It found that traditional so-called "nuclear" families were more likely to have more hi-tech gadgetry in their home than almost any other group it measured.

BBC: Hi-tech brings families together

Unlike high-definition video, which can result in disconcerting detail (hello, pores), hi-res audio smooths more than it sharpens.

WSJ: Sonic Truth

In 1958 they started Clairtone, which made hi-fi systems that looked more like furniture than stereos.

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Dual 1-inch Linear Magnetic DriveTM "Twoofers" more likely found in large expensive hi-fi speakers for remarkable clarity and range.

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Athletes are a superstitious bunch, but consulting a fortune teller might seem a little bit too "ancient Olympics" for many of today's athletes, who put more faith in hi-tech equipment and specialized training regimes.

CNN: Reading the Olympians' fortunes

Although not Luddites, the immigrants struggle more than natives to adapt to hi-tech progress.

CNN: What does it mean to be a digital native?

It is set to spread rapidly in 2006, now that most manufacturers, notably HP, are shipping MCE home media centres (attractive PCs with all the bells and whistles that look fine sitting next to your hi-fi in the lounge and have one or more digital TV tuners built in).

BBC: NEWS | Technology | Ten yards shy of a 'nerd nirvana'

Is the shake-out of the hi-tech and telecommunications sector over or will more companies issue profits warnings, unable to maintain the sort of growth they enjoyed at the peak of the boom?

ECONOMIST: Watching out for the great bear | The

Many experts predicted these hi-tech firms - full of young, mobile people - would simply move abroad in search of more sympathetic tax regimes.

BBC: Video games industry: Rise of the 'bedroom' developer