Jonathan Takiff: Connected devices are the stars of International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas

THE GIZMO: The "all connected" CES 2011 Report.

TECHNO TOGETHERNESS: The promise of "connected electronics" - gizmos capable of communicating and sharing content with kindred products and sites - has been well-fulfilled in recent years with hot-selling smart phones, computers, game systems and Internet-enabled TVs.

But at last week's International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, it seemed almost EVERYTHING new and cool had an element of connectivity attached, in some cases adding fresh style, excitement and even sex appeal to products we've long taken for granted, from the boring cable box to kitchen and laundry appliances.

WHITE GOODS

REINVENTED: For the first time, home appliance makers Kenmore, GE and Whirlpool took big exhibit spaces at CES, while rivals/suppliers LG and Samsung carved out much larger areas for their refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers and laundry "mates." Sears' Kenmore brand and LG showed similar "smart" clothes washers and dryers with a unique diagnostic feature. If something's wrong with the machine, just hold your app-loaded smart phone up to it, press a button on the appliance, and it outputs a signal that a distant service rep will diagnose for free.

In the kitchen, we were hearing about near-future ovens that can send a "roast is done" message to your mobile phone, then respond to your "turn it down to warm" instruction if you can't tear yourself away from the football game.

And every booth buddy was chatting up the merits of time-delayed operations and forthcoming "smart grid" technology that will help you run appliances more economically in off-peak hours.

CAR TALK: In the car world, the high-tech enhancements of "Sync" (offering voice-activated control of car systems and linked mobile phones) have done wonders for Ford's image and sales. At this year's CES the automaker had a huge presence and more to spill.

Ford staged the world premiere of a new model - an all-electric version of its much-anticipated Ford Focus world car. And to further underscore its consumer electronics lineage, Ford announced that the fast-cycling, 220-volt home charger for the electric Focus' batteries will be sold and installed (for about $1,500 total) by the Geek Squad at Best Buy.