Transcripts

"Gifts and Gadgets" Part 4 - Mobile and More

SUSIE GHARIB: From hot new cell phones to big screen TVs and the ever present iPod, Scott Gurvey wraps up his four part look at the best in "Gifts and Gadgets" this holiday season.

SCOTT GURVEY, NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT CORRESPONDENT: The debut of Apple's iPhone this year pushed interest in cell phones to new heights. Other cell phone makers say carriers had been resistant to adding new features like touch screens until the iPhone hit the market as an AT&T exclusive. That sent the competition scrambling. Now flashy touch screen phones can be found from most carriers. Best Buy's Shawn Blyden says the LG Voyager offered by Verizon, goes the iPhone one better

SHAWN BLYDEN, MANAGER, BEST BUY: For people that for whatever reason don't want an iPhone or can't get an iPhone or can't get their hands on it or they don't want to switch carriers, you get the Voyager with Verizon. You got touch on the front. You open it up and there you got a full keyboard. So it adds to what the iPhone has.

GURVEY: Flat screen televisions are still big sellers this year. The prices have not changed that much-- $1,000 to $2,000 seems to be the sweet spot. But for that buyers this year get sets which can display full high- definition broadcast signals and the screens are getting bigger. Buyers are now looking for 46-inch sets and bigger. Buy a name brand and go to the store and view them yourself, even if you buy online. And if you go the online route, check both the return policy and who is responsible for delivery damage. You don't want to be arguing with the shipping company. That's the seller's job.

Thinking of one of those new blue ray or HD-DVD disk players? My advice is don't. The industry has created another format war with these gadgets, just like the VHS versus Betamax battle of yesteryear. They are not doing us consumers any favors. Many DVD players and some high definition screens will up-convert your current DVD collection to near high-def, so save some money and avoid taking sides.

Microsoft has a new version of its Zune media player out this year and it has been selling well. But it is still way behind Apple's iPod, one of the most successful products ever in the portable media category which each year sets new standards with new models. "Wired" magazine runs a holiday season store in Manhattan, which this year had to move to bigger quarters as its inventory grew from 95 to 150 items. Store manager Lucas Koski says customers are more informed than ever.

LUCAS KOSKI, MANAGER, WIRED STORE: People are more knowledgeable now about tech products and what they can do. So whereas in the past I feel like some people, some businesses were afraid to make it too complex or tell the person too much, there's a lot more features and a focus on features I think than there has been in years.

GURVEY: There were some items on my holiday wish list I could not find in the stores, like less market volatility, more transparency from sub- prime lenders and no negative ads from the presidential candidates. Guess I'll just have to settle for some gadgets. Happy holidays. Scott Gurvey, NIGHTLY BUSINESS REPORT, New York.