News in Brief

Omron develops fast 3G chip to run Java



TOKYO: Japanese electronic control components maker Omron Corp said on
Tuesday it has developed a microprocessor for cell phones that is 10 times

faster than existing processors. The chip, designed to process the flexible Java

programming language, was developed for third-generation (3G) mobile phones,

which can download mini-Java programs from the Internet at transmission speeds

six to 40 times faster than existing services. Omron, which is diversifying into

computer system products, aims to ship 10 million chips in two years for 3G cell

phones. Sales for the 2003/04-business year are expected to be two billion yen

($16.78 million). - Reuters

Cisco not in talks to buy Marconi



CHICAGO: Cisco Systems Inc., the world's largest supplier of Internet
equipment, is not in talks to acquire the UK-based telecommunication equipment

maker, Marconi Plc, said sources close to Cisco said on Monday. Both Cisco and

Marconi officials declined to comment. Earlier, shares of Marconi rose sharply

on rumors that Cisco had expressed interest in acquiring Marconi. - Reuters

Asset E-com students to leave for Australia



NEW DELHI: The first batch of 25 students who enrolled for Asia's first
e-commerce course ecom@asset ver 2, are on their way to Australia, to complete

part of the course involving hands-on experience in live international projects.

The course was designed by Asset International, in conjunction with Australia IT

Careers Institute. Asset International and Australian I.T Careers Institute

(AITCI), the sole subsidiary of one of Australia's largest public IT&T

companies, Powerlan Ltd had tied-up to launch a unique international course that

will give students a strong foundation in IT and an opportunity for an overseas

career. At the end of the 17-month course, involving a five-month tenure at

Asset centers in India and the rest of the 12 months at AITCI in Australia,

students will be awarded with three certificates. - CNS 

NEC, Fujitsu to boost PC server shipments



TOKYO: Japanese computer and electronics makers NEC Corp and Fujitsu Ltd.
said on Monday that they will boost their PC server output in anticipation of

greater demand. The plan reflects healthy demand in Japan's information

technology sector despite a general weakness in corporate spending on new

equipment. NEC said it is targeting an increase in shipments for personal

computer servers by 22 per cent for March 2002 and Fujitsu said it will raise

its shipment for the powerful computers by 30 per cent. Total PC server shipment

for the current business year would total 65,000 for Fujitsu and 99,000 for NEC.

- Reuters

AOL, Legend in China tie up



HONG KONG: US Internet firm AOL Time Warner and China's largest personal
computer maker Legend Holdings will enter into a $200 million joint venture in

China, the Asian Wall Street Journal reported on Monday. The move, marking the

US company's first major entry into the Chinese market, is expected to be

announced next week in Beijing, the AWSJ quoted an AOL document dated late last

month. The report said the two companies would each contribute $100 million to

set up a new company to develop interactive services targeted at Chinese

consumers, with Legend holding a 52 per cent stake, reflecting China's tight

restrictions on foreign ownership in the telecommunications and Internet sector.

Legend officials could not be reached for comment. - Reuters

Aptech closes Malaysia subsidiary



MUMBAI: Indian computer education and software services firm Aptech Ltd. has
shut down operations of a joint venture subsidiary in Malaysia because of poor

business, a financial daily said on Monday. The Business Standard

newspaper quoted an unnamed senior Aptech official as saying the unfavorable

market conditions in Malaysia had resulted in Aptech WorldWide SDN.BHD not

generating adequate revenue. "This has forced us to take a re-look at our

investment plans in Malaysia," he was quoted as saying. It did not say who

Aptech's joint venture partner was. Aptech holds a 70 per cent stake in the

company. Aptech officials could not be contacted for comment — Reuters

ECIT introduces online course



HYDERABAD: The IT training arm of Electronic Corporation of India (ECIL) has
tie-up with a Chennai-based Sterling Infotech Ltd to offer information

technology courses through Carnegie Technology Education, a subsidiary of

Carnegie Mellon University, USA. The course christened 'genius' consists of a

certificate course in computer programming and certificate course in software

systems development would be offered online in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu,

Karnataka, Kerala, Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshwadeep Islands, besides Bangladesh

and Sri Lanka. As part of the course, ECIT centers offer coaching, contact

seminar, Internet browsing among other facilities. Fee for the 10-module course

of 18-month duration is Rs 90,000. — CNS

Oracle offers free access to Oracle9i Database



NEW DELHI: Oracle Corp. has announced that the Oracle9i Database is
immediately available for free download from Oracle Technology Network (OTN). By

downloading Oracle9i Database, one can begin building and testing applications

on Oracle's latest database and experience the most scaleable and high

performance software available. "We're seeing a massive surge in industry

demand to get an immediate start on testing and validating Internet applications

on Oracle9i Database," said Rene Bonvanie, vice president of OTN and

Oracle9i Product Marketing. "By providing free early access to Oracle9i

Database, we are enabling anyone to get a head start on building new

solutions." The commercial availability of the Oracle9i Database is

scheduled to take place on June 14 during a worldwide launch at its headquarters

in California. - CNS