January 21, 1998 (TAIPEI) -- Several Taiwan companies will introduce the first batch of Chinese-language handheld computers in 1998 in anticipation of strong market potential in Taiwan, China and Chinese communities throughout the world.

Taiwan's System Telecommunications and Computer Inc., which makes Leo brand products, plans to cooperate with High Tech Computer Corp. to begin manufacturing handheld computers with Chinese- language interfaces in the third quarter of 1998.

A spokesman from System Telecom said that Chinese-language handheld computers are expected to become a trend in the market in the future. However, he added, since the Taiwan market is quite small, System Telecom also plans to promote such products in other Chinese communities.

U.S.-based Apple Computer Inc. also is optimistic about the potential of the market. The company is now working with software suppliers on a Chinese-language version of its Newton line of personal digital assistants.

Analysts at Taiwan's Institute for Information Industry (III) said that even though high-end handheld computers are not so popular now, the debut of Microsoft Corp.'s Windows CE may help such products raise their market share.

III analysts also pointed out that sales of handheld computers around the world will be limited by the languages the products use.

Foreign-language handheld computers, for instance, will be difficult to sell in Taiwan, while products with Chinese-language interfaces will see great business opportunities here, they added.

(Commercial Times, Taiwan)