If you want to get an idea of the hot gadgets to come in 2009, you need look no further than the Innovations Honorees.

Ever since 1976, the Innovations Design and Engineering Awards have been given out to the companies judged to have produced the best products in a variety of categories.

It's a warm-up for the Consumer Electronics Show, and all the winners go on display at that event.

There are stacks of awards given out, but the Best of Innovations awards gives a neat summary of the most admired products.

Take a look through the winners of this year's Best of Innovations awards, ahead of CES 2009.