Bits & megabytes

Sharp plans to sell the world's first 3-D laptop. Users won't need special glasses, and the effects turn on and off at the touch of a button. The first model is intended for software engineers, but a consumer model is in the works.

Soon new TVs will tune digital cable channels without a separate converter box. According to new FCC rules, cable companies will issue special smart cards that pop into a slot on the set. Manufacturers hope to have this technology in stores by late next year.

BMG Music is giving the copy-protected CD another try. The owner of RCA, Arista, and other labels is experimenting with a system called MediaMax CD-3 Technology, which blocks mass copying and limits owners to burning only three copies onto blank CDs. The company claims this "copy management" plan can help "protect our artists' rights."

Microsoft's new Office hits stores next month with two new applications: OneNote for note-taking and InfoPath for creating and using forms. Dubbed Microsoft Office System 2003, the package will typically cost from $399 to $499. Users with older computers need not bother; this suite only runs on Windows 2000 and XP.

The computer mouse is getting a new slide. Some new Microsoft mice include the new Tilt Wheel Technology, which allows users to scroll both horizontally and vertically. It comes in handy when a window stretches beyond the width of the screen.