"Developed specifically for the Asian subcontinent, Word 2000 is Hindi enabled and allows users to create professional documents, web pages and send and receive e-mail in Hindi. Besides, two users of windows 2000 can also chat among themselves in Hindi," Rajiv Nair, president of Microsoft in India, told reporters in New Delhi.

$218,950 USTDA grant for Indusind Media
The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) on Friday announced a grant of $218,950 to the Hinduja-promoted Indusind Media and Communications Ltd to conduct a feasibility study on an Internet-over-cable project. An agreement to this effect was signed in New Delhi between USTDA director J Joseph Grandmaison and IMC chief executive officer Ram Hingorani.

Norton Internet Security 2000 launched
Symantec India has launched Norton Inernet Security 2000, the fully integrated, comprehensive personal internet security and privacy suite. Norton Internet Security 2000 (NIS-2000) combines ease of use with security to effectively safeguard PC users against the vulnerabilities and dangers of Internet-based computing.

StanChart in palm-top banking venture
Standard Chartered Bank has said that it is to team up with hand-held computer company Palm to develop a palm-top personal finance information and transaction service. The new product, initially just for Hong Kong, will allow customers to get financial information, make banking transactions and receive personalised financial analysis on Palm's hand-held computers.

Microsoft breaks into games console business
Billionaire Bill Gates's Microsoft Corp officially announced it would launch the X-box games console to break into the multi-billion-dollar business now dominated by Japan. "Building on strengths as a software company, X-box will offer game developers a powerful platform and game enthusiasts an incredible experience," Gates said.

Iasiaworks eyes acquisitions
US technology major `Iasiaworks' on Friday said it planned to acquire Indian Internet companies and has earmarked up to $10 million in the first phase. Headquartered in the Silicon Valley, Iasiaworks will acquire Internet solutions providers, besides setting up data centres in India. The company is in talks with eight Internet majors including some leading ISPs, vice-president (hosting division) Iasiaworks Sanjay Dani told PTI.

HFCL eyes software firms
Telecom major Himachal Futuristic Communications is looking out for acquiring software firms. The company is in the advanced stages of negotiations with a few companies to acquire listed or unlisted Indian telecom software companies to leverage its core competence in telecom business, chairman of HFCL Mahendra Nahata told PTI.

Mantra Online, Intel join hands
Mantra Online (www.mantraonline.com) has teamed up with Intel Inc (www.intel.com) to provide client initiated Virtual Private Network (VPN) Solutions for corporates. Customers can securely transact with their business partners and supplies using the VPN solution. This venture will provide SMEs and large corporate houses the advantage of an ISP's infrastructure as well as high quality Internet bandwidth.