Mike and I had a good laugh when we spotted a dirigible-type craft bearing the Sanyo ® name flying over our head. Since it’s my Sanyo Xacti camera that got me started shooting video (although this one is shot with my very cool JVC) it’s appropriate it is the brand in tonight’s pre-CES sky.

The crowd begins to arrive in Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show, so Mike and I head over to the LVCC to get our speaker badges before tomorrow’s mad rush. Here are a few set up shots and some discussion as to what might be hot at this year’s big show.

Real Networks tried this tactic, which is starting a blog to air its grievances against its competitors. It didn’t work.

The most interesting thing about the Starz announcement of its new download service is that it puts Microsoft back in the spotlight. Will 2006 be a battle between Apple and Microsoft focusing on devices and DRM technology? Apple has a large lead (understatement of the New Year) in the world of devices, but the word on the street is that Microsoft has done a lot to enhance its portable media software technology.

Stay tuned.