Your Technology Jan. 21, 2002

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CES SPECIAL

A LOT OF MOXI Probably the loudest buzz of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last week surrounded the new venture from WebTV founder Steve Perlman. Moxi is a set-top box that's got it all: digital video recording (like TiVo, but even easier), a DVD player, 80 GB worth of storage for your music CDs, Internet access and, most important, wireless home networking (so you can access its features from any TV or PC in the home). Moxi will launch at the end of 2002 as part of the Echostar satellite system, which is itself likely to merge with DirecTV. Can world domination be far behind?

CYBERCHEF Dinner would be so much easier if you could call your oven from work and tell it to start cooking. With smart ovens from Tonight's Menu, you will soon be able to. NASA technology keeps the roast cool until you dial in from a Web-ready cell phone to set the time and heat. All of which will cost about $75 more than a regular oven.

TRUE LIES Next time you tell a little white lie to your spouse or boss, be sure they're not holding a Truster. This portable lie detector from DreamQuest analyzes sonic waves in the voice for signs of stress and claims 85% accuracy; it even plugs into cell phones. Campaigning politicians everywhere, beware.

--By Chris Taylor