Here is the link to the bikes on the Giant web site.
http://www.giant-bicycle.com/en-US/bikes/lifestyle/

I highly recommend the Cypress or the Sedona for your friend. My LBS was fantastic and they deal with just about every brand and they recommended the Giant for getting into the biking thing. The LBS recommended I start with this type bike because they are easy on the knees and are easy to ride. I started with this bike and I was hooked. I rode it for a year before buying a Giant road bike. I couldn't bear to part with the Sedona so I kept it and I ride it more casually. I also bought a trainer and put the Sedona on there. It works great for rainy days!

Good bikes aren't cheap but if you really want to stick with something like cycling then spend the money to get a good bike. It will last longer and be easier to ride. In the end it will be well worth the money.