CES 2009: Palm Pre leads gadget parade

Palm may have captured much of the Consumer Electronics Show buzz last week with its "Pre" touch-screen smartphone, complete with a new operating system, but it was by no means the only gadget maker attracting attention.

Watch a slideshow of the gadgets from CES.

Microsoft tried to make noise, too, with CEO Steve Ballmer taking over for Bill Gates as the featured keynoter. Ballmer let loose with perhaps the worst kept secret of the week – the beta release of Windows 7, and he had little new to show in a demo that looked similar to the one at October's Professional Developers Conference.

Hidden in the glare around the client OS, Microsoft also announced the beta of Windows Server 2008 R2, which includes the Live Migration features that have been missing from the first version of Hyper-V.

Ballmer did surprise with four announcements including the availability of Windows Live Essentials, which includes Messenger, Mail, Writer, Photo Gallery, Movie Maker, Toolbar and Family Safety. He also unveiled a deal with Facebook that connects the social networking site and Windows Live, a partnership with Dell that will put Windows Live Essential and Live Search on Dell consumer PCs, and a partnership with Verizon that will have the mobile provider shipping Live Search on all its phones in the United States.

As for the Palm Pre, its front is all touch-screen with a single button. It slides upwards vertically, on a slight tilt, to expose a full keyboard. But the CES demonstration was done entirely using the touch interface: no keyboard and no stylus. That's due in part to what Palm dubs WebOS, which the company says will provide easy access for developers.

One feature is Synergy, a synchronization program that automatically pulls your contact information from sites like Facebook, Google, as well as Outlook, organizes it and creates a single listing in the Pre. The phone also offers a consolidated instant messaging feature from multiple IM services.

The phone supports Sprint EV-Do, Rev A, and comes with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, a micro USB port, USB mass storage support, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. The battery is removable but recharges via Touchstone, a wireless, magnetic induction charger, similar to that used for electric toothbrushes.

Aside from Palm, the big trend among gadget vendors was to create consumer electronic devices that have a smaller impact both on your personal space and on the environment. In the former category, entertainment devices such as Samsung's 39mm Blu-ray player, Sony's VAIO Lifestyle PC and Lenovo's ultra-lean IdeaCentre A600 all-in-one desktop vied to be the thinnest devices ever released. In the latter category, there are manufacturers such as Motorola and Nextar creating handsets made out of recycled plastic bottles and solar-powered hands-free cell phone kits, respectively. Here are some highlights:

• Samsung's 39mm Blu-ray player and 7mm flatscreen: Samsung's new Blu-ray player received a lot of attention at CES so far, as it measured only 39mm (or about 1.5 inches) thick and featured a slightly curved top with a shiny black finish. Not to be outdone in the thinness realm, Samsung also released a flatscreen television set that measured a mere 7mm thick.