“Major personal computer makers are quietly working on
products that will not use Microsoft Corp.’s Windows, the operating
system that has cemented the software maker’s market power,
the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday…”
“The makers are taking a variety of approaches, the paper said.
Gateway Inc (GTW) is building a line with no Microsoft software
whatsoever, and may jointly market it with America Online, Inc
(AOL), which recently invested $800 million in Gateway, people
familiar with the plans were quoted as saying…”
“Microsoft is rushing to keep PC makers in its fold, working
with them on MSN Web Companion, an Internet machine tied to its MSN
Internet service..”