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Her Indoors and I often enjoy a bottle of wine (or 10) of an evening, but I openly admit that I don't know a good vintage from a £3.99 special at Tesco. However, a 60cm-tall wine sniffing robot has been invented that can distinguish good wine from bad. An object placed against a sensor on the robot's arm triggers an infra-red beam which is then analysed to reveal the object's chemical make-up. The robot then names the brand and describes the wine with comments such as, "a full-bodied shiraz". However, some would say simply reading the label is a cheaper and quicker alternative.
Calls with balls
Business phone calls are boring at the best of times, but PC manufacturer Evesham Technology has come up with a way of spicing up even the most dull conversation. It has launched the Verballs – a horned critter that plugs into the PC and waves its ‘arms’ around when a call comes through. It has a load of spangly lights as well apparently. To be honest listening to Gordon trying to charm his way through a sales call is entertainment enough so I won’t need one in the Dodgi office. But at least it is hard evidence that the IT industry speaks a load of (ver)balls.
A drop in the sea
Telephony vendor Alcatel sponsored 14 individuals to complete a charity bike ride spanning 140 miles from Whitehaven to Sunderland. The group of cyclists accomplished the Sea to Sea cycle route in just three days and Alcatel donated £1,600 to various charities. Wow. How generous of the French vendor who turned over €930m in its most recent financial year.
