David le Page
What’s New
Intel and United States design company Sozo have launched the first item of PC furniture, probably destined to join the Sinclair C5 electric car and the calculator watch on the dust heap of tech history.
It is a pouf, or “Ottoman footstool”, with a built-in PC, which gives you the option of swapping feet-up time for instant backache as you lean forward over the awkward console. Raising a “lid” reveals the flat-screen display, wireless keyboard and video camera.
Play with the world
Sega have launched their new Dreamcast games console in Europe. It is the first networked games console – with it you can send e-mail, surf the Web and play against opponents on other continents. The company is hoping to sell 1,5-million units. Although the Dreamcast is 12 times faster than the market-leading Sony Playstation, Sega have just a year to enjoy a chunk of the market, before the Playstation II will power in to take the lead once again.
Sterling service
If you prefer hard foreign exchange to the allure of the soon-to-be-established national lottery, then www.playuklottery.com is for you. The website has already helped no less than 10 patriots build their emigration kitties with sterling bonsellas over the past two months. Global Logistics, who run the website, say they will pay out your winnings anywhere in the world – tax free.
Fastest chip on the block
AMD has launched the fastest-ever processor for PCs. Dubbed Athlon, a 600MHz version of the chip has beaten Intel’s 600MHz PIII Pentium by 21% in graphics tests run by PC World. The new Athlon runs at 650MHz. Wait a few months before you decide to get one – its debut price will be $850.