Origami: Microsoft's 'OrPod' Alternative to the iPod?

[TechZ]

Will Microsoft do the unthinkable and field an all-in-one consumer/business ultra-portable, designed to take on Apple, Palm and maybe RIM, too? Microsoft has registered a Web site for something called "The Origami Project. From the rather cryptic video clip there, you can't tell much about what Origami is or what it will do. Guesses about Origami's origins have been all over the map.

But what we're hearing now is that Origami might be little more than a new code name for an ultra-portable device that Microsoft demonstrated last year at its Windows Hardware Engineering Conference. (Since Microsoft is continually changing code names to keep company watchers guessing, such a move would not be unprecedented.) The original "Haiku" device was described as an ultra-portable mini-Tablet when the first prototypes made their public debut. The systems, as described Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, would weigh about a pound, feature a battery that could hold a charge for a full day, and integrate a camera, a phone and a music device in a single form factor.

Full story: Microsoft Watch

Origami revealed!

Much like everyone else, I’ve been wondering what Microsoft’s Origami Project is. The speculation runs rampant but it appears that you might not have to wait a few weeks to find out what Origami truly is. Marketing firm DigitalKitchen must have the ad campaign on this one because if you hit their site and enter, click Work and then BrandTheatre, guess what you’ll find. Not just pics of the device, but a Flash-based video showing the various uses.

I won’t add to the speculation fire that’s burning and tell you what I saw. Instead, I’ll let you spend a few minutes viewing the revealing show so you can form your own conclusions. I will say this: as a new WMCE user, a TabletPC and WindowsMobile user for several years, I’m hoping what I saw in the video becomes available very soon. I’ll still be getting a new WM 5.0 phone that you can pick for me (so don’t forget to vote), but Origami is next on my list!

Full story: Bink
Homepage: Origami

[v0od0o]

[v0od0o]

[jensked]

[matt_shaw]

feast on this children

[swek]

I think he knows something.

/Dear rich uncle in America . I know we never met and we might not even be related but could you send me one of those fancy things over, once it gets released. I always admired Bill Gates and Microsoft. Some people called me a Microsoft (Note: no $ here) fanboi and I always wore that label with pride. If you doubt my sincerity I can show you the recipt for my Xbox (L@@k, correct spelling) which I bought at the launchday.

Your lost nephew.

[v0od0o]

looool @ swek

Who knows something? Me? Huh?

[zenkidori]

I think I'll stick to the iPod or PSP.

[v0od0o]

Some info that can be shared:
http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/softwar...9240551,00.htm
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9584_22-6043755.html

[matt_shaw]

Has anyone watched the video I posted? This thing is awesome!


Any word on the battery life v0od0o? If it's decent I'll take 3

[v0od0o]

hehe, unfortunately I can't spread any word I got from internal resources. Not that I did get one about the battery life.
Bear in mind that the video is 1 year old too, so chances are that the thing will be a lot better

[matt_shaw]

What about price point? I would guess between $800 - $1200USD

[Dark_Templer_102]

so...its just like a tablet laptop but not so big..?

And why is it being marketing as "free"

"Free"...+1200 dollars worth of taxes

[flyingfridge]

WOW it's very impressive. Release alongside Vista maybe? Or just after when the fuss has died down? One thing is, it's huge, although that screen is nice, and judging by that game, it's got some power. I love the idea of the freedom that the thing affords. Good one MS!

[v0od0o]

Originally Posted by Dark_Templer_102

And why is it being marketing as "free"

"Free"...+1200 dollars worth of taxes

lol, nothing in life is free. This is not free as in beer. Free as in you can do more stuff on the go without being tied to bulkier stuff

[zenkidori]

Free as in locked into MS DRM.

[Shawn]

This looks pretty retarded... doesn't Microsoft already have those portable Media Center devices?

The beauty of the iPod is (or at least was) that all it did was play music... simplicity at its best.

[v0od0o]

Whoever said a tablet pc competes directly with ipods
And What MS DRM? Where did you find out anything is locked into anything?

[zenkidori]

You work there, you should know.

[v0od0o]

I can only imagine you're talking about built-in DRM in the upcoming Windows Vista.... Kinda irrelevant to the topic here but anyway, did you ever think who pushes for DRM? Who ultimately benefits from DRM? Whose CDs installed DRM software that had security holes in them and compromised millions of PCs without user consent?