French firm plans inexpensive Internet PC.

ComOne, a French manufacturer of products for computer manufacturers and telecommunication operators, said today it plans to unveil a stand-alone PC that offers access to the Internet, email, and telephone service. The so-called @max, developed in conjunction with France Telecom, gives users access to the Internet, email, telephone, fax, as well as television and close-circuit TV surveillance services. ComOne chief executive Jacques Saubade said the company had clinched a contract with French tobacco manufacturer Seita to allow cigarette vendors to place delivery orders via @max, and was in negotiations with Microsoft to incorporate its software programs into @max. Saubade said if sales took off, the price of the terminal could be reduced to 1,500 French francs ($238) by the end of 2000. He did not reveal the current price. ComOne, which is investing close to $2.8 million in Internet technology in a bid to double turnover and triple profit by 2002, predicted sales of @max-type machines would overtake personal computer sales by 2002.