Science

Holiday shoppers are turning to the convenience of the Internet for their gift-buying needs this season. Online sales are up 25% over last year, Hillary Wicai reports.

A British government report says robots could soon be such an important part of the world's economy that they might require political rights. Stephen Beard reports from London.

Or at least they could one day soon, say researchers who've been studying possible scenarios for the next 50 years. They conclude robots might play a major role in the global economy. Stephen Beard has details.

The FCC decides tomorrow whether to make it easier for phone companies to enter local cable markets. Increased competition would likely drop prices for consumers, but public access channels could suffer. Sam Eaton reports.

Cash Peters heads off to eBay U, where it doesn't take long for him to learn that you <i>can</i> sell anything online.

Nintendo's Wii gaming console is outselling Sony's PlayStation 3 &mdash; but it isn't necessarily because gamers don't want PS3. Alex Goldmark reports.

Officials in Japan today said they're investigating Samsung and Philips, the two biggest LCD companies, for possible price-fixing. Anna Fifield is covering the story for the Financial Times.

Retailers are always pushing those extended warranties when we buy electronics. Host Scott Jagow asks Consumer Reports' Todd Marks, is it worth the extra money?

Google has signed on with British satellite TV firm BSkyB to develop its broadband services &mdash; and it's an alliance that Hollywood's going to be watching closely, Stephen Beard reports.

Xbox 360, Wii, PSP3 &mdash; how do you choose? Is there an iPod alternative? Host Brian Watt asks CNET.com's Brian Cooley which expensive toys make the best gifts for novices.