Microsoft To Buy Dimension X Inc.

Software giant Microsoft Corp. said Wednesday it agreed to acquire closely held Dimension X Inc., a start-up company devoted to Java multimedia products, Dow Jones News Service reported.

Terms were not disclosed.

Microsoft is based in Redmond, Wash. Dimension X is based in San Francisco. Most of Dimension X’s 40 employees, will be offered jobs with Microsoft in Redmond.

Microsoft said the acquisition will help it enhance its Internet Explorer browser for the World Wide Web.

Dimension X’s products include Liquid Reality, a tool for creating and viewing Web sites that have a three-dimensional appearance. In August, Microsoft had agreed to license 3-D technology from Dimension X.

Microsoft plans to integrate the products and technology into its Microsoft DirectX multimedia system services, which incorporate video, audio and animation.