Chinese-language tie-up for Legend

A subsidiary of listed computer distributor Legend Holdings and Canada-based Zi Corp have agreed that the Canadian company's Chinese-language processing software will be integrated into the distributor's set-top boxes and personal computers.

A software package that allows users to key in Chinese characters based on pen strokes rather than sophisticated codes, eZiTEXT, will be integrated into a range of computer products of Legend Computer System.

The plan would begin with those set-top box products that use Microsoft Venus - an operating system which allows TV users to access the Internet and perform simple data-processing functions.

The software is used in some mobile-phone sets produced by Ericsson.