2011 Innovations Awards Honorees: Computer Peripherals
From printers to Webcams to monitors to mice, these computer peripherals were honored as part of the 2011 CES Innovations Awards.
Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910
This highly rated Webcam shoots in full HD 1080p and snaps 10-megapixel still photos, and it provides a Carl Zeiss lens with good autofocus, a dual built-in microphone for optimal video chatting, premium automatic light correction, and fun Logitech video effects similar to those found in Apple's Photo Booth. I found that the Logitech Webcam controls made it easy to zoom in and out and then pan in any direction to focus on something specific. The controls are presented in an intuitive desktop pop-up window; you click buttons on the screen to move the camera. During calls with Skype and with Logitech's Vid HD video-calling service, the C910 produced no noticeable pixelation. --Leah Yamshon
HP HD-4110 Webcam
The well-designed HP HD-4110 Webcam comes equipped with easy-launch buttons and can shoot 1080p high-definition video at 30 frames per second. Each of the three buttons atop the device launches a different Webcam feature: One records video and uploads it to YouTube, another launches your preferred chatting service, and a third snaps a still photo. Once the autofocus adjusts and kicks in, the face-tracking feature ensures that you remain in focus throughout the whole chat. --Leah Yamshon
Microsoft LifeCam Studio
The first Webcam in the LifeCam line that can shoot video in 1080p, the top-of-the-line Microsoft LifeCam Studio has fluid autofocus, captures vivid colors, and records stunning overall video. It's packaged in an innovative barrel design, and it works best when paired with Windows Live Messenger; that software lets you access the Webcam's most advanced chatting features. --Leah Yamshon
Imation Defender F200 Biometric Flash Drive
Lots of flash drives boast FIPS140-2, Level 3 government-grade encryption, but the Imation Defender F200 Biometric Flash Drive goes even further by integrating a biometric swipe sensor for hardware-based fingerprint identification. That's in addition to the AES 256-bit hardware encryption, and two-factor authentication. Imation says that this ruggedly designed, lightweight drive is tamper-resistant and waterproof. It comes in 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB capacities. --Melissa J. Perenson
