Electronics is the Buzzword in Las Vegas

So there we were in a 2012 Focus parked in the HD radio booth getting a demo of the many fine features available to HD radio owners, when who should pop his furry red head into the window? It was none other than Ford CEO Alan Mulally.

And the Blue Oval boss wasted no time immediately trying to sell the HD radio engineer sitting in the car on a shiny new a Ford.

“Um, uh, yeah, okay, sure!” said the somewhat flabbergasted engineer.

“Great!” enthused Mulally, who patted him on the shoulder and bounded off to spread the joy of Ford and Lincoln throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center and 2011 Consumer Electronics Show.

Car execs and carmakers are now a fixture at the show, as automotive electronics joins hands with mobile phones and an endless parade of apps to keep drivers and passengers connected as never before.

Mulally, who is no stranger to CES, is not alone in his enthusiasm for the show. The year before the Ford exec gave his first keynote address at CES, then-chairman of General Motors Rick Wagoner had taken the stage once occupied by Bill Gates. This year Audi CEO Rupert Stadler delivered a keynote, along with Mulally's third speech in a row. You could spend the whole show just covering the car stuff. And that's what we did.

But if the OEMs are big in Vegas during CES, the aftermarket is huge. The last decade has seen the rise from the aftermarket of such now-commonplace features as real-time traffic and other current data on navigation screens, satellite radio (now with 20 million subscribers) and HD radio (which now comes in 80 models from 17 manufacturers) and the beginning of mobile phone integration as a part of the entire telematics system in cars. And the aftermarket continues to be a juggernaut. The biggest trend this year was the growing role of the mobile phone in linking with cars. Everybody is working on an iPhone and/or droid app to make phones do something to cars, and collect that $1.99 when you download it.

There were also zillions of what traditionally are called gadgets on hand, a few standouts from which are listed below. (We were contractually forbidden to include the automatic electronic garbage can we saw and fell in love with or the--no kidding--inductively powered electric cereal box).

Rusty naysayers will howl that all these things are distractions, but then discreetly conduct a wireless search for the nearest Starbucks and follow the directions to it on their cool nav screen to buy a double-dip vanilla bean latte. The future is here and it's making life better and travel more efficient for everyone. Hooray.

Best gadgets of CES

Our favorite, in no particular order

GoPro 3D camera - 1+1=3D!

Click two GoPros together and what do you get? Try 3D in a can. GoPros have been strapped to the doors of race cars that went 200 mph and didn't fall off. Now you can record your latest Turn 9 disaster in glorious three-dimensional splendor. Cost is $299 or so. See gopro.com.

Padholdr

There were several iPad clamping devices at CES - and still more on the internet--that will hold your iPad in place and will act as rear-seat entertainment for your little squealers. The Padholdr was only $99 and looked sturdy enough, so we picked it. If you buy one, be sure to have the iPad set on the AutoWeek iPad app. See padholdr.com.

Garmin GTU 10

Previously available only to Batman, tracking devices are now available to everyone. This new one from nav-maker Garmin costs $199 but is compact, unobtrusive and easy to hide, should you wish to be discreet about your paranoia. See garmin.com.

Carmen by Livio Radio

In an age of digital this and data-based that, the Livio Radio Carmen is a delightful mix of old and new. It stores 45 hours worth of MP3 files, internet radio, podcasts and music. You plug it into your car's cigarette lighter and it broadcasts the content on an FM frequency that plays on your car's audio system. $39.95. See livioradio.com/Carmen.

Pioneer HUD Prototype

Pioneer was a pioneer in real-time traffic for automotive NAV systems, as well as aftermarket satellite radio receivers. Now it is working on its own head-up display. The one we saw broadcast navigation guidance on a large screen right in the driver's line of vision. It may be out as early as 2012. See pioneer electronics.com.

Polaris Ranger EV

If hunting is getting to be too much work, may we suggest this unfair advantage--the Polaris Ranger EV. It silently sneaks about the woods, allowing you to electrically tiptoe up to your prize and bag your limit of roast beast without making a sound. The 11.5-kWh battery will take it up to 50 miles, with a top speed of 25 mph. Combine it with FLIR's handheld infrared scope and nothing out there is safe. $10,999 for the Ranger, $1195 for the FLIR. See polarisindustries.com and flir.com.

By Mark Vaughn