Latin Grammy Winners and Losers: 2005-2006 Hot Dresses and Fashion Trends

"The Latin Grammys have returned home," said Mexican actor Eduardo Santamarina who was co-hosting the ceremony with Mexican TV personality Rebecca de Alba at the Shrine Auditorium. That is, the 6th Annual Latin Grammys. Those were the words of the two announcers at the opening of the Grammy ceremony in Los Angeles. All the luminaries came out for this event.

Based on the response from the audience, we can safely say that CBS lost a good show. CBS rejected the broadcasting of the show after ratings failed. And Univision, the top Spanish channel, picked it up. Just like Soccer and most of its programming, the Grammy ceremony was in Spanish. It's true that the announcers said a few words in English, Portuguese and maybe Italian, but the whole ceremony was in Spanish. This is to show the rising importance of the Latino or Hispanic sector in the American music space.

It's been said that ratings may go up again with the broadcasting of the Grammy awards on the country's number one's Spanish-language network. On the red carpet (alfombra) were mingling artists from Brasil, Columbia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and all other Spanish-speaking countries.

Who Were the winners and losers?

Italian vocalist Laura Pausini beat favorite Bebe for female pop vocal album with her album "Escucha." Based on Bebe's lashing out and gum-chewing tirade which was blocked by Univision, Laura did not expect to win. She even admitted that she did not prepare anything because she thought Bebe was going to win. Felicitaciones at Laura! Bebe did not leave empty-handed. She got the award for best new artist.

Another favorite of mine is Columbian rocker Juanes who became the big winner of the night. He grabbed three awards for rock son, music video and rock solo vocal album. Juanes now has a grand total of 12 grammys. One of my favorite singer-songwriters is Alejandro Sanz. He appeared with Shakira on her video. Last night, his song "Tu no Tienes Alma" won song and record of the year awards.

Brasil cheered up for her son, Ivan Lins who nabbed the best album trophy for "Cantando Historias." How about the Dominican Republic? Juan Luis Guerra received two trophies for best Christian album and best tropical song for las "Avispas."

How about Puerto Rico? Don Omar, the patron saint, master, engineer of Reggaeton was on hand. He performed for the public. Some viewers are complaining that the delivery was not that great. This may be due to lack of equipment, mixing or technical issues. They prefer to hear "La Gasolina" on the radio more. Any way, the upset was perpetrated by Obie Bermudez, 28-year-old singer who beat such heavyweights as Alejandro Fermandez, Marc Anthony and Marco Antonio Solis. He nabbed the male pop vocal album category. Well, until the 7th Latin Grammy Award, he will the best male pop artist.

The Tex-Mex group Intocables won the award for best Norteno album for "Diez." During the hour before the telecast on Univision, Juanes won the best rock solo vocal award for "Mi Sangre". Mexican rockers Molotov captured the trophy for best rock album by a group or duo. Juanes is the huge winner of the night. He was also nominated for "Nada Valgo sin tu Amor." If you watch his music video for "Volverte a Ver," you will understand why it won won him the best music video award.

There were a lot of awards to be handed out. LA-based alternative rockers Osomatli nabbed the the alternative music album award for "Street Signs." Well, Marc Anthony did not leave the Shrine auditorium empty-handed. He won the best Salsa album award for his album "Valio La Pena."

Luis Miguel's "Mexico En La Piel" won him the Ranchero album prize.

In the end, it was a night to remember.

Technology, Music Player, Computers & Digital Media Weeks in Review

Microsoft got tired of fighting with RealNetworks. What did Bill Gates do? He decided to settle with CEO Rob Glaser of RealNetworks. It's worth noting that Rob Glaser is a former Microsoftie, well, a former employee of Microsoft. Bill Gates was his boss. Talk about the rise of an employee from the low ranks and files, you have Glaser who now sits on some real dough. Microsoft's Windows Media Player was the archrival, the main foe of RealPlayer for many years. So now, one of the last major U.S. antitrust cases is closed.

What did Mr. Glaser get to change tone and face? He got the promise that RealNetworks and Microsoft can pool their resources together to go after a common foe, Steve Jobs's Apple Computer with all its profitable little gadgets. Glaser's company is now $460 million richer. It settles all antitrust disputes worldwide that RealNetworks had against Microsoft. Bill Gates's Microsoft had to cough over, fork over an additional $301 milion in cash and services.

Bill Gates wants peace. He is buying -no-settling his disputes with his rivals. The fight for the control of digital music and video players has just started. Apple appears to have the competitors in the dust of walkman, tape and traditional, portable music. With its iTunes store and large variety of iPods, Steve has saturated the market.

Steve Jobs likes a fight. No he likes innovation and creativity. All men are created equal. They can come up with nifty gadgets that make the consumers go gaga. When was the last time you entered an Apple computer or CompUSA to see all the fancy iMac computers displayed on the shelves? Pretty interesting indeed! You have Apple Mini everywhere. Just at the begining of last month, Apple unveiled iPod Nano. Consumers are not even getting enough time to enjoy it. This week, October 8, Apple released the much -anticipated, much-predicted Video Ipod.

Apple floods the market with interesting gadgets. If you saw the floods of New Orleans, then you have an idea of what Steve Jobs has been able to do with his iPods. Media content becomes the king. He started iTunes with a few songs. Now, consumers can buy millions of songs. Observers are already predicting that he will do for video media content what he did for music. Already, he has struck a contract with ABC to make its shows available after 1 day. Lost and Desperate Housewives will be among them. A new wave of digital content will be created with the opening of this great market. Others will follow suite too. For $1.99, consumers will be able to download their favorite shows and programs. Costing between $299 and $399, the Video iPod will be a bestseller at retail stores, way ahead of the holiday rush shopping. What will be under your Christmas tree this year? Hey, you can have some head start for your Valentine's Day http://shopnowshop.com/shopnowshopping!

Apple may not have all the fun though. Microsoft's Xbox 360 will be released on Nov. 22 to the delight of video gamers worldwide. Industry insiders estimate that sales are expected to reach 2.5 million. What's so great about the Xbox 360? It comes equipped with built-in hard drive and will cost between $399 or $299 without the hard drive.

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