In 2021 I emailed Kyocera to ask if they had any archival information about the M100, etc. The following is the reply I got:
“Mr.Jeffrey Birt Hello. I have received your message in Japan. Thank you for your message. I am very surprised to know that you are still using Tandy. Thank you very much. As you know, Kyocera doesn't have a Tandy department. I looked for an old employee who knew about Tandy, but I couldn't find him. I'm asking them, but some people don't answer. I will report to you when I find out new things. I am sorry that I cannot help you and that the reply was late. Best regards, ------------------------------------------------- Nobuya Yamada Administration Section Corporate Communications Division KYOCERA Corporation -------------------------------------------------" From: M100 <[email protected]> On Behalf Of B9 Sent: Saturday, October 10, 2026 3:04 PM To: M100 <[email protected]> Subject: [M100] Who was Cybernet Electronic Corporation? Most of us know the story that the Model T sisters were all licensed from a single brilliant design from Kyocera. But I can't find much evidence of Kyocera being in the computer business before or after. I had heard a rumour that Kyocera actually acquired the technology from some other company, but a name was not given so I didn't give it much credence. This year, the Kyocera/Inamori Museum posted a photo (attached) of a NEC PC-8201 with this label: NEC PC 8201 ハンド・ヘルドコンピュータ サイバネット工業上の合併によるシナ|ジーを活かして消典され たハンドヘルドコンピュータ.プログラム到発には芸速日の ピル・ゲイツ氏もかかわった。 It says, The PC-8201computer, developed by Kyocera and sold by NEC, was developed after Kyocera acquired the Cybernet Electronics Corporation. Microsoft founder Bill Gates was involved in programming the computer. So now I'm wondering, Who the heck was Cybernet? Does anybody know the history? And how did they get Bill Gates on board? --b9
