Monday, November 12, 2001		Lens on IT

Matsushita Electric Lindustrial Co Ltd's worker Kazumi Tamamoto shows its new DVD video player SL-GC10 compatible with Nintendo GameCube in Tokyo. Panasonic will launch the hybrid of Nintendo Co's GameCube console that can play DVDs, from December 14 in Japan. Retailers will be allowed to set own price for the machine, named "Q", but the company plans to sell it for 39,800 yen (about $326) on its Website.

Sony presents the new Aibo (ERS-220) entertainment robot as it dances at an unveiling in Tokyo. The highly futuristic robot boasts new hardware features, including 19 LEDs located around the face, tail, and back for more expressive communiation, multiple enhanced touch sensors enabling varying degrees of response and interaction between owner and robot. Aibo goes on sale in Japan November 23, 2001 for 1,80,000 yen ($1,487). 

A fuel-battery powered boot is displayed at the "World Genius Convention" in Tokyo. Japanese inventor Dr. Yoshiro NakaMats, who claims to have invented the floppy disk and ranks himself alongside Archimedes and Marie Curie as one of history's greatest scientists, says the boot can propel its wearer faster than a speeding bicycle.

Microsoft Network (MSN) together with Motorola Inc. and Arch Wireless Inc., announced the availability of a new wireless communication device, the Talkabout T900 2way with MSN Hotmail. The Talkabout T900 2way with MSN Hotmail is a low-cost, two-way wireless messaging device that gives millions of Hotmail users a simple and useful way to stay connected while on the go.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer (L) gestures while chief software architect Bill Gates listens to Ballmer speak about their company's settlement with the U.S. Government in its three-year antitrust case, during a press conference at Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington. The settlement, which must be approved by the federal judge overseeing the case, would impose restrictions and regulations for a five year period on how Microsoft develops and licenses software, works with independent vendors and communicates about the inner workings of its software.

— Reuters photos