With just a few hours to go before Microsoft opens the kimono on its mysterious Origami Project,
we thought it would be helpful to summarize a little of what we know and don't know about the project. We know that
Origami is likely to be a handheld, wireless device, based in part on
claims by
Microsoft execs (along with hints dropped by
Robert Scoble) that the company was
working on just such a project, and on
the year-old video that surfaced on
the site of a company with known links to Microsoft (which was later confirmed by Microsoft as authentic -- and old).
We've also seen other pics of
similar
conceptual products from Microsoft, though we don't know whether or not these are related to Origami. And that's
about it. Sure, we have our own thoughts about what Origami may be -- we still think it's more likely to be a reference
model than an actual hardware product. But that, along with everything else we've seen and heard, is simply speculation.
Oh, actually, there is one other thing we can confirm: we know for sure that Origami -- whatever it is -- will come with
a speaker system and leather case, though both will be overpriced and optional.
posted March 1st 2006 6:53PM
Yep - does look like something you can already get i.e. a tablet PC. Being a tablet PC owner (lightweight NEC Versa T400/Litepad), I've got to say that the concept is superb. It does change the way that you use your PC.
However, saying that, the usual issues of complexity of Windows and battery life mean that you dont use it to its full potential.
It's too big to put in your pocket to use as an MP3 player. The battery doesn't last long enough. Accessing and switching between programs is fiddly and a pain - get pen from holder, find program, double tap, fiddle with tiny menus, click wrong option, fiddle with tiny close button, find right menu etc etc.
If they fix that lot, and make it miserly in terms of power consumption, then I'll be interested.
just looked on the http://www.origamiproject.com site.. nothing much has changed just a new flash on "week 2" and it says find out on 3.9.2006 (so im guesing 9th March 06?)
Microsoft's marketers overplayed their hand here. Seems to me that the extra week of hype will only provide time for a backlash to build. Watch today for all the press stories about Microsoft "delaying" the announcement, even though it was clear from the teaser site that it was a three-week "event."
What is this thing actually about?
Am i the only one noticing that theres 2 difference devices in that video? The guy using the GPS and the fifth guy at the end...their devices looks different than the device the girl with the audio-studio is using?
I got kinda worried at the end, I thought it was the 3rd of September!
But I think it's going to be interesting to see how this pans out. I've been following the tablet PC's innovations for a while now, but am too poor a student to even think about owning one. Maybe this will be a more affordable tablet pc for me..
And if it plays PC and XBox games, and well, I'm already sold.
since we're sill in the prediction phase I predict origami will feature some new remote desktop technology. It just seems odd that its running all those desktop apps. Plus there's that symbol.
orgami means it can probably change prehaps a M$ all in one device like a mini 360 but with gps because it said and here showing a dashboard that could have 2 key meanings.........
This thing has Tablet PC written all over it. If they were smart they'd make it able to play 360 games.
well...apples shares tumbled with their worthless announcements...(i guess people are on to the idea that hifi mp3s are a contrast in terms)...so we will see how the ms device does. bc the market is pooping on techs right now. but it cant be as bad as the superflop known as the apple newton,now can it? and if this thing is $500ish, then its cheaper than the intel mini. which is hilarious.
I get the form factor. Kinda. It's small(er) so it's kinda portable - but it also seems rather scratch prone, since there's nothing protecting the screen. Even the Nintendo DS knows to protect the screen, but perhaps it'll just have a big sleeve or people will buy skins.
My big question is: What's the operating system? If it's just WindowsXP or some TabletPC derivative, then it's not particularly earth shattering. We can see all the Star Treck photos you want, but that really means little if the operating system is still significantly keyboard interface intrensic.
A new paradigm is necessary to make this project worthwhile. Otherwise...who cares, really?
It sounds cool but I wish it had a flip keyboard that would rule.