Microsoft Corporation and General Magic Inc., best known as makers of the
failed Magic Cap OS for handheld computers, announced on Wednesday that
Microsoft had made a minority investment in General Magic and licensed some
of General Magic's technologies. The net result was a $6 million payment to
General Magic. Microsoft isn't interested in Magic Cap, however. General
Magic has lately been working on integrating voice and data applications,
which Microsoft would like for Windows NT 5. The company's "Serengeti"
virtual assistant integrates email, fax, address book, calendar, news, and
stock quote information into a package that is accessible via a cellular
phone or Web browser.
Serengeti will synchronize with several Microsoft products, including
Outlook 97/98, Schedule+, and Windows CE devices, as well as the WebTV
service. It is expected to be available in mid-1998.
"We believe General Magic continues to develop innovative technologies and
applications," said Nathan Myhrvold, chief technology officer at Microsoft.
"A natural language voice user interface, such as Serengeti’s, is a
powerful and flexible way to access information that we think will be
pervasive. Products like Serengeti can provide users with worldwide access
to much of their important information. We are pleased to see General
Magic’s integration of Serengeti with Microsoft applications such as
Outlook and Internet Explorer, and General Magic's exclusive use of Windows
NT-based servers in its Network Operations Center."
For more information on Serengeti, please visit the General Magic Web site.
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