We've learned a little more about Microsoft's
Origami Project, and as always, we're here to share. After
this morning's HTML source
confirmation that Origami will indeed be a "Mobile PC running Windows XP," we have one more detail to add:
our sources confirm that Origami will run XP
Tablet PC Edition. A minor distinction, perhaps. But let's not
forget that it wasn't very long ago that Microsoft
refused to
grant Tablet licenses to PC makers whose boxes had specs not dissimilar to those rumored to be planned for Origami.
What else have we learned? Well, we don't mean to disappoint those of you who've become enamored of the box you've been
peeping in the Origami video, but according to our sources, the actual device will look more like the basic black box
that Microsoft showed off at WinHEC last year (pictured above). We don't necessarily consider that a bad thing, though
we will be curious to see how well we can work with a machine with virtually no hardware controls. One thing is
certain: we'd better carry around a supply of tissues to wipe off all the fingerprints. Maybe the first Origami
accessory should a swanky leather carrying case for us to put them in.
posted March 2nd 2006 3:27PM
Maybe this is off topic, but ...
Am I the only one who finds it hilarious that the origami project web site uses a blantant copy of the standard Mac OS X blue backround?
I believe this is gonna be a cheap Tablet PC, and that would be awesome. The only thing that prevented me to buy a TPC is the price, 1300 USD for a new TC1100 one is too much, more considering foreing countries like mine (Argentina) where if i want to get it, the cheapest way is getting it directly through an importer which charges you at least a 30%. And i want a TPC for going paperless at work and college and all my life.
A cheap, sub 500 USD Tablet PC like device would rock in the US and in the rest of the world where electronics are kinda expensive. I'd love to surf the net watching TV in my coach, using Wikipedia for looking more info about the shows im watching (i'm a History Channel fan). I was about to get a Nokia 770, but this thingie will make me wait.
"17. Maybee the guy holding the device is a giant, with huge hands! It is a regular tablet PC."
Ha ha haahahahaaa roflmao
Well conceived, conveyed with pinpoint efficiency. a+
I am a fan of Apple, admittedly, but they haven't realeased a Tablet PC, a Pocket PC or anything similar, so quite frankly I don't see why they were brought into this conversation.
This device *WILL* appeal to someone. It may be too big or too featureless for everyone who's replied, but someone, somewhere will want this, and that is the person Microsoft is aiming for.
Of course this device isn't going to be as brilliant as Microsoft are making out, they're going to flog it off cheap and make it seem great to get it sold, then once the criticism starts flowing in Microsoft can realease The Origami 2.0.
Or, for that matter Apple could have something like this quietly in the making, and is waiting for Origami criticism so they can improve their model and provide what the public *really* wants.
If you want a Portable Computer that you can do blah blah blah on then there is only one real way where you can get one that suits your needs: make one - and I highly doubt many people here have the expertise required to do that.
Now as for the "will I buy it?" part that everyone is trying to include: Yes, probably. If I am impressed with the features, and it betters my Pocket PC, I will consider it (considering it has a 5/6" screen - it must fit in the inside pocket of my jacket)
If it has potential, but doesn't leap out at you, then simple answer is "wait" - if you have confidence in Apple then sit and wait for whenever you think they will release their's (even though Apple haven't even announced ANYTHING to do with Portable Computing - beside the mac mini) and if you have faith in Microsoft then either buy it and help them improve it, or wait for others to improve it.
I don't see what good complaining to this little forum thing will do.
I can tell you EXACTLY who is going to buy these right up...online poker players.
They can play their poker ANYWHERE now (they could before, but this makes it much easier, and much cooler). They'll even be playing at work. Very easy to hide this thing.
Bye bye productivity.
I will definitely buy Origami. I use email all the time for work and mobile email is great...but Blackberry doesn't do the job for me as I often email in Japanese. This is just like notebook pc, just smaller. And possibly less than $1000? Perfect.