In 1976, the Consumer Electronics Association began giving manufacturers the opportunity to have their latest product judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, independent engineers, and members of the trade press to acknowledge emerging and breakthrough technologies in the consumer electronics field. Finalists would be rewarded with the prestigious honor known as the CES Innovations Design and Engineering Award. More than 30 years later, manufacturers still strive to grab this honor.
Every year consumer electronic manufacturers spend countless hours and a copious amount of money to develop new products. These innovative products not only enrich our lives, but also bring us a means of entertainment. You probably don't have to look too far to see the technological advancements that are impacting your lifestyle. These advancements can be found in high-definition televisions that produce such a quality, high-resolution picture, your favorite actors appear real enough to touch; cell phones that can be used to access the World Wide Web anywhere, play music, and act as your secretary to get you through the day; and the digital music player, which can store your entire CD collection in a mechanism half the size of your wallet. Whatever the electronic product, you can count on the next year to be better and more advanced than the last.
This brings us to the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held within the confines of the Las Vegas Convention Center's 3.2 million square feet. This year there were approximately 130,000 attendees, making it the largest trade show in North America. CES is the main stage for consumer electronics manufacturers to exhibit their newest products and technologies. It is here that you will find the products and their perspective manufacturers that garnered the prestigious 2009 Innovations Awards. This year 34 categories were recognized. Here are some of the 2009 honorees and best-of winners that you will want for your truck, home, or on the go.
The Innovations Award winner that stands alone in the mobile audio arena this year is Eclipse (the company won the only 2009 Best of Innovations Award in the "In-Vehicle Navigation/Telematics/ITS" category) with its AVN726E. This next generation of AVN technology achieves superior image quality with pure digital video circuitry and improved audio performance with lowered distortion. For more information, go to www.eclipse-web.com.
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An Innovations Award Honoree in the "In-Vehicle Accessories" category was AAMP of America with its WiFli, a wireless steering-wheel-mount remote iPod controller with RDS transmission that allows it to display iPod text on RDS-equipped radios, and add track forward and backward control to any FM radio. For more information, go to www.aampofamerica.com.
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Honoree in the "In-Vehicle Audio" category is JVC's Arsenal KS-AR8004D digital amplifier housed in a small space-saving footprint. Boasting continuous power output rated at 120 watts RMS x 4 at 4 ohms, this bridgeable four-channel digital amplifier provides full-range capabilities. With a small footprint measuring 10 x 2.5 x 7.25 inches (W x H x D), these amplifiers make the limited space in your truck's cab a non-issue. Installation of the amps can be almost anywhere in the truck, including behind the dash or behind interior panels. For more information visit www.mobile.jvc.com.
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Winning an Innovations Best of Award this year in the "Digital Imaging" category, Sony Electronics impressed with the Cyber-shot DSC-T700 digital camera. The 10-megapixel camera features 4GB of internal memory that can store nearly 1,000 full-resolution or 40,000 VGA photos, so it is like having a photo album in your pocket. The 3.5-inch, wide-touch panel Xtra Fine LCD screen for photo viewing provides high contrast and wide-angle viewing. The thin profile (around 5/8 of an inch) can easily be portable by pocket or purse. The camera also features intelligent scene recognition technology with up to eight different scene selection modes, including macro, portrait, and landscape, plus a new anti-blink function. The new DSC-T700 is priced around $400 and available in red, champagne gold, pink, dark gray, and silver. For more information, go to www.sonystyle.com.
The Audiovox Corporation was honored in the "In-Vehicle Video" category for its Advent Quick Connect, a unique rear-seat entertainment system unlike anything else available on the market today. Installation is simple and does not require any alterations to the vehicle's interior. The Quick Connect rear-seat entertainment system consists of two wired mounting pods and a removable 7-inch monitor with an integrated DVD player. It comes equipped with one wired headphone and one slimline remote control and is available in either a dual or single DVD system. For more information visit www.audiovox.com.
For the gamer who loves to drive, Logitech is an honoree in the "Electronic Gaming" category with its Driving Force GT wheel. The Logitech Driving Force GT wheel features advanced force feedback technology, and a new 24-position realtime adjustment dial that lets racers tune their car during game play. For more information visit www.logitech.com.
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In 1976, the Consumer Electronics Association began giving manufacturers the opportunity to have their latest product judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, independent engineers, and members of the trade press to acknowledge emerging and breakthrough technologies in the consumer electronics field. Finalists would be rewarded with the prestigious honor known as the CES Innovations Design and Engineering Award. More than 30 years later, manufacturers still strive to grab this honor.
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