Kyocera Corp, the ceramic packages maker that virtually invented the notebook computer market with the machine best known as the Tandy Corp Model 100 a decade ago, is forming a joint venture with its affiliated games maker Taito Corp to provide on-line games, karaoke and information services in Japan in October. Kyocera Multimedia Corp plans to start an on-line karaoke sing-along entertainment service on October 1 and an on-line games service in December. Subscribers will need a $750 terminal and an adaptor to connect to phone lines. The new company will also provide information services, including weather forecasts, news on events, sports, music and health. Kyocera will make the terminals, and says it is looking for 1m subscribers within two years of the launch. It will cost $17.60 a month, plus usage charges and line charges.
