Week ahead: Tablet PC hits the street

Following are some of the notable tech-related events scheduled for the week of Nov. 3. After years of research, development and marketing hype, Microsoft is finally set to take the wraps off its latest attempt to change the way people use PCs. The company's initiative centers on a new version of the Windows XP operating system and a design for a lightweight version of a PC with which people interact by tapping the screen and hand-writing with a penlike device. Tablet PCs will also let users wirelessly connect to the Internet and other PCs. Microsoft and manufacturing partners such as Acer, Toshiba and ViewSonic have been showing off tablet PC models at promotional events, and retailers have been taking advance orders for the gadgets, which go on sale this week. Also this week, networking giant Cisco reports first-quarter earnings, and research company Gartner hosts another big-picture technology conference. The information was gathered from First Call, Hoover's Online, CCBN's StreetEvents and CNET Investor. Other events scheduled this week: Tech Events Sunday, Nov. 3 The American Electronics Association looks at financing for high-tech companies at the AEA Classic conference, Nov. 3-6 in San Diego. Business-software maker Citrix rounds up customers for its Citrix iForum 2002, Nov. 3-6 in Orlando, Fla. Monday, Nov. 4 Learn how the Web is changing library sciences at Internet Librarian, Nov. 4-6 in Palm Springs, Calif. Get new ideas for using technology to help people work together at the Collaborate Conference & Expo West, Nov. 4-6 in Anaheim, Calif. Tuesday, Nov. 5 Cell phone giant Nokia looks at the wireless Web future at the Nokia Mobile Internet Conference 2002, Nov. 5-6 in Munich, Germany. Internet service providers get together at Service Networks/ISPCon, running Nov. 5-7 in San Jose, Calif. Research company Gartner takes a broad look at the future of technology at the Gartner Dataquest Technology Pipeline, Nov. 5-7 in Los Angeles. Wednesday, Nov. 6 European Internet companies take the industry's pulse at Internet World North 2002, Nov. 6-7 in Manchester, England. Thursday, Nov. 7 Microsoft takes the wraps off its design for mobile touch-screen PCs that connect wirelessly with the Internet and corporate networks. The main launch event is in New York. The Fundraising Forum, a group for venture capital and angel investors, looks at government funding opportunities at a panel Nov. 7-8 in Palo Alto, Calif. XML, Microsoft's .Net and other hot topics go under the microscope at the New York Media Association's Technology Showcase, a one-day event in Manhattan. Chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices maps out the future at its 2002 analyst meeting, which will be Webcast live. Earnings Monday, Nov. 4 Optical Communications Products sells fiber-optics gear. It's expected to report losses of 2 cents a share both for the fourth quarter and the 2002 fiscal year. Sina.com sells Internet services in China. No first-quarter earnings estimate is available. Telus, a Canadian communications conglomerate, is expected to report third-quarter earnings of 5 cents a share. Tuesday, Nov. 5 Charter Communications Products operates cable television systems. It's expected to report a third-quarter loss of 58 cents a share. Computer Sciences sells IT services. It's expected to report second-quarter earnings of 54 cents a share. IGate sells business Internet services. It's expected to report third-quarter earnings of 4 cents a share. Priceline.com, a seller of Internet travel services, is expected to report third-quarter earnings of a penny per share. Register.com sells domain-name registration services. It's expected to report a third-quarter loss of 2 cents a share. Wednesday, Nov. 6 Aether Systems sells wireless products and services. It's expected to report a third-quarter loss of 51 cents a share. Cisco Systems makes networking equipment. It's expected to report a first-quarter profit of 13 cents a share. Pomeroy Computer Resources sells desktop PCs and related IT services. It's expected to report third-quarter earnings of 33 cents a share. Semitool sells chipmaking equipment. It's expected to report losses of 7 cents a share for the fourth quarter and 46 cents a share for the 2002 fiscal year. Sonicblue sells MP3 players, ReplayTV recorders and other consumer electronics. It's expected to report a third-quarter loss of 13 cents a share. WebMD, a seller of IT services for the medical industry, is expected to report third-quarter earnings of 5 cents a share. Wireless Facilities sells equipment and services for wireless carriers. It's expected to report third-quarter earnings of 4 cents a share. Thursday, Nov. 7 Cablevision Systems, a cable television operator, is expected to report a third-quarter loss of $1.36 a share. Mattson Technology sells chipmaking equipment. It's expected to report a third-quarter loss of 49 cents a share. Qualcomm makes chips and software for mobile phones. It's expected to report earning of 27 cents a share for the fourth quarter and 94 cents a share for the 2002 fiscal year. Sonic Solutions sells digital audio and video software. It's expected to report second-quarter earnings of 3 cents a share. Terra Networks runs a number of Web sites. It's expected to report a third-quarter loss of 6 cents a share. United Online is an Internet service provider, working through its NetZero and Juno subsidiaries. It's expected to report first-quarter earnings of 11 cents a share. Chipmaker Zarlink Semiconductor is expected to report a second-quarter loss of 10 cents a share. Friday, Nov. 8 American Tower sells antenna service for wireless carriers and broadcasters. It's expected to report a third-quarter loss of 37 cents a share. German chipmaker Infineon is expected to report losses of 9 cents a share for the fourth quarter and 86 cents a share for the 2002 fiscal year. Economic Reports Monday, Nov. 4 Auto and Truck Sales is the total of domestically produced vehicles sold. No estimate is available for October figures. Factory Orders is the total of durable and nondurable goods orders. The September total is expected to show a decline of 3.2 percent, after flat growth the previous month. Thursday, Nov. 7 Initial Claims is the weekly total of new claims filed for unemployment compensation. The total is expected to drop to 400,000 for the week ended Nov. 2, from 410,000 the previous week. Consumer Credit is the total level of debt held by U.S. consumers. The September total is expected to climb to $7 billion, from $4.2 billion the previous month.

Week ahead: Tablet PC hits the street

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