The volcanic ash cloud that shut down British airspace, leaving thousands of travellers stranded also brought many strangers together digitally to create a silver lining.
Some of the biggest names in Japan's technology industry report earnings later today and the likes of Panasonic and Sony are betting on 3D to drive sales of new TVs, DVD players and camcorders.
A British computer expert has been entrusted with part of a digital key, to help restart the internet in the event of a major catastrophe. Paul Kane talked to Eddie Mair on Radio 4's PM programme about what he might be called upon to do in an international online emergency.