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CNET’s Best of CES Awards 2008

Best in Show: Philips’ Eco TV

Philips’ new Eco TV high definition television used about as much electricity as a lightbulb in a company demonstration at the Consumer Electronics Show. The set flaunts power-saving features, some of which the company claims will actually improve the picture quality.

As part of the Philips Design Collection, the Eco TV delivers precision picture quality and definitive style, while incorporating lead-free components and flame retardant materials, which are safe to the environment. And yes, even the box is made from recycled material.

People’s Voice: Moto Rokr E8

Moto Rokr E8’s ModeShift technology transforms this device from phone to music player to imaging device. FastScroll navigation wheel allows for scrolling through songs, contact and image library with the slide of a thumb. Innovative technology provides tactile response when a virtual key is pressed.Instead of traditional keypad and navigation array, the Rokr features a smooth “glasslike” surface with touch-pad controls that digitally “morph” depending on how the handset is used.

As you shift from phone to music to imaging modes, the backlight on the control changes to illuminate only the relevant buttons for your current function. Talking phone offers a voice readout of text messages while dialing number or when receiving a call. Airplane mode to play uninterrupted music in the air, even without a SIM card. Other features include 2.0 megapixel camera with 8x zoom, multi-shot feature, video capture and playback, Crystal Talk™ technology, Microsoft™ music ecosystem support, 2GB internal memory, stereo Bluetooth, 3.5 mm stereo headset jack, full HTML browser.

Car tech and GPS: Azentek builds a PC for your car

Azentek introduced a full Windows Vista in-car computer and portable entertainment system, claimed to be the first “all in one” fully integrated in-car multimedia PC, in Car Tech & GPS.

At an MSRP of $2,799, the Atlas CPC-1200 is built on an Intel™ Core Duo processor and runs the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system featuring a very long list of computing and entertainment capabilities including voice recognition, CANbus integration, Bluetooth, AM/FM/Satellite Radio, HD Radio, CDRW/DVD/MP3/WMA, GPS navigation, built-in WIFI, and much more!

Computers and hardware: Lenovo IdeaPad

Computer maker Lenovo has announced a whole new brand of consumer-oriented laptops and desktops. Called IdeaPad and IdeaCentre, the lines are intended to complement the company’s flagship business-oriented ThinkPad and ThinkCentre lines. There’s a heavy emphasis on design and an obvious appeal to specific lifestyle applications, including gaming, entertainment, and easy portability.

Digital photo and video: Sony’s DSLR-A200

The A200 replaces the A100, and is Sony’s third D-SLR. Here are its notable features:

• 10.2 effective Megapixel APS-C CCD sensor with improved noise control
• Uses Minolta/Sony Alpha lens mount; 1.5X focal length conversion ratio
• Super SteadyShot sensor-shift image stabilization
• 2.7″ LCD display with 230k pixels (versus 2.5″ on the A100); no live view
• Optical viewfinder has 95% coverage and 0.83X magnification
• Full manual controls; RAW image format supported
• Autofocus performance is 1.7X better than the A100
• Same anti-dust system as the A100
• Takes up to 6 RAW or an unlimited number of JPEGs in a row at 3 frames/second
• CompactFlash Type I/II slot
• More compact body than its predecessor; flash now pops up automatically
• Optional battery grip
• Uses NP-FM500H lithium battery; 750 shots per charge; camera can provide real-time battery life percentage
• USB 2.0 High Speed support
• Shipping in February for $799 with an 18 - 70 mm lens, and $999 with that lens plus an additional 75 - 300 mm lens

Emerging technologies: Bug Labs

The Bug Labs platform Platform is totally open source, highly configurable, and designed to go wherever consumers’ imaginations take them.

It starts with a minicomputer, the Bug Base, onto which you can snap multiple modules, such as a digital camera or an LCD screen. You can then program your own software to run your custom gadget or download software.

Gaming: Nyko Wireless Nunchuck

This particular Nunchuck is compatible with all Wii games that require it when the session begins. More than that, Nyko has managed to give it a design that’s perfectly suitable for both lefties and right handed gamers. The Nyko Wireless Nunchuck connects to the Wiimote via a little wireless dongle that clicks into the controller’s accessory jack.

Once plugged in, tapping the connection buttons on the dongle and the Nunchuck syncs them together, letting the Nunchuck work as if it was physically connected to the remote. Two AAA Batteries (included) power it up for up to 30 hours of continuous gameplay.

Home audio: Logitech’s Squeezebox Duet

The Duet is so named because it’s a two-part system: a base station and the remote. The base station is a nondescript black brick that pulls audio from a networked PC or the Internet via your Wi-Fi or Ethernet home network, and outputs to your stereo from its analog or digital (coaxial or optical) jacks.

But the real innovation is the remote: beyond the ten buttons controlling standard functions (volume, play/pause, track forward/reverse), it features an iPod-like scrollwheel and a brilliant 2.4-inch color LCD screen.

That puts the song navigation where it belongs: in your hand, instead of a small LCD readout halfway across the room.

Home video: EchoStar TR-50

EchoStar’s TR-50 DVR, expected to be available in July 2008, allows analog TVs to receive digital over-the-air broadcasts and comes with an onscreen setup wizard for easy installation. The TR-50 also includes a digital video recorder, allowing customers to view, record and play back local over-the-air analog and digital broadcasts, including high definition.

Other features include up to a seven-day electronic programming guide (EPG), program search, parental locks, VCR auto-tune timers, closed captioning, reminder pop-ups for pre-selected programming, and simultaneous output from HD and SD connections as well as Ethernet, modem and USB connections to support additional functionality. Pricing for the TR-50 DVR will be established in the coming months.

MP3 and portable video players: iRiver W7

This is a MP3 player with GPS capabilities and a 3-inch touch screen. The W7 supports music, video, photos, text, an FM tuner and Flash games, an E-Dictionary, and a microSD card slot for adding more memory. The player will come in two flash memory options: 4GB and 8GB.

Televisions: Philips’ Eco TV

Philips’ new Eco TV high definition television used about as much electricity as a lightbulb in a company demonstration at the Consumer Electronics Show. The set flaunts power-saving features, some of which the company claims will actually improve the picture quality. As part of the Philips Design Collection, the Eco TV delivers precision picture quality and definitive style, while incorporating lead-free components and flame retardant materials, which are safe to the environment. And yes, even the box is made from recycled material.