Taipei - The global financial crisis and soaring oil prices have hit the airline and car industries, but for the likes of Taiwanese bicycle maker Giant the crisis proves a boon.

The bike industry has seen its sales soar as people abandoned their cars and motorbikes for bicycles.

Giant Bicycles, the world's largest manufacturer of high-end bikes, said its sales have spiked in recent months, causing the company to raise its 2008 growth target from 
10 per cent to 20 per cent.

Berlin - Laptop sales may have caught up with PC sales in Germany, but that's by no means an argument to make the jump. The old PC still has a lot of life in it, often offering similar service at a cheaper price and more options for expansion.

If a PC and a notebook cost about the same, the odds are that the desktop will offer more computing power and accessories. "And some high-end software is only available in a PC," says Christof Windeck of the Hanover-based c't magazine.

Don't buy a PC at random. Instead, go over it thoroughly, look at its inner workings to see how much noise its ventilation system makes when running and then make a decision.

Cupertino, California - Quicker graphics, cutting edge processors, and a completely novel aluminium casing: those are the highlights of the completely reworked laptop line from Apple, as presented by CEO Steve Jobs at a recent press conference in Cupertino.

Apple also used the occasion to announce new lower prices for its portable computers, including a MacBook starting at 950 dollars. Many fans were nevertheless disappointed that Apple chose not to enter into the inexpensive netbook market, a class that includes machines for less than 300 dollars.

Berlin - Job prospects for IT specialists continue to be bright. A survey conducted by the industry association BITKOM in Berlin found that almost one-third of the companies polled had vacant positions.

By far the most jobs were available at software publishers and IT service companies. The results are not surprising: most IT projects now include consulting, individual programming services, and training phases, BITKOM president August-Wilhelm Scheer notes. Projects of that complexity require a high number of employees.

Software publishers and IT service companies have created roughly 100,000 new jobs in Germany alone since 2000. With 518,000 workers, the majority of the 829,000 jobs are in the information technology and communication (ITC) branch.

Ratingen, Germany - Computer maker Asus is now offering a PC in the style of Apple's iMac: all hardware is contained within the monitor. The Eee Top features a touch-sensitive 40-centimetre screen, the company announced.

The computer, based on the technology behind Asus' Eee PC mini laptop, allows for the display to be controlled using either a stylus or the user's finger. A keyboard and mouse are also included in the delivery.

Dusseldorf - Folding electronic carts and text-reading mobile phones are just some of the latest gadgets exhibited at the recent Rehacare Fair in Dusseldorf for the handicapped.

Around 758 exhibitors from 30 countries attended the show.

First there's Luggie, a folding electronic cart intended as a travel aid. Folded, it's about as big as a suitcase and weighs 21.5 kilograms including batteries. Its patented mechanics allows the suitcase to unfold in seconds and turning into a cart with a maximum speed of 6.5 kilometres an hour and the capacity to climb grades of up to eight degrees.

Swiss producer FreeRider Corp hopes to start production in January and sell the Luggie for about 2,000 euros (2,663 dollars) each.