: Last year Ballmer's keynote was all about Windows 7, and this year his keynote was, well, . But heck -- for the first time in recent memory, a new Windows release a) actually arrived when it was supposed to, and b) got from reviewers and users alike. So put this one in the winners circle for CES.

: Superthin flat panels using LEDs instead of fluorescent lights for backlighting were all over the place in 2009 -- Samsung, LG, Sony, heck even Vizio came out with one. They consume roughly 40 percent less electricity too, making them one of the few "green technologies" to actually have an impact.

: Speaking of which, 2009 was going to be the year consumer electronics went all Al Gore on us. Aside from a handful of eco-conscious products like (made from corn and recycled materials) and those LED TVs, it really didn't happen. Am I wrong?

: The next generation of ooh-I-want-that displays were slated to start hitting retail shelves some time last year. Didn't really happen, though they have started popping up on smaller screens, like the Zune HD and the Google Nexus One. Maybe in 2011. Would you believe 2012?

: Smart set-top boxes like were supposed to give TiVo a run for its money (though mostly pocket change these days), combining a Dish Networks HD video recorder with Sling's place-shifting tech. Well, guess what Dish Network is showing off at this year's CES? Yes, , which is now slated to appear in Q2 2010. Call me when you see one actually for sale.