CNET’s huge cadre of editors
has published a Best of CES 2007
article. There aren’t many Internet apps in the selection, but Microsoft comes out smelling of roses. They won the
Peoples Voice award with ‘Ford Sync powered by Microsoft’ (an in-car
communications and entertainment system). Ford Sync is for
connecting up devices such as MP3 Players and cell phones. It includes Bluetooth audio,
which can be used to stream Internet radio stations from Web-connected smart phones and
PDAs. Microsoft also won Best Computers and Hardware for Windows Vista, an
honor which Microsoft
trumpets in a press release.
Other Web-related products recognized by CNET were:
- Dash Navigation
Dash Express won Best Car Tech – it’s a GPS navigation system which includes
Yahoo Local search. - SanDisk Sansa
Connect won in the MP3 and portable audio category – it enables “users to hop
on to any open Wi-Fi connection to trade and to recommend songs from any distance.” It
also offers access to streaming Internet radio.
The LG BH100
DVD player, which can play both Blu-ray and HD-DVD discs, won CNET’s Best in Show
award:
“At CES 2007, LG introduced the first player capable of playing both Blu-ray and
HD-DVD discs. We were skeptical that any company could deliver a combination player at
the show, but the LG BH100 is the real deal.”
It’s a shame there weren’t more products at CES that demonstrated innovative use of
the Internet. I’m beginning to see now why Google was a virtual no-show at CES and even
Yahoo had limited presence (apart from the mobile Internet announcements). Microsoft did
pretty well though. While some might argue that Apple overshadowed Microsoft with the
iPhone and Apple TV announcements at Macworld, don’t forget that those are as yet
unreleased products. Microsoft is entering 2007 armed with an actual real product line,
anchored by Vista.
