According to a study performed by NDS, the makers of DVR technology, DVRs within households actually save relationships. 79% of the users polled said the technology has improved their love lives. There are several reasons I find this interesting.

First, the study is done by the manufacturers of the product. While I have no doubt the study is genuine, it is somewhat suspicious that such a favorable report is produced by those who profit from it.

Second, the article does not state exactly how the DVRs help relationships. There could be several reasons, of course. DVRs in the house could lead to a lack of squabbling over the recording of favorite television shows. Since you could watch the shows whenever you want, it could make for couple-bonding time in front of a TV with a DVR.

Most importantly, it could lead to a lack of actual conversation between the couple which means it's less likely that something will be said incorrectly by one party or skeletons will come flying out of the closet to ruin the relationship.

Ain't technology grand?

While PVR remains nowhere to be seen in the official Merriam-Webster dictionary, DVR has made it onto a list of new words in the latest version of the dictionary. Since personal video recorders and digital video recorders are pretty much the same thing, we're going to take that as a good start.

For the record, the definition is exactly three words long: digital video recorder. Deep. Here's a few of the other words that made this year's list:

• ginormous
• Bollywood
• crunk
• IED (improvised explosive device)
• telenovelas
• smackdown
• speed dating
• soduku

What criteria did the dictionary editors use? Basically, they've decided that these words are not just popular today, but have staying power and are likely to be used in years to come.