Sony joined the netbook race on Monday with a new line of Vaio models. The move comes nearly a year after the Sony executive in charge of the Vaio line derided the diminutive computers as part of a damaging race to the bottom for computer manufacturers. Retailing for about $500, the Vaio W series isn't quite at the bottom of the netbook market, which floors out under $300.
Democrat Barack Obama plunged Wednesday into a five-month election battle with Republican John McCain after making history by becoming the first black presidential nominee of a major US party.