Also

* Worldwide shipments of personal computers will rise 3% in 2002 because of strong demand from U.S. consumers, market researcher IDC said in a revised forecast. IDC increased its estimate from a 1.8% rise forecast in December. Shipments will jump 11% in 2003, IDC analyst Roger Kay said.

* In a major advance for Microsoft Corp.’s expansion into wireless, German phone giant Deutsche Telekom will use the company’s Microsoft software in cell phones and mobile data services. Deutsche Telekom said it would use Microsoft.NET software to offer business customers wireless access to databases, e-mail and other corporate information.

* Motorola Inc., the second-largest mobile phone maker, said sales of handsets may top its forecast of 420 million units this year. Mobile phone sales fell for the first time last year, to about 400 million handsets, forcing companies to slash jobs.

* Computer Associates International Inc., faced with two government probes and a recent credit rating cut, plans to sell $500 million of notes convertible into company stock to help pay off debt. Computer Associates announced the sale of the stock-bond hybrids after having decided Feb. 7 to cancel a $1-billion bond sale when Moody’s Investors Service threatened to cut its credit rating.

* Yahoo Inc. said it’s opening an office in the L.A. area to sell more advertising to film studios and television networks. The Santa Monica office opening Monday will employ about 150 people, who will develop and sell ads for movies and TV shows as well as staff Launch Media, the Santa Monica-based music Web site Yahoo bought last year.