CNET.com’s Dad and Grad Gift Guides Help Consumers Find the Hottest Tech Gadgets for Upcoming Celebrations; Focus on Personality Types and Interests Help Shoppers Find the Perfect Gift
SAN FRANCISCO, May 31, 2005 — CNET (http://www.cnet.com), the trusted, unbiased resource for people interested in enhancing their life with personal technology and a property of CNET Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq:CNET), today announced its annual Dad and Grad Gift Guides. With consumer electronics devices like TVs, MP3 players, digital cameras, and cell phones hotter than ever, the editors at CNET.com offer this year’s gift givers expert opinions and unbiased advice on the best products for graduates embarking on a new journey or dads who simply deserve some special attention this Father’s Day.
Products like MP3 players, cell phones and flat screen TVs are cheaper than ever, making them realistic gift options. Many of today’s MP3 players are available under $150 and offer features like long battery life, huge storage to capabilities, FM tuners, and recording options. Cell phones that take and send pictures, and allow users to view streaming and downloaded video, are also becoming increasingly affordable. Even flat screen TVs like 42-inch Plasmas can be bought for under $1500.
Each guide is organized by most popular products, as well as by personality type so that shoppers can find the right gift based on a person’s hobbies, interests and tech expertise. The Dad’s Gift Guide (http://dads.cnet.com) includes categories such as “Gadget Hound,” “Big Screen Dad,” “Mr. Frugal,” “Sugar Daddy,” “Cool Dad,” “Coach Dad,” “Gamer Dad,” and “Do-It-Yourself Dad.” The Grad’s Gift Guide (http://grads.cnet.com) takes a different approach, helping shoppers determine the right product for grads who want to be successful in their future endeavors. It is categorized by interests including business, design, travel, music, economics, gaming, media and photography.
“Father’s Day and Graduation often make you think of ties and golf balls, so with CNET.com’s gift guides, we tried to take the guesswork out and help folks find ultra-cool gadgets that will impress Dads, grads and everybody else,” said Tom Merritt, editor at CNET.com. “Technology isn’t just for geeks. We’re reviewing tools you use in your daily life and part of the fun is showing them off, whether it’s a new portable game device or a smart phone. CNET.com’s gift guides help you narrow down your choices and find that perfect gift.”
Here is a sampling of the valuable editorial advice these guides offer:
— Portable Audio — When choosing the right MP3 player, consider the recipient’s likely usage needs. Flash-based players, such as Creative’s Nomad MuVo line, are tiny and known for their shockproof operation making it ideal for athletic types, says James Kim, CNET.com’s MP3 players and digital audio product editor.
— Cell phones/handhelds — When selecting a cell phone, make sure to hold the phone in your hand and close to your ear, to see how it fits. A flip phone, such as LG VX7000, is great for those who want to prevent unintentional calls, says Kent German, editor covering cell phones at CNET.com.
— Laptops — If you spent a lot of your days traveling, consider weight and size. Ultraportables, such as the Dell Latitude X1, can weigh less than 4 pounds and don’t take up too much space in your carry-on baggage, says Justin Jaffe, editor covering laptops at CNET.com.
About CNET.com
CNET, a property of CNET Networks, Inc., is dedicated to helping people buy and use personal technology to enhance and enrich their lives. CNET’s award winning editorial staff reviews thousands of products each year, providing expert and unbiased advice on what products to buy. The site also offers help and how-to features enhanced with video content that visually shows consumers how to get the most out of technology once they own it. And, with an extensive directory of more than 400,000 products and price comparisons, CNET also gives consumers the most up-to-date and efficient shopping resource on the Web.
About CNET Networks, Inc.
CNET Networks, Inc. is a worldwide media company and creator of content environments for the interactive age. CNET Networks takes pride in being “a different kind of media company,” creating richer, deeper interactive experiences by combining the wisdom and passion of users, marketers and its own expert editors. CNET Networks’ leading brands — such as CNET, GameSpot, MP3.com, Webshots, and ZDNet — focus on the personal technology, entertainment, and business technology categories. The company has a strong presence in the US, Asia and Europe.
