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.
Originally published on ReadWriteWeb (archived copy)