Anyone who still thinks that the idea of our humble home appliances chatting to each other independently of human action is science fiction, should check out this short report.
Apparently the boffins are already embedding IPv6 addresses into devices which will allow them to communicate with each other and with the world at large via standard Internet protocols.
Sony has already started work on its games consoles, and toymakers and gadget makers are also working to make them accessible from any standard Internet connection.