Yahoo! targets new PC purchasers

Yahoo! Inc.'s latest acquisition may give new PC buyers a leg up on achieving easier and faster web access.

Yahoo! is purchasing Encompass, a developer of custom-designed software that enables PC manufacturers to give Internet users a fully integrated, all-in-one Internet solution.

Encompass' current customer list includes PC and peripheral manufacturers and ISPs, including Acer, CTX, Dell, Diamond Multimedia, Hewlett-Packard, Micron, Toshiba, Sony, AT&T, Earthlink and GTE.

The $130 million deal will make yahoo.com the destination for Encompass' integrated registration process, which lets consumers get connected to the Internet in less than five minutes through an experience that features customized content, and a step-by-step Internet tutorial. Additional details are available at http://www.yahoo.com .