To the truly gadget-oriented, the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas every January is a hot ticket. All the cool new toys are there, including the latest in radio and other media players and related equipment.
To whet appetites, if appetites needed whetting, the Consumer Electronics Association each year presents a list of Innovations Honorees, notable new products that are expected at the show. These are chosen based on innovative design and engineering. A strong theme is iPod/iTouch/iPhone accessories.
From a final honoree list of several dozen, a “Best of” list is also selected. This year’s list, or rather the list for the 2010 show, has been released.
The “Best of Innovations 2010 Design and Engineering Award” list is light on traditional radio and TV devices but features a range of items including computer keyboards, digital cameras and a large number of automation/integration products that fulfill the prediction that one day everything will be wired to everything else.
Some fun items are the Arabesque speakers by Crystal Cable BV. The Arabesque are tower speakers with transparent glass sides.
Another notable winner is the XM SkyDock, an iPhone/iPod holder for auto use that marries XM satellite radio with standard FM radio, iPod and hands-free phone operation. It plugs into a cigarette lighter or the aux input and it will recharge the iPhone/iPod as well.
Probably the wildest product is Sanyo’s eneloop “synergistic hybrid” bicycle, a battery-assisted bike that uses braking and coasting to recharge its batteries.
The annual International CES Show is Jan. 7–10 in Las Vegas.
Read the list.
