Some of the best technology deals are available on refurbished items. We will write more about this topic soon, but for now, lets focus on iPods because Apple just slashed the prices of refurbished iPods.

What is a refurbished iPod? It is a pre-owned Apple iPod that undergoes a stringent refurbishment process and is then certified by Apple and covered by Apple’s one-year limited warranty. As these products are each individually refurbished and certified, supplies are limited. The recent batch released for sale by Apple includes newer and older models at prices ranging from $99 to $229. Here is a list of the available models and corresponding discounts.

• Refurbished iPod 60GB – Black or White: $229.00 (43% off original $399.00)
• Refurbished iPod 30GB – Black or White: $179.00 (41% off original $299.00)
• Refurbished iPod nano 2GB – Black or White: $99.00 (51% off original $199.00)
• Refurbished iPod mini 4GB – Gold, Silver, Blue, Pink, or Green: $99.00 (61% off original $249.00)
• Refurbished iPod mini 6GB – Silver, Blue, Pink: $129.00 (49% off original $249.00)

The new Logitech Harmony 1000 Remote Control (available in October) is the latest entry into the touch screen remote market. With a sharp 3.5″ color touch screen, this new remote allows users to control all aspects of their audio and video systems while impressing their friends with a device that looks much cooler than their TVs.

The Logitech Harmony 1000 uses Harmony’s great PC-based setup wizard which pings an online database containing over 150,000 devices, resulting in an easy and accurate setup without having to create complicated macros or programming. Using the device is easy and intuitive with a simple but effective UI that allows you to use all the functions on your devices with simple screen taps. Since the Harmony 1000 transmits both infrared and RF, you can control RF devices (or IR devices with optional receiver) that are inside a closed cabinet or in another room. The remote is rechargeable by placing it on its docking station (included).

Logitech Harmony 1000 | $499.99 (Pre-Order)

Overstock really wants you to buy something from their site. Maybe it’s a Tag Heuer watch or a 37-inch LCD TV. We already know they sell almost everything — computers, electronics, phones, jewelry, watches, and clothing — at a good price. But now they’re offering a 15% off all orders coupon. This coupon expires on 9/21/06 so use it quickly. As always, make sure you read all the terms and conditions.

J&R is selling the Toshiba HD-XA1 HD-DVD for $599.99 which is anywhere from $50 to $100 lower than other online stores.

The Toshiba HD-XA1 HD-DVD plays High Definition DVDs which bring higher resolution (720p and 1080i) and higher image quality to your widescreen HDTV. The HD-AX1 can deliver 1080p interpolation when connected through the HDMI port. To see the benefit of HD-DVD, you will need to buy new movies in the HD-DVD format, but the device does support and will up-convert your existing standard DVDs.

Some of the other specs include multi-channel decoders (Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, and DTS-HD), four 32-Bit floating point signal processors, HDMI Audio support up to 5.1 L-PCM / 5.1 Channel Bass Management, and a plethora of connections including 2 USB Terminals, 1 HDMI, 1 ColorStream Pro Component Video (gold plated), 1 S-Video (gold plated), 1 Composite Video (gold plated), 1 Stereo Analog Audio (gold plated), 5.1 Multi-Channel Analog Audio (gold plated), 1 Coaxial Digital output (gold plated), 1 Optical Digital Output, 1 Ethernet Port, and 1 RS-232C.

Toshiba HD-XA1 HD-DVD | J&R | $599.99

iPod Video
Apple announced the 6th generation iPod which will be similar to the current iPod Video but with several major upgrades. The 60GB iPod is being replaced by a new 80GB iPod. Prices are also dropping as the 30GB will retail for $249 and the new 80GB will retails for $349. Additionally:

• The screen will be 60% brighter (as if the current screen wasn’t great already)
• Battery life was upped from 4 to 6.5 hours
• Includes games such as Tetris, Pac-Man, Mini Golf, Texas Hold ‘Em, Mahjong, and Bejeweled
• Additional games can be downloaded from iTunes for $5
• Instant search will make it easier to find tracks

iPod Nano
Also changing is the new second generation iPod Nano which is now available in colors (black, blue, green, and pink) and aluminum. Pricing and sizes are as follows: 2GB Nano (aluminum) for $149, 4GB (colors) for $199, and 8GB (black) for $249.

iPod Shuffle
The new second generation 1GB iPod Shuffle comes in an aluminum case and includes a built in clip. Oh, and it’s the size of a stamp. It’s the smallest MP3 player on the market. Priced at $79 it will include a dock and the new earbuds.

iPod Accessories
Even iPod accessories are seeing a change. The ubiquitous earbuds have changed a bit and the power charger is 40% smaller.

TiVo has officially announced the release of its TiVo Series3 HD Digital Media Recorder and is now accepting orders on its website. For a mere $799.99 you can have one shipped within one to two business days. The TiVo service is an additional $12.95 per month or can be purchased for 1-year at $155.40 or 2-years at $299.

The TiVo Series3 HD Digital Media Recorder comes with 300 hours of standard recording time or 32 hours in HD. You can control live HDTV shows and record two digital cable shows at once. The box also includes the latest TiVo broadband features including digital photos, Internet radio, podcasts, and more. Like the Series2, the Series3 includes a USB port for wireless connectivity and an Ethernet port.

Dell’s excellent UltraSharp 2407WFP 24-inch Widescreen Flat Panel LCD Monitor with Height Adjustable Stand and its predecessor continue to receive praise for combining screen size and quality at an affordable price. Maximum PC was so impressed by the quality and value that it chose to include two of these in its annual “Dream Machine”. From now until 9/13, you can buy the Dell 2407WFP for $719.10 (10% off).

As you can see in the image above, the Dell 2407WFP comes in a clean and slim form on an adjustable stand and is loaded with additional functionality such built-in portable media readers that handle 9 different card formats, picture-in-picture, and 4-port USB 2.0 hub. Coming in at a large 1920×1200 pixels, the Dell 2407WFP includes Analog, DVI-D, S-Video, Composite, and Component connectors.

$719.10 is a good price which you can only find at Dell (unless you buy secondhand on eBay). If 24-inch is too big for you, consider the Dell UltraSharp 2007WFP 20.1-inch Widescreen Flat Panel LCD Monitor with Height Adjustable Stand which is currently on sale for $373.15

Since we’re on the subject of Dell, here are a few more useful coupons and discounts that you may want to use (all expire on 9/13 so make sure you read all the terms and conditions):

• 15% off select 15-inch, 17-inch, and 20-inch flat panel monitors
• 20% off select Inspiron™ E1705 notebooks
• 10% off select Inspiron™ E1505 notebooks
• 19% off select Dimension™ E510 desktops
• 17% off select Dimension™ E310 desktops

Amazon.com officially launched its first full digital store with the debut of the Amazon Unbox Video Downloads Store. The concept is pretty simple — download the Amazon Unbox Video Player and then go to to the Amazon Unbox Video Downloads Store and download the videos of your choice (see Amazon graphic below).

Some highlights from the Frequently Asked Questions:

• Videos will play on computers identified in the “RemoteLoad” pull-down menu when you make a purchase (so you can play on multiple PCs but only select ones.
• Amazon Unbox video downloads are not compatible with Apple / Macintosh hardware and computer systems and iPods.
• One hour of programming is roughly equal to one gigabyte (1 GB) of file space on your computer.
• Amazon Unbox only plays files downloaded from Amazon.com. Each download includes two .wmv files (one main file containing the video and a preview file) and a .amzn file (smaller format file optimized for mobile devices). You cannot use Amazon Unbox to play video files downloaded from other vendors.
• You can store your downloaded files on a DVD or other removable computer storage. However, any DVDs that you burn with Amazon Unbox files will not be readable by a DVD player.
• When you choose to rent an Amazon Unbox video, your access to view the file is limited by the rental term (usually 30 days). After you begin playing an Amazon Unbox Video, you will have 24 hours to complete viewing it. After these expiration times, the Amazon Unbox Video will automatically be deleted from your computer and Your Media Library.
• Puchased videos do not expire. You can download a purchased file onto 2 different PCs at one time and each PC can transfer the file to one portable video device.
• Current supported portable video devices (PlayForSure): Creative Zen Vision: M, Creative Zen Vision, Toshiba Gigabeat S, Archos AV 500, Archos AV 700, and iRiver PMC.

The current selection of movies is pretty interesting and includes some favorites such as Office Space, Walk the Line, The Matrix, and Everything is Illuminated.

In the TV category, Amazon Unbox offers shows from: A&E, Adult Swim, Animal Planet, BBC, The Biography Channel, Cartoon Network, CBS, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel, E!, Fine Living, FOX, Fuel, FX, Hanna-Barbera, HGTV, The History Channel, Logo, MTV, MTV2, The N, Nickelodeon, PBS, Speed, The Travel Channel, and VH1. That means you can download 24, South Park, CSI: Miami and some of our favorites including Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, Mythbusters, and Chappelle Show: Uncensored.

Unbox also offers titles from several international sources including BBC (UK), KBS (Korea), and Bandai Anime (Japan).

To celebrate the opening of our new Amazon Unbox Video Downloads store, Amazon is offering a $1.99 instant rebate on your first purchase or rental (most TV shows are available for purchase at $1.99)

We are finally taking time to talk about Best Buy, which is one of our favorite retailers. Every time we visit their store, we end up picking up something whether it’s printer toner, a PS2 game, a CD, or a TV. We know that many of you have a similar experience so we’re going to provide you with insight into where you can find good sales and promotions at BestBuy.com. We will follow up on this post with some specific product discounts that you won’t want to miss.

• This Week’s Electronics Specials
• This week’s computer and peripheral offers
• This week’s camera, camcorder and printer offers
• This week’s home and appliance offers
• Free shipping offers
• Free shipping on Xbox 360 hardware
• Price drops and savings on select TVs
• New Toshiba 37″ HD LCD TV/DVD combo
• Madden NFL 07 store