‘Tis the season to bargain shop! With Black Friday just around the corner, it’s time to give thanks for all of the wonderful sales that await us. Here’s a look at the top ten tech deals that sports fans will love. Don’t forget that Black “Friday” often starts earlier at certain retail stores, so be sure to read the ads closely. Happy shopping!
1) The iPhone 5c is a steal at Walmart, priced at just $45 with a $75 gift card to boot. And with all of the mobile options these days for live streaming sports on your phone this deal is a must have for NFL fans as teams make a holiday playoff push. The extra $75 can really fuel the sports fan’s fire – whether it’s for the latest video game or team apparel for the family pup – this deal is hard to pass up.
2) Wondering how to avoid frostbite while checking-in to Foursquare at the stadium on your new iPhone 5c? Enter Xhilaration Solid Tech Touch Gloves at Target. Already a bargain at $3 a pop, the store has a buy one, get one free offer this Black Friday. Don’t take small savings for granted. From turkey stuffing to stocking stuffers, spending adds up quickly during the holidays.
3) Smart phones seem to do it all these days, but investing in a quality camera can make the difference when capturing the moment at your favorite sporting event. If you are going to travel all the way to Rio for the World Cup, it’s best to come home with photos boasting athletes’ beads-of-sweat. Radioshack is slashing the price on the Nikon COOLPIX L820 16.0MP Digital Camera from $279.99 to $199.99, with case and 8GB memory card included. That’s more megapixels than the iPhone 5s, 5c and 4s, Samsung Galaxy s4 and LG Optimus F7. Save the cell for selfies.
4) Many companies try to lure shoppers in with gift cards to their stores or extra loyalty points. This is certainly enticing to regulars, but may not be as appealing to customers on the hunt for the best deal wherever it may be. Discounted tablets are plentiful, with Office Depot standing out among the crowd. It’s prices are comparable to competitors, $139.99 for the Kindle Fire HD 7″ and $229.99 for the HDX 7″, but an added $25 Visa gift card is the icing on the cake. From streaming live ESPN content to updating fantasy sports teams, the Kindle Fire is a desirable tool for sports fans. And it sounds like that extra $25 treat would go perfectly towards Madden 25 for the new Xbox One. Score!
5) With the Xbox One released just days ago, you’ll be hard-pressed to find it on the reduced items shelf this holiday season. But be on the look out for discounted games or bundled packages. Amazon.com is introducing new deals all week and Walmart has already reduced prices on NBA2K14, FIFA 14, NBA Live 14 and Madden 25 to $49. Xbox One extends beyond the gamer and has prominently impacted NFL fans, connecting them to NFL.com, NFL Network and NFL Fantasy. The technological revolution provides news, videos, scores and fantasy updates all while streaming games live.
6) Sports are opposites in that when they are being played, athletes are at the height of their physical performance and when they are being watched, fans tend to be cozied up on the couch expending little energy. On offer for just $98, The Home Depot has the perfect gift for those who can’t miss a moment of the action or want to steer clear of kitchen duties during the holidays: a mini-fridge. Just find the nearest outlet to your seat of choice and you will be fueled with food and drink throughout the game. Energy Star compliance and stainless steel finished show these old-timers are still evolving to fit the modern landscape.
7) Between hearty meals, lounging on the couch for the game and food-induced naps, the holidays often pack on the pounds. Many of us not only want to watch our favorite athletes, but want to be healthy like them, too. With New Years resolutions just around the corner, now is the time to consider purchasing wearable technology products that can track distance and calories. Dick’s Sporting Goods is cutting its prices on GPS dependent watches by $50. This gift will go a long way for a friend, family member or yourself when trying to get back into the groove of exercise.
8) Runners and walkers aren’t the only ones looking to take advantage of tech deals. Golfers are keen on using GPS devices that feature course maps. These gadgets not only direct golfers to the exact location of the ball, but often have built in odometers and calorie counters. This Black Friday, find discounts of $20-150 off original prices at Sports Authority. Golfers can keep track of the ball and their health at a reduced price.
9) Some of these technological advancements are for naught if you are still catching the game on a tube television. It’s time to loosen the purse strings and upgrade to HD. Retailers have flooded the market with Black Friday TV deals. Best Buy looks like the best bet, with all different sizes on sale depending on your needs, like the Sharp 50″ LED HDTV for $399.99 down from $699.99.
10) People are becoming accustomed to touch screens with the evolution of tablets and smart phones, but many are not quite ready to say good bye to their computers chock full of bells and whistles. This sets the stage for touch screen laptops, many of which are incorporated into Black Friday deals. The 11.6″ Dell Inspiron Touch Screen is going for $299.99 at OfficeMax. It’s small screen gives it the feel of a tablet while it maintains the functionality of a laptop, perfect for the sports fan who can stream games, update fantasy teams, buy tickets to games and beyond.