Tablet PC to debut in India in November

Microsoft's much talked about Tablet PC, dubbed by the software company as
the next generation laptop, is expected to debut in India during November 2002.
Microsoft showcased it for the first time in the country during its annual
developer event, Tech Ed, as part of its mobile devices for accessing its .Net
services.

"Tablet PC would be formally launched on November 8 by hardware vendors
in India," said Sanjay Mirchandani, President, Microsoft South Asia.
Sources reveal that HP, Acer and Toshiba are the key hardware vendors most
likely to release the Tablet PC in the country.

Tablet PC will run on an exclusive version of Windows XP - Win XP Tablet
edition. Tablet PCs are part of the devices such as Smart PCs, laptops,
workstations, phones, handheld computers, game consoles, able to access XML web
services. The Tablet PC would boast of applications such as handwriting
recognition, speech recognition, touch screen capabilities, wireless
connectivity, amongst others.

Last week, Microsoft had announced its alliance with China's largest PC
maker, Legend, to manufacture Tablet PCs with Chinese language recognition
capabilities. Late last year, in one of gatherings hosted by Bill Gates,
Chairman, Microsoft, the company gifted a Tablet PC to each one of the
attendees.

.Net transition to phase 2

In this year's developer forum, Tech Ed 2002, Microsoft also displayed its
venture into the phase two of its .Net services announced two years ago. This
includes focussing on four key areas. As Mirchandani stated, "Trustworthy
computing, knowledge of information, every day use devices and people are the
four major areas that Microsoft would focus on this year on building .Net
services."

About 40 companies in India, both Indian and MNCs, are involved in building
application on .Net services for domestic as well as global market was informed
by Microsoft. The current edition of Tech Ed is pegged to be the biggest ever in
the country.

Cyber News Service