In chips and pieces

Everything needed to browse the Web and send e-mail will soon be put into a single microprocessor. The Japanese firm Toshiba, in association with iReady, a chip designer from San Jose, California, are close to developing the Internet Tuner chip that will allow manufacturers to give features, such as browsing and e-mail, in pagers, mobile phones, and personal organisers for a few additional dollars, says Ryo Koyama, president of iReady.

Those wishing to connect their telephone, television, or personal organiser to the Net need all the basic computer components