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Windows XP won't be at home on Mira
Microsoft's wireless tablet PC won't be compatible with Windows XP Home Edition, which could be a blow for the software giant's aims to move into the home
Mira, a portable wireless flat-panel display device designed by Microsoft for home users, will not be compatible with the Windows XP Home Edition, a company executive said on Tuesday.
Because the consumer version of the operating system does not include a remote desktop protocol, the device will only work with Windows XP Professional.
Microsoft is working on a solution, said Eddie Wu, senior director for Mircrosoft's Embedded Systems Group in Asia.
Wu said Microsoft could either release a service pack for the XP Home edition, or consumers can upgrade to the professional version.
He was speaking at the sidelines of the Computex trade show in Taiwan, where Mira prototypes were showcased. The tablet is manufactured by a string of consumer-electronics players including Philips, LG Electronics and Trigem; and Taiwanese companies such as AboCom Systems, Tatung, Winstron and First International Computer.
Although it contains software and a processor, Mira doesn't function as a standalone computer. It works in conjunction with a PC and acts as an entertainment control center to surf the Web and control TVs, game consoles and other devices.
Mira devices are slated to go on sale this holiday season in the United States and Japan, said Wu. Prices are expected to range between $500 (£350) and $800, depending on the bundle and LCD panel size, which will be determined by the manufacturer.
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