New technology will now allow computers to wake up from their power-saving sleep state when they receive a phone call over the internet.
Current computers have to be fully on to receive a call, making them impractical and energy-wasters as replacements for the telephone.
The new component from Intel will let computers automatically return to a normal, full-powered state when a call comes in. The computer can activate its microphone and loudspeaker to alert the user, then connect the call.
Internet telephone company Jajah will be the first such firm to incorporate the feature into its system. Chief executive Trevor Healy said: "This certainly helps the PC become a much better centre of communications in the home."
The first Intel motherboards with the Remote Wake capability will be shipping in the next month, said Joe Van De Water, director of consumer product marketing for Intel.
The four initial Remote Wake motherboards will be for desktop computers and will need an internet connection via ethernet cable, as Wi-Fi does not work in sleep mode.
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