Origami Experience 2.0 finally coming to a UMPC near you

Microsoft pushed out its Origami Experience 2.0 to OEMs in January, but the purtied up interface for Vista-based UMPCs is finally available to all in the form of a free download. It's mainly meant to put a touch-happy skin on top of many existing Vista features, and includes Picture Password, Weather, RSS, email, calendar and other widget functionality in the new Origami Now screen.

[Via jkOnTheRun]

[TareX @ Jun 14th 2008 4:00PM]

Together with Vista's handwriting recognition I guess that would make a near-perfect touchscreen UMPC :)

[Richy @ Jun 16th 2008 8:04AM]

And no doubt both the people out there with UMPCs will be delighted with the download.

[catachip @ Jun 14th 2008 4:05PM]

It's too bad these devices are just not practical. They're too large to carry around with you all the time (key to actually being useful), but, too small to be productive without keyboard add ons and all the rest.

The smart phone form factor is really the best middle ground. As manufacturers like Apple, Blackberry, Samsung, etc, continue to push the envelope for these devices it will become more and more impressive for what can be done. However, people will always have the larger screen, full featured computer for more serious productivity.

[Pochi @ Jun 14th 2008 4:08PM]

I agree. I think the three major areas are covered.

You have the "netbooks," the smartphones, and the standard laptops. Outside of that there's just no need for any others.

[Phoenix @ Jun 14th 2008 4:18PM]

Why leave HTC off the list of smartphone makers?

[TareX @ Jun 14th 2008 4:19PM]

When mini tablet laptops start spreading, I doubt anyone will ever need a umpc... But currently, I believe getting a high-end smartphone is the best investment possible.

[maveric101 @ Jun 14th 2008 4:25PM]

i've been looking at the Xperia X1, and with it's high-res 800x480 touchscreen (same as Eee's, correct?), 528MHz processor (almost as fast as Eee) and Office Mobile, the thing is practically a UMPC.

[Hamidxa @ Jun 14th 2008 4:33PM]

Phoenix,

Exactly, HTC are the king of smartphones, the best of the best in the business.

[Irwin @ Jun 14th 2008 5:12PM]

I'm not sure Apple has any smart phones out..

[Nohone @ Jun 14th 2008 5:13PM]

Years ago Casio released the Cassiopeia with Windows CE. It was bashed for having a form factor that nobody would use, Slashdot had a front page article saying that the keyboard was so small it was useless. Now we have even smaller devices, such as you listed, with an even smaller keyboard - everybody thinks those devices are great. I had one of these, I remember when the power supply went out on my desktop, I plugged a PC Card modem into it, and was reading and sending e-mail.

Years ago there was a mini laptop that ran Windows CE, it was a Toshiba (can't remember the model number - I have one but could not find it). The screen folded down over top the keyboard, letting you use it as a tablet. It was about 8" diag, about 1/2 inch thick. People bashed it, saying that it was too small, underpowered, and could not replace a true laptop. Today we have the MacBook Air, Eeee, X300, and the recently announced Dell E. Like I said, I had one of these. I plugged a Cisco Wireless B card into it, and was reading mail wirelessly at business meetings.

A few years ago Microsoft announced the TabletPC, people bashed it. Who would want to write on their screen when they could easily type? For the past couple years there have been rumors of a Apple Tablet, and even though there has not been anything announced, nobody has been able to find any spy shots, and no credible evidence, it will be the best thing ever, with the on screen writing.

Now we have the UPMC. People bash it for being underpowered, and using a form factor that nobody will want. How long until history repeats its self?

[phanbouy @ Jun 14th 2008 5:14PM]

WHY TEH IRWIN MENTION TEH APPLEZ!?11

oh wait, it's not pro-apple. carry on...

[Kit @ Jun 14th 2008 8:36PM]

@Nohone
You're totally correct, I think we just need some time for the technology catch up with the concept in the next 5~10 years. (not to mention the battery technology)

UMPC might just become the next big thing, since tablet is too big and waste too much power for me. I can hold a UMPC with one hand and using the Muti touch which Windows 7 promised to provide.

While Microsoft still working hard on UMPC innovations, it showed they are commited to this concept same as tablet and surface.
http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/19/microsoft-adds-twist-to-handhelds-with-force-sensing-technology/
http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/22/microsoft-randd-shows-off-multi-touch-laptop/
http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/24/microsoft-randd-strikes-again-the-lucidtouch/

In order for a product to become successful we need the right hardware, software, market demand.
Hardware, we have VIA nano and Intel Atom which just came out recently
Software, Windows 7 will reduce its own footprint of and introduce mutitouch
Market Demand, I wanted it since day one. the problem is the battery life.

I bet if some OEM introduce a UMPC with Mutitouch screen + great battery (7~10) hours for my daily school work + TPM for data protection and a decent out look will do me. I will rush to the store to get one even it is going to be more expensive than Mac BK air or X300.

[weg @ Jun 14th 2008 9:12PM]

@Pochi: I believe that the netbooks will be a flash in the pan.. people were interested in these things when they cost $400, but now they are moving towards $700-$900. A "normal" 12" laptop is just a better deal for that price..

[david @ Jun 15th 2008 3:06AM]

No, new ones has a lot better prices. That would be MSI Wind PC, Acer Aspire One and I think there are even more which start at 299$. This very affordable and most of the people are not going to buy those expensive "toys" for 600-700$.

[Rob @ Jun 14th 2008 4:09PM]

Wow, that's...really ugly.

[Mark Anderson @ Jun 14th 2008 5:23PM]

Wow, you're a vain prat.

[Rob @ Jun 15th 2008 2:30PM]

Ah, yes, because I like devices to be slick and functional, rather than cluttered and confusing. My Nokia's setup looks a lot better than this piece of garbage, and I consider the Nokia to be barely useful. This is the best they could do with a UMPC?

[Decoy @ Jun 15th 2008 3:54PM]

He's right, it is ugly, but I'm sure you can skin it, theme it etc. The main prob is the wallpaper. It's so ugly its making the rest of the week rainy.

[idiot @ Jun 14th 2008 4:31PM]

I downloaded it and I've been playing with it on my laptop. It's actually quite nice, I might keep it. I wish I had a touchscreen though.

[LJKelley @ Jun 14th 2008 4:34PM]

Ya I decided to download on my HP Tablet. Looks great and Vista Tablet support is great already.

[Good_Bytes @ Jun 14th 2008 4:35PM]

I downloaded on my PC from Microsoft website (you just need Vista).
Frankly I like it a lot. Now granted that many icons looks pixelated has it is design for a small screen and not 12080x1024 (my screen resolution). Its actually nicer than on the picture above.
It's like Media Center Lite Edition + some extra features if their was such a thing.

[waterboy99troop @ Jun 14th 2008 6:59PM]

12080x1024?... wow, that's one wide screen...

[Leroy Vargas @ Jun 14th 2008 8:32PM]

Dude, he meant 1280x1024 (5:4 aspect ratio), NOT 12080x1024 (47:4 aspect ratio WTF!?!?)

[darkstar @ Jun 14th 2008 4:41PM]

i wish apple makes a 7inch itouch.
that puny 3.5 inch is nice but awful for web man

[phanbouy @ Jun 14th 2008 5:21PM]

I AM WEBMAN, I SHALL DECIDE

[Matias Korhonen @ Jun 14th 2008 4:49PM]

Now all we need is for somebody to stuff a dual-core CPU and 2 gigs of RAM into a UMPC so that it can run Vista... Oh, and also a dedicated GPU if you want it to be pretty...

[MasterDebator @ Jun 14th 2008 4:49PM]

Hello Sir, Where do I download this thing? I am going to put it on my x61 tablet (running Vista Ult) and see if its cool. Looks like a nice launchpad for stuff I would like to play with it.

[OopsIdiot @ Jun 14th 2008 4:51PM]

oops the read link took me to it. sorry for being an idiot! ;)

[jkkmobile @ Jun 14th 2008 4:50PM]

video of it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5jN29jeSI4

[TareX @ Jun 14th 2008 6:10PM]

That video was amazing, albeit a really long review.

But I loved the interface, it makes Vista VERY usable on a small form-factor umpc. The web layout was perfect, the calender "write your note" thing was extremely impressive.

[Hamidxa @ Jun 14th 2008 9:25PM]

Sweet.

This looks nice.

[sr1329 @ Jun 14th 2008 5:00PM]

Putting it on my laptop for testing.

[sr1329 @ Jun 14th 2008 5:03PM]

Did it, it's nice for a UMPC but weird on a laptop.

[paul-engadget @ Jun 14th 2008 5:11PM]

origami & vista: now even slower and with more bugs!

[Mark Anderson @ Jun 14th 2008 5:24PM]

paul-engadget: now with more stupid commentary!

[Decoy @ Jun 15th 2008 8:54PM]

Everything Mac shrieks of being a sore loser. Cue shrieking:

[bob e @ Jun 14th 2008 5:37PM]

Since I don't have a UMPC at the moment I'm going to see what it looks like on my 30" Dell monitor running 1080p.

Nice of Microsoft to offer this free of charge for the Vista user.

[phanbouy @ Jun 14th 2008 5:38PM]

i don't know about you guys, but the headline "Plan to dig up Padre Pio is attacked" is wrong on several levels

[Discosis @ Jun 14th 2008 6:32PM]

I was wondering if the default install pulls the RSS feed from wine.woot.com as well :)

[Nicky-Larson @ Jun 14th 2008 5:57PM]

Why are people lying about this program? I am using it and I think its a good piece of useful software. If you have the right Hardwares trust me, you will like this. I have hp tx2000z and its pretty slick. You should watch the video posted above before you start spewing hate. Learn sometimes to congratulate people for work done, because believe me, it is not easy. If you don't like it, thats ok. But know someone spent hours working on that.
It's so disappointing the way people sound so immature on this site.

[gerbick @ Jun 14th 2008 6:03PM]

Only Vista though? Would love to have tried this on my OQO 01+.

[Russell @ Jun 14th 2008 6:29PM]

Full of Awesome Sauce™ on my Latitude XT Tablet.

[Juice Daddy @ Jun 14th 2008 6:53PM]

yea... I gave it a go on my tx2000

what's with the awful resolution? do you know how to fix that?

[Juice Daddy @ Jun 14th 2008 7:31PM]

heh... nvm.. turns out I had installed v1

Installed v2.0 and... idk if I'll ever find myself using this, aside from when I get bored...


pretty slick program and concept though..

[Genjinaro @ Jun 14th 2008 8:20PM]

No love for Xp Tablet Edition?

[Kit @ Jun 14th 2008 8:39PM]

Yes, because when it compair to Vista's built-in tablet technology XP is really nothing.

[Kit @ Jun 14th 2008 8:39PM]

Yes, because when it compair to Vista's built-in tablet technology XP is really nothing.

[Kit @ Jun 14th 2008 8:40PM]

Ah, again....
I forget the press the thing twice

[Some Kid @ Jun 14th 2008 9:46PM]

the saddest of all of the sad parts in this story is that it still does not look as good as OS X Dashboard
sorry MS?!?!?!?!

[phanbouy @ Jun 14th 2008 10:41PM]

prepare to be flamed