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To: marginmike who wrote (18832)	11/27/1998 10:08:00 AM
From: Ruffian	Respond to of 152472

Good News For The Q?> Click Here For More Information Search news for: Search by:Keyword Ticker Search Keyword examples: "general motors", bio technology and venture, yen Symbol: Sponsored by: Microsoft lends hand to China palm computers Reuters Story - November 27, 1998 04:55 Jump to first matched term By Bill Savadove SHANGHAI, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp on Friday unveiled Chinese-language software for palm-sized computers, giving the U.S. software giant the upper hand in the battle for China's market. The hand-held computers will use a Chinese version of Windows CE, a slimmed-down cousin of Microsoft's ubiquitous Windows operating platform, company officials said. Some 10 firms planned to use the software platform, including Philips Electronics NV and China's Legend Holdings Ltd , paving the way for widespread introduction of palm-sized computers in China before year-end, industry officials said. "This market does look very good," Sean Zhang, director of the Microsoft (China) Research & Development Centre, told reporters. "From an economic development viewpoint, we feel more people are requesting an 'Internet lifestyle' and the ease of obtaining information." China now boasts some 1.2 million Internet users and that number is expected to leap to 5.0 million by 2000, official media have said. Personal computer sales in China are expected to hit four million units this year, they said. Microsoft officials said China's thirst for the latest technology would support the market for palm-sized computers and other products using Windows CE. Companies using the Microsoft software will compete head-to-head against 3Com Corp, which has said it would bring its market-leading PalmPilot to Asia this year. "PalmPilot had some success in the United States, but in China we are very confident we are going to make them work very hard," Zhang said. "We do think we provide the best product." Philips will introduce its Chinese palm-sized computer using Windows CE by early December while Taiwan's LEO Systems Inc will launch by the end of this year, officials said at a conference hosted by Microsoft. LEO would offer a simplified Chinese character version in China and traditional characters in Taiwan and Hong Kong priced at around $350 for the basic model, marketing director Richard Brown said. "In the long term, China will be the big market," he said. "Initially, Taiwan will grow very fast as well since there's a lot of interest in this product." Chinese computer giant Legend said last month it would introduce its version in December priced at around $420. Other manufacturers planning to use Chinese Windows CE software included Japan's Casio Computer Co Ltd and Hewlett Packard Co of the United States, Microsoft officials said. The companies would pay Microsoft royalities based on the number of units sold, they said, but declined to give further details. Palm-sized computers using the software would have features including a note taker, calendar, address book and dictionary for Chinese-English/English-Chinese, Microsoft said. They could also support e-mail and an Internet browser, and synchronise information with computers that have Windows CE installed, it said. Copyright 1998 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. %CN %ASIA %TW %US %DPR %ELC %NL MSFT PHGS 0992.HK 6952.T HWP V%REUTER P%RTR Click Here For More Information FRONT PAGE NEWS INDEX HEADLINES COLUMNS MARKET DATA GLOBAL MARKETS MARKET MONITOR CHARTING PORTFOLIOS MUTUAL FUNDS WEALTH CLUB STOCKCHAT TRADING CENTER FEEDBACK ADVERTISING INVESTOR'S PRIMER CBS MARKETWATCH RT CBS MARKETWATCH LIVE © 1998 MarketWatch.com, L.L.C. All rights reserved. Disclaimer. MarketWatch.com is a joint venture of CBS and Data Broadcasting Corporation. Company Information. CBS and the CBS "eye device" are registered trademarks of CBS Inc.