EMachines, Microsoft Announce Deal

Low-price computer maker EMachines Inc. will produce easy-to-use Internet devices for Microsoft Corp., the companies said. Irvine-based EMachines will make MSN Companion devices for the software giant’s Microsoft Network. MSN Companions provide access to e-mail and the World Wide Web through a dial-up service. They are not full-fledged computers and can’t be used to play games or write any kind of business document. In Nasdaq trading, EMachines shares rose 16 cents to close at $1.16, and Microsoft closed off $1.38 at $54.18.