Top 10 Automotive Products at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is the world's largest consumer technology trade show and this year it was host to over 2,700 technology companies. Many of these companies presented products that will be of interest to folks who love to outfit their cars with the last word in automotive technology.

In the past, CES's automotive landscape has been dominated by aftermarket brands such as Pioneer and Alpine, but recent years have seen car manufacturers taking a larger role. Below are 10 products (listed in alphabetical order) that caught our eye at the event. Aftermarket brands such as Parrot and Pioneer are reflected, but the lineup also includes exciting new offerings from manufacturers like Hyundai, Toyota and Ford.

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   1. Alpine Rearview Camera

With rearview camera technology, a camera placed in the rear of the vehicle transmits images to an in-cabin monitor to give drivers a view of what's in back when the vehicle is in reverse. This has traditionally been a factory-installed amenity but brands like Alpine offer it as an aftermarket feature. Alpine's version includes a small camera mounted near the rear license plate that transmits a high-quality color image to your vehicle's Alpine mobile media station.

The Griffin Car Trip communicates with your car's computer to alert you to possible problems; it can also be used to clear a "Check Engine" light. It consists of a small piece of hardware that plugs into your vehicle's onboard diagnostics port and relays information to your iPhone or in-dash iOS device.

Blue Link represents Hyundai's foray into the world of advanced multimedia infotainment systems. The system offers many of the features seen in Ford's Sync and GM's OnStar, along with a few others. There's Automated Crash Notification that connects you with a trained specialist in the event of an accident; voice-to-text messaging that allows you to dictate text messages without taking your hands off the wheel; and an Eco Coach scoring system that tracks mileage and emissions, and offers suggestions for more fuel-efficient driving.

MotionX is a leading iPhone navigation app; now this app can be experienced via JVC's in-dash media receivers. MotionX offers full navigation features along with music and audiobook playback control, and Facebook and Wikipedia integration. MotionX integration is available on 2011 JVC media receivers.

Introduced to be compatible with the all-new Ford Focus Electric, the MyFord Mobile app allows each owner of Ford's electric car to keep tabs on his vehicle even when he's not behind the wheel. Via a smartphone or Ford's Web site, MyFord allows car owners to monitor the vehicle's state of charge, locate charging stations, plan trips and receive alerts for vehicle charging. This app hasn't been launched yet, but when it is, versions will be available for Android, Blackberry and iOS.

OnStar offers a ton of useful features but has served a very limited market, since it's been available only on recently made General Motors (GM) vehicles. This lack of availability is addressed with the launch of OnStar Anywhere, an aftermarket product that allows those with older GM and non-GM vehicles to enjoy OnStar service. OnStar controls are typically clustered around a vehicle's rearview mirror and OnStar Anywhere utilizes the same design; the device is basically a replacement rearview mirror. While it doesn't offer all the services you'd get with standard OnStar, it offers most, including Automatic Crash Notification (which alerts an OnStar advisor in the event of an accident), Stolen Vehicle Assistance (with this service, an OnStar advisor can help locate your stolen vehicle via GPS tracking) and hands-free calling via your Bluetooth phone.

Parrot's Asteroid is a large-screened head unit that works on the Android operation system. The receiver features clean, striking design and allows you to do things like search for music files via voice commands and make hands-free phone calls. When equipped with a GPS dongle (which is included with the product), Asteroid also offers geo-location services (such as identifying nearby points of interest) and traffic alerts.

Pioneer has teamed with Aha Radio to offer an interactive radio service that you can personalize to suit your preferences; the service is available on Pioneer's 2011 line of in-dash navigation products. In addition to a multitude of content and podcast stations, Aha Radio allows users to listen to their social media thanks to text-to-speech functionality — the system reads Facebook and Twitter updates, and also allows users to listen to current traffic conditions.

TomTom has long been a leading aftermarket brand when it comes to navigation systems and Sony has partnered with the company to develop two new products. The XNV-770BT and XNV-660BT navigation systems are loaded with TomTom technologies such as IQ Routes (which determines route options based on actual traffic speed instead of going by posted speed limits) and Map Share (which helps keep maps current by allowing approved users to make updates).

Ford has Sync and now Toyota has Entune, a system designed to provide advanced smart-phone integration and infotainment. Entune offers a wide range of mobile apps that allow you to do things like purchase movie tickets and reserve tables at your favorite restaurant. With choices that include Pandora's personalized stations and HD Radio, Entune also brings you a wide range of music, accessible via advanced voice recognition technology. Best of all, you don't have to worry about the system's apps becoming obsolete, since Entune is wirelessly upgradeable.