Fujitsu, NEC, MEI and Sotec announced at the Windows Embedded Developers' conference in Japan this week that they are preparing Mira appliances in conjunction with Microsoft. Mira is the code name for a lightweight electronic tablet designed by Microsoft that can be used to access the Web or interact with consumer-electronic devices. Mira uses a form of Microsoft's terminal software, which allows the device to run on less energy. The first Mira devices are due toward the holiday season of 2002. Pricing has not yet been set.