Target Black Friday Gaming Deals

Target is sweetening the Black Friday deals by adding giftcards to their gaming deals.

If you buy a Nintendo DS [preloaded with 5 bonus applications] for $169.99, you get a free $20 Target giftcard.

If you buy Call of Duty Modern Warfare, Assassin’s Creed II, Wii Sports Resort, Wii Mario and Sonic or Nerf: N-Strike Elite for $59.99 or less, you’ll get a $10 Target giftcard with each game you buy.

Buy a 120GB Xbox 360 Elite Bundle with Pure and Lego Batman and you get a $50 Target giftcard. Buy the Call of Duty Super Elite Xbox 360 bundle for $399.99 and you also get a $50 Target giftcard.

I love Target and the giftcards are a smart move for Target to make. They give consumers an incentive to shop at their store instead of Best Buy or Toys “R” Us and they’re assured of repeat business since consumers now have Target giftcards to spend.

Images|Black-Friday.net

Black Friday Gaming Deals

OK, shoppers, it’s time to get serious.

Have you been to your favorite stores and mapped out your routes for Black Friday? You must have a game plan. Don’t expect to just waltz in there and get the games and systems you’ve been pining for. You’ll end up leaving empty handed.

The two Black Friday ads that I’ve found thus far are for Best Buy and Toys “R” Us and the deals are pretty freakin’ hot. I’m sure Target ads will be leaked soon and when I find it, I’ll do a new post with those deals.

Here’s what looks good from Best Buy:

• Xbox 360 Elite 120GB system that includes Pure and Lego Batman in box PLUS Sonic the Hedgehog, Spiderman Web of Shadows, Wall-E and Ghost Recon 2 for $299.99
• 120 GB PS3 with Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time and Little Big Planet Game of the Year Edition for $299.99
• Madden 10, FIFA Soccer 10, NBA Live 10, NHL 10, Need for Speed Shift, Dragon Age: Origins, Brutal Legend, and Left 4 Dead 2 for Xbox 360 or PS3 for $34.99 each

Here’s the deals for Toys “R” Us:

• Spore Hero and Dead space for the Wii for $24.99
• Wii Fit Accessories between $9.99 and $19.99
• Need for Speed shift, Halo 3: ODST and Forza Motorsport 3 for $34.99 each
• Hannah Montana Guitar video game for $24.99
• Tons of Wii and DS games for $9.99 each
• FREE EVA Sleave Kit and DSi Car Adapter when you buy any DSi Holiday Bundle
• Xbox 360 Arcade System, Xbox 360 Carry Case and 3 games for $229.95

More deals will be posted as I find them since I’m sure more will be coming in the next few days.

Images|Black Friday 2009

Audio system + iPod dock + photo frame

Panasonic has a new toy, just in time for Christmas. It combines an audio system with an embedded photo frame and an iPod dock.

The Panasonic MW-10 has a built-in CD player and an FM/AM radio tuner with a 45-station preset memory. It comes with a “universal dock” that works with any iPod, and will play your saved music and videos. It also has a remote control that can play your iPod when it’s docked.

What sets it apart is its 9″ LCD screen, which can display photos from a CD, SD card, or the MW-10’s own 4GB of internal memory. When you combine the screen, the quality sound system, and your own media, you get an all-in-one device that can mix and match your own media with ease, such as displaying a slide show of your photos alongside favorite music from your iPod.

The MW-10 will be available in the three colors seen above in December for $299.95.

Image: Panasonic.

Consumer Electronics Makers Recovering

The consumer electronics industry has been hit especially hard by the recession and slow consumer spending, as electronics are among the first things that many families cut back on when money is tight. However, several consumer electronics companies, including Sony and Panasonic, have posted results that may signal some recovery in the market.

Sony just posted its fourth-consecutive quarterly loss on Friday, a fact that is troublesome on its own. However, the brighter outlook on the global economy and cost-cutting measures have allowed Sony to trim its loss forecast for the year in hopes that the situation will continue to improve.

Panasonic also raised its annual forecast, a move that may show that Japanese consumer electronics makers have reached the depths of the recession and are on their way to recovery. While demand for televisions and other electronics had disappeared at the height of the global economic crisis, Panasonic’s optimism gives hope to the rest of the consumer electronics industry.

Captains of Industry Above the Age of 80

Fortune put together an interesting list of corporate titans who have refused to be sidelined due to their ages. It’s an interesting list of eight people over the age of 80, who are still involved in their companies. They may not all still be “officially” involved with positions in their companies, but some of them still visit the halls of power, and they can certainly be seen in the media. Many of them are still making deals. Here is the list:

1. David Murdock, 86, Dole Food
2. John Bogle, 80, Vanguard Group
3. T. Boone Pickens, 81, BP Capital
4. O. Bruton Smith, 82, Sonic Automotive and Speedway Motorsports
5. Alfred Mann, 83, MannKind
6. Sumner Redstone, 86, Viacom, CBS, National Amusements
7. Kirk Kerkorian, 92, Tracinda Corp.
8. Walter Zable, 94, Cubic Corp.

Most of these men, as you might imagine, take care of their bodies and minds in much the same way that they take care of their companies. It illustrates a good point: Take care of yourself, and your business, and you will be taken care of in turn.

Prizes for Writers: October 19, 2009

After a week off, I’m back with contests and giveaway for you guys and gals. Don’t be too jealous – I wasn’t on vacation; I was dealing with the flu. Thank goodness that’s passed.

It’s time for this week’s edition of prizes for writers. There are some great contests to enter this week, so check them out.

If you entered all of the contests last week, the old listings are marked with an asterisk so you can avoid entering them again.

Just to be clear, you can’t enter any of these contests here (unless otherwise specified). You have to visit the blog sponsoring the contest or giveaway and follow their directions. I’ve screened out anything that is a sweepstakes with millions of entries or looks like a scam, but if you come across something that just doesn’t look right, let me know!

Got a contest of your own? Email me, and I’ll post it here if it relates to freelancers (I’ll be the final judge of that!).

And now, on to this week’s prizes:

Books:

Image: sxc.hu

Ending Today (Monday):

• Simply Irresistible by Jennifer Banash at Mrs. Magoo Reads
• Georgia on her Mind by Rachel Hauck at Camy’s Loft

Ending Tuesday 10/20:

• *Ice by Sarah Beth Durst at Butterfly Book Reviews
• *The Van Allen lagacy by Melissa De La Cruz at Butterfly Book Reviews
• The Tudor Rose: A Novel of Elizabeth of York by Margaret Campbell Barnes at Savvy Verse and Wit
• The Gift of an Ordinary Day by Katrina Kenison at Texas House Wife
• The Blue Enchantress by Marylu Tyndall at Continuous Delights
• The Burying place by Brian Freeman at Lori’s Reading Corner

Ending Wednesday 10/21:

• *The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall at Books and Needlepoint
• *The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova at The Tome Traveller
• Once in a Blue Moon by Eileen Goudge at Nicole’s Nickels
• A Highlander’s Temptation by Sue-Ellen Welfonder at Book Soulmates
• Stand By Her – A Breast Cancer Guide for Men at Island Life
• Day by Day Armageddon by JL Bourne at Debbie’s World of Books

Ending Thursday 10/22:

• *Run for Your Life by james Patterson and Michael Ledwidge at Books and Needlepoint
• The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold at Sweeps 4 Bloggers
• Supreme Courtship by Christopher Buckley at Sweep 4 Bloggers
• The Masonic Myth by Jay Kinney at Readaholic
• Permission Slips by Sherri Shepherd at Readaholic
• Julie Lessman Book of Choice at Continuous Delights

Ending Friday 10/23:

• Run for Your Life by James Patterson at Readaholic
• The Last Will of Moira Leahy by Therese Walsh at Readaholic
• The Laughing Gorilla by Robert Graysmith at Readaholic
• Depraved Indifference by Joseph Teller at Lori’s Reading Corner
• Prime Time, Face Time, and Air Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan at Free Book Friday
• Duplikate by Cherry Cheva at Free Book Friday
• Spoon by Robert Greer at Jenn’s Bookshelves

Ending Saturday 10/24:

• Lenore Noogies by Roman Dirges at Fantasy Dreamers Ramblings

Ending Sunday 10/25:

• According to Jane by Marilyn Brant at Number One Novel
• Riyria Revelations Trilogy by Michael J. Sullivan at Fantasy Book Critic
• The Ghost King by R.A. Salvatore at SciFi Guy
• Cirque du Freak Prize Pack at Review a Book 123
• Hold Still at Alea Pop Culture
• Sex, Drugs & Gefilte Fish by Shana Liebman at Carol’s Notebook

Ending Next Week and Beyond:

• The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall at Luxury Reading (ends 10/26)
• How to Hug a Porupine: Negotiating the Prickly Points of the Tween Years by Julie A. Ross at Naddez’s Goody Corner (ends 10/27)
• Hex in High Heels by Linda Wisdom at Drey’s Library (ends 10/27)
• Friends Like These by Danny Wallace at Luxury Reading (ends 10/27)
• Spice Up Your Life by Bindu Grandhi at Emily Island (ends 10/27)
• It Gets Easier by Claudine Wolk at The Dirty Shirt (ends 10/28)
• Feelin’ the Vibe by Candice Dow at Just Another New Blog (ends 10/28)
• The heretic’s Daughter by Kathleen Kent at The Tome Traveller (ends 10/28)
• Life After Genius by M. Ann Jacoby at The Tome Traveller (ends 10/28)
• Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh at Cherry Mischievous (ends 10/29)
• Hummingbirds by Joshua Gaylord at Bookin’ with Bingo (ends 10/29)
• Show No Fear by Marliss Melton at Kaye’s Penguin Posts (ends 10/30)
• *The Rogue’s Dynasty: A Marquis to Marry by Amelia Grey at TBF Reviews (ends 10/31)
• *The Night Watchman by Mark Mynheir at J. Kaye Book Blog (ends 10/31)
• *Rooftops of Tehran by Mahbod Seraji at J. Kaye Book Blog (ends 10/31)
• *Ravens by George Dawes Green at J. Kaye Book Blog (ends 10/31)
• *Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick at The Book Resort (ends 10/31)
• Espresso Shot by Cleo Coyle at The Book Resort (ends 10/31)
• I Judge You When You Use Poor Grammer by Sharon Eliza at J. Kaye Book Blog (ends 10/31)
• Little black Lies by Tish Cohen at Butterfly Book Reviews (ends 11/1)
• The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall at En Route to Life (ends 11/2)
• The Midnight Guardian by Sarah Jane Stratford at Patricia’s Vampire Notes (ends 11/4)
• The Good Mood Diet by Susan Kleiner with Prize Pack at SeeingGood.com (ends 11/6)
• My Son John by Kathi Macias at A Book Blogger’s Diary (ends 11/14)
• Choice of Four Books at Faye Flame Reviews (ends 11/15)

Other Prizes:

Ending Tuesday 10/20:

• Earphones from ChicBuds at Look What Mom Found

Ending Wednesday 10/21:

• $15 Amazon Gift Card at Mom Fuse

Ending Thursday 10/22:

• $15 Amazon Gift Card at Fairy Blog Mother Blog
• Carolina Pad Prize Pack at Slice o’ Heaven

Ending Friday 10/23:

• Avery Prize Pack with Labeling Products, Notebooks, and More at As They Grow Up
• System Mechanic Software at Frugal Freebies

Ending Saturday 10/24:

• $50 Visa Gift Card and Anti-Viral Products at Mom Knows It All

Ending Sunday 10/25:

• Paperweight and Bookmark at Drey’s Library

Ending Next Week and Beyond:

• *FreeAgent Go Special Edition 500 GB at Look What Mom Found (ends 10/26)
• Laptop Bag from Cool Computer Bags at Look What Mom Found (ends 10/29)
• Phone at The Speedy Gourmet (ends 10/30)

Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars Now $4.99 on PSN

A big ‘Happy Birthday’ is in order for PlayStation’s Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars (phew, trying saying that ten times fast), and developer Psyonix is celebrating by giving out gifts instead of taking them. For a limited time, SARPBC will be available on the PlayStation Network for the low, low price of $4.99.

The game will be available at that reduced, happy-birthday price beginning October 15 and continuing until October 29. That’s two whole weeks of celebration. Wonder what they’ll do for the second anniversary?

If you haven’t already hopped on to PSN to download the game, you should. It’s a whole lot of Battle-Car fun. And they’re acrobatic. And Rocket-powered. You can’t go wrong with that.

 

Via | PlayStation Blog

Image: Psyonix

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games

I am so excited that Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games is coming out today!  I LOVED the summer games version and I’m fairly confident that this new one is also going to be great.

Just in time for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, gamers can pick up a copy of this game and play a combination of actual Olympic sports and special Dream Events including:

• Alpine skiing
• Ice hockey
• Speed skating
• Bobsled
• Figure skating (singles)
• Snowboard halfpipe
• Dream ski cross
• Dream snowball fight
• Dream alpine skiing

The characters that you can use in the game include:

• Mario
• Luigi
• Tails
• Yoshi
• Knuckles
• Princess Peach
• Amy Rose
• Bowser
• Daisy
• Donkey Kong
• Metal Sonic
• Bowser Jr.
• Silver

As was the case with the last Olympics game, players will compete their tasks using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk and they will also get to use the Wii Balance Board to simulate real-life movements during the skiing, skating and snowboarding events.

The game can be played in the single player, multiplayer, co-op and the Festival Mode where players can compete in every event to become the overall Olympic champion.  Users will also be able to shop for both new gear and upgrades.

Here’s a quick trailer.  It looks like a lot of fun!

Windows 7 and 16 hours of Battery Life

How about using the latest operating system from Microsoft and having 16 long hours of battery life? That is right, 16 hours of battery life which Panasonic says is unmatched in the industry.

I have always admired Panasonic Toughbook and once wanted to have one if not for its pricey tag and medium hardware specifications. The Toughbook which is a fav choice for most Japanese hackers has both the N8 and S8 models, both have Windows 7 installed on the system.

The N8 and S8 models are called “winter season computers” and are powered by Core 2 Duo P8700 at 2.53 GHz CPU, it carries a 250 GB hard disk drive, has a default 2 GB of memory which is upgradable to 4 GB of RAM, a Wifi, WiMax, 12.1 inc WXGA LCD display screen, three USB 2.0 ports, one SD slot and an HDMI interface. As you can see, the hardware specs is just average but it shine on both its durability and the 16 hour battery life.

Anyways, both the S8 and N8 will be sold starting October 22 in Japan with the following prices: $2,400 for the S8 and $2,300 for the N8.

I am not really thrilled on buying a computer this tough and would opt out for high performance PCs that could run demanding applications. How about you? Would you be purchasing these toughbooks for its durability, or battery life?

Image from Crunchgear.

“World Championship Athletics”

World Championship Athletics has been released and I think this one looks like it’s a little higher quality than most of the athletics games I’ve seen recently (not including sports like football, hockey, etc…) , especially when you consider some of the crap being released for the Wii.

The world championships are obviously a big deal and really are like a smaller version of the Olympics since athletes from countries around the world compete and, in this game, they square off in 28 different summer sporting events, including swimming, cycling, diving, running and more.

While it is available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC, if you buy the Wii version, you will be able to use the Wii Balance Board for certain events.

The game features a career, co-op and multiplayer mode so that players can either try to best their own personal best or take on an opponent.

I really liked Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games so I could see myself enjoying this which is great for days when I want something a little less cartoonish and more realistic (or if I’m playing with people who hate Mario games).

Here are some more screenshots.  I wonder how tough the cycling is.  Have any of you tried it?

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