CES

While everyone seems to be trying to minimize the look of the loudspeaker, a few companies including KEF, Martin Logan and Sonance are hoping to turn a few heads with theirs.

When CableCARD technology was announced, the hope of every man, woman and child in these great 50 states was the promise of finally, once-and-for-all getting rid of the cable box. But, with technological limitations this was not to be. Finally, our nation can breathe a sigh of relief and pitch that box to the curb where it belongs!

An unqualified hit, Sony’s Bravia line of video displays are keeping up with the times (a new XBR6, left, made its debut at CES). In particular, aside from the usual upgrades of style and size, the new Bravias are heavily into connectivity.

The state of mobile digital television is roughly where HDTV was more than a decade ago: Electronics manufacturers, broadcasters, and telecommunications giants are battling to be on the winning side of a unified standard. Among the contenders are Samsung and LG Electronics.