Live Holiday Helpdesk on “Black Friday” Offers Personalized Product Recommendations from CNET’s Editors and PlayStation 3 Gaming Console Giveaway
CNET, where people go to discover the latest in tech and consumer electronics and a property of CNET Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:CNET), today announced its 2006 Holiday Gift Guide. With more than 200 hand-picked product recommendations from CNET’s expert editors, and features such as Personal Shopper podcasts, Stocking Stuffers, Ultimate Luxuries and the Live Holiday Helpdesk on “Black Friday,” CNET makes it easier than ever to sort through this year’s hottest gadgets to find perfect gifts that fit any price range.
Technology is once again expected to top wish lists this season. According to Consumer Electronics Associations, MP3 players are this year’s most-popular item, with DVD players/recorders and digital cameras following closely behind.1 With a variety of consumer electronics on store shelves to choose from, shoppers are often faced with the difficult decision of deciphering between the most popular gadgets and the ones that really fit their lifestyle and budget. With the Holiday Gift Guide, shoppers can tap into the expertise of the CNET editorial team to make sure they are buying the right gift.
“Hot products like the Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation 3, and the new iPod Nano are at the top of many wish lists this season, but they are not the choice for everyone,” said Jai Singh, editor in chief of CNET. “Mobile phones, GPS devices, and the latest HDTVs are also going to be most coveted products this year. With so many choices, it’s important for consumers to have trusted, unbiased advice that helps them sort through the hype and find the product that fits their or their loved one’s lifestyle and needs.”
For the third year, CNET is hosting its Live Holiday Help Desk. The 10-hour tech-advice marathon kicks off Friday, November 24th and runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Hosted by Editor-at-large Brian Cooley, and featuring numerous tech experts from CNET’s editorial team, people can send their questions via webcam, email or call 800-599-CNET (2638) to speak directly with CNET editors. They can also sit back and watch the show live online at http://helpdesklive.cnet.com. During the live webcast, CNET editors will be giving away a total of 10 Sony Play Station 3. Every hour, 1 lucky caller will win one of this year’s most wanted gaming consoles.
Other features that are a part of this year’s CNET Holiday Gift Guide include:
- Product Recommendations: More than 200 hand-picked product recommendations are broken into 10 categories, including cameras and camcorders, cars and car tech, cell phones, smart phones, and PDAs, desktops, games and gaming gear, home audio, home video, laptops, MP3 and portable video players, and TVs.
- Personal Shopper Audio and Video Podcasts: CNET editors Rich DeMuro and Tom Merritt offer shopping advice for this year’s hottest categories, including MP3 and portable video players, cell phones and smart phones, TVs, digital cameras and camcorders, and games and gear. Each segment is available via online video or downloadable to MP3 players.
- Ultimate Luxuries: For those who like to indulge or can only afford to daydream about extravagant tech, CNET editors rounded up 15 ultimate luxuries — everything from the Asus-Lamborghini VX1 laptop, to the Motorola Razr V3i Dolce & Gabbana cell phone.
- Stocking Stuffers: A favorite feature in the holiday gift guide, CNET editors pick 30 affordable products such as the Discovery Parking Timer Keychain and the Burberry BlackBerry case.
About CNET:
CNET (http://www.cnet.com) is where people go to discover the latest in tech and consumer electronics. Driven by a trusted voice and a passionate community, CNET creates an open environment for people to find and use the best products to fit their lifestyle. The powerful combination of CNET’s award-winning news, lab-tested product reviews, safe and spyware-free downloads, and user-generated content give people information and inspiration to live and thrive in today’s digital world.
About CNET Networks:
CNET Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq:CNET) (http://www.cnetnetworks.com) is an interactive media company that builds brands for people and the things they are passionate about, such as gaming, music, entertainment, technology, business, food, and parenting. The Company’s leading brands include CNET, GameSpot, TV.com, MP3.com, Webshots, CHOW, ZDNet and TechRepublic. Founded in 1993, CNET Networks has a strong presence in the US, Asia and Europe.
(1) 13th Annual CE Holiday Purchase Patterns, Consumer Electronics Association, October 2006
