Microsoft's hardware partners in the venture-- Philips Electronics ( PHG) , Sony (nyse: SNE - news - people) and Mitsubishi--are working on new WebTV units that run Windows CE and, like palmtop computers, can run stripped down versions of Microsoft Excel and Word.

FORBES: WebCE

Demand for palmtop computers, organisers and smart telephones is currently held back by the need to enter data using awkward symbols and a clumsy stylus or cramped keyboard.

ECONOMIST: Can machines talk? From next month they will