February 6, 1998 (TOKYO) -- Aplix Corp. and PFU Ltd. displayed a prototype of their palm-sized network computer (NC) running on the JavaOS operating system at the NET & COM '98, an exposition for corporate information systems and networks held Feb. 4-6 at the Makuhari Messe hall in Makuhari, Chiba prefecture.

BlueMountain (a system code name) is the world's smallest NC, weighing less than 100 grams. It can be operated with just one hand. The model's button arrangement is designed for single-hand operations. (See chart.)

The product is equipped with Hitachi Ltd.'s SH-3 series 32-bit microprocessor, 4MB of flash memory and 4MB of random access memory (RAM).

The NC has a liquid crystal display (LCD) with 320 x 200 pixels, a touch panel, and an infrared communication port compatible with IrDA 1.1. The machine is powered by two AAA batteries. It is implemented in JBlend software, and the JavaOS is based on the ITRON kernel.

Aplix and PFU said they expect BlueMountain to be used as a terminal for Jaccas, a Java-based system to control home electric appliances using a Java applet. Using the NC, people can download to BlueMountain a Java applet with a remote controlling capability for a television. They can also use the NC to connect with an information kiosk.

Chart : BlueMountain (a system code name)

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(Nikkei Java Review)