Gawker Media managing editor Noah Robischon (right) in the CES 2008 press room

When I decided to finally take the plunge into blogging in September of 2006, I consulted a handful of friends who work as journalists for their advice. Foremost among them was Gawker Media managing editor Noah Robischon: since he's the James Truman to Nick Denton's Si Newhouse in the Gawker Media blog empire, I thought his counsel would be invaluable as I prepared to embark upon this new endeavor. And even though I flagrantly disregarded his advice on the length of my blog posts (75-150 words or less) and their frequency (12 posts a day), his wealth of knowledge and willingness to share his insights with me prompted me to dub him my Blogfather, a role he's continued to play with unfailing good cheer.

We ran into each other yesterday in the press room before and after CES Unveiled, where he was gathered with the Gizmodo crew (most of whom were wielding MacBook Pros as their weapon of choice) plotting their assault on CES. Robischon introduced us to the team, including Gizmodo editor Brian Lam, who, among other things, was planning his and senior associate editor Jason Chen's "Mission Impossible"-style covert entry to the CES show floor. The Blogfather was kind enough to invite me to the team dinner later Saturday night at Mon Ami Gabi in the Paris Hotel, where we all exchanged wicked-smart opinions (theirs, of course) about Blu-Ray vs. HD-DVD, Apple vs. Sony, Microsoft vs. Google, "The Wire" vs. "The Sopranos" and Walt Mossberg/David Pogue vs. the rest of us pikers tech journalists. An informative and tasty close to a merely so-Saturday at CES.

 Vestalife Ladybug iPod speakers

What is it?

Ladybug iPod speakers.

How much will it cost me?

$110 for the standard models, $125 for the limited edition versions.

Who makes it?

Vestalife. 

Why should I care?

In the crowded marketplace of iPod accessories, the Ladybug's stylish design still managed to turn our heads.

How would you describe it? 

Design's the thing when it comes to the Ladybug; after all, it's just a pair of speakers with a subwoofer in the back. But Vestalife has come up with a clever look that's almost as retro-futuristic as the iPod itself, right down to a soft rubber casing that I suspect will win the approval of female iPod lovers. For the fellas (and edgier gals) Vestalife has teamed up with Element Skateboards for two models that have more of an urban vibe to them. As for the specs of the Ladybug, it's a full-fledged iPod dock thanks to its USB port, and it also includes an input for non-iPod devices and an A/V output so that you can watch your videos on a bigger screen.

When can I get my hands on it?

Early February.

What's your verdict?

 diNovo Mini wireless keyboard from Logitech

What is it?

diNovo Mini wireless keyboard.

How much will it cost me?

$150.

Who makes it?

Logitech.

Why should I care?

If you've got a Windows Media Center PC or a Playstation 3 in your living room, and you want to get the most out of it, this is a clever-but-somewhat-pricey solution.

How would you describe it?

Windows Media Center PCs and PS3s may not quite be brothers from another mother, but they do share a similar urge to be the all-singing, all-dancing set top box for the living room by letting you you navigate photos, listen to music, watch video and browse the Internet. To do all of those things well requires a few more buttons than your typical remote, which is where Logitech's diNovo Mini wireless keyboard comes in. It connects to your PC or PS3 via Bluetooth 2.0 wireless, with a range of roughly thirty feet. The media controls allow you to easily adjust volume or switch channels; the keypad lets you perform text searches or fill out forms more quickly than would an onscreen keyboard; and the subtle backlighting means you won't have to whip out a flashlight to see what you're doing. The ClickPad, which you can see pictured in the upper-right corner of the device, works both as a D-pad for navigating menus and as a touchpad like you'd find on a laptop, which comes in particularly handy for Web browsing.

When can I get my hands on it?

February 2008.

What's your verdict?

Try. We like it...but we're reluctant to spend more than $100 for what's essentially a remote control.

The entrance to CES Unveiled at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas

As readers of this blog know, I was very much looking forward last night's CES Unveiled press preview, for reasons both professional and social. The social aspect didn't disappoint, as I was able to reconnect with journalists I already knew (among them, PC Magazine's Brian Bennett and the San Jose Mercury News' Dean Takahashi) and meet some writers whom I only knew from their bylines (like Reuters' Scott Hillis and Fortune's Jon Fortt). Professionally speaking, however, the 2008 edition of CES Unveiled was a bust, a sentiment that was echoed by most of the journalists I compared notes with. Especially when compared to last year's event.

I can usually count on CES Unveiled for five or so products worth mentioning, but after making a leisurely sweep of the crowded room, I found that I'd only bothered to jot down notes on four gadgets and services, of which only two held up to the harsh light of day subsequent Internet research. My guess is that a lot of companies were holding back the good stuff for today's press conferences. But if the CES organizers don't want next year's event to turn into a ghost town, they really ought to prevail upon their members to throw us a bone and show a more interesting lineup.