“Microsoft is expecting that the first Windows CE-based set-top
boxes designed specially for use in Mainland China will begin to
become generally available by the end of this year…”
“Known by the codename Venus computers, the devices allow
Microsoft and its hardware partners to target the many millions of
Chinese who are currently unable to afford computers, but are keen
to hook up to the Internet.”
“…Beijing-based Microsoft China Research and Development… is
hoping the devices will be priced below 2,500 renminbi (US$302).
…the price of Venus computers will be set by the manufacturers of
the devices, not by Microsoft, which is only contributing the
operating system and initial applications for Venus. …embedded
software includes a simple word processor based on Microsoft’s
Pocket Word software, the vendor’s Pocket Excel spreadsheet
application and a series of games and learning tools…”