During CES 2008 on Monday, it seemed the idea of automotive electronics finally came unto its own, evolving from cheap accessories into useful, and even potentially productive, components.

But now that CE companies and auto manufacturers such as BMW and Chrysler are working more closely together, the problem they face involves synchronizing their evolutionary stopwatches. Here's the problem: While an electronics trend's lifespan is typically five years, an automotive manufacturer needs it to last longer in order to reap a profit from it, because its product cycles often need to be longer.

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Even though a number of companies are battling for handheld and in-car GPS technology, only a fraction are putting effort into the athletic sector of the industry. Yes, there is an athletic sector of the global locator industry.

On Sunday before the formal opening of CES 2008, Garmin announced the latest product in its fitness line for athletes who want to know where they are: the Garmin Forerunner 405. The water-resistant watch allows users to monitor total time, speed, distance, heart rate and location while out running, and the information is sent to the owner's computer for analysis and cataloging.

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You can't run out and buy it yet, but OQO is demonstrating what it said is the first ultra mobile PC (UMPC) to support Sprint's Xohm Mobile WiMAX wireless data system.

Sharon Fisher, BetaNews Senior CES Analyst: WiMAX is a wireless wide-area network built as a complement to the cellular network, so unlike WiFi, it can transmit data up to three miles away, at speeds of from 2 to 5 Mbps. Sprint Nextel showed off its WiMAX capability at last year's CES, and said it expected WiMAX service to be available to 100 million subscribers by this year. The company also said last year it expected to invest $3 billion in its WiMAX network over the next couple of years.

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Further evidence of Apple's increasing dominance in downloadable media can be found in the latest high-definition displays from one of Japan's leading high-end brands.

Called the Teledock, its port would flip out to allow for the connecting the iPod directly to the TV. The feature would appear on four of JVC's newest models including the 32-inch LT-32P679, 42-inch LT-42P789, 47-inch LT-47P789 and the 52-inch LT-52P789.

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DS2 is one of dozens of vendors showing products at this year's CES for powerline home networking over standard electrical wiring. Some of DS2's competitors are now collaborating together on a new IEEE powerline industry standard. But powerline isn't nearly as quick as WirelessHD, an emerging wireless home networking technology.

Beyond its previous introductions of support for Microsoft Vista and 400 megabits-per-second (Mbps) home networking, DS2 is using the international forum of CES to roll out more features and solutions -- for use in both consumers' residences and on service providers' networks -- that run over standard electronical wiring.

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It's one of those announcements you just knew was coming: Magellan is partnering with Google to put Google Maps local business links on its Global Positioning System (GPS) units.

This is all part of Magellan's first GPS system to include wireless connectivity. The Maestro Elite 5340+GPRS, as the name implies, includes support for General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) cellular capability.

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As the demand for stylish hardware increases, manufacturers are stepping up to the plate. The latest external storage line from Toshiba is designed with aesthetics in mind.

Available in colors like Carbon Grey, Hot Rod Red and Gecko Green, Toshiba's goal is to tap into trends currently being reflected in consumer electronics.

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While Linux remains popular among enthusiasts, its adoption among casual PC users lacks the power to really threaten Microsoft Windows. However a small handful of groups still create operating systems designed to make the transition over to Linux a little bit easier and less intimidating.

To that end, the makers of the Good OS distribution are unveiling a Linux version with a hopefully appealing metaphor.

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Earlier today, Microsoft and BT unveiled a new IPTV service dubbed BT Vision. Powered by Microsoft's Mediaroom software, the capabilities of the platform are leaps and bounds ahead of those offered by current cable providers.

Also new is the device customers can use to watch TV. BT Vision utilizes the Xbox 360, adding an option to the gaming console's media features to launch the television interface. Although the version on the console isn't an exact copy of the one provided on capable set-top boxes, Microsoft ensured BetaNews the end-user experience is identical.

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A pact unveiled at CES around Rhapsody -- a joint venture between RealNetworks and MTV -- and Dutch-based manufacturer Philips looks likely to benefit both sides in the young and promising market of music players.

In the still largely untapped international music player market, Rhapsody will now gain a hardware device that could put it within closer reach of Apple's iTunes and Microsoft's Zune site, while Philips will get an online platform for selliing a new brand of consumer device in North America.

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Joining Polk and JBL, Sony, Alpine and JVC have unveiled HD Radio-equipped units that take advantage of the data stream that accompanies the audio on an HD station.

With an iPod connected, consumers have the ability to "tag" a song being played for review at a later time. When the iPod is connected to a computer, all tagged tracks are highlighted for a more streamlined purchasing experience.

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Motorola is showing off a new lineup of ROKR devices at CES, with the E8 mobile phone kicking off the next-generation of music phones from the company. While the original ROKR was iTunes compatible, the E8 focuses on MP3 and supports Windows Media files.

The E8 features a "ModeShift" button to quick change between the device's phone and music interfaces, a new "FastScroll" navigation wheel developed by Motorola to quickly browse songs, and a 2.0-inch QVGA display. The device includes 2GB of internal memory for storying files, and sports a microSD slot for expanding storage.

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A Lenovo executive told BetaNews his company's strategy for its new PC brands will differ according to continent. The new IdeaPad notebooks will be exclusively for the US, while its desktop line won't have an American rollout.

Remember those three IdeaPad laptops previewed last week on Lenovo's site? Well, they'll only be sold in the US -- through Office Depot, Microcenter, and three e-tail sites. One IdeaPad will be gaming-oriented.

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Microsoft SYNC, an operating system that will soon be equipped in all new Ford vehicles, was recently updated to analyze the performance of the engine and deliver the results in easy to understand reports. SYNC 2.0 also includes a 911 Assist feature that calls emergency services automatically after a crash using a connected cell phone.

As Microsoft designed the platform to be upgradeable, all Ford vehicles currently on the road have the ability to be upgraded as well.

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It may be hard to spot on the hectic CES show floor, but Panasonic is showing off its new prototype SDHC card that holds a whopping 32GB of data. Although it won't be available immediately, the memory card is the world's first at that size.

The card, which surely won't come cheap, is being pitched as the solution for recording high-definition content. 32GB equates to about 8 hours of of 1440 x 1080i video and and five hours and 20 minutes of 1920 x 1080p full HD video. The Class 6 specification means the SDHC card can transfer data at 20MB/sec.

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