The Eight Coolest Things from the 2008 Consumer Electronic Show

Posted at 7:52 AM Jan 10, 2008

By Rob Bricken

The Consumer Electronic Show—better known as C.E.S.—is the biggest business show in the world, for good reason: it’s where all the companies that matter show off their wares and new technology for the year. So there’s always awesome and awesomely crazy gear and gadgets to be seen. Topless Robot failed to send me out there to cover it, but they did graciously allow me to read Gizmodo, Engadget, IGN, Cnet and other sites to find the eight coolest things from this year’s show. Enjoy!

8) Vida Air Guitar Rocker

Is Guitar Hero or Rock Band just too structured for you? Then there’s simply one option left to would-be rockers—the Vida Air Guitar Rocker. Take the pick and play one of five songs, as broadcast from the accompanying, skull-adorned belt buckle, which also judges your mastery of the air guitar. It’s officially Guitar Hero-branded, so it should have some good tunes when it’s released in March.

7) IRobot Looj

As a new homeowner, I’ve been faced with the problem of reconciling of doing house maintenance with my physically unfit, nerdy lifestyle. IRobot has a partial solution: the Looj, a robot that cleans gutters via remote control. Check out Engadget for a snazzy video demonstration.

6) Beertender

You don’t have to be a raging alcoholic to be excited about Heineken and Krups’ Beertender (but it helps). It holds one of those 5-liter Heineken mini-kegs available at your larger chain grocery stores, and miraculously keeps the delicious beer inside fresh for 30 days, for a low $400. Although if one of those mini-kegs lasts you 30 days, please don’t talk to me. Available in April.