Audio Video News

How is Toshiba managing to mourn the painful and expensive death of HD-DVD? Well, with a little bit of R&D therapy, it seems.

Perhaps spending bucket-loads of cash on an adorable 11-inch robot of limited utility will soothe Toshiba's angst. The company is currently testing ApriPoko, a 5-pound home theater bot that can learn to mimic your remote control's infrared signals when you instruct it to.

Should ApriPoko make it into retail channels, take care to introduce it into your home slowly, so your Aibo, Roomba, Robosapien and Pleo don't get jealous.

"What did you just do?" ApriPoko will ask, if you turn on the TV or raise the volume on the stereo. If you reply "I turned on the TV," or "I raised the volume," ApriPoko will remember your commands like an over-priced, albeit cute, universal remote, and obey them when you speak them again.

Sounds like ApriPoko is a good listener. That's just what heart-sick Toshiba needs right now. -Rachel Rosmarin

Sky News