However, the current charge status or the SmartCharging charge configuration can also be conveniently controlled and managed via a web portal from a home computer or with any modern smartphone.

ENGADGET: Third generation Smart Fortwo ditches Tesla powertrain, gains two wheeled cousin

Fans watch pro players goof around, practice and play in massive tournaments, all through the portal of a stream on their computer.

FORBES: Connect

When Assange turned sixteen, he got a modem, and his computer was transformed into a portal.

NEWYORKER: No Secrets

By simply visiting the Parents Portal on MEEPTablet.com from any device with a web browser (computer, smart phone, tablet), parents can not only hand-pick ("whitelist") which websites or keywords their kids have or don't have access to, but they can add words to the tablet's built-in "bad word" list so their child will not be able to search for those words or use them in the chat feature.

ENGADGET: Oregon Scientific MEEP! tablet ships for $150, gives kids a safe, exclamation-filled place to play

Instead of a portal gun, your clone avatar has your wits, a surprisingly powerful jump, some computer skills and a healthy acceptance of mortality.

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Initially the services will be prepared for users of the BT Openworld service, but eventually it will be expanded to become a portal that BTs customers can access via almost any device - be it interactive TV, hand-held computer or mobile phone.

BBC: BT opens up Openworld

One online firm, Plenus, runs a popular web portal called NetMarble which does a good business selling everything from virtual hats and handbags to virtual plastic surgery for computer avatars.

ECONOMIST: Computer games