No escape: Gadgets bring tech everywhere

FM gets strong reception at CES
The humble broadcasting technology, which ceased being a novelty sometime around the time of the Woodstock, has re-emerged in several new and potentially significant permutations.

Sony predicts rebirth of television
update A key executive at the consumer-electronics giant takes the stage at CES, proclaiming that television is still in its infancy and will be the center of home entertainment networks.

Tech gets cooking
reporter's notebook It's a microwave oven! It's an Ethernet port! At the Las Vegas show, gadget makers decided the hottest tech niche was in the kitchen and put the "appliance" back in "Internet appliance."

Sony wields high-capacity Sticks
The consumer-electronics giant is boosting the capacity of its Memory Stick removable flash memory cards and developing a new faster-recording card format.

TI: "DSPs" riding wireless wave
More gadgets are using digital signal processors as digital information plays a larger role in the lives of consumers, says Texas Instruments, a major manufacturer of DSPs.

Intel promotes the wireless home network
The chipmaker continues to promote the versatility and usefulness of the PC, but during a keynote address Intel CEO stumped for wireless home networks.

Microsoft's Media Center gets compatible
A maker of DVD-burning tools creates software designed to make discs recorded on PCs running Microsoft's specialized OS compatible with standard DVD players.

Dell: PCs still rule the roost
In a gentle slapback to remarks from Sony's president, Michael Dell tells CES crowds that the PC will become the center of the digital home entertainment universe--not the TV.

TiVo wants to join the home network
The digital video recording service company announces new software that essentially allows recorders to access and share content on home networks.

Little things mean a lot to Gates
Microsoft's latest plan to improve the way you live revolves around wristwatches and refrigerator magnets, Bill Gates reveals in his Consumer Electronics Show keynote speech.

Microsoft signs up media allies
The software company announces new supporters for its HighMAT technology, designed to make it easier to move digital content between PCs and home electronics devices.

Intel, Microsoft push portable video
The chip giant is whipping up reference designs for PVPs, or portable video players, and the software powerhouse is concocting a related OS, called Media2Go.

Robots for the masses
Evolution Robotics says it has created a navigation system that is cheap enough to bring robots to the mass consumer market.

eMachines updates its PCs, prices
The company maintains or lowers prices--which start at $399 for a PC without a monitor--while adding faster processors across the board.

Notebooks to allow Freestyle viewing
Microsoft is taking Windows XP Media Center Edition from desktop to portable; Alienware and Toshiba are making notebooks with the software.

HP joins digital media refrain
Hewlett-Packard is developing new products that let consumers view photos and play music through their televisions and stereos.