some completely mediocre -- that are available today and through the weekend, so if you spot something else that's worth sharing, feel free to drop it in the comments. Oh, and please stay safe out there -- if none of this "buying stuff" methodology is really your bag, you can always track with our Black Friday Giveaways for a chance at some free swag, without ever leaving your chair.

[Thanks to everyone who sent these in]

Doorbusting at Long Island Walmart leads to worker's death

by Darren Murph, posted Nov 28th 2008 at 1:05PM

Remember that completely insane crime wave that hit when Sony's hotly anticipated PlayStation 3 finally rushed onto the scene in very limited numbers? Yeah, well that side of humanity is rearing its ugly head again, as an employee perished when legions of crazed Black Friday shoppers blazed through the doors of a Long Island Walmart. The worker was an overnight store clerk who was simply trying to hold back the crowds before the doors officially opened at 5:00AM. According to Jimmy Overby, another employee at the store: "They took the doors off the hinges. He was trampled and killed in front of me." Words to the wise: either do your Black Friday shopping from the safety of your own home, or be careful, cool, calm and collected when you venture out.

Black Friday Giveaways (part 2): 2GB Eye-Fi Explore card

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Nov 28th 2008 at 12:57PM

Enjoy taking photos? Want to get them out onto the internets or into inboxes quickly? Then perhaps you need to win this Eye-Fi Explore card. With 2GB of juicy storage, you'll be able to keep all sorts of painful memories laying around. Ready to nab it? Here's how it works.

We'll put up a gadget on the site, and you can only enter it until the next gadget lands (usually within a couple of hours). If you miss your shot, sorry, we're moving on to the next gadget. Good luck! Oh, and don't forget the rules. (Yeah, there are always rules.)

Leave a comment below. That's it! Who loves you, baby.
You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) You can enter different giveaways in today's Black Friday giveaways, but you can only enter this one once.
If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine.
Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers or US contest laws if you have to be mad.
Winners will be chosen randomly.
Entries can be submitted until the next contest goes up. After that we're all done. Good luck!
Full rules can be found here.

Last round's winner: Jack H! (Remember, winners are selected at random.)

Black Friday Giveaways (part 1): Guitar Hero On Tour / Decades bundles

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Nov 28th 2008 at 10:57AM

Whether you've found yourself camped out in a line this early winter morning or just up late to see what we're giving away on Engadget, we'd like to welcome you to our Black Friday giveaways. We've got a metric ton of gadgets we're giving away today, so be sure to check frequently. First up on the block: a set of Guitar Hero: On Tour and Guitar Hero: On Tour Decades bundles for the DS. Ready? Here's how it works.

We'll put up a gadget on the site, and you can only enter it until the next gadget lands (usually within a couple of hours). If you miss your shot, sorry, we're moving on to the next gadget. Good luck! Oh, and don't forget the rules. (Yeah, there are always rules.)

Leave a comment below. That's it! Who loves you, baby.
You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) You can enter different giveaways in today's Black Friday giveaways, but you can only enter this one once.
If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine.
Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers or US contest laws if you have to be mad.
Winners will be chosen randomly.
Entries can be submitted until the next contest goes up. After that we're all done. Good luck!
Full rules can be found here.

Amazon's Canon SD770IS deal is much better than it looks

by Thomas Ricker, posted Nov 28th 2008 at 4:53AM

Nabbing Canon's little PowerShot SD770IS 10 megapixel shooter with optical image stabilization for $160 from Amazon is a decent deal, though not great. Like many of this year's so called Black Friday deals, a little mouse-work will likely uncover the same prices elsewhere. But read Amazon's fine print and you'll see that you can add a free, 4GB class 4 SDHC card (something you'll likely want to purchase anyway) to save another $11 or so on your purchase. What Amazon doesn't tell you is that you can add any Kingston SDHC card for free. Right, including the $30 16GB SDHC card (ships after Christmas) or $15 8GB class 6 card (ships before Christmas). Free shipping too and tax free -- $159.94 is your final price. Just hit up the links below, add the products to your cart, and watch the savings roll in.

P.S. You won't see the price drop by just adding the items to the cart. The price for the SD card is subtracted just before checking out.

[Via SlickDeals]

Read -- 16GB card
Read -- 8GB card
Read -- Canon PowerShot SD770IS

Apple's US Black Friday sale now live

by Thomas Ricker, posted Nov 28th 2008 at 3:50AM

What started down under has followed the sun home, Apple's Black Friday sale is now live at the US Apple store. At first glance the sale is consistent with years past and what we've already seen In Australia and elsewhere -- so much for all the analyst expectations of a big blow out.