iRobot for you

Robotics and home robots seem to be really popular at the moment, from Sony's Aibo to Probotic's Spy-Cye, and the recent Demo 2001 show in Arizona gave iRobot the chance to show what it can do. This machine is a little different in design to some of the other machines currently doing the rounds. For one, the iRobot actually looks like it came from the Mos Eisley scene in Star Wars - when you take a look at the picture you will know what I am getting at! The robot moves on eight-wheels in a unique configuration that allows it to clamber over obstacles and features a long extendable neck equipped with a video camera. ...more

Nvidia brings Direct X 9.0 to the PC

Graphics chip designer Nvidia has announced that its GeForce FX and Quadro FX processors are compatible with the new version 9.0 of Microsoft's games driver DirectX. By using DirectX 9. ...more

Hewlett-Packard bucks technology gloom

Computer giant Hewlett-Packard surprised many analysts yesterday with better than expected results by announcing improved figures across its main business units of Imaging, Personal Systems and Enterprise. The company reported a revenue increase of 9 per cent over the previous quarter quarter - $18.0bn, compared to $16. ...more

Netflix founder joins Microsoft board

Microsoft has yet to declare an interest in the nascent video downloads market, but the appointment of Netflix CEO Reed Hastings to its board may signal that it is preparing to begin selling movie and TV content. Hastings founded Netflix in 1998, since when it has grown to be the world's largest online DVD rental service. At the start of this year it began limited trials of Watch Now, allowing some users to stream 'near-DVD quality' movies and TV shows from most of the major Hollywood studios. ...more

Time called on Time and Tiny

The company behind the Time and Tiny brands goes into administration, having notched up losses as great as ?2m a month since the start of the year. Amid much speculation, Granville Technology confirmed the news to the BBC, earlier today. The company chairman Bill Davies was quoted as saying that 'it could well be the case' that the company is close to collapse. ...more