LATEST ADDITIONS

Hollywood Reporter reports that Fox is doing a rush job on a Blu-ray Disc release of <I>X-Men: The Last Stand</I> to get it on store shelves on November 14th, just three days ahead of the arrival in the US of Sony's Blu-ray based PlayStation3 game console. The story quoted Fox executives as saying that the PS3 will lend Blu-ray an "unbeatable advantage" over the rival HD DVD format, hence the rush to market for <I>X-Men</I>.

• The Ghost of a Machine (October 2006) Despite an onslaught of new displays, CRTs just won't die

• Thanks for the Memories (July/August 2006) The short, sad lives of DAT, DCC, MD ... and SACD

Pelican i1030 ($45; pelican.com). Think "pelican" and you may rightly think "watertight." But the i1030 micro-case is dustproof and crushproof, too, so take that, big bird! The polycarbonate case is available in yellow or white.

Actually, Sony would prefer that you call its branded vending machines "automated kiosks." And the machines' maker, Zoom Systems, refers to them as "robotic stores." Whatever you call 'em, the Sony Access units are currently being test-marketed in various locations, including: • Malls: FlatIron Crossing (Broomfield, Colorado), Mall of Georgia (Buford), and Santa Rosa