Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Smart Home
  3. News

Companies Tout Their Tech Emmys

By

It’s definitely a sign of the times: the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has announced the winners for its Technology and Engineering Emmy Awards. This is the 58th year of the Emmy awards, but it’s also the first year that Mohammed went to the mountain: instead of holding the awards ceremony at a small Los Angeles venue, the Academy took its awards to the annual CES trade show in Las Vegas.

"These are truly dynamic and exciting times for the television industry, and tonight’s Emmy winners were rewarded for their significant impact in enhancing the consumer viewing experience," said National Television Academy President and CEO Peter Price. "Of this esteemed group, we are pleased to commend technology and engineering professionals who contribute to the development of television through the advancement of broadband and portable delivery platforms."

Recommended Videos

Technology and Engineering Emmys broadly fall into two areas: Science, Engineering & Technology for Broadcast Television, and Science, Engineering, and Technology for Broadband and Personal Television. The former category includes cable, satellite, and broadcast distribution, while the second category includes just about everything else like gaming, the Internet, mobile phones, and personal media players. Emmys are also awarded for three special areas for best use of personal media display technology, best use of technology in creating commercials, and best use in non-traditional media.

A total of sixteen awards were given this year, in addition to a Lifetime Achievement award to Eddy Hartenstein, former Vice Chairman of the DirecTV, for his role in building DirecTV from launch to a world class provider of digital television. Some notable award winners:

  • Microsoft, earning awards for Streaming Media Architectures and Components and Pioneering Work in Near and Real-Time Fully Programmable Shading Via Modern Graphics Processors;

  • Nvidia, for Pioneering Work in Near and Real-Time Fully Programmable Shading Via Modern Graphics Processors;

  • Sling Media, earning an Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Media Technology for the Creation of Non-Traditional Programs or Platforms for its Slingbox;

  • TiVo, for Outstanding Innovation and Achievement in Advanced Media Technology for Best Use by Commercials in Creation and Use in Non Traditional Platforms and Technologies;

  • Sony, earning Emmys in Outstanding Innovation and Achievement in Advanced Media Technology for the Best Use of Personal Media Display and Presentation Technology for its Xross Media Bar, and Peripheral Development and Technological Impact of Video Game Controllers for its Dual Shock Analog Controller for PlayStation;

Funny thing with Sony: the company initially issued a press release thanking the Academy and congratulating itself for winning an Emmy for the SIXAXIS tilt-enabled controller shipping with its PlayStation 3; however, it was the no-longer-shipping Dual Shock controller which actually took the award. Maybe if you lobby hard next year, Sony, you can recycle that release.

Editors' Recommendations

Geoff Duncan
Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
Are robotic pool cleaners worth it?
The Airper Seagull SE robotic pool cleaner at the bottom of a swimming pool.

The worst part of owning a swimming pool is taking care of it From filter maintenance and skimming debris from the surface to managing chemicals and more, you'll likely find yourself hanging out around the water more often than you're actually in the water. Robotic pool cleaners are designed to alleviate this pinch point of pool ownership by giving you back your time and automating most of your tasks.

But are robotic pool cleaners worth it, or are they a gimmick that still require heaps of manual input? Here's a closer look to help you decide if one would be a good addition to your backyard.
Budget-friendly devices are often a hassle

Read more
Best Buy cut this air fryer’s price in half, down to just $25
The Bella Pro Series 3 Quart Air Fryer near food.

If you want your food crispy all over without having to deal with draining a ton of oil, your best bet is to use an air fryer. They're never too expensive and there are always great air fryer deals going on, but you'll rarely find one with a price like this. Right now, the Bella Pro Series 3 Quart Analog Air Fryer is half off, moving its price from $50 to $25. To pick yours up today all you need to do is tap the button below. If you're interested in our take, however, be sure to keep reading.

Why you should buy the Bella Pro Series 3 Quart Air Fryer
The Bella Pro Series 3 Quart Air Fryer holds up to about 2.5 pounds of food, heats up to 400 degrees, and has easily-removable dishwasher-safe parts. If you notice it is "analog" that is because it has a 60 minute shut off timer to give you peace of mind and an easy way to time your cooking. Of course, this means there aren't a ton of digital options, buttons, and settings. However, this can be a plus for some and possibly you. Not every item in the home needs to be "smart" and less can certainly feel like more.

Read more
Revolution Cooking’s high-speed smart toaster is $100 off today
Someone using the Revolution Cooking InstaGLO R180 smart toaster in the kitchen.

If you're thinking about getting a new toaster for your kitchen, why not go with a high-speed smart toaster? Best Buy is currently selling the Revolution Cooking InstaGLO R180 smart toaster with a $100 discount, slashing its price to $250 from $350 originally. There's no telling how much time is remaining before this offer expires though, so if you're interested, it's highly recommended that you proceed with the purchase right now in order to secure the savings.

Why you should buy the Revolution Cooking InstaGLO R180 smart toaster
Are smart kitchen gadgets worth it? The answer is a resounding yes, and the Revolution Cooking InstaGLO R180 smart toaster will show you why. With this kitchen device, you'll no longer suffer from burnt or uneven toasts as it's powered by the brand's InstaGLO heating system. The technology will start toasting your bread in just two seconds without any need for preheating. You'll get bread that's crunchy outside and moist inside every single time, which is a huge upgrade over the inconsistencies of traditional toasters.

Read more