Now, you can get an 8GB iPod Nano (3rd gen) for only $99 shipped, directly from Apple. That’s $30 lower than when I wrote about Apple’s new lower prices on its previous-generation iPod models in the wake of its new line of players. Dealnews has an overview of all the deals, which include a 1GB Shuffle for $39 and an 80GB iPod Classic for $169.

There really is little fine print here. These are refurbs, but they are straight from Apple and carry the same 1-year warranty as a new iPod. (Most other iPod refurb “deals” online come with only a 30- to 60-day no-name warranty provided by the retailer.) Actually, the Nano I just got for my daughter wasn’t even packaged as a refurb; I think it was just overstock as a result of the iPod models that just came out.

If you don’t need the latest candy colors and whiz-bang features, these are excellent deals.

I ordered an iPod Nano Monday night. Of course, Apple introduced a new model Tuesday. But the company clearly took pity on me. Let me explain.

When I order an iPod — three in the past year — I always buy  refurbished models directly from the Apple Store. They’re certified to be good as new — and, in fact, look no different than a new store-bought model. They also are significantly cheaper, with free shipping. For example, the third-generation 8GB iPod Nano refurb (pictured) that I ordered Monday night was $149, $50 off the retail price, with free FedEx shipping.

I got an e-mail saying that the item had been shipped and that my credit card had been charged early Tuesday afternoon, about the same time that Apple was announcing its new iPod lineup, which includes a fourth-generation makeover for the Nano and pricing of — you guessed it — $149 for the 8GB model. Oh, well, I thought, the iPod is a birthday gift for my soon-to-be 13-year-old daughter, and she’ll be happy with her first iPod whether it’s a 3G or 4G.

But then late last night, just before midnight — again, after the item was shipped and my card charged — I got another email from Apple:

“Apple has announced a price drop for the refurbished iPod Nano that you recently ordered. We have automatically adjusted  your order to reflect the new lower price. … Thank you for shopping at the Apple Store.”

Wow. Just wow. I am no Apple disciple, but that is surely impressive customer service. And the new price? $129. Not the steepest discount, considering the new Nano price, but entirely unexpected — and appreciated.

If you’re having trouble finding a new iPhone 3G at Apple stores, Dealnews reminds us that Apple has created an online iPhone 3G availability checker. Apple notes that you should check the, um, checker after 9 p.m. the day before you plan to head to the store and that you should arrive at the store early the next day. Based on a check of Minnesota stores, the 8GB model was the only one out of stock at most places.

I now understand why the Boundary Waters area was picked by Forbes as a cell-phone-free getaway after a recent family vacation near there. We spent a week at the YMCA’s Camp Du Nord, a family camp 15 miles from Ely and just a mile from the Slim Lake entrance of the pristine BWCA wilderness. We used our cell phones only occasionally to check messages or make a quick call to relatives. But those few calling episodes often became comical, requiring climbing to the top of a rock formation near our cabin and maybe even assuming the crane pose from Karate Kid. It’s certainly easy to turn your cell phone off under such conditions.

Otherwise, in the beautiful northern Minnesota setting, our vacation was largely tech-free. The lack of Wi-Fi gave my wife a reason to leave her laptop at home, which still wasn’t easy for a prolific writer who does virtually all correspondence by e-mail and even teaches online. 

I still managed to bring along my Nintendo DS and Sony PSP to catch up with some recent games during my down time in the cabin–including the word puzzles of CrossworDS (plain, but addictive), the retro ricochet of Arkanoid DS (just OK),  the comical stealth of Secret Agent Clank (solid neo-Ratchet fun), the reworked Space Invaders Extreme (nonstop wild action), the even more-reworked Atari Classics Evolved (surprisingly engaging and difficult)  and the mythological adventure God of War: Chains of Olympus (cinematic bliss). 

In other news while I was away:

* The NPD group finally confirmed my report from more than a month ago that the Nintendo Wii is now the top console in U.S. homes, with nearly 11 million units sold through June. It also noted in its June sales report (released last week) that the PlayStation 3 posted its highest monthly sales outside of the holiday season with sales of 405,500 units, nearly double the Xbox 360–although the latter older system still has more titles purchased per system, almost 8.

* By many accounts, last week’s annual E3 video-game expo in Los Angeles was a disappointment, including the surprising non-announcement of a new Halo title. There’s talk now, including bringing gamers back to the media event, of how to keep E3 from dying completely.

* A whole slew of intriguing catalog Blu-ray releases were announced, including the Ultimate Matrix (October), Quo Vadis (spring), Young Frankenstein — “that’s Fränkensteen”– (October), Ghostbusters (October), John Carpenter’s The Thing (September) and much more. Cool.

Be sure to check the Star Tribune website Monday night for my story on local fans who dress as Star Wars characters for community appearances, including some great video. 

Many Apple fans are eagerly awaiting the July 11 release of the new iPhone, including tech-obsessed geek Benjamin Higginbotham of Eden Prairie. I spent some time with him and his wife, Cariann, on Tuesday for an article about their SpaceVidcast. His iPhone rang during the interview and, just as happened when I called him once, he couldn’t hear the caller.  It seems his iPhone’s casing is cracked and the thing is on the fritz. Ben really wants that new iPhone.

I have to confess that I have no need for an iPhone, but I still got a kick out of Retrevo’s “7 Reasons why the new iPhone 3G sucks.” 

“This is the iPhone that all the late adopters have been waiting for,” the author says. “It promised to address the deficiencies of the first generation iPhone, but does it really?”

He then goes on to list the seven reasons why it doesn’t:

• Too expensive, at $1,000 a year for service and expenses.
• GPS locates but doesn’t offer turn-by-turn directions.
• Can’t be tethered to a laptop
• Still no cut and paste.
• Poor 2MP camera.
• No stereo Bluetooth.
• Many other problems, such as no Flash player for rich media and no replaceable battery.

His conclusion? “So it’s not perfect but it’s still the coolest smartphone out there and I still want one.”

Ben, is that you?

Of all the come-on lines I’ve received in press releases, “Mow your lawn with your cell phone…What?” has to be one of the best. The explanation:

“The LawnBott 3500 is the newest and most sophisticated lawnmower on the planet, featuring Bluetooth compatibility that allows it to be conveniently programmed and controlled by any Bluetooth enabled device, including cell phones and PDAs.”

Cool! Basically, maker Kyodo America has added Bluetooth control to its innovative mower, which came out last year. The LawnBott does for your lawn what Roomba does for your floor. It mows your lawn automatically, using perimeter wire that you set up to avoid flower beds and mark the edges. After it’s done or when it’s low on juice, the LawnBott returns to a docking station to recharge. You can program it and change settings using a Bluetooth device — perhaps while sipping lemonade on the veranda. The new LawnBott has enhanced security features that stop the blade and sound an alarm when it hits something or is picked up. There’s more:

“LawnBott uses $7 to $10 worth of electricity a year and because gas or oil is not required, they are eco-friendly with no pollution and zero emissions.  … LawnBott is also quiet enough for a late night or early morning cut without disturbing neighbors, or yourself, while it mows.  LawnBott also comes equipped with a rain sensor, which allows it to cut during light rain but stops once it senses too much water, immediately returning to its docking station.”

How could anyone not want this thing? Well, for me, it became a no-go when I saw the retail price: $3,249.

Now I know what they meant by the “What?” in the press release come-on. Actually, I’d add an exclamation mark, as in “What?!”

I could have a lawn service mow my lawn for nearly five years for that price — seriously. Yes, a service is not as good for the environment, but being eco-friendly sure is expensive. I would bet most people think the same way.

Maybe the best eco-friendly device to mow your lawn is a goat. On the other hand, I do not believe there is one that is Bluetooth-capable.

Would you pay more than $3000 for the LawnBott 3500?