Sun bill for Star Division tops $73.5m

Office software specialist, Star Division, cost Sun Microsystems $73.5m, according to an official filing made this week.

Sun made the acquisition in August, hoping to gain ground in the desktop market and fight against Microsoft's dominance (see 'Sun banks on Linux option for thin-client success' http://www.silicon.com/a32291 ).

Shortly afterwards, Sun announced its plans to offer StarOffice on a no-licence, no-fee basis, but with a charge for support and customisation (see 'Sun to make Star Division software free' http://www.silicon.com/a32429 ).

Sun is now planning to release StarOffice's software programs as free downloadable Web applications under the name StarPortal. A spokesman for the company said: "StarPortal is designed for the post-PC world of appliances and devices. You can download and use the programs on PDAs, wristwatches, cellular phones and even fridges."

Sun plans to begin customer trials of StarPortal in December this year, with a full version available in April or May 2000. Earlier this week, arch-rival Microsoft announced it will be making its Office suit available over the Web during the first half of next year.