Origami: gimmick or trendsetting

[Richard1]

Is anyone else getting excited about this product?

http://www.betanews.com/article/Micr...nts/1141315703

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/sto...1679709&page=1

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/pcs/origa...mpc-157932.php

http://money.cnn.com/2006/03/02/tech....reut/?cnn=yes

Does anyone got any new information about this?

[rgharper]

They're playing the cards close to the vest on this one. If it does run a true version of Windows (not the neutered Windows Mobile version) and can run full versions of Office it will be something I'll be looking seriously at.

[Richard1]

Looks like you might get your wish.

"Microsoft dubs Origami: the mobile PC running Windows XP"

You can see the whole article here:
http://www.betanews.com/article/Micr..._XP/1141315703

[Richard1]

Here's some more article regarding this:

Origami unfolds into Ultra Mobile PC


Microsoft's Origami puzzle begins to unfold

[rgharper]

Looks like a good bet - and still something I'm eager to get a hand or two on.

[Stalemate]

Is it time to drool yet?

http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/06/s...it-is-origami/

[rgharper]

There's a bad time to drool?

[rgharper]

The secret is out:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/umpc/default.mspx

[Richard1]

Yeah i think I want one. lol

Anyone have any possible pricing info?

I wonder if it will take pcmcia cards. I'm curious to know if the cellular card will work.

[Stalemate]

If this can take in additional memory cards and have decent storage and battery life, I'm all for it.

I've always been a big fan of portable devices - Palm, PPC, Blackberry... all save tablet PCs.

But this looks like the type of thing which would fit in so nicely into my lifestyle.

The full functionality of Windows, wireless connectivity, and a decent screen size.

I need a bib.

[TechZ]

According to TheRegister, Microsoft's Origami is no more than a new user interface for a tablet PC - Intel's mini-tablet form factor Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC), to be precise. Word is "Microsoft's Origami component is not a new OS, merely a layer on top of Windows. But it seems all you have to do is put up an empty teaser website to send pajama pundits into paroxysms of anticipation."

According to CeBIT News, the Origami will include a circular virtual keyboard as part of its user interface. The Origami Touch Pack Interface, as the virtual keyboard will be known, is designed for thumb-typing, and is sure to guarantee tons of fingerprints on your Origami display. CeBIT News also confirms that a range of external peripherals will be available for the Samsung Q1, including a GPS unit, DMB TV tuner (which will be internal for units sold in Korea), Bluetooth keyboard and DVD drive. CeBIT News also says that you'll be able to rip DVDs to the hard drive, though we assume that this doesn't include CSS-protected movies.

Quite a few new devices such as this.

Macworld has the scoop on Samsung's upcoming Ultra Mobile PC based on the Intel UMPC/Microsoft Origami specification. Dubbed Q1, the machine has a 900MHz Celeron processor, 500MB of RAM, 802.11a/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and runs a "special edition" of Windows XP. Anandtech also has some photos of UMPC prototypes from IDF.

MAGIC smartphone boasts 8GB HDD, 512MB RAM, dual QVGA:The quad-band GSM phone includes an 8GB hard drive, 512MB RAM, dual QVGA displays, dual 2 megapixel cameras, QWERTY keyboard, GPS, Bluetooth, EDGE, WiFi, VGA output, and a microSD slot. Not surprisingly, Advance Tech is positioning this as an ultra-premium device; the company doesn't even call it a smartphone, billing it instead as a "laptop computer miniaturized to the size of a handheld device." One thing that hasn't been miniaturized is the price: Advance Tech envisions selling the MAGIC for $1,000 when it rolls out next quarter.

[Stalemate]

Thanks TechZ.

I was actually looking forward to the thumboard concept on this, since coming from the Blackberry environment. More interesting to me than the usual TabletPC pop-up keyboard/stylu idea.

It does take a couple of days to get used to it, but for firing off quick emails and PMs, IMs, it works surprisingly well and is very intuitive.

[Richard1]

Here's some negative press about it: Wired

[rgharper]

Sadly, the video that "snuck" out promised a lot more than the actual device seems capable of. A demo unit showed today at CeBIT had a battery life of fifteen minutes (!!!) before needing a recharge. But they do promise a battery life of two to three hours on the production model in about three weeks, though.

If it could go four to five hours between charges and offered 100% WinXP compatibility I'd get one in a heartbeat even though it would cost about a thousand bucks. Unfortunately it looks like the WinXP part will be easy but the battery life will be hard.

At 2-3 hours between charges I'll suck it up and carry my laptop instead.