Microsoft's Origami Project, Also Feb 28th?

According to an industry source who has seen the thing and calls it "very cool," Origami is one and the same with this ultraportable "lifestyle PC" we were talking about here earlier today. This source is under NDA, an honest fellow and unwilling to share more than his help connecting the dots.

Earlier this month, the author of a blog called Engadget described the device this way: "According to at least one report, Bill Mitchell, Corporate Vice President of the Mobile Platform Division, showed a slide that outlined specs for the new PC category, including that it be wearable, always on, no larger than 10-inches, connected through 3G networks, pen-based, and have a suggested retail price of $500 or less. … One notable spec that could differentiate this one: Microsoft is apparently insisting that this run the full version of Windows."

The Origami Project Web site promises there will be news March 2.

From: http://www.networkworld.com/community/?q=node/4680

http://www.origamiproject.com/1

I posted this to one of the iPod video threads, but think it might deserve its own thread. Looks like MS is scheduled to announce this "Lifestyle PC" next week a few days after the Apple announcement.

It sounds too big, and is claimed to run the full version of Windows, but it may actually be something that could give a video iPod or an OS X tablet a run for its money...

B

wait, on the intro thingy, under 'and where can it go', it lists a shot from the apple beach screen saver. wow. i would know. that screen saver is what reminds me to get through the winter.

EDIT: didn't MS use an ACD in its internet explorer web site? I smell a conspiracy :rolleyes:

wait, on the intro thingy, under 'and where can it go', it lists a shot from the apple beach screen saver. wow. i would know. that screen saver is what reminds me to get through the winter.

EDIT: didn't MS use an ACD in its internet explorer web site? I smell a conspiracy :rolleyes:

They're probably just stock images from Corbis. Bill Gates' "other" company.

No conspiracy there ;) just move along.

B

Indeed. Should be a fun week.

:)

Somebody found an Origami video on a marketing company's website:
http://kevintwodotoh.com/2006/02/25/hardware/origami-video-the-real-deal.html

That's a pretty interesting video... looks like we'll have to wait until thursday to get more details.

Too big to go everywhere. Too small to replace my laptop. My Ipaq 4700 is pretty much what I want in terms of form factor for a mini tablet.

The iPod as gained so much popularity that I don't think it matters what any company brings out, I think that the iPod will retain its market share in the digital media player catagory. However, this device looks like it will rule the "PDA" market. This is why it is time Apple comes out with another Newton like device.

an origami-like device (or at least what i imagine it to be) is exactly what i've always wanted out of a portable. up to this point the best i could do was to get the smallest apple laptop i could, the 12" PowerBook. but even the PowerBook has been overkill for my portable needs. it is not my main machine, been using a dual G5 at home for real work. what i need is something for when i am on the road and running around town to see clients. i don't want a "smart phone" and i don't want a PDA. i want an ultra portable something that can run OS X, with a decent enough screen and a QWERTY keyboard (touchscreen is ok with me). no optical drive. a firewire port would be nice and wi-fi is a must. flash storage would be cool too. no moving parts. good battery life. that's about it. as portable as my 12" PowerBook is, it's still another 5 pounds in my bag. along with the power supply and sleeve. i want a notebook computer that is actually the size and weight of a small notebook. something that will fit in my glove box and can bang around in a backpack and i can pull it out on the train with ease.

This looks pretty cool.

But I don't think it will be out anytime soon, and I don't think that Microsoft will be producing these themselves... more likely they'll propose a standard that PC makers (Sony, Dell, HP, etc.) will design to.