Gossip

"wshg mchn call; u want 2 + softener?"

You can now buy a washing machine that will send you email when the laundry is done - thanks a lot, IBM. Or it can text you, asking if you're ready to have the final spin ...

The "e-Suds" technology is aimed at American college students with mobile phones. Washing machine maker USA Technologies has linked up with IBM - they "will Web-enable 9,000 washing machines and dryers at U.S. colleges and universities, eliminating much of the hassle associated with laundry day at the dorm."

The systems replace traditional coin-operated technology a wireless link (or a card-swipe) that allows students to pay with an ID card or by texting on a mobile phone.

IBM has been trying to persuade Sniffer that this is an official release from IBM, and not just a silly story. It even includes "convincing corroborative details" like: "American Sales Inc will provide the e-Suds-enabled machines to the colleges," and "the machines will be linked to an intelligent back-end systems hosted by IBM," or "BM will host the e-Suds transaction data and Web sites and integrate the washing machines and dryers with customers' back-end systems that handle inventory, payment authorization and reports."

American students, of course, already have phone operated washing machines. They work like this: "Hi Mom, OK if I bring some stuff round this weekend?" Sniffer isn't fooled for a moment. I mean, e-Suds?