Come Friday, November 25th, 2011, millions will dutifully line up at retail stores all across the USA. Then, on the following Monday, millions will visit the websites of their favorite stores, all looking for the best deals of the year.

CBSAtlanta.com says:

“Last year, the National Retail Federation (NRF) reported that 212 million individuals hit the shopping aisles on Black Friday. They spent an estimated $45 billion, or roughly $365 per person, which was up more than 6% from 2009.”



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But are Black Friday and Cyber Monday really the best days of the year to shop?

We think that for the savvy shopper, any day can be “Black Friday”. Just take a look at the TV Show Extreme Couponing where people share how they reduce hundreds of dollars worth of goods to several dollars in actual expense or the plethora of deal websites such as Groupon and Fatwallet.

In our case, we have a special IOGEAR deal feed at Twitter designed for the sole purpose of finding you extraordinary deals on a regular basis.

All that said, we definitely appreciate the national pastime of Black Friday and will provide those of you looking for extra special discounts (both Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals) that we think will bring a smile to your gadget loving heart

You’ll have to stay tuned to discover what they are though… so be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates.

As we near the holiday shopping season, retailers will soon start rolling out the deals in an effort to entice shoppers to spend their hard-earned dollars. With the emergence of the Internet, and the 24-hour shopping cycle it provides, we have much greater shopping flexibility than we did 10 years ago, but the questions remains: Where are the better deals, online or in the store? And where do people prefer to buy their technology?


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Well, if you trust The NPD Group analyst firm, their research shows that when it comes to tech purchases:

“56 percent of people read up on new TVs at retail websites, but only 19 percent follow through with an online purchase – the lowest number for all included CE. Online smartphone shoppers weren’t too far off though, with 23 percent balking at the concept of purchasing a new phone online. Meanwhile, 52 percent of those buyers had looked up deals and other information on the web.”

So, based on this research, it looks like shoppers rely more heavily on the web for researching their prospective purchases than actually making them. Fair enough, but what if you want to compare prices and get the best deal on a wireless HTCP keyboard or computer to TV streaming kit? What’s the best way to determine the best value available?

For this task, the web has a clear advantage over brick and mortar stores since there are dedicated websites that can help you determine the best possible price for the exact product you need. Short of calling every Best Buy or Walmart in your area and asking for the best prices on a given product, the web is a far more efficient tool for determining value. One site that provides a robust price comparison platform is Pricewatch.com, which provides listings of the best online deals for many computer peripherals and products from tablets and printers to HDMI cables, adapters and motherboards.

Of course, you can always buy direct from the manufacturer by visiting sites like our own Shop.IOGEAR.com, but it’s really just a matter of convenience and how much research you’re willing to put into it.

The bottom line is, the holidays often bring out all sorts of deals. Cyber Monday, Black Thursday, free shipping, cash back on store credit cards and more are all used to motivate us as shoppers. And while these can sometimes motivate an impulse purchase, the best buy is always a well-researched one.

Don’t forget to check out our Twitter deals feed, which we update twice weekly with great IOGEAR deals.

On Sunday, September 25 the Simpson’s started their 23rd season, which includes the 500th episode, which is sure to bring out some interesting cameos. Anyone who’s been alive for the past two decades has seen at least one episode, and more likely, a lot more, so it’s nearly impossible to pick out a favorite.

Fortunately, the staff at Wired, took it upon themselves to choose the Best. Simpsons Clips. Ever, compiling favorites such as the Monorail episode, the Carny episode and many other animated highlights we’ve all enjoyed.


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While the Simpsons have tackled everything from dog racing to obesity, our favorite technology themed episode has to be House of Wacks from the Halloween episode, Treehouse of Horror XII, where a recently installed home automation system falls in love with Marge and tries to kill Homer. The Halloween episodes always feature a healthy amount of gore, and this one is no different. Plus, I think we all want our technology gadgets to speak in charming British accents.

As an added treat, below are some famous Simpsons quotes from a selection of main and bit characters. Try your best to identify them in the comments:

1. “I brought you a tuna sandwich. They say it’s brain food. I guess because there’s so much dolphin in it, and you know how smart they are.”
2. “Me fail English? That’s unpossible!”
3. “Ehhhhxcellent.”
4. “Please do not feed my god a peanut.”
5. “Remember, you can always find East by staring directly at the sun.”
6. “Ack. There is no “emoticon” to express what I am feeling right now.”
7. “All right, brain. You don’t like me and I don’t like you, but let’s just do this and I can get back to killing you with beer.”
8. “Well, your cholesterol level is lethally high, Homer, but I’m more concerned about your gravy level.”

Feel free to share memories of your favorite Simpsons quotes and episodes on via Twitter, on our Facebook page or in the comments, and don’t forget to tune in on Sundays.

Boo! Happy Halloween from your friends at IOGEAR!

Mom loved getting hand-made cards, macaroni art and birdhouses when you were a kid, but with age comes the responsibility to honor your Mother with something a bit more useful. This could mean something useful like a new pair of garden gloves or set of knives (yaaaaawn), or you could express your never-ending appreciation with something more unexpected.


Before we get carried away with gifting, let’s get a grip and remember that Mother’s Day is really about spending quality time with the woman who went through serious amounts of pain to push you out into the world. If you can’t make the time to sit down and visit, have a meal or at the very least give mom a call, you shouldn’t even bother with a gift. More than anything, Mom wants an expression of love, the gift is simply complimentary. So don’t forget the hug!

A smart son or daughter gets a gift that will actually bring the family closer together. But if you can’t afford a Jacuzzi or a trip to the Caribbean, here are some suggestions for a variety of moms on Mother’s Day.

For the Multimedia Mom – IOGEAR USB to HD Adapter – It’s like adding a video card to mom’s computer. Now, when family and friends come over, she has an easy way to stream photos, videos and other content to the larger, flat panel TV for everyone to enjoy. And you thought your 2nd grade performance of Peter Pan would never have an audience again.

For the Mom Who’s Packing Heavy – Scottevest Women’s Trench – This trench coat has 18 pockets, is waterproof, breathable and stain-resistant. And not that she needs it, of course, but advanced engineering by the Scottevest people has given this jacket a proprietary Weight Management System™ and NoBulge™ clear touch pockets.

For the Foodie Mom – Grillex At-Home Churrascaria – If mom does all the cooking, give her a break and chef up a meal using the Grillex which re-creates churrasca restaurant style fare. Meat, veggies and more can all be cooked simultaneously, indoors or out with no fat added and easy clean-up. She’ll be most happy you made a meal.

For the Road Warrior Mom – Please excuse our bias, but the IOGEAR Solar Bluetooth Car Kit gives caravanning and commuting mom’s have a safer, more connected driving experience, using a little help from the sun. With no wire clutter and caller announce/voice dialing technology, mom can answer and make calls without being distracted. If mom tends to burn through her cell phone or other mobile device batteries, she may get a charge out of the Gearpower Portable Battery for Mobile Devices which includes an assortment of interchangeable connectors for all her devices.

For Every Mom – A new gadget or toy will be appreciated that much more when it’s complimented with something traditional such as the time honored bouquet of flowers.

Gifts are merely a token of love and appreciation, nothing can replace quality time and genuine interaction with Mom on Mother’s Day. So shower her with presents, but make sure she knows the real gift is the respectful, well-mannered, appreciative son or daughter she dutifully raised.

What do you have planned this Mother’s Day? We hope its something special and we wish all of you a very Happy Mother’s Day from your friends at IOGEAR.

We have once again passed another Thanksgiving. As we slowly come out of our Tryptophan and pie-induced comas, it’s only natural to think, “what better way to work off those extra calories than to shop for some amazing deals”. As the first Monday after Thanksgiving is traditionally known as Cyber Monday, we thought we’d take a closer look at this online shopping day. Specifically, what changes are we seeing this year from year’s past.

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According to a recent WSJ article, it looks like the search for online deals has ramped up around this turkey-induced holiday – and it’s not just on Cyber Monday! Early data from ComScore shows that consumers are getting started on their online holiday shopping right after the Thanksgiving dinner. In fact, Thanksgiving Day spending online increased 28 percent in the U.S. to $407 million.

WSJ comments that this shift to earlier shopping is a sign that e-tail is becoming mainstream. The early start to online shopping extended into Black Friday, too, which saw a 9 percent increase in online shopping, according to comScore.

Another article from TWICE also points out the results of a new survey from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and Caravan. Not surprisingly, the survey has found that electronics were among the most popular items purchased this weekend. Additionally, their popularity had increased over last year. Among those who went shopping on Friday, 58 percent bought some type of consumer electronic product, up 4 percent from last year. These are just the beginning of the findings being reported from this survey. TWICE and The NPD Group will be providing a full report within a Black Friday webinar on Wednesday, December 8 at 2:00pm. EST.

Are electronic products on your mind for this holiday gifting season? Did you secure any solid deals on consumer gadgets and gizmos today or over the holiday weekend? Why do you think consumer electronics spending is on the rise this holiday season? Tell us here on our blog or company Facebook page.

We keep track of deals around the web that are black friday / cyber monday like at our @IOGEARDeals Twitter page. Be sure to follow to keep up to date on the latest deals.

Because of the economy slowdown, we have been witness to Black Friday like deals all throughout the year. So will this Black Friday be anything special, or more of the same?

Judging by the resources we are making available in this blog post, the answer is yes! Black Friday will still be a day to catch savings that ordinarily you would not have access to … at least all at once.


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One thing is for certain, here at IOGEAR, we have some amazing Black Friday offers to take advantage of. For example, we are giving away 50% off discount codes starting Friday 11/26 at Midnight PST. So stay tuned and be ready for some great savings.

Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday

So which has the best deals? This is a question only answered through pros and cons. For example, while you will find unbeatable door buster and freebies by standing in long Black Friday lines; however, the time savings you get shopping strictly online may provide an offset. Also, consider that many retailers are offering their Black Friday deals online, effectively becoming a Cyber Friday deal. Take a look at this closer examination by WalletPop and MSN has some thoughts with regards to strategy here.

Small Business Saturday

There is a new shopping phenomenon this weekend, for the first time we have a Small Business Saturday. With almost 1 Million people liking their FaceBook fan page, it looks like this movement has some legs. Why not support your local small business?

Black Friday & Cyber Monday 2010 Tips

These are general tips and tricks to help you navigate the shopping explosion this weekend:

• Top 10 Tips to Getting the Best Bargains on Black Friday – About.com
• Black Friday has lost its luster … or has it? – MSN.com
• Black Friday Tips for Savings & Sanity – ConsumerReports.org
• Top 10 Tips to Bag a Bargain – ConsumerWorld.org
• Top 10 Social Media Deals – Mashable.com
• Black Friday Countdown: How to Prepare for the Big Day – WalletPop.com
• Black Friday Tips – Mahalo.com
• Cyber Monday Tips – Mahalo.com

Black Friday & Cyber Monday 2010 Deal & Coupon Sites

These sites aggregate all of the deals (Ads, coupons and more) in one place from many different sources:

• DealTaker.com
• FatWallet.com
• GottaDeal.com
• CheapCheapCheap.com

Black Friday & Cyber Monday 2010 on the iPhone and/or iPad

If you need to have your Black Friday resources available on your iPhone, these are the resources for you:

• DealNews Black Friday
• FatWallet Black Friday
• Black Friday Wish
• BF Deals
• BlackFriday2Go

Black Friday & Cyber Monday 2010 on the Android

Now with the Android gaining mainstream traction, we have a few good apps available to help facilitate your Black Friday weekend activities:

• TGI Black Friday
• Black Friday Survival Guide

Here are a few other resources:

• 6 Android Shopping Apps for Black Friday and Beyond – Androinica.com
• The Best Black Friday Apps for Android – PCWorld.com

Black Friday & Cyber Monday on Twitter

Of course, you will want to follow all your favorite stores, such as @IOGEAR — here are some other Twitter feeds you want to keep track of:

• @blackfriday_fm – 23,417 followers
• @blackfriday – 9,602 followers
• @blackfridayweb – 3,931 followers
• @blackfriday_org – 2,312 followers
• @cybermonday – 1,219 followers
• @dealnewsbf – 847 followers

Don’t forget to follow @IOGEARDeals for all the latest IOGEAR deals. We push out new Black Friday like deals every Monday and Tuesday.

Black Friday & Cyber Monday on FaceBook

For you Facebook fans out there, here are some fan pages that may be worthwhile for you to like:

• BlackFridayInfo – 316,947 people like this
• BFAds – 146,590 people like this
• BlackFridayAds – 11,137 people like this

Of course, you also want to like our Facebook page to keep up to date on our latest deals.

IOGEAR Products

If you are specifically looking for great deals on IOGEAR products, first head on over to our Black Friday page and follow us on Twitter.

Then, take a look at some these great deals some of our re-sellers are offering:

• Target – IOGEAR products – Black Friday Deals
• Wal-Mart – IOGEAR products – Black Friday Deals
• Staples – IOGEAR products – Black Friday Deals
• Best Buy – IOGEAR products – Black Friday Deals
• OfficeMax – IOGEAR products – Black Friday Deals

What deals are you hungry to find? Have you found any awesome IOGEAR product deals out in the wild? Do you have any resources we should add to our list? Share them with us here on the blog, on Twitter or FaceBook.

This is the case every year, it seems: once Halloween comes to a close, the ads and articles start appearing everywhere in the media, online and on TV, hinting to us that it’s time to start thinking about what to buy our friends and loved ones for the holidays. While we may try to ignore the ads and claim it’s too soon, time tends to fly and getting a head start on shopping for the holidays, or at least thinking about what to buy, should be considered right about now.

Electronics are always on the forefront of the most-wanted gifts on wish lists nationwide, and with that comes the need to be aware of what the latest and greatest technologies are. Electronic House, one of IOGEAR’s most-favored publications, has just rolled out those products they consider to be the hottest commodities this holiday season with their annual holiday gift guide.

To help you get a better sense of what consumers will be clamoring for this year, along with price and where can purchase, take a gander at its elaborate list of the latest gadgets. The categories range from A/V Gear to Gaming, so whether you are buying for your younger cousin interested in Sony’s PlayStation Move or your father, who’d go for IOGEAR’s very own Wireless HD Kit; there are several ideas that are sure to help trigger inspiration for the perfect gift.

If you are looking to get something for yourself too, why not enter to win IOGEAR’s newest product, the Wireless HD Computer to TV Kit – Electronic House is giving only three away, so hurry and enter.

What are some gadgets you are putting on your wish list this year? Are you already getting a head start on your holiday shopping? If so, what are some of the most-wanted tech gifts on your friend’s and loved one’s wish lists? Tell us here, or on our Facebook page. If you are looking for IOGEAR deals, follow our deals feed on Twitter.

Father’s Day is June 20th and students are graduating from school in droves as summer fast approaches in the US. That means its time to consider what gifts to give that special someone, whether it’s a heroic father or a battle tested student warrior, you want to make sure your love and pride shines through. We have four cool products that we think will do the trick. Take a look and be sure give that special someone our highest regards. You will also want to check out our 20% off graduation and father’s day promotions.

Wireless Audio / Video Kit

For Dad

Dad has worked hard all year, why not give him the gift of cool? If dad is still stuck with a “traditional cable” setup, it’s time to take things up a level with wireless PC to TV right there in the living room. This cutting edge and award winning device enhances any home entertainment setup.

For Grad

Most newly minted graduates will appreciate saving a few dollars any way they can (well, almost any way). With the Wireless Audio / Video Kit, a PC and an Internet connection, bye bye cable … hello streaming Internet! Now that should put a smile on any graduates face.

Buy now for $279.95

GearPower – Portable Battery for Mobile Devices

For Dad

Your Dad may not yet have enough gadgets to warrant a tool belt, but it’s likely he has more than one portable gadget to carry around. And with portability comes the need for “juice”. That’s where the GearPower Portable Battery comes in. And at a price point of under $20, why not buy several, so Dad can have one at home, at work and in the car.

For Grad

It will be tough to find any graduate who does not own one or more portable devices. In fact, if you do, it’s likely you have traveled back in time before cell phones were invented. So go ahead and buy them a few extra battery packs so they can’t use the excuse “oh, sorry can’t talk, my battery just died”.

Buy now for $19.95

Solar Bluetooth Hands-free Car Kit

For Dad

If dad spends a lot of time in the car, then this device is essential. Not only will it help Dad keep safe, but it will also allow him to be productive and most important .. to stay in touch with you! With an affordable price point, you may consider buying two, if dad uses two cars.

For Grad

It’s a given you want your grad safe, and its also true they likely will want to talk on the phone in the car. Alleviate your worries while also helping them obey law with this Solar Bluetooth Hands-free Car Kit. It will allow them to talk on the phone without wires and hands-free.

Buy now for $49.95

USB Laptop KVM

For Dad

You may be thinking … I’m not buying my dad a cable, how un-cool! Well, think again. This “cable”, is a device Dad may come to rely on in his daily workflow, especially if he has a desktop along with a portable computer. It allows him to easily control those two computers using only one keyboard, monitor and mouse (KVM).

For Grad

Many students use a laptop or netbook throughout their stay in school. As they graduate and move on to a different station in life (even if thats just coming back home to live with Dad), it’s likely a desktop will be added to the mix. This handy device will allow for an easy transition, since in addition to allowing for control of two computers via KVM, file transfer between the two computers is a snap.

Buy now for $49.95

How do you plan to celebrate Father’s Day or Gradation? Do you think your loved one would appreciate one of these gifts? Please take some time and share your thoughts here on the blog, on Twitter or FaceBook. And don’t forget about our Mystery Photo Contest where you can guess the photo and win a fantastic prize!

Is YOUR parent crying out for more technology? According to CNN, about half of web active parents ‘friend’ their children on Facebook. If this has YOU rushing for the privacy controls, don’t panic – here at IOGEAR we have some parent-friendly technology suggestions to celebrate Mother’s Day in style.

Flowers and chocolates may be the traditional way to thank that special mom in your life, but this weekend why not introduce Mom to gadgets that will keep her connected and tech-savvy?

From iPads to Twitter feeds, it can be an intimidating world out there for moms looking to stay ahead of the technology curve. Luckily we’re here to help cut through the clutter and provide some helpful suggestions for anyone looking for last minute Mother’s day gifts for the tech-savvy or tech-hungry Mom.

For commuting Moms on the move, or those patiently negotiating the school run, IOGEAR’s Solar Bluetooth Hands-Free car kit allows for easy and green cell phone charging on the move. Perfect for the eco-conscious Mom, the kit is simple to install in any car and enables the driver to wirelessly place and receive calls on a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone while keeping their eyes on the road. Perfect for keeping one eye on mischievous kids on the back seat!

For snap-happy Moms whose digital cameras are filling up fast with proud pictures of children or grandchildren, the 3-Port USB Hub and 45-in-One card reader may be the perfect pocket-sized solution. Compact enough to slip into any purse on the go, this gadget bridges the gap between the computer and devices such as cell phones, digital cameras, and portable MP3 players. Combining three high-speed USB 2.0 ports with a 45-in-1 card reader, it’s easy for Mom to insert a memory card from her digital camera, and upload pictures at blazing fast speed – ready to share with friends and family all over the world.

Of course, Mother’s Day is not the only day of the year we should celebrate our Moms. If you’ve left it too late to celebrate this coming holiday, just remember – it’s NEVER too late to give Mom a boost with a special gift, any time of the year!

For any questions or last-minute panics about Mom-friendly gadgets and home entertainment solutions, leave us a comment!

How will YOU be thanking your Mom for everything this Sunday?

Be sure to take a moment to check out our brand new Mystery Photo Contest on Facebook for a chance to win exciting prizes!

Cheers
The IOGEAR team

According to DigitalTrends.com, this year’s best high tech gifts are the: iPod Nano, HP Mini 311, Kindle DX, Barnes & Noble Nook, Samsung TL 225 Camera, Toshiba Regza SV670 Series 400, Motorola Droid, Dell Adamo, PS3 Slim and the Apple iPhone. We hope that you will receive at least one of these And if you did, in this post, we look at some interesting ways you can gain more value from some of these shiny new gadgets.

As you may know, at IOGEAR, many of our products are designed to give you increased value on products you already own; so we spend a great deal of time thinking about how our products can help you enjoy daily life. We hope these tips provide you with ideas to create more fun and value from your gifts.

Wireless Audio / Video Kit

With this award winning device, you can take your Netbook or Laptop, combined with your HDTV and connect wirelessly from up to 30 feet! So go ahead and take that Dell Adamo or HP Mini and connect wirelessly to your new Toshiba Regza, and not only will you amaze with the latest in wireless technology, but you will be able to blur the lines between home office and entertainment. After all, work is supposed to be fun right?

12-in-1 Pocket Card Reader/Writer

Whether you get that nice new Samsung TL 225 or any other digital camera, you will need an easy way to get your photos and video onto your computer. Most cameras come with their own cable to do this, but it may not always be convenient to carry yet another cable, plus, you can also transfer files from your cellphone, smart phone (such as the Droid) and mp3 player as well with this handy little device.

2-Port USB DVI-D Cable KVM with Audio and Mic

If you have a desktop, but now have added a Netbook and/or Laptop to your collection, you will appreciate the ability to use the same monitor, mouse, keyboard and speaker for both devices simultaneously! Don’t let your nice desktop setup go to waste because you’ve fallen in love with your new Dell Adamo Have the best of both worlds with this KVM.

USB Laptop KVM Switch with File Transfer

Ah, you just added a new Laptop or Netbook to your family of computers, you may even be at the point where you now have multiple Laptops and Netbooks. Well, this little device is a time saver indeed! It allows you to easily switch and transfer files between two computers. We even made the setup easy with Plug & Play and no need for extra cables.

Long Range Wireless Keyboard/Trackball all-in-one

Every new computer deserves a high quality keyboard (your fingers will thank you). Think about how much time you will spend typing in front of your computer; why not make that experience enjoyable? This particular keyboard is slim, ergonomic, wireless and includes a laser trackball. You can use it with your new Laptop, Desktop or Home Theater PC.

Gear Power – Portable Battery for Mobile Devices

Battery power is the nectar of the gods to the tech geek. Electricity is one of those things you can never get enough of, no matter the device. At only $19.95 and in a ultra-slim form factor you may as well pick up several of these. That way, when your battery dies just as you are jammin’ to your favorite song … you can continue to rock on!

What does Santa have in his bag for you this holiday season? Please share some of the tech gifts you receive this holiday season and how you plan to give those gifts a boost in the comments below, on Facebook or via Twitter. Happy Holidays!