These two words could very well sum up the whole 2008 Consumer Electronics Show held recently in Las Vegas.

Which, to us consumers forever under hypnosis to follow that ageless mantra "buy me, buy me, buy me," is, well, good.

The decision by electronics companies to unleash the largest, smallest, loudest, most colorful products ever imagined – just for this year alone – proved that yes, there’s hope for our hard-earned cash.

It’s still okay to covet these gizmos for us, our friends (optional), our bosses (required) and lifetime partners (no question here) because…they’re all worth it.

No matter what critics say, the CES 2008 still proved to be one grand occasion, a humungous gathering of some of the best minds and visionaries in the world of technology.

And we, the consumers, are needed to complete the cycle.

They think. They make things. They ship them out. They promote…

…we buy.

It’s cruel. But it has to be done.

Look, how you gonna’ survive the 2008 rat race without these techno essentials?

Hear what people say, or don’t say when you get caught with a device that has seen better days – literally.

Listen: "Buy me, buy me, buy me."

But seriously, what do you think?

Weird science? Or not?

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Joby Zivio Bluetooth headset with boom mic

Joby Zivio™ showcased their elegant, high performance Bluetooth™ headset with a telescoping microphone boom at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show. The ultra-sensitive microphone sitting on the end of the extendable boom is perhaps what consumers have to look out for. Extend the boom to the corner of the mouth and the gains are reduced to the lowest levels - resulting in the removal of background noise and capturing clear, natural sound. Microphone gain is adjusted automatically when the boom is slided up and down.

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"Award Winning" Backup-Pal - the first device to back up and restore contacts of virtually any cellular phone

Advanced Wireless Solutions, LLC (AWS developed the Backup-Pal™ for select Motorola, Samsung and Nokia cellular phone models. Consumers will no longer need to worry about losing their cellular phone contacts in cases where a phone is lost, stolen or damaged.

Backup-Pal™ (patent pending) is the wireless industry’s first portable and battery operated cell phone accessory that backs-up and transfers phonebook contacts without the use of a PC, software, data-cables or a monthly subscription fee.

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World’s first fully integrated Wireless HDTV by Westinghouse Digital and Pulse-LINK at CES 2008

Westinghouse Digital Electronics and Pulse~LINK, Inc. has introduced the world’s first fully integrated wireless HDTV featuring the latter company’s integrated CWave® UWB Wireless HDMI technology. It was displayed for the first time at the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada with demonstrations throughout the show

The Westinghouse Digital Wireless HDMI HDTV is planned for initial commercial release to the B2B digital signage market in Q2 2008. CWave® HDMI product.

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Thomson integrates the power of Google LocalSearch into 2008 GE DECT 6.0™ Phones 

Thomson and Google have partnered to help consumers save money on 411 business information calls by integrating the first ever one-touch, auto-dial GOOG-411 button into many of its latest GE-branded DECT 6.0™ Interference Free phones for 2008.

One of many new innovative features for consumers from Thomson, GOOG-411 is Google’s free, voice-activated, business directory assistance service, and the GOOG-411 button will be incorporated on more than a dozen GE phones, which will be available in April. The first chance the new GE DECT 6.0 phones with the GOOG-411 button was seen was during the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas Convention Center.

"While some people still use the ‘phone book,’ most traditional paper versions these days are remarkably incomplete and do not fit today’s fast paced lifestyle," said Tom Bratton, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Thomson Consumer Network Solutions. "In America alone, more than million is spent on business information calls daily! That amounts to about $ 7 billion dollars spent per year. We believe that consumers will appreciate the ability to use GOOG-411, making free business information calls at the push of a single button."

GOOG-411 is a free and completely automated service, employing speech recognition to help users find and connect to businesses from their phone. Pressing the GOOG-411 button will immediately connect DECT 6.0 users to this free Google service. After callers say where and what they are looking for, GOOG-411 will find the business and will offer to connect the call for free. The GOOG-411 service is also available for mobile users on 1-800-GOOG-411 (1-800-4664-411) where normal carrier charges may apply.

Two new GE DECT 6.0 series phones by Thomson will include a GOOG-411 auto dial button. Models include:

GE Premiere DECT 6.0 Phone with Home Speakerbox/Intercom: The ultimate GE DECT phones for young families in larger homes, model 28821FJ3 features a dedicated two-way wireless intercom system plus a special portable speakerphone/room intercom unit that can be easily moved from room-to-room as needed. This ultimate hands-free model features a large, easy-to-push button for quick call pick-up and hands-free operation.