Computers have already led to small revolutions in boosting productivity in the office and helping people to communicate and to be creative, he says, so “we're pretty confident” that computers will have a similar effect on the way people consume entertainment.

... consumers don't buy as an IT manager does,” says Mr Dowling. “They buy spur-of-the-moment and hodge podge; they buy things, not systems.” To the extent that the digital home is not a thing but a solution, he thinks, “the vendors are all fooling themselves ...(economist