Microsoft settles with "Palm-sized PC"

Microsoft will stop using the term "PalmPC" to describe its smallestWindows CE-based devices, and will instead use the term "Palm-sized PC".The change is the result of lawsuits brought against Microsoft by 3Com,makers of the successful PalmPilot handheld PC. 3Com argued that the termPalmPC would cause confusion in the marketplace: Microsoft's palm-sizeddevices look almost exactly like the PalmPilot, but run Windows CE. Microsoft changed the name and 3Com dropped the suits.

"Microsoft and 3Com have a strong, long-standing business relationship," said Paul Maritz, Microsoft's vice president of systems. "This agreement further strengthens that relationship and allows us to move quickly beyondour differences over this particular issue."

Interestingly, 3Com's next generation PalmPilot is dropping the "Pilot"moniker, because of a dispute with Pilot pens. The new version will simplybe called "Palm III"