According to reporter-turned-blogger Mary Jo Foley of Microsoft-Watch.com, Microsoft is developing a "kitchen computing environment" that includes a family calendar, recipe center, entertainment features and a shared bulletin board. Foley said the kitchen project is being done by the Tablet PC team, which has already helped computer makers produce thin computers with touch-screen input.

Microsoft's project sounds like one developed by Cozi, a Pioneer Square company started by ex-Microsoft employees Robbie Cape and Jan Miksovsky. Cozi developed a custom software desktop for kitchen PCs and a set of services that lets users access their calendars and shopping lists from mobile phones and remote PCs. Cozi sees the kitchen PC as an opportunity to aim ads at homemakers, suggesting products for their shopping lists and menu planning, for example.