Future Shop breaks down 30 years of technology with hottest products retro
list
- Back to school's hottest products over three decades -
BURNABY, BC, Aug. 3 /CNW/ - Imagine losing your Smartphone or laptop - now think back to 30 years ago and imagine life without them altogether. It's hard to believe these items didn't exist then. In fact, 30 years ago, Canadians had never seen a flat screen television, digital camera, mP3 player, and the list goes on. When you look back at the technology of years past, it's a wonder how Canadians stayed connected, current and efficient. So, with back to school approaching, Future Shop, Canada's largest retailer and e-tailer of consumer electronics, is taking Canadians on an exciting rollercoaster ride into the past, present and future of technology to remind them just how integrated electronics are in our daily activities.
"Over the years we have seen technology grow to play a primary role with Canadian students," said Todd Empey, VP of Store Operations, Future Shop. "Technology has given today's student the opportunity to find more information, do more, share ideas and be more creative than ever before - ultimately leading to their academic success."
To help remind Canadians of how technology has evolved, Future Shop is helping you look at the past, find what you need in the present and imagine the endless possibilities of what the future holds.
Past - The 1980's
-----------------
- First year of university/college means a lot of last minute and late
night studying. Tools you had available included a rotary phone in
the halls of your dorm to call home for some extra allowance or say a
quick hello to the folks.
- Laptops were mostly unheard of aside from the Epson HX-20. This was
considered the first so-called "portable" computer - a full size
keyboard and LCD screen (four lines of text, 20 characters per line)
with built-in rechargeable batteries.
- Your entertainment consisted of watching Knight Rider on your 19"
Magnavox TV. Favourite games included Asteroids, Pacman, Donkey Kong
etc.
- Other hot products of this era included:
- Commodore 64
- Motorola's DynaTAC 8000X (the popular Zack Morris phone from Saved
by the Bell)
- Sharp Televideo
Present - The 2000's
--------------------
- There's a week left until classes begin and you're getting ready to
move into your dorm room. You have your checklist on hand with the
must have items you dream to have. Your ideal dorm room is teched out
to the max allowing you to connect with family and friends at the
touch of a button. The following electronics can be found in your
room:
- Sony's 40" inch LCD Eco-Series TV to connect to the web, Skype
with loved ones, game and do your school work on.
- HP's Mini Netbook to accompany you at all your lectures so
convenience is at your fingertips.
- Lexmark's All-In-One Inkjet printer that's going to handle all
your wireless printing, scanning and copying needs with speed,
ease and quality results.
- The portable Powermat lets you carry the freedom of wireless
charging wherever you go.
- Also view what's hot for back-to-school in 2010 in the list below.
Future - The 2015+
------------------
We can only imagine what we'll see in five to 10 years and how far
technology will take us. The possibilities are endless where connectivity
isn't just about plugging in a device; rather, having your technology
speak to each other to work more efficiently and ultimately simplify your
life. We can only dream of what may come.
Hottest products for today's students for back-to-school
--------------------------------------------------------
Future Shop carries all the right technology, appliances and services to
ensure today's students excel in the classrooms and stay connected in the
dorm rooms. Here is a list of essential gear for the 2010 back-to-school
season:
Tools guaranteed to help you excel in the classroom
---------------------------------------------------
1. Toshiba Satellite 15.6" 3D Intel Core i7-740M Laptop
- $1,999.99 - Web ID: 10146388 http://tinyurl.com/35h4nsq
2. Sony VAIO 10.1" Intel Atom N450 Netbook
- $399.99 - Web ID: 10148391 http://tinyurl.com/2g8pe36
3. Gateway Intel Core i5 750 2.66GHz Computer
- $844.97 - Web ID: 10138089 http://tinyurl.com/2by4z86
4. Microsoft LifeCam HD Webcam
- $69.99 - Web ID: 10144638 http://tinyurl.com/35vyr6y
5. HP Photosmart e-All-in-One Printer
- $139.99 - Web ID: 10146415 http://tinyurl.com/26rj2zw
6. Telemax Wireless Flex Keyboard
- $59.99 - Web ID: 10142336 http://tinyurl.com/29wfgvy
7. Kaspersky PURE Total Care Bundle
- $99.99 - Web ID: 10147905 http://tinyurl.com/2fo9n5s
8. Insignia - USB Sound Bar
- $99.99 - Web ID: 10147012 (coming soon)
Smart buddies
-------------
9. Aluratek Libre eBook Reader Pro
- $159.99 - Web ID: 10140376 http://tinyurl.com/29ulbxy
10. iFrogz Wrapz iPad Silicone Case
- $42.99 - Web ID: 10143856 http://tinyurl.com/24kxrxl
11. Seagate FA GoFlex 2TB External Hard Drive
- $179.99 - Web ID: 10146160 http://tinyurl.com/37gdsvg
12. Lexar JumpDrive Secure II Plus 8GB USB Drive
- $34.99 - Web ID: 10126071 http://tinyurl.com/26dul3v
Stay in touch
-------------
13. Bell Samsung Galaxy Smartphone
- $0.00 (*3 Year Agreement - In-Store Only) - Web ID: 10137871
http://tinyurl.com/24ndw2u
14. Rogers Sony Ericsson X10 Xperia Smartphone
- $99.99 (*3 Year Agreement - In-Store Only) - Web ID: 10145905
http://tinyurl.com/2bmhjhz
Dorm Room Essentials
--------------------
15. Whirlpool 3.3 Cu. Ft. Bar Fridge
- $199.99 - Web ID: 10122554 http://tinyurl.com/2elznry
16. Keurig Single Serve Coffee Maker
- $149.99 - Web ID: 10106550 http://tinyurl.com/2dpk4gq
17. Panasonic 0.8 Cu. Ft. Microwave
- $119.99 - Web ID: 10087500 http://tinyurl.com/35r8ts6
Capture the memories
--------------------
18. Kodak Playsport High-Definition SDHC Camcorder
- $159.99 - Web ID: 10143907 http://tinyurl.com/39y8lyv
19. Canon XS 10.1MP DSLR Camera with 18-55mm DC Lens and Duracell 4GB
SDHC Memory Card
- $398.99 - Web ID: B9000690 (coming soon)
Study break
-----------
20. PlayStation 3 Move Bundle
- $399.99 - Web ID: 10147606 http://tinyurl.com/3yj7tjs
21. Halo: Reach (XBOX 360)
- $59.99 - Web ID: 10140056 http://tinyurl.com/3x29atl
22. NHL 2K11 (Nintendo Wii)
- $49.99 - Web ID: 10144836 http://tinyurl.com/3ygqlmh
* Regular or sale price listed on Futureshop.ca as of July 21, 2010.
Computer Installation and Set Up with ConnectPro
To help you get the most out of your technology, Future Shop's ConnectPro experts can help all of your technology connect with services that include home theatre installation, computer services such as set up, network customization, repairs and car audio services. Future Shop's ConnectPro experts are trained with ongoing certification programs, training in customer service and product connectivity to deliver you a first-class experience. Appointments can be booked in-store or by calling 1-866-4CONNECT. For more information on ConnectPro, visit www.futureshop.ca/connectpro.
For more back-to-school essentials for today's students, visit your local Future Shop or www.futureshop.ca.
About Future Shop
With 144 stores across the country and the nation's premier web store (www.futureshop.ca), Burnaby, BC-based Future Shop is Canada's largest retailer and e-tailer of consumer electronics. The company employs more than 10,000 technology enthusiasts, has enabled its website, Futureshop.ca, to deliver unparalleled content about the products it sells. Futureshop.ca also hosts an online community forum and tech blog for technology beginners and tech-savvy experts to exchange ideas, reviews, tips and other consumer electronics information (www.futureshopforums.ca). As a proud corporate citizen, Future Shop has developed solutions to recycle used electronics and is committed to employee volunteerism and supporting non-profit organizations dedicated to transforming local youth into Future Leaders (see www.futureshop.ca/futuregeneration).
For further information: Media contact, Elliott Chun, Future Shop, [email protected], 604.412.1764
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