According to a report yesterday in UK-based Advanced-Television.com, Microsoft is expected to unveil a portable computer that is in between a mobile telephone and a laptop. This is the latest move and counter-move in the battle to define leadership in growing area of develop devices that allow users to personalize and carry with them web search and media services.

The competition? The usual suspects and some others. Sony has launched a line of small wi-fi tablet computers the size of a paperback book, while Nokia has launched a small, Linux-powered tablet device.

Not to be outdone -- and with plenty of cash to invest, Google is reported to have talked to electronics companies about devices to make its services more widely available than on PCs.

Another interesting development to watch ...