Black Friday

Black Friday guide: how to separate the deals from the duds

It's that time of year again. Thanksgiving is tomorrow, which means we are now less than 48 hours away from Black Friday. On this day, thousands of retailers will be hosting flash sales in an effort to lure customers into their stores. Some even plan on starting their promotions tomorrow, and others have already begun.

For many people, the whole thing is execrable—unruly shoppers standing in long lines just to save a measly couple of dollars on useless items—but it doesn't have to be. If you know what to look for, you can actually save good money on good products, and in many cases avoid the crowds.

Apple offering free Product (RED) gift cards with select purchases on Black Friday

Apple today announced its plans for Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving when all retailers will be hosting flash sales on many of their products. As usual, the deals aren't as good as other major stores are offering, but they are worth mentioning.

As part of its RED campaign for World AIDS Day, Apple will be giving away free gift cards with the purchase of select products on Friday. The cards can be used on apps, books and other iTunes content, and their values will depend on what you buy.

Amazon launches Black Friday sale with discounts on Beats, wearables and more

Amazon joined Walmart and others in launching its Black Friday sale early today. The online retailer will be discounting a number of products over the next several days in a mix of limited-time deals, pre-Black Friday, Black Friday and Cyber Monday offerings.

Among the discounts we're seeing on Amazon.com right now include select Beats headphones, which are being discounted by as much as $80 depending on the model, various iOS-connected wearables, and more. We're even seeing some Apple products on sale.

Best Buy launches pre-Black Friday sale with discounts on iPods and iPads

Joining Walmart and other retailers looking to get a head start on next week's Black Friday festivities, Best Buy today began offering limited-time deals on a number of products. Among those products is a first generation iPad Air, and fifth-gen iPod touch, both of which have been significantly discounted.

For the next three days, Best Buy is taking between $80 and $100 off all iPad Air models—the discount depends on the model you buy. While the original Air is more than a year old now, it still features a newer hardware design and packs plenty of power. The 16GB Wi-Fi-only model is a steal at just $319.

Walmart Black Friday sales begin early with discounts on iPhone 6, iPad Air 2

Walmart on Wednesday announced that it is launching a number of its Black Friday sales a week early. In a press release, the company said that its 'Pre-Black Friday Event' will kick off at 8 a.m. on November 21, and give customers an early taste of its Black Friday prices.

A number of items are being discounted in the sale, including iPhones and iPads. Walmart will be offering 16GB iPhone 6 models for $179 (with two-year service agreement), along with a free $75 gift card, and 16GB Wi-Fi iPad Air 2 models for $489 with a $100 gift card.

Staples discounting iPads, Apple TV and Beats headphones in Black Friday sale

Staples' Black Friday circular has been released, showing what deals it will be offering during the infamous holiday shopping weekend at the end of the month. Like other retailers, it plans to discount a number of Apple and Beats products in hopes to reel in customers.

Among the promotions is a 16GB Wi-Fi original iPad Air for $319, which is a savings of $40 from where it's currently priced. There will also be a $239 16GB Wi-Fi iPad mini 2, which is $30 cheaper than its current sale price. We've listed all of the Apple-related deals below.

Walmart discounting iPads, iPhones and more in Black Friday sale

Following Target and Best Buy, Walmart today released its Black Friday circular, showing what deals it will be offering during the holiday shopping weekend at the end of the month. As usual, it plans to discount a number of items, including several Apple products.

Among the promotions is an original 16GB Wi-Fi iPad mini for $199 with a free $30 gift card, essentially knocking the tablet's price tag down $80. The retailer is also offering original 16GB Wi-Fi iPad Airs for $397 with a $100 gift card, pushing the price under $300.

Target, Best Buy Black Friday deals on Apple products revealed

Best Buy and Target have posted their annual Black Friday sales previews. The two retailers have published a number of deals they will be offering up to hordes of holiday shoppers on the popular after-Thanksgiving-day shopping weekend.

Target will be hosting quite a few deals on Apple products, providing gift cards of up to $100 for iPad purchases. Best Buy also plans to offer $100 discounts on select iPad models, and has a slew of other Apple product promos planned as well.

iDB’s Cyber Monday Deals Roundup

Folks who chose to skip all of the Black Friday mayhem this weekend will be happy to hear that a new wave of deals on apps, consumer electronics and other products are on the way. And there's no crowd-fighting or line-waiting required.

Tomorrow is known as Cyber Monday, a marketing term created for the Monday after Thanksgiving to promote online shopping. And once again, a number of retailers and manufacturers will be offering major discounts on their products.

And again, iDB has you covered, as we've collected all the best offers and put them in one, easy-to-read list. Presenting our Cyber Monday Deals Roundup...

Apple’s gift card-only Black Friday deals now live in North America, cash discounts in Europe

Following Apple's Black Friday deals that went live yesterday on the Australian web store, the company this morning refreshed its United States and Canadian outlets with 2013 Black Friday promotion.

Just as we suspected, this year the iPhone maker has rather disappointedly opted not to offer actual discounts on products and instead is luring shoppers with Apple Store Gift Cards, redeemable against purchases solely at a later date.

Apple has never offered deep Black Friday discounts and this year's gift card-only promotion will no doubt disappoint bargain hunters who'll be better served shopping elsewhere (iDownloadBlog has you covered with a comprehensive roundup of Black Friday deals)...

Apple’s gift card only Black Friday deals launch in Australia

Just as we suspected yesterday, Apple's Black Friday promotion may disappoint even the most ardent of fans as this year Tim Cook & Co. have opted to treat shoppers to Apple Store gift cards instead of actual discounts on products. Apple's deals are now live on its Australian web store and we're expecting the U.S. Apple Store to come online with the promotion later in the day. The problem with Apple's gift card-only approach is that these things are redeemable against future purchases only.

As a result, eager shoppers who are on the lookout for real discounts on products, right there and then, will instead need to visit their retail or online Apple Store again in order to actually spend their credit...

MacMall discounts iPads, Macs and more in Black Friday sale

Continuing on with our Black Friday coverage this week, popular online retailer MacMall has kicked off its big holiday sales event today. The deals, which will be good through midnight on November 29, include significant discounts on Macs, iPads and more.

Among the discounted products is the all-new iPad Air. MacMall is offering various deals on Apple's latest tablet, starting at $41 off for the 16GB Wi-Fi model all the way up to $70 off the 128GB. And it's taking $102 off all MacBook Airs and 13" MacBook Pros...