If you love technology, this is truly a glorious time to be alive. The past several years have seen incredible advances in consumer electronics that have made our lives easier.

Here are five of the most significant products that, thanks to portability and affordable price points, have helped millions of people be more productive and have more fun!

1. TIVO – It is hard to imagine now, but just a few short years ago, we were fumbling with clunky VHS videotapes, wondering if we were taping over Shark Week 2002 or our wedding reception. The miracle of TIVO has changed all that. Now, with the click of a button we can record entire seasons of a show, plan our viewing weeks in advance, skip commercials, pause live TV and more! What a glorious time to be on the couch.

2. GPS – The fact that most cars now come equipped with tracking software once available only to NASA and the CIA is lost on those who take GPS technology for granted. However, those of us who haven’t got lost or stuck in traffic since we installed the device in the car know the true power of this groundbreaking consumer technology.

3. Smart Phones – Remember when you had to wait to get back home or to the office to check your email or surf the web? Smart Phones have made all that a thing of the past. Multi-taskers can now rejoice in the ability to stay connected wherever they go with amazing phones that do everything a computer can do – all while fitting nicely in the purse or pocket.

4. WiFi – Like Smart Phones, Wi-Fi technology has helped us throw off the shackles of our desktop computer and connect to the Internet from almost anywhere. Whether it is a coffee shop, airport or just another room in the house, WiFi has given us the power to take a laptop, grab a signal and do our business when and where it is most convenient.

5. Bluetooth – Talking into a hand-held cell phone can be inconvenient at best, and dangerous at worst. Bluetooth headsets finally allow phone users to enjoy crystal clear reception while driving, walking or just generally engaging in any activity where we need our hands free to do other things.

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With analog, rabbit-ear-based TV making an official exit in February of 2009, it seems like a good time to reminisce about several once-cutting-edge technologies and services that are being pushed out the door like yesterday’s news.

Behold, the five technologies and services that will soon be deader than Elvis:

1. The in-store DVD rental – It seems like only yesterday we couldn’t believe that there were no more VHS tapes down at Blockbuster. Now it looks like there won’t be a Blockbuster down at Blockbuster for much longer! Downloadable content is the wave of the future, and trekking down to the local video store is becoming a thing of the past.

2. The fax machine – Adobe Acrobat PDFs, electronic signatures, $59 scanners…they have all contributed to the demise of the tried and true fax machine.

3. The VCR – When “I’ll tape that show” has been replaced by “I’ll TIVO that show” in the common lexicon, you know it’s a changing of the guard. TIVO is the greatest things to happen to TV since Charlie’s Angels, and its digital storage system makes big fat VHS tapes a clunky icon of yesteryear. Somewhere, Betamax is laughing at VHS’ fate.

4. The pager and the pay-phone – Two classic devices. Two complete relics. Major phone companies have been yanking pay phones off the streets in record numbers over the past five years as more and more people have access to cell phones. Same deal with pagers. Cell phones have pretty much removed the need for this intermediate step in the wireless communication process.

5. The CD – Who doesn’t remember the first time they bought one of these shiny metallic wonders, popped it in their expensive new stereo and heard the crisp, hiss-and-skip free sounds of their favorite artists? Anyone over the age of 14, that’s who! The CD is slowing fading from sight as the rise of the iPod continues to lead us into the direct-download age of music. We will miss you CD – you will forever be used as a drink coaster in our hearts.

To find the greatest deals on the web, visit www.dailysteals.com. Every day, you’ll find a cool new item at a ridiculously low price. If you’re into the hottest electronics and accessories at the lowest prices, you don’t want to miss a day at Daily Steals!

You have just found the plasma TV or Bluetooth headset of your dreams online. You’ve got your credit card and are ready to purchase. But wait. Is this the BEST possible deal you can find? And is there a catch here? The following tips will help you find great deals online and make the web shopping experience more enjoyable.

Tip #1: Do your homework

The only way to know if you’re getting a great deal is to research the product in question and learn about the retail price, and the price being offered across different web sites. Never make a purchase until you can see with your own eyes that the price is truly something to get excited about.

Tip #2: Read the fine print

Sometimes, if you see a deal that looks too good to be true, it probably is! Read the fine print on every offer and look for additional costs such as shipping and handling, warranties and taxes. The price may still turn out to be great, but at least you’ll know the whole story.

Tip #3: Understand what “refurbished” means

Many companies sell re-furbished products at significantly lower prices. Refurbished simply refers to products that have been re-crafted at the factory using new or used parts. Although refurbished products are not “out of the box new”, they are almost always tested and guaranteed just like new products. If you don’t mind the moniker, they can be a GREAT deal.

Tip #4: Only buy from trusted sites

The online world is like the Wild West – there are plenty of good guys out there, but some sketchy characters as well. When it comes to choosing an online site to buy from, look for security seals from companies such as Verisign, Go Daddy and other trusted companies. And don’t forget to ask your friends about their experiences with the site as well. Even in the Internet age, you can’t beat good old word of mouth.

To find the greatest deals on the web, visit www.dailysteals.com. Every day, you’ll find a cool new item at a ridiculously low price. If you’re into the hottest electronics and accessories at the lowest prices, you don’t want to miss a day at Daily Steals!