With all the tech announcements in the air, the bright side of summer, other than the obvious, is the number of comparable steals and deals you’ll find as stores discount products in order to make room for the industry’s latest models. If you can’t find something in here for yourself, it might be time to buy that sustainable tree house in Costa Rica. Prices subject to change with time.
Ion Air Pro Wi-Fi Camera $139
Down from: $349 (Amazon)
The lightweight waterproof 4.5-ounce action cam is making its way into the hands-free high definition world of video capturing quicker than coke lines off a Tijuana toilet top. Shot with a simple one-touch function, Air Pro records in real time and allows you to share your 730 and 1080 images immediately to your social media. Oh, and you get a free 8GB iCloud storage and free shipping too. Let the interactive videos of you spying on your neighbor whilst hanging upside down from a tree commence.
DeWalt 6-Tool 18-Volt Combo Set $489
Down from: $1,197 (Amazon)
Go from bloody knuckling screws with your bare hands to becoming the next Bob Vila with a 6-piece electric drill set from one of the best tool brands out there, nearly 60 percent off. The three-speed hammer drill and circular saw alone will make your life a whole lot easier and more constructive. All the tools, including the reciprocating saw and cut-off tool are 18-volt – a good amount of volts – and the package includes a hands-free floodlight, three-year parts warranty and a year of free service. Not only can you afford to put together that little treehouse for some summer loving, you can build a whole community of treehouses now. Unless of course it’s for your kids — then maybe set some ground rules on the summer loving.
iPhone 5S 16GB $1
Down from: $199 with two-year contract (Best Buy)
With the new iPhones expected to rear their skinny faces in the early fall, Best Buy is taking advantage and offering the most current model for only a buck, so long as you promise – for better or worse – to commit to two years with them and trade in your old phone. Most people will suck as many–I mean they’ll do just about anything for the new iPhone when it comes out, but we all know it’ll be sold out for weeks and backordered, so if you need a new phone and don’t really give a damn about being on top of trends, this is a steal of a techie deal.
Sony Smartwatch 1 Android Bluetooth $70
Down from: $149 (Amazon)
It keeps you up-to-date with texts, emails, music and social media in addition to the time, of course, when you’re away from your computer, phone and tablet. The 1.3″ multi-touch LED display is one of the first models of a booming new wearable technology trend. Expect lots of these models to come out soon from various brands, including a big Apple announcement in the not-so-distant future. Just when you thought you could escape technology just to go for a run, they give you something else to carry around. Well done. You’re officially a robot.
Apple iPad Mini 16GB $199
Down from: $299 (Target)
It might not be as big or fancy as the iPad Air, but the original iPad Mini (without retina) is going for about as cheap as an Apple product has ever gone. After announcing the big upgrade with their second model, Apple offered their first model at a modest $229, but Best Buy once again rolls out the summer deals for us with more than 30 percent off on a perfectly charming travel companion in the Mini. There are also rumors of a third model coming quickly. As far as quality goes, I guess it depends how good your vision is, and how much you care what other people think about showing up late to the party. Just get it. You’ll have fun.
Asus Laptop 15.6″ Bundle ($269)
Down from: $369 (offers.com)
Let’s be honest. Everybody wants an Apple, but not everybody wants to pay for one. If you’re not in need of anything that done up – you like to keep it simple – you can get a perfectly decent Asus laptop, the same size as Apple’s MacBook Pro – slightly bigger actually – for dirt cheap. That includes free shipping. You’re welcome.
39″ Insignia 720 LED HDTV $249
Down from: $299 (Best Buy)
LED HDTVs are all the rage, at least until people get into the curvy 4K 3D ones that will eventually transport Jason Statham into your living room. For now, this is a great deal, a decent size TV – not too big, not too small – with solid 720 resolution from a reliable brand name, cheap as fuck. And fuck is pretty cheap when it comes to TVs. And for a hundred bucks more ($349), you can get the 1080p set by Panasonic, not a bad deal there.
Panasonic Lumix GX1 $499
Down from: $799 (Amazon)
With new camera models typically released in summertime, popular older models go on discount. But with cameras like Panasonic’s Lumix – it’s an artistic camera photographers love to have – these cameras rarely see this good of a deal. Canon’s big cameras are great, but they’re a load to carry around. This handheld beauty is perfect for your travels, as well as photographing your girlfriend while she sleeps.
Apple Macbook Air 13.3″ 128GB Storage $899
Down from: $999 (Best Buy)
Rarely can you score a discount on an Apple computer unless it’s refurbished, that is, used and already covered in another man’s juices. The long in short is that you get a small laptop with a smaller amount of storage (128GB instead of 256GB), but if it’s simple tasks you need it for and you own a hard drive, it’s a pretty good bargain on the table from the folks of Best Buy.
Apple iPad Smart Covers $9.99
Down from: $40 (Tanga)
This is why we can’t have a nice things; we never take the time to protect them, except in the case of the iPad Smart Cover case. Tanga has all the pretty covers you can dream of for your iPads (models 2-4). And if you want one of the new iPad Air models to go with it, you can find them on Best Buy for up to $100 off, as well. Don’t you just love me for this?
Scosche FreeKey Pro Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard ($10.25)
Down from: $79 (Tanga)
It’s easier to make your iPad into a laptop these days with Bluetooth’s smart keyboards, and Scosche makes a very comfortable looking keyboard with a leather border, perfect to lean your wrists up against. She’s nothing fancy, but it’s a hell of a lot better than typing on your touch screen, getting your greasy french fry finger smudges so caked on you can’t read the screen.