From computing systems to wireless, the most innovative technologies by category. The Innovation Awards judges chose winners in 16 categories this year.

Coolness in 2011 often involves delivering and consuming services to result in stronger business outcomes. The increased focus on service delivery and consumption is part of a consumer-driven desire for technology to take a back seat in favor of good service. This behavior is a continuation of trends we outlined in the 2010 Cool Vendors’ reports — namely a focus on enabling people to deliver better business results through consumption of both services and technology.

TechAmerica Foundation today unveiled the finalists for the American Technology Awards, which bestows the only national “Best Of” awards that recognize all technology products and services across the technology industry. Nominations for the American Technology Award’s “Terman” awards were vetted by industry experts and technology companies. These awards were named after Frederick Terman, who is widely credited as being the father of Silicon Valley.

TiE50 is TiE Silicon Valley’s premier annual awards program keenly contested by technology startups worldwide. TiE50 track record since inception in May 2009 shows that 94% of the winners and finalists have been funded, attracting over $20 Billion in investments! 42 companies have been acquired, merged or went public. Participating technology startups benefit from a vast ecosystem of venture capitalists, angels, and entrepreneurs. Other participant privileges include significant investor exposure, online virtual showcasing and technology and business partnering/networking.

Streetline – For smart-parking and traffic-control technology. Streetline has spread to seven cities, including New York and Los Angeles. The aim is to have 15 percent of all parking spots open at any given time.

IBM today named Streetline the IBM Global Entrepreneur of the Year and winner of the 2010 SmartCamp World Finals in Dublin, where the company announced plans to expand its Global Entrepreneur initiative and future SmartCamps in emerging markets including Brazil, China, Mexico, Poland and Turkey. Streetline, which uses sensors that allow citizens to find inexpensive parking fast while helping cities manage their parking resources more efficiently, was selected from more than 600 SmartCamp entries worldwide based on its outstanding technology, innovative business plan, and alignment with IBM’s Smarter Planet strategy.