Each year, CNET, in partnership with the Consumer Electronics Association, produces the Best of CES awards at the International Consumer Electronics Show. The CNET editorial team recognizes the best new products at the show with awards in 10 categories, an overall Best of Show award, and the People's Voice award that's selected by CNET's online audience.
CNET editors scour the show floor of the biggest consumer electronics trade show in the world. They preview thousands of products before they are released to the public and choose the best of what they see. There is no fee to submit a product for consideration.
Award categories*:
- 1. Digital photo and video
- 2. Car tech
- 3. Cell phones and smartphones
- 4. Computers and hardware
- 5. Gaming
- 6. GPS
- 7. Home audio
- 8. Home video
- 9. MP3 and video players
- 10. Televisions
*CNET reserves the right to exercise editorial discretion when categorizing product submissions.
Awards criteria
CNET editors will name the Best of CES 2009 award finalists and winners based on the following:
- Product must be new, in that it will not be announced* before or begin shipping** before December 1, 2008. Prototypes, reference designs, or products that represent a proof of concept will not be considered.
- *Announced means that the product manufacturer has officially declared the availability of the product at some definite date, even if that date is sometime later in 2009.
- **Shipping means that the product will become available for sale.
- Product must be on exhibit at the 2009 International CES in Las Vegas.
- Product demonstrates its potential to:
- Pioneer a new category, establish an emerging category, or take an existing category to a new level.
- Excite people with its style, innovation, usefulness, ease of use, or capability to entertain.
- Endow its owner with a certain cachet, the "cool" factor.
- Make its way into everyday life.
There is no fee to submit a product for consideration.
