Scoble...you forced me to buy the audiobox SMT 5600...and I loved that device...till I got my Treo 700w....if the orgami is of the same caliber....and you rave about it.....then dammit you'll force me to buy one too :). I just hope it's something that a mere mortal can buy and not priced at the OQO level.
The Robert Scoble secret to free stuff: use son's allowance to buy cool stuff ;)
scobleizer
· 3 years ago
Richard, heheh! I wish! If that were the case I could probably buy two!
John Faunce
· 3 years ago
What time ??????
Simone
· 3 years ago
Duh. Thus I hope it's going to be a stunning device that will destroy any trace of iPods/OQOs/PSPs in this world.
This eternal wait is going to leave me without sleep for a week.
Robert W. Anderson
· 3 years ago
OK, so not a killer, but I hope that doesn't mean its:
another iPod knock-off; a portable PSP also-ran;
(I'm not sure what "killing" OQO means at this point)
;)
scobleizer
· 3 years ago
Robert: it's not an iPod knockoff or a portable PSP also ran either. :-)
met
· 3 years ago
I can't kill 'coz its in a different league, or it can't because its a wimp ?
met
· 3 years ago
no pun in my previous post ;) (hint: wimp)
scobleizer
· 3 years ago
met: I thought I made that clear. It's not an iPod, so how could it kill an iPod off? It's not a video game, so how could it be an Xbox portable or kill off a PSP?
In other words, those things are apples, cherries, and plumbs. Origami is a peach. :-)
Ravi Chodavarapu
· 3 years ago
I thought I remember hearing at some point more news on Monday (i.e., today) ... but probably just falling victim to rumors and hype - I'm almost convinced I want one at this point.
Sim
· 3 years ago
Anyway... Is it a gadget in the strict meaning of the term (something really portable and limitedly useful)?
scobleizer
· 3 years ago
Ravi: there will probably be more news all week long, but Thursday is definitely the coming out day. They are showing it off at the huge CeBit conference in Hannover, Germany.
scobleizer
· 3 years ago
Sim: define "really portable." :-)
It is a gadget. It is a lot smaller and lighter than my Toshiba Tablet PC.
/pd
· 3 years ago
Robert, how do you know that you are going to buy one with your own money, unless you know the price ??
so whats the bottom line ?? :)-
Sim
· 3 years ago
Portable as a book.
colin
· 3 years ago
Taking what's it's not.. I'd speculate...
It's too big to be a practical music device despite that it will probably to all those WM10 things. It's not powerful enough to be an xbox but MS will probably encourage ISVs to put games on it It's not OQO - does that mean it has less than XP making it unattractive as a platform to develop for? It's not a PSP - combo of 1 & 2 above - not portable or poweful enough
Anonymous Coward
· 3 years ago
What about the Nokia 770? Differences, other than (assuming) it runs some flavor of Windows?
scobleizer
· 3 years ago
/pd: I know the price, but can't say until Thursday when the partners announce. Sorry.
Anonymous: it won't kill any Nokia cell phone.
Colin: see ya on Thursday. I won't bite on the bait to talk more. :-)
Dave
· 3 years ago
Maybe it doesn't kill the devices mentioned although it seems like it has a fair amount in common with the OQO. Origami will kill the OQO because it will be cheaper and have more efficient battery consumption. It probably fills a new niche in which it touches a bit of the capability of portable movies, music, gaming, web, 3G wireless, WIFI, GPS, VOIP in a slightly larger package than the IPOD, PSP, etc... I can't see any other possible explanation and I dare Microsoft to prove me wrong! We'll see on March 9th. BTW, if it is what I think it is, I'm waiting until it has Vista on it and then i'm springing for one! ;)
Anonymous Coward
· 3 years ago
"Anonymous: it won’t kill any Nokia cell phone."
Yeah, the 770 is a tablet with no phone capabilities. It seems very similar to the Origami concept as I've seen thus far. It goes for $350 from Nokia.
John Tokash
· 3 years ago
I'm really enjoying watching everyone try to bait you, Robert.
Luckily, nothing you've said so far is incompatible with my want list.
Anonymous Coward: The Nokia 770 isn't even in the running. Hope that helps! :-) Why? Cause can you run iTunes on a 770? Can you run Photoshop? Can you run Quicken? MSN Messenger? And on and on and on.
Keith Patrick
· 3 years ago
If it is what everyone thinks it is, I'm ecstatic. My Tablet PC mantra has been "I want a small, inexpensive satellite PC that lets me RDP into my main CPU when I need it." If this is it, great (esp. as I was disappointed by SFF PCs such as Shuttles veering back towards mini-tower designs right before the Mac Mini came out, thus ruining/delaying my vision of my home office setup)
Mike Drips
· 3 years ago
Is Mrs. Scoble aware that Robert has his own money? I sure hope this thing has a beer bottle opener on it so that it will still have some functional use when we all get over it in three months.
scobleizer
· 3 years ago
Mike: I have -- gasp -- my own credit card! :-)
Boris Popov
· 3 years ago
#31, if not there's still a good 'ol paper-weight use case ;)
Keith Patrick
· 3 years ago
If the thing is only $600, and it can fun a full Windows operating system, it's a PDA killer, much like current cell phones could be considered iPod killers in that the features and price points make lesser devices somewhat obsolete.
Rodney Buike
· 3 years ago
Whose money do you usually use? And do they have enough to buy me one :)
Dave
· 3 years ago
Listen to Scoble -- It's not a PDA killer. Think of this more as a "lifestyle" device. You can't fit Origami in your pocket but you can with a PDA. BTW, i'm planning on scrapping my laptop at end of life, purchasing a media center pc for home use and have an origami to take with me when I have small PC needs on the go.
Bob Ackman
· 3 years ago
Is it bigger than a breadbox?
scobleizer
· 3 years ago
Bob: how big is a breadbox in your world? It's a lot smaller than a loaf of bread in mine!
scobleizer
· 3 years ago
Dave's right. It won't replace my SmartPhone or PDA Phone. It's not a Treo 700w killer, for example.
Anonymous Coward
· 3 years ago
"Cause can you run iTunes on a 770?"
You can stream songs from iTunes to it. It will also play MP3 and the other usual formats.
"Can you run Photoshop?"
I think somebody is porting Gimp, who knows. It's not something I use, so I'm not particularly interested.
"Can you run Quicken?"
I used MSFT Money for a while, but stopped when my bank put everything online, so I don't really care.
"MSN Messenger?"
GAIM or Meebo work well for me.
I'm just curious in how the two will compare, more in the realm of form-factor, wireless/Bluetooth/etc.
Martin
· 3 years ago
I know what it is.
It's a hype machine that will put Apple and Google's hype machines to shame.
rafael
· 3 years ago
just tell us this.. is www.umpc.com legit from intel? if so well be hearing seomthing from them tomorrow. hopefully not another damn teaser...
Dave
· 3 years ago
Two questions, Robert:
(1) Just a week ago, you very clearly complained about the damage overhype can do. How does your post differ?
(2) Microsoft has already been guilty of not being EXACTLY clear about what is being announced with this product - see the March 2 announcement. I notice the lack of detail of EXACTLY what this Thursday will bring - even from you! Namely - when will this product be available for purchase to the general public?
Please, Robert, understand the context of my questions... if Thursday bring a mere demo of a product that won't be available until June or later - then IMHO you are guilty of everything you accused others of last week.
rafael
· 3 years ago
and you recorded the channel 9 video for origami today didnt you, you tease..
Nige
· 3 years ago
Is it going to replace my XDA exec and stick me back to using 2 decvices - a truley portable computer and a phone ?
Sim
· 3 years ago
I know it's not a name-the-most-devices-you-know-about contest. But... Can the Origami be a PMA430 Killer?
scobleizer
· 3 years ago
Rafael: yes. I filmed it this morning. But the marketing folks are holding me back until Thursday.
Dave: I agree I'm guilty of hyping. Am I guilty of overhyping? Well, I'm trying to tell you what it's not. So, I'm trying to pull the hype level down. And, I am buying one of these, when it's out (and, yes, we do cover all that in the video).
Martin: Origami is NOT an Apple hype machine killer. :-) (Me neither! Heheh!)
Nige: possibly. ;-)
scobleizer
· 3 years ago
Sim: I don't even know what a PMA430 is. Can you give us a URL for that?
RR
· 3 years ago
Running Photoshop on that device? It's very bad when running it on 15" monitor... It's just an attempt to find a new market for (and save for a while) Embedded Windows XP...
Anyway, the most important of all is that Origami will boost Win XP and it will be powerful enough to run some good app. (It MUST be a bloody Apple hype machine killer).
scobleizer
· 3 years ago
RR: it's not running Embedded Windows XP either. Sim: I don't think it's a PMA 400 killer either.
hoberion
· 3 years ago
its a small tablet, running tablet pc.. now its prolly "concept" in stead of a real product like the tabled was before...
or its an offshoot of the mirra project that never really took off
its basically not a tiny, but not a large tablet, enabled in all the ways it should be enabled, price point hitting 400-650 bucks
comes in two flavors
running tablet pc os, or a micro version of it
aimed at "lifestyle" folks / and or / multipuporse medical / educational ie school classrooms device
digistic
· 3 years ago
Ok, this is Dave from comments #25 & 38... Just got a Wordpress acount as to not be anonymous. This device isn't going to kill off the PC nor IPOD, PSP, etc. Get with the program, peeps. It merely acts as a lifestyle device or a bridge, if you will, to the devices everyone mentions. I don't understand the complaints of hype or overhype. It's obvious that it is what it is and isn't what it isn't. It is cool, in a niche of it's own. I'll be buying one eventually.
What interests me is Microsoft's talk about an eventual price point of $500 or lower. Does anyone remember Negroponte's $100 3rd world PC? Seems to me that Microsoft could make some big bucks if they do this right. It may take a few years or so to bring the price point down but there may be some economics in selling this idea to the 3rd world...
Keith Patrick
· 3 years ago
This sounds more like a semantic dispute as to what a "killer" is. It's not a PDA killer because...well, that depends on your definition. Is it because you can't fit Origami in your pocket? I really don't consider a PDA to be something I'd put in my pocket, either; I've seen people carry them around like that, and it looks, well, odd. However, a small, light Tablet PC renders every other aspect of a PDA (even the phone hybrids to an extent) unnecessary, so if that fits your definition, it is a killer. For me, I wouldn't carry a PDA in my pocket, and a tablet PC running a full version of Windows for $600-ish is plenty enough to be one in my (pocket) book.
anon
· 3 years ago
Project Origami is astroturf. The product it purports to hype isn't available for sale and won't be unless DELL, Gateway or HP decide to build one. "Project Origami" is the hype preceding a preannouncement at CeBIT.
Like real origami, it does not replace a real bird, or a frog, or whatever you make out of paper.
rafael
· 3 years ago
so what your saying is that out of our origami (our paper) we can make it operate like all those other devices (stuff we build with that paper)??
its a better replacement not a killer to many many things... it still sounds like something that will kill something else..
Guy Pelletier
· 3 years ago
Wow, It does not kill anything, it performs all the graphics, communications, interactive stuff you ever wanted and The scoblizer will buy one with his own credit card. I a gadget freak anyway, it sounds like this device, although bulky will be the end all with our current technology. With the Thursday showing I take it we will be able to order one and receive or what until manufacturing catches up? I know lots of people have been disappointed about the roll out of the 360 xbox This machine sounds extremily functional it would be ashame to kill the momentum developed with MS marketing on this with slow deliveries.
Will
· 3 years ago
please please let it be a Libre killer that doesn't cost much and has a great screen. Maybe e-paper (origami, I get it...)
ActiveNick
· 3 years ago
Dave is right folks. I have blogged about the Origami quite a bit already since I was at the Tablet PC Partner briefing in Redmond where Microsoft introduced this new concept for “Ultra Mobiles” devices, or “Lifestyle Devices”. The lifestyle part is really the key here, something you would not leave home withouth, something useful, cool, and stylish, not awkward and geeky. You can find out more about what Microsoft revealed during this event at http://www.infusionblogs.com/blogs/activenick/a... and http://www.infusionblogs.com/blogs/activenick/a.... I was also quoted by Mary Jo Foley of the Ziff Davis’ Microsoft watch about the Microsoft origami project at http://www.microsoft-watch.com/article2/0,2180,.... Hope this helps answer some of your questions. I have revealed as much as I could without breaking my NDA. Cheers.
rafael
· 3 years ago
i also have a feeling origamiproject.com might become a order page for these things, from all different manufacturers. mass world infiltration lol
combine, skype (bye bye cellphone), iTunes (bye bye iPod that cant search) itll most likelly have a built in cam (bye bye digicams.. unless ur a pro)
this kinda sounds like the start of WIMAX, imagine these devices all connected to each otehr and forming a lan of some sort that way everyone gets internet in clusters..
but im thinkin too much here... awaits till tomorrows umpc.com fake or not
digistic
· 3 years ago
Please consider the meaning of Origami. Origami (折紙 origami "paper folding") is the art of Japanese paper folding.
The art of origami takes a piece of paper and through human interaction, transforms it into many different shapes. Visualize these shapes as the different devices everyone mentions. You can easily be using a music shape, then have it transform into movie, GPS for driving or geocaching, email, web, light pc-use shapes.
It's a mobile device, not pocketable, yet small enough to bring along in many cases to utilize. It doesn't necessarily replace those devices yet can fullfill many of their use cases.
The strength of Origami will increase exponentially as 3G wireless networks become ubiquitous.
Makes sense, right?
digistic
· 3 years ago
I've always wanted to run Google Earth or Microsoft's Virtual Earth on a worthy mobile device. With Origami and a 3G connection, we can. This kicks so much butt!
Steve Paine
· 3 years ago
So far, it sounds like it will fill exactly the hole in the market I've been harping on about in my blog. Its got to be the elusive Carrypad at last. Steve/Chippy.
Goebbels
· 3 years ago
"I agree I’m guilty of hyping. Am I guilty of overhyping? Well, I’m trying to tell you what it’s not. So, I’m trying to pull the hype level down."
Then you fail. You started the hype, it got out of hand, you blamed the people behind the project, you retrenched from all of yourr misstatements, then you said: "Just wait till it is anounced," THEN you refuse to keep your own damn advice.
I don't think your ignorant of the effect of this "udner-hyping" post; I think you are ignorant of the fact that we can see through that silliness.
Brian Shapiro
· 3 years ago
Dave,
I won't get rid of my notebook, I still need my main computer to be portable, but its a high-end heavy notebook so something like Origami will allow me to keep it at home more often. I've really liked the idea of a Tablet PC, but for me the killer is that all tablets that have been out have basically been notebook replacements. What you end up doing is spending more money for a notebook that has less power and capability.Its not something you would get to complement your existing PC either. If the Origami device has a good price range and good battery life, it would be a nice complement to a notebook (or desktop). Hopefully it would also be easier to write on than a PocketPC, like Tablet PCs are, so it would replace my PDA; I would carry it in my bag.
Richard Brownell
· 3 years ago
Rather than saying it is not a _____-killer, you could simply stick with "We're creating a new kind of device for an untapped market." Even as a half truth, it's better marketing than saying what it isn't.
digistic
· 3 years ago
But really, let's try to get past all these "kills or doesn't kill" convos. We know what it is or isn't. Now is the time to be creative and think of numerous use-cases for the device. Once MSFT has done a great job communicating these and the market innovates around the new "Origami" economy, the public will soon understand and buy them like hotcakes.
1) Google Earth or Virtual Earth w/ GPS & 3G wireless for driving directions and connected functions. 2) Finding a great ____ while out and about. (restaurant, barber, etc.) 3) Making VOIP calls via Live Messenger, Skype, Google Talk, etc. 4) Imagine what you can do with P2P applications with everyone and their mother owning one... Endless opportunities here.
The point is, the IPOD created it's own economy. The Origami economy will be bigger! There's plenty of money to be made here in the new "Origami" economy. Solve creative problems and you will also reap the rewards.
digistic
· 3 years ago
Agreed, Brian #71. This isn't a laptop killer ;) In retrospect I probably still would own a laptop but would use it less. Just like the other devices it "doesn't replace."
ahaa
· 3 years ago
oh, so it is a scoblekiller? "scoble would kill to get it"
Andru Edwards
· 3 years ago
Face it - no product will be released that would "kill" any of the other products mentioned. This is why it isn't an iPod killer, even if it was "only" a portable MP3, WMA, video player.
Methinks it's an extension of your digital life. Leave your laptop at home, but have constant access to the most important data: email, RSS, contacts, media, internet.
Matt C
· 3 years ago
can you at least tell us if it will have a usb or firewire port? :)
Hasan Ahmad
· 3 years ago
Damn it scoble what is it. IF its not all the above is it a piece of silk we can wipe our arse with? just hint it damn it. Just hint to us what it IS!! not what it isnt.
Tetra
· 3 years ago
Isn't this just the microtablet debuted last year at CES? I mean, the hype machine at Microsoft already blew its load by mentioning the tablet features.
Netwrkr
· 3 years ago
If it's anything like the supposed "leaked" photos (i.e. micro-tablet) I'd purchase on with Scoble's money as well.....
dave
· 3 years ago
if i sit on it but on top of a cushion so it's basically just my ass squishing it against a cushion, will it break or crack the screen?
will it have a built in wifi detector that tells me if the connection is open so that i can just wander with it and never pay for service?
if people pirate movies and download them illegally to origami machines but then bring the origami machines to friends' houses to watch them without burning or sharing tons more copies, is it less illegal 'cause it's like just one main stolen copy? and btw, does pirating crappy movies or songs also count as illegal, or do they carry reduced sentences and fines (e.g. zeppelin versus death cab)?
is it gonna be waterproof - or will any third parties make really cute "bling" cases for it too?
Innocent Bystander
· 3 years ago
So - what good is it if it can't kill anything else?
:-P
Apologies to Monty Python
· 3 years ago
CROWD: An iPod killer! We've found An iPod killer!
VILLAGER #1: We've found an iPod killer. May we overhype it?
CROWD: Overhype it! Overhype! Overhype it!
SCOBLE: How do you know it is an iPod killer?
VILLAGER #2: It looks like one.
CROWD: Right! Yeah! Yeah!
SCOBLE: Bring it forward.
ORIGAMI: I'm not an iPod killer! I'm not an iPod killer!
SCOBLE: Uh, but you look like one.
ORIGAMI: They photoshopped me like this.
CROWD: Augh, we didn't! We didn't...
ORIGAMI: And that wasn't my video. It's a concept piece.
SCOBLE: Well?
VILLAGER #1: Well, we did do the photoshopping.
SCOBLE: And the video?
VILLAGER #1: And the video, but it is an iPod killer!
VILLAGER #2: Yeah!
CROWD: Overhype it! Right! Yeaaah! Yeaah!
SCOBLE: Did you photoshop it up like this?
VILLAGER #1: No!
VILLAGER #2 and 3: No. No.
VILLAGER #2: No.
VILLAGER #1: No.
VILLAGERS #2 and #3: No.
VILLAGER #1: Yes.
VILLAGER #2: Yes.
VILLAGER #1: Yes. Yeah, a bit.
VILLAGER #3: A bit.
VILLAGERS #1 and #2: A bit.
VILLAGER #3: A bit.
VILLAGER #1: It has got Windows Media Player.
RANDOM: *cough*
SCOBLE: What makes you think she is an iPod killer?
VILLAGER #3: Well, it looks like a portable media device.
SCOBLE: A portable media device?
VILLAGER #3: I got better.
VILLAGER #2: Overhype it anyway!
VILLAGER #1: Overhype!
CROWD: Overhype it! Overhype! Overhype it!
SCOBLE: Quiet! Quiet! Quiet! Quiet! There are ways of telling whether it is an iPod killer.
VILLAGER #1: Are there?
VILLAGER #2: Ah?
VILLAGER #1: What are they?
CROWD: Tell us! Tell us!...
VILLAGER #2: Do they hurt?
SCOBLE: Tell me. What do you do with iPod killers?
VILLAGER #2: Overhype! Overhype!
VILLAGER #1: Overhype!
SCOBLE: And what do you overhype apart from iPod killers?
VILLAGER #1: More iPod killers!
VILLAGER #3: Shh!
VILLAGER #2: PSP killers!
SCOBLE: So, why do PSP killers get overhyped?
VILLAGER #3: Because they're made of... wood?
SCOBLE: Good!
CROWD: Oh, yeah. Oh.
SCOBLE: So, how do we tell whether she is a PSP killer?
VILLAGER #1: See if its made of wood!
SCOBLE: Ah, but did not the original Atari have faux wood-paneled?
VILLAGER #1: Oh, yeah.
RANDOM: Oh, yeah. True. Uhh...
SCOBLE: Did Atari sink when it hit the market?
VILLAGER #1: No. No.
VILLAGER #2: No, it sells! It sells!
VILLAGER #1: Launch the product, launch the product!
CROWD: Launch! Launch the product!
SCOBLE: What also sells well on launch?
VILLAGER #1: Bread!
VILLAGER #2: Apples!
VILLAGER #3: Segways!
VILLAGER #1: Pokemon!
VILLAGER #2: Uh, Goo-- Google!
VILLAGER #1: YouTube!
VILLAGER #2: MMORGs!
VILLAGER #3: Uh, Flickr! Flickr!
VILLAGER #2: VOIP! VOIP!
BILLG: A duck!
CROWD: Oooh.
SCOBLE: Exactly. So, logically...
VILLAGER #1: If... it... sells as well on launch... as a duck... it's a PSP killer.
SCOBLE: And therefore?
VILLAGER #2: An iPod killer!
VILLAGER #1: An iPod killer!
CROWD: An iPod killer! An iPod killer!...
mole
· 3 years ago
will it be avaible in us ? and when ?
JJ K
· 3 years ago
It's not Bill who is doing it. It will be Samsungs device with Intels new prosessor and Windows os.
Thomas
· 3 years ago
Is this origami going to have CC (Close Caption) in video? If not, then Microsoft isnt committed to keep there words on making the device accessiblity. I dont want to hear oh there will be a third party software to fix this and this. Please, try to understand that the disablity should'nt be left out of the techonogly world. Let share the future with using origami as a gap to the disability community.
Ben
· 3 years ago
Will it let you run gaming sites like pogo.com?
tpollock
· 3 years ago
What about the DualCor cPC? Now that thing is a high powered UMPC.. Robert how does it compare or is it an Origami device?
scobleizer
· 3 years ago
Thomas, I'm sure that the information in the video will be shared lots of places.
its a kewl video for a "Microsoft Alexandria" ?!?!
-=n00g=-
Chad
· 3 years ago
Will it run Linux?
jimmy93211
· 3 years ago
I love the origami and i have not even seen it yet lol . I hope it is pretty, has a keyboard and a good spec and i will be over the moon. Oh and a kinda low price too as i am kinda stink(do you have that word in america?) anyway Long live HYPE
Rohit Aggarwal
· 3 years ago
Curiosity kills the cat! And now when you have endorsed the product yourself, ("I am going to buy one. With my own money.") I am waiting eagerly for Thursday to come.
I would love to see a product from Microsoft that would once again deviate all the force to the 'dark side'. Long Live the Empire.:-)
Korey
· 3 years ago
I really hope it has a stashable slide keyboard a sustainable battery sum kind of OS derived from vista or XP pro it has wifi and sell for around 500 or less anything more and ill spring for a laptop i hope its touchscreen or summin like that microsofts got me at the edge of my seat for this thing i cant wait till thursday tobias blog image looks very photoshopped but if it is that which i dont like its semi-kool but looks like a Symbol PDA for grocery stores with orange buttons xxskyliner34xx@gmail.com
Jason B.
· 3 years ago
Robert, is it a Crestron Killer?
Thanks
IvyMike
· 3 years ago
Is it an Apple Newton killer?
Jim
· 3 years ago
Well, whatever it is, it better be good, or you and your buddies in Redmond will never live it down. If Microsoft goes down in flames in the midst of all this hype Robert, one thing it's sure to be is something akin to the next Microsoft Bob.
Bruce E.
· 3 years ago
Is it a Notes killer? :-)
Eric H.
· 3 years ago
I hate to say this, being that I don't normally jump on bandwagons, but I think it's more of a vaporware-video- iPod / Sony Location Free TV killer. It seems like it's an ultraportable, ultra-high function entertainment handheld with capacity to TV out and with integration with upcoming Vista flavors. I know we won't get a definitive answer until Thursday, but if it's what I think it is, it's been a long time coming and a well needed addition to the market.
Robert Scoble
· 3 years ago
Jim: I don't buy things that aren't good.
Robert Scoble
· 3 years ago
IvyMike: isn't the Newton dead already? How can you kill something that's already dead?
Bruce: very funny.
Jason: no, it's not a Celestron killer.
Chad: when I get mine I'll check if it'll run Linux. Don't see why it wouldn't, although you might have to write your own drivers to control various things.
Robert Scoble
· 3 years ago
Eric: it's not vaporware. The one I was holding today was near final device.
It's also not a video iPod killer. Although didn't Steve Jobs once say that he couldn't believe anyone would use a two-inch screen to watch video? ;-)
IvyMike
· 3 years ago
"IvyMike: isn’t the Newton dead already? How can you kill something that’s already dead?"
Hello, and welcome to the joke!
Karim
· 3 years ago
"Apologies to Monty Python," that was hilarious.
You forgot the part where the Origami is shown playing "It's a Fair Cop.MP3"...
Kevin
· 3 years ago
But, no one is saying what the real problem is.....they say its running windows! All we need, one more thing to have to babysit daily and clean out all the viruses and spyware.
Daniel Nicolas
· 3 years ago
I still don't think you've answered the REAL question at hand.
You're willing to pay for one.
But are you willing to go beyond that?
Would you beat your way to the front of the department store for it like they did for the chocolate bars in Willy Wonka?
Would you set up complex money laundering schemes to get you enough money to buy two of them?
Would you blackmail someone for their's?
How far would you go to get one of these things?
Will you wait out in the freezing cold a week in advance, so you know you will get the first one?
Will you hide outside the shipping plant, waiting for the right moment when the boxes are being loaded into the truck, to ambush the workers for one?
=) Just something to think about.
Eric H.
· 3 years ago
Scobe -
I was saying a "vaporware video iPod" killer as in the fake photoshop'd iPod version that's been circulating with the big touch screen and all that. I fully believe that this is not vaporware in any way. I agree about the tiny screen wholeheartedly. If it weren't for the TV out option on the video iPod, I wouldn't bother with the video aspect at all.
Aaron
· 3 years ago
i just don't feel the buzz of any of this viral marketing...even from scobe.
If this is a small tablet like Bill showed at WinHEC I will be impressed, its way ahead of schedule, even if it doesn't use new chip technology. I've been tempted by PDAs for years but using a different OS and apps puts me off. Sounds like a fantasy style kitchen sink gadget, but in a good way.
Suprised Microsoft dont just wait for Vista before launching it with the tablet improvements it'll bring.
web20guy
· 3 years ago
Scoble, can you spread this one for Nick (roughtype) pls:
Aaron: I agree. I have gotten boring. I have 300 emails a day to keep up with now, and it's hard to do that, do interviews, and be interesting at the same time. I'm struggling to do it. Also, reading Memeorandum was making me boring. Absolutely agreed!
scobleizer
· 3 years ago
tedge: it's one of two devices he showed off at WinHec. The video will talk about this.
Kevin
· 3 years ago
What MicroSoft is trying to do with Oragami is create a new market, rather than attacking the PDA, MP3 or laptop market head on...
The "what if" commercial is really hip, but much like cell phone camera's taking pictures of Little Richard bowling, there seems little practicle use for this size/ability of product...
Oragami truly exposes the brain-drain MicroSoft is dealing with, as the talent pool has largely gone south to Google, Apple, Yahoo, and start-ups. This isn't an opinion or "spin," it's simply the truth that a large contingency of high-end talent has left MicroSoft for richer stock -option opportunities. In short, the people that are gone were indeed smart folks.
The unfortunate approach for MicroSoft with this product is it is trying to be all things to all people, which ends up delivering average at best products.
This goal is a marketing nightmare. Rather than targeting one market and choosing to be the best in that market, they are trying to create one (which is great) but the end result is being so so at everything - a marketing disaster...
The starting, or hook, price is rumored to be around $500... Interesting.
Bottom Line: It will land with a flurry of hope and excitement much like "The Ginger Project" (that gyro scooter thingy), and end up being a great concept, but much like Apple's Newton, either ahead of it's time, too pricy, or a combo of both, with features that are all just so, so...
As Seth Godin might say, "This isn't a purple cow, but a bunch of brown cows mashed together, and no matter how hard one tries, that does not make purple..."
~OUT
sirshannon
· 3 years ago
I've seen the UMPC / Origami Community site and I HAVE TO HAVE ONE OF THESE!
>This isn’t an opinion or “spin,” it’s simply the truth that a large contingency of high-end talent has left MicroSoft for richer stock -option opportunities. In short, the people that are gone were indeed smart folks.
How do you argue with this? The guy who did the Origami is one of the four first guys on the Xbox team. I guess he didn't leave.
John Tokash
· 3 years ago
I wonder what will be announced tomorrow. The UMPC.com site's teaser date is 3/7.
tedge
· 3 years ago
tedge: it’s one of two devices he showed off at WinHec. The video will talk about this.
Ooo, I only remember him showing the one device besides the aux display.
I hope this launches tablets in a big way at last, its time we went further than keyboard and mouse. Microsoft should get into hardware, alot of their concepts end up poorly executed by third parties. I suppose software is where the money is though.
/looks over at pile including Tablet PC, Segway, iPod, Archos PMA 430, Sidekick IIc, PSP, NDS, Xbox 360, etc.etc.etc.etc. Of course, I won't be able to retire until I'm 140.
Grant
· 3 years ago
> How do you argue with this?
You don't. Clearly the poster has the internet's second oldest agenda and doesn't care this is a good device or not.
(Although I do like the part where he has the msft org-chart in hand and knows exactly when any employee turnover has officially rendered Redmond brain-dead. Then he turns around and suggests that umpc might end up as a visionary concept ahead of its time.
That's right, he's outed himself as the worst form of /.-by-the-numbers-idiot: the current Microsoft consists of a bunch of brain-dead visionaries!)
The device looks like an interesting form factor, the pictures on umbc.com look much less clunky than the original.
"QUESTION: What is a UMPC?
ANSWER: An Ultra Mobile PC is a small device that you can carry and use to access your favorite online games, videos, music, TV shows and more on the go, with the quality you're accustomed to to when you're in front of your PC.
The UMPC also connects you to people via email, VoIP, Instant Messaging and texting, and since it can identify its environment, the UMPC can bring you information according to your location, like the best local restaurants.
Additionally, the UMPC also offers a long battery life, so you can access your information for long periods of time while on the road."
rafael
· 3 years ago
YOU CAN get information on the hottest sales and promotions at the Mall while you drive by.
YOU CAN compare prices online while you are visiting a store and make the right decision.
YOU CAN get GPS information while driving or walking.
YOU CAN do email, or monitor work while standing in line at the DMV or at any other place you usually got bored at waiting and wasting your time.
YOU CAN surf the internet for the latest news while cooking in the kitchen.
YOU CAN download your music, videos, TV shows, photos and email, chat, IM friends…all from a small, thin device that fits in your purse! http://umpc.com/usage.aspx
my purse?
josh
· 3 years ago
Did you hear!?! There are 2 comments over at Engadget that said Engadget will end their 30-day give-away-spree with free Origamis!! PICK ME, PICK ME!
James White
· 3 years ago
Ok, I got it.. Remember Mira? Where you could control your home computer and get audio/video sent to wherever you are.. It's that. The whole doing it as a screen idea was silly anyway. A remote control/viewer for your home pc w/ heavy "media extender" add-ons is totally worth buying.
Jason B.
· 3 years ago
Haven't you ever tried a man purse on?
Just kidding. I just hope it ties in with my home security and MCE and HVAC, and hell, tell me how long till I have to reorder the water filter in my fridge!
Jason B.
· 3 years ago
Turn the light on out in the garage with it.. stuff like that.
scobleizer
· 3 years ago
James: actually I asked about Mira in the video.
Cox
· 3 years ago
Scoble,
Is your life being wasted as an MS dummy? Do you really have an opinion of your own, or does Ballmer tell you who to do at night every day?
And Scobleizer is pretty lame. Grow up man.
Anonymous
· 3 years ago
Cox,
Your mother is a whore. I have slept with her many a night.
Just telling it like it is.
Daniel Nicolas
· 3 years ago
now, now, let's not turn into /. here.
Dave
· 3 years ago
Dave from #45 here....
Way too many Daves here! LOL....
First, thank Robert, for - well, somewhat - answering my questions.
At what point is consciously saying what something is not - the same as (over)hyping a product? When you have nearly 150 comments?
Tell me Robert, was it a complete coincidence that you claim to speak about a (for now) phantom product in terms of what isn't and therefore can claim you were not overhyping?
Wool - over - eyes. NOT.
Anyways, very nice PR. As good as - just about - anything Apple has done in the last 5 years.
One thing though.... with the exception of their last two announcements, they've followed through with products that people can acctually walk out of the demo and buy. Are we going to see anything close to that in 2 days? Or will we need to listen to yet another "real soon yet" plea?
That said, this sounds like something very cool. At least on the drawing boards. Yes, I'm a bit jaded. Nearly 5 years of history have done this to me.
Heurrgh!
· 3 years ago
I need a portable ebook reader that can hold all my favorite books, and I want it to have a browser so I can surf the web and have it cache rss feeds from slashdot, engadget, BBC news, etc automatically if I wander through a hotspot.
Microsoft are making this just for me because I'm special. It's an e-book viewer to go head to head with Sony's new device. That's what Alexandria is(as in the ancient library at Alexandria); an iTunes style book-downloading service.
Either that or it's their Blackberry killer. Whatever.
On that same page, Hugo (no Hugh, sorry) says this: "I am also told that they will be available in Australia next month which means that the USA will be in the same boat – especially when you consider we follow your lead."
hey i m am doing a course in the it industrie and i have to do a 2min talk on the it industry and i have found this but i dn t have a clue what the heck it is so um help.
met
· 3 years ago
Hey Scoble : If it has a camera on it... I know one thing I'll use it for... for accounting.... I buy anything at a store - I scan the barcode - and automatically my personal accounts are updated :)
Cameron McBride
· 3 years ago
Thanks for sharing Robert. Let's talk Thursday.
larry
· 3 years ago
I think this says it all (and a lot more). Classic strategic move, I might add...
""The iPod is great. But already Apple is saying it wants to evolve what that form factor can do. Is Apple the only company that is going to provide innovative form factors?" Neil Holloway, Microsoft's European president, told Reuters.
While he declined to confirm or deny the existence of the Origami device, he said there is still huge potential to improve portable and digital devices through software, enabling consumers more easily to access and control digital content like music and video and even their home environment."
Chad, the form factor of the Tom Tom and Origami are similar and you can bet that the market will come up with slick ways to mount Origami to the vehicle. Tom Tom better concentrate on software for Origami and concentrate less on it's hardware platform.
Anyone tossing out the hype argument is full of it. According to Wikipedia, hype is "largely synonymous with exaggeration and overstatement..." If anything else, Scoble was underhyping by clarifying and saying what Origami isn't. Just look at the number of comments on this post -- tons. People are interested in Origami. Those claiming hype are simply
By the way, one of my respected friends thinks Origami will be a flop at $1000/unit. I think he may be right. The closer it gets to $500/unit the more market penetration. Origami's a great idea, but technology is probably 2-3 years behind for real market penetration.
Korey
· 3 years ago
For me a 16 yr old who i think this is really being marketed to 500 bucks isnt that a bit much but i do see its capabilities but if to be ideal for teens on the go it needs a keyboard wifi long battery life not GPS voip access and sum other dumass shit it comes with i really like i and im on the edge of my seat but think wut do teens wanna do with this download music movies AIM myspace and surf the web possibly play games but i have a psp so it dont bother me
steve
· 3 years ago
Will it give me minty fresh breath?
Chad
· 3 years ago
Is this thing just a small laptop/tablet? Is this really any big deal? What's so amazing about having a 8 inch computer? A 14 inch computer can do more, and have a bigger screen for multimedia. A 4 inch comptuer is more portable and can do just about as much. It seems like an awkward middle ground to me.
Guy Pelletier
· 3 years ago
Hey Robert, Which post have you received the most comments on? 162 comments for not giving specifics must be a record of some sort.
Keith Patrick
· 3 years ago
Guy: It's the power of a post that isn't about how great blogging is.
Mike
· 3 years ago
Hi Robert,
I just had a couple quick questions/thoughts.
Can you confirm (if you can't that's cool) that the Origami does not have phone capabilities?
If it doesn't, I wish it did. With a Bluetooth headset the thing could sit in your bag, car, whatever.
Also, something kind of strange I've noticed. This is what I would conclude from all the information all over the net.
It will be an ultra portable tablet PC with heavy media functionality, some form or multiple forms of wireless, and it will run a Windows based operating system.
I think, especially due to the "leaking" of the "Alexandria" promotion, and the fact that on the "leaked" screenshot (I use quotes because I doubt they actually leaked, but more likely were put out) of what could be an Origami device shows "Alexandria" on the media player screen, that that shot is probably real. I think Alexandria will be a MASSIVE downloable media program that will blow iTunes out of the water, allowing users to download full length movies, complete TV series, etc.
UMPC.com and Intel's involvement would indicate that Origami will not be a Microsoft hardware product... but rather a Microsoft system. Yet, you keep speaking of it as if it is a singular product.
Is the word "Origami" similar to "Smartphone" in that it is more or less one product, but manufactured by different companies?
My guess is that it will be priced around $800, though I really think for it to be a sell-out-in-15-minutes thing like 360, it would have to be $500 or under.
So anyway. If you can't answer my specific questions, can you give me an idea to whether I'm more or less on the mark?
Thanks! Mike
Tom Karches
· 3 years ago
Of course, it will run some variation of Windows. All the infuriating features of Windows XP in a handheld device. What a treat.
The Nokia 770 with more memory would be a home run. If I want to run Photoshop, I'll do it on my PC at home. When you try to make it do everything, it does nothing well.
Eyepodder
· 3 years ago
If it\'s something that Microsoft is putting out.
Wait for Service Pack 1 before buying...
It will be full of security holes, bugs you name it.
If I was giving one, I would sell it on Ebay..
Heurrgh!
· 3 years ago
[If I want to run Photoshop, I’ll do it on my PC at home.]
My dad, 1992; \'Mobile phone?!? If I need to speak to someone, I\'ll wait till I get home. How much per minute? Lunacy - it\'ll be a two minute wonder.\'
I wonder if the UMPC is the origami? Coming out the same day and by the videos the UMPC kinda flips out(origami paper?)Also is the pics out a couple of days ago real I hope not they are too bulky and 90s. I also think someone that helped design the ipod would not do that.
jimmy93211
· 3 years ago
EDIT: Yep the leaked thing is the right one and the one in the video is a prototype bit bad!lol
SD
· 3 years ago
Is it some kindda electronic device?
Podesta
· 3 years ago
Scoble, you need to come clean about the price. People on this thread are fantasizing as little as $350-$500. Tech press articles are quoting Microsoft employees as saying the only functioning Origami device will be in the $1000 range. Better not to build expectations that will be dashed.
digistic
· 3 years ago
It was said that power for this device would last nearly all day. 3 hours is far from this. That is simply overhype. If you can't deliver all-day power, don't say it. Or at least say, "the technology isn't here today but it will be in a few years." Perhaps I read something out of context, but I don't think so. All in all, quite disappointing from a cost and battery standpoint. Hopefully MSFT knows this will bomb and is only trying to subsidize the future for when the technology is here to back up their claims in 2-3 years or more. Shame on you.
shantanu
· 3 years ago
Hi Robert,
if it cannot kill communication devices, probably it is meant to kill notebook and similiar kind of devices. As far as the looks goes I dont think it would even kill a house-fly. It looks like more of earlier window CE devices.
regards shantanu
scobleizer
· 3 years ago
>Scoble, you need to come clean about the price. People on this thread are fantasizing as little as $350-$500.
The only thing I can confirm right now is that it'll be less than $1000. All will be answered on Thursday.
scobleizer
· 3 years ago
Digistic: >It was said that power for this device would last nearly all day. 3 hours is far from this.
I have been watching all the claims. No one from Microsoft has ever said anything about battery life. Can you please let me know if you've seen anyone from Microsoft talk about battery life?
I ask this question on the video that'll be on Channel 9 on Thursday, though.
digistic
· 3 years ago
Scobe,
Perhaps Bill didn't make the claim of Origami, but the claim was made of the notional device:
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9584_22-6044016.html When Chairman Bill Gates first outlined the notion of an ultramobile PC at a hardware conference last year, he talked about a device that would weigh less than a pound, have all-day battery life and could cost less than $800, possibly as little as $500.
Dave
digistic
· 3 years ago
Let's not be too harsh with Microsoft. It's not their fault that the technology is a bit immature for optimal battery life and a solid price point. The idea is simply stellar and I hope someone succeeds with this platform soon. There's nothing wrong in introducing a platform early. This gives the market time to start preparing the "Origami Economy" to come. In the meantime, 3G wireless networks should be cheaper and more ubiquituous by the time the platform is ready. Apple could be waiting it out until price and battery efficiency is right. All in all, good try and I'll be rooting for you and Apple ;)
scobleizer
· 3 years ago
Ahh, Dave, there are dreams and then there's economic reality. The two don't always match up! We cover some of the tradeoffs in the interview with Otto.
John Stillman
· 3 years ago
I think Sco-bull is even worried about putting any negative spin, you know how negative spin goes on the internet. Infinium, a whole company crashing down on web theories perhaps.
I can say this, you say what is isn't which is supposed to be reverse psycology?
It is a subnotebook tablet? It sucks. That is what it does. Sucks. It has no use, it looks like a perfect example of something that would be developed on dilbert, too many cooks.
But you are not touching that end of the stick are you.
John Stillman
· 3 years ago
I see no use for this. An over priced ebook?
Games: nope Music: nope Video: probably better than portable dvd players, but more expensive - The only use for this is watching videos on a - plane? That doesn't bode well Web surfing: nope Mobility: nope stupid device that you will buy and then defend your purchase: yep.
Crap
Here is how this thing was thought up:
So we made tablet PC - Yeah and they sold like, erm, cold cakes - lets make, a tablet... *all hold breath*... subnotebook. *lots of busying and excitedness*. Yes this could be our chance to redeem ourselves and go to too many creative meetings!
*WAIT* The dark lord of marketing comes in. That sounds too stupid. We need to give it an intruiging sounding name to drive internet rumour mills, and please give scobullizer some more doughnuts so he can tell his brown-nosing freaks to buy one
*Genius* we will do that bill, I mean dark lord of marketing.
In the corridor a sweaty ape is dancing to a rythme only he can hear. developers developers.
Jack of very few things, and king of none.
digistic
· 3 years ago
Fair enough, Robert. I'll look for the video and specifically your interview with Otto. I'm sure it's been said before, but you really put a humanizing face to Microsoft. One that truly communicates; who listens and "evangelizes." That's refreshing.
John, you're not alone in not understanding this new paradigm yet but it will probably be obvious in 2-5 years why you'll want one. Who knows, maybe you'll own such a device someday.
dxavier
· 3 years ago
Have you seen the source code of Origami Project's website? It says "Origami Project: the Mobile PC running Windows XP" :)
Chad
· 3 years ago
There are a lot of videos out there now - on Cnet, umpc.com, intel.com, and others - can't you just release your video now?
Its thursday now! (in england) so why don't you spill the beans? Is it the one on the news, does it have a touchscreen, is it cheap LOL
S.H.
· 3 years ago
I saw a news clip abut these. They seem intresting, but they look horrable. I wouldn't buy one just because they're ugly.
jimmy smitts
· 3 years ago
Smells like a Newton to me... Just not as nice to use or look at.
Hug Ortega
· 3 years ago
John Tokash called me Hugh, so I wanted to drop a note clarifying that my name is Hugo! :-)
psp
· 3 years ago
I have just seen the blog and thought I must leave a message to bring to your attention that I feel it is an interesting read. I particularly liked the last post.
Thomas Garber
· 3 years ago
I think it's important to think in practical terms about the new 'Origami' and not be swept away by all the hype. It has no keyboard, just an on-screen over-lay you have to hit with a stylus. You can't just take in anywhere and use it instantly. Given its short bat-tery life, you would have to turn it off and wait for Windows to load before each use. It has no CD ROM, so you could not install new programs. And the price is double what we were told. too. Is it worth it?
I see I'm going to need to get an additional part time job just to keep up with all the latest gadgets I want. That's what I love about technology, always something to look forward to. Just when you think you have the latest and greatest, it's supplanted by something new and better. And that's a good problem. :)
Helga
· 3 years ago
Pretty nice site, wants to see much more on it! :)
jeff
· 2 years ago
Hi, I have been a USA citizen all my life. I think American citizens torture people too much. America has people gang up on certain people, some names in peticular. I am not saying, yet. It seems America use`s social economic torture on many of its citizens. In the region of Irvine, California USA. For eight years a man has held in a hotel. he was not allowed to work, if he did work, he was fired immediately for strange reasons. He was not allowed to have a partner, he was not allowed to have friends. their is proof of the social economic torture. The torture was organized with educated American citizens some of them police, some of them white collar Corporate professionals. they all ganged up on one man. the strange thing is this type of social economic torture has been happening all his life. America has been torturing this man since he was 5 years old. he is now 28 now, his America torture has gotten worse. he is the victim of Voodoo propaganda in every part of his country, even though he has not be convicted of what they accuse him of. I feel America fights like cowards, and big brother bully`s this man. I think it`s bad enough, one the richest men in Irvine California, stole away his family, and the Irvine police made sure he was out casted. One of the richest cities in America tortures a US citizen day and night with the most powerful police departments and no one sees nothing. if the victim didn`t have this happen all his life, then maybe they would have gotten away with it. until now the victim is now probably getting framed, because America can`t let this out. the truth can not be told in this case. I feel any nation that does business with America is just as guilty. why should any nation support America`s torture habit?? If America is a Democracy then, why do they torture a man day and night; social economicly, with voodoo propaganda, and non partner clause. I don`t think any form of torture is legal in a Democracy. why is America controlled by white supremists! isn`t that the same as a hate group, why do they influence America so much. If a hate group has the biggest control over Americas Democracy, then why can`t other hate groups influence America?? such as Muslims, I think every hate group should have its share, if this allowed.
Markymark
· 2 years ago
Hi, im Mark and I guess im introducing myself!!
Icame across this site using 'stumble' (Firefox) and thought all the ideas fpoating aroudn here seem really interesting! (Although I don't seem to agree with everything lol)
All Comments
The Robert Scoble secret to free stuff: use son's allowance to buy cool stuff ;)
This eternal wait is going to leave me without sleep for a week.
another iPod knock-off;
a portable PSP also-ran;
(I'm not sure what "killing" OQO means at this point)
;)
In other words, those things are apples, cherries, and plumbs. Origami is a peach. :-)
It is a gadget. It is a lot smaller and lighter than my Toshiba Tablet PC.
so whats the bottom line ?? :)-
It's too big to be a practical music device despite that it will probably to all those WM10 things.
It's not powerful enough to be an xbox but MS will probably encourage ISVs to put games on it
It's not OQO - does that mean it has less than XP making it unattractive as a platform to develop for?
It's not a PSP - combo of 1 & 2 above - not portable or poweful enough
Anonymous: it won't kill any Nokia cell phone.
Colin: see ya on Thursday. I won't bite on the bait to talk more. :-)
Yeah, the 770 is a tablet with no phone capabilities. It seems very similar to the Origami concept as I've seen thus far. It goes for $350 from Nokia.
Luckily, nothing you've said so far is incompatible with my want list.
(http://blog.tokash.org/2006/03/05/origami-repor...)
I sure hope this thing has a beer bottle opener on it so that it will still have some functional use when we all get over it in three months.
You can stream songs from iTunes to it. It will also play MP3 and the other usual formats.
"Can you run Photoshop?"
I think somebody is porting Gimp, who knows. It's not something I use, so I'm not particularly interested.
"Can you run Quicken?"
I used MSFT Money for a while, but stopped when my bank put everything online, so I don't really care.
"MSN Messenger?"
GAIM or Meebo work well for me.
I'm just curious in how the two will compare, more in the realm of form-factor, wireless/Bluetooth/etc.
It's a hype machine that will put Apple and Google's hype machines to shame.
(1) Just a week ago, you very clearly complained about the damage overhype can do. How does your post differ?
(2) Microsoft has already been guilty of not being EXACTLY clear about what is being announced with this product - see the March 2 announcement. I notice the lack of detail of EXACTLY what this Thursday will bring - even from you! Namely - when will this product be available for purchase to the general public?
Please, Robert, understand the context of my questions... if Thursday bring a mere demo of a product that won't be available until June or later - then IMHO you are guilty of everything you accused others of last week.
Dave: I agree I'm guilty of hyping. Am I guilty of overhyping? Well, I'm trying to tell you what it's not. So, I'm trying to pull the hype level down. And, I am buying one of these, when it's out (and, yes, we do cover all that in the video).
Martin: Origami is NOT an Apple hype machine killer. :-) (Me neither! Heheh!)
Nige: possibly. ;-)
It's just an attempt to find a new market for (and save for a while) Embedded Windows XP...
(but without the DVR function)
Anyway, the most important of all is that Origami will boost Win XP and it will be powerful enough to run some good app. (It MUST be a bloody Apple hype machine killer).
Sim: I don't think it's a PMA 400 killer either.
..
pics claimed to be leaked
or its an offshoot of the mirra project that never really took off
its basically not a tiny, but not a large tablet, enabled in all the ways it should be enabled, price point hitting 400-650 bucks
comes in two flavors
running tablet pc os, or a micro version of it
aimed at "lifestyle" folks / and or / multipuporse medical / educational ie school classrooms device
What interests me is Microsoft's talk about an eventual price point of $500 or lower. Does anyone remember Negroponte's $100 3rd world PC? Seems to me that Microsoft could make some big bucks if they do this right. It may take a few years or so to bring the price point down but there may be some economics in selling this idea to the 3rd world...
For me, I wouldn't carry a PDA in my pocket, and a tablet PC running a full version of Windows for $600-ish is plenty enough to be one in my (pocket) book.
Like real origami, it does not replace a real bird, or a frog, or whatever you make out of paper.
its a better replacement not a killer to many many things... it still sounds like something that will kill something else..
I a gadget freak anyway, it sounds like this device, although bulky will be the end all with our current technology.
With the Thursday showing I take it we will be able to order one and receive or what until manufacturing catches up?
I know lots of people have been disappointed about the roll out of the 360 xbox
This machine sounds extremily functional it would be ashame to kill the momentum developed with MS marketing on this with slow deliveries.
You can find out more about what Microsoft revealed during this event at http://www.infusionblogs.com/blogs/activenick/a... and http://www.infusionblogs.com/blogs/activenick/a.... I was also quoted by Mary Jo Foley of the Ziff Davis’ Microsoft watch about the Microsoft origami project at http://www.microsoft-watch.com/article2/0,2180,....
Hope this helps answer some of your questions. I have revealed as much as I could without breaking my NDA.
Cheers.
combine, skype (bye bye cellphone), iTunes (bye bye iPod that cant search) itll most likelly have a built in cam (bye bye digicams.. unless ur a pro)
this kinda sounds like the start of WIMAX, imagine these devices all connected to each otehr and forming a lan of some sort that way everyone gets internet in clusters..
but im thinkin too much here... awaits till tomorrows umpc.com fake or not
The art of origami takes a piece of paper and through human interaction, transforms it into many different shapes. Visualize these shapes as the different devices everyone mentions. You can easily be using a music shape, then have it transform into movie, GPS for driving or geocaching, email, web, light pc-use shapes.
It's a mobile device, not pocketable, yet small enough to bring along in many cases to utilize. It doesn't necessarily replace those devices yet can fullfill many of their use cases.
The strength of Origami will increase exponentially as 3G wireless networks become ubiquitous.
Makes sense, right?
Steve/Chippy.
Then you fail. You started the hype, it got out of hand, you blamed the people behind the project, you retrenched from all of yourr misstatements, then you said: "Just wait till it is anounced," THEN you refuse to keep your own damn advice.
I don't think your ignorant of the effect of this "udner-hyping" post; I think you are ignorant of the fact that we can see through that silliness.
I won't get rid of my notebook, I still need my main computer to be portable, but its a high-end heavy notebook so something like Origami will allow me to keep it at home more often. I've really liked the idea of a Tablet PC, but for me the killer is that all tablets that have been out have basically been notebook replacements. What you end up doing is spending more money for a notebook that has less power and capability.Its not something you would get to complement your existing PC either. If the Origami device has a good price range and good battery life, it would be a nice complement to a notebook (or desktop). Hopefully it would also be easier to write on than a PocketPC, like Tablet PCs are, so it would replace my PDA; I would carry it in my bag.
1) Google Earth or Virtual Earth w/ GPS & 3G wireless for driving directions and connected functions.
2) Finding a great ____ while out and about. (restaurant, barber, etc.)
3) Making VOIP calls via Live Messenger, Skype, Google Talk, etc.
4) Imagine what you can do with P2P applications with everyone and their mother owning one... Endless opportunities here.
The point is, the IPOD created it's own economy. The Origami economy will be bigger! There's plenty of money to be made here in the new "Origami" economy. Solve creative problems and you will also reap the rewards.
Methinks it's an extension of your digital life. Leave your laptop at home, but have constant access to the most important data: email, RSS, contacts, media, internet.
will it have a built in wifi detector that tells me if the connection is open so that i can just wander with it and never pay for service?
if people pirate movies and download them illegally to origami machines but then bring the origami machines to friends' houses to watch them without burning or sharing tons more copies, is it less illegal 'cause it's like just one main stolen copy? and btw, does pirating crappy movies or songs also count as illegal, or do they carry reduced sentences and fines (e.g. zeppelin versus death cab)?
is it gonna be waterproof - or will any third parties make really cute "bling" cases for it too?
:-P
VILLAGER #1: We've found an iPod killer. May we overhype it?
CROWD: Overhype it! Overhype! Overhype it!
SCOBLE: How do you know it is an iPod killer?
VILLAGER #2: It looks like one.
CROWD: Right! Yeah! Yeah!
SCOBLE: Bring it forward.
ORIGAMI: I'm not an iPod killer! I'm not an iPod killer!
SCOBLE: Uh, but you look like one.
ORIGAMI: They photoshopped me like this.
CROWD: Augh, we didn't! We didn't...
ORIGAMI: And that wasn't my video. It's a concept piece.
SCOBLE: Well?
VILLAGER #1: Well, we did do the photoshopping.
SCOBLE: And the video?
VILLAGER #1: And the video, but it is an iPod killer!
VILLAGER #2: Yeah!
CROWD: Overhype it! Right! Yeaaah! Yeaah!
SCOBLE: Did you photoshop it up like this?
VILLAGER #1: No!
VILLAGER #2 and 3: No. No.
VILLAGER #2: No.
VILLAGER #1: No.
VILLAGERS #2 and #3: No.
VILLAGER #1: Yes.
VILLAGER #2: Yes.
VILLAGER #1: Yes. Yeah, a bit.
VILLAGER #3: A bit.
VILLAGERS #1 and #2: A bit.
VILLAGER #3: A bit.
VILLAGER #1: It has got Windows Media Player.
RANDOM: *cough*
SCOBLE: What makes you think she is an iPod killer?
VILLAGER #3: Well, it looks like a portable media device.
SCOBLE: A portable media device?
VILLAGER #3: I got better.
VILLAGER #2: Overhype it anyway!
VILLAGER #1: Overhype!
CROWD: Overhype it! Overhype! Overhype it!
SCOBLE: Quiet! Quiet! Quiet! Quiet! There are ways of telling whether it is an iPod killer.
VILLAGER #1: Are there?
VILLAGER #2: Ah?
VILLAGER #1: What are they?
CROWD: Tell us! Tell us!...
VILLAGER #2: Do they hurt?
SCOBLE: Tell me. What do you do with iPod killers?
VILLAGER #2: Overhype! Overhype!
VILLAGER #1: Overhype!
SCOBLE: And what do you overhype apart from iPod killers?
VILLAGER #1: More iPod killers!
VILLAGER #3: Shh!
VILLAGER #2: PSP killers!
SCOBLE: So, why do PSP killers get overhyped?
VILLAGER #3: Because they're made of... wood?
SCOBLE: Good!
CROWD: Oh, yeah. Oh.
SCOBLE: So, how do we tell whether she is a PSP killer?
VILLAGER #1: See if its made of wood!
SCOBLE: Ah, but did not the original Atari have faux wood-paneled?
VILLAGER #1: Oh, yeah.
RANDOM: Oh, yeah. True. Uhh...
SCOBLE: Did Atari sink when it hit the market?
VILLAGER #1: No. No.
VILLAGER #2: No, it sells! It sells!
VILLAGER #1: Launch the product, launch the product!
CROWD: Launch! Launch the product!
SCOBLE: What also sells well on launch?
VILLAGER #1: Bread!
VILLAGER #2: Apples!
VILLAGER #3: Segways!
VILLAGER #1: Pokemon!
VILLAGER #2: Uh, Goo-- Google!
VILLAGER #1: YouTube!
VILLAGER #2: MMORGs!
VILLAGER #3: Uh, Flickr! Flickr!
VILLAGER #2: VOIP! VOIP!
BILLG: A duck!
CROWD: Oooh.
SCOBLE: Exactly. So, logically...
VILLAGER #1: If... it... sells as well on launch... as a duck... it's a PSP killer.
SCOBLE: And therefore?
VILLAGER #2: An iPod killer!
VILLAGER #1: An iPod killer!
CROWD: An iPod killer! An iPod killer!...
No more answers coming until Thursday, sorry.
http://www.designbum.net/alexandria.htm
looks like it might not be called the origami....
its a kewl video for a "Microsoft Alexandria" ?!?!
-=n00g=-
I would love to see a product from Microsoft that would once again deviate all the force to the 'dark side'. Long Live the Empire.:-)
xxskyliner34xx@gmail.com
Thanks
Bruce: very funny.
Jason: no, it's not a Celestron killer.
Chad: when I get mine I'll check if it'll run Linux. Don't see why it wouldn't, although you might have to write your own drivers to control various things.
It's also not a video iPod killer. Although didn't Steve Jobs once say that he couldn't believe anyone would use a two-inch screen to watch video? ;-)
Hello, and welcome to the joke!
You forgot the part where the Origami is shown playing "It's a Fair Cop.MP3"...
You're willing to pay for one.
But are you willing to go beyond that?
Would you beat your way to the front of the department store for it like they did for the chocolate bars in Willy Wonka?
Would you set up complex money laundering schemes to get you enough money to buy two of them?
Would you blackmail someone for their's?
How far would you go to get one of these things?
Will you wait out in the freezing cold a week in advance, so you know you will get the first one?
Will you hide outside the shipping plant, waiting for the right moment when the boxes are being loaded into the truck, to ambush the workers for one?
=) Just something to think about.
I was saying a "vaporware video iPod" killer as in the fake photoshop'd iPod version that's been circulating with the big touch screen and all that. I fully believe that this is not vaporware in any way. I agree about the tiny screen wholeheartedly. If it weren't for the TV out option on the video iPod, I wouldn't bother with the video aspect at all.
if anything this blog has gotten kinda boring.
http://www.engadget.com/2006/02/10/so-this-is-t...
http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/05/another-vide...
(Sorry to double-post.)
Suprised Microsoft dont just wait for Vista before launching it with the tablet improvements it'll bring.
'The best run businesses do not run SAP'
http://www.roughtype.com/archives/2006/03/does_...
The "what if" commercial is really hip, but much like cell phone camera's taking pictures of Little Richard bowling, there seems little practicle use for this size/ability of product...
Oragami truly exposes the brain-drain MicroSoft is dealing with, as the talent pool has largely gone south to Google, Apple, Yahoo, and start-ups. This isn't an opinion or "spin," it's simply the truth that a large contingency of high-end talent has left MicroSoft for richer stock -option opportunities. In short, the people that are gone were indeed smart folks.
The unfortunate approach for MicroSoft with this product is it is trying to be all things to all people, which ends up delivering average at best products.
This goal is a marketing nightmare. Rather than targeting one market and choosing to be the best in that market, they are trying to create one (which is great) but the end result is being so so at everything - a marketing disaster...
The starting, or hook, price is rumored to be around $500... Interesting.
Bottom Line: It will land with a flurry of hope and excitement much like "The Ginger Project" (that gyro scooter thingy), and end up being a great concept, but much like Apple's Newton, either ahead of it's time, too pricy, or a combo of both, with features that are all just so, so...
As Seth Godin might say, "This isn't a purple cow, but a bunch of brown cows mashed together, and no matter how hard one tries, that does not make purple..."
~OUT
http://sirshannon.com/2006/03/06/umpc-origami-u...
How do you argue with this? The guy who did the Origami is one of the four first guys on the Xbox team. I guess he didn't leave.
Ooo, I only remember him showing the one device besides the aux display.
I hope this launches tablets in a big way at last, its time we went further than keyboard and mouse. Microsoft should get into hardware, alot of their concepts end up poorly executed by third parties. I suppose software is where the money is though.
little tablet PC.
http://mobilitytoday.com/news/intel_umpc_photos...
/looks over at pile including Tablet PC, Segway, iPod, Archos PMA 430, Sidekick IIc, PSP, NDS, Xbox 360, etc.etc.etc.etc. Of course, I won't be able to retire until I'm 140.
You don't. Clearly the poster has the internet's second oldest agenda and doesn't care this is a good device or not.
(Although I do like the part where he has the msft org-chart in hand and knows exactly when any employee turnover has officially rendered Redmond brain-dead. Then he turns around and suggests that umpc might end up as a visionary concept ahead of its time.
That's right, he's outed himself as the worst form of /.-by-the-numbers-idiot: the current Microsoft consists of a bunch of brain-dead visionaries!)
The device looks like an interesting form factor, the pictures on umbc.com look much less clunky than the original.
"QUESTION: What is a UMPC?
ANSWER: An Ultra Mobile PC is a small device that you can carry and use to access your favorite online games, videos, music, TV shows and more on the go, with the quality you're accustomed to to when you're in front of your PC.
The UMPC also connects you to people via email, VoIP, Instant Messaging and texting, and since it can identify its environment, the UMPC can bring you information according to your location, like the best local restaurants.
Additionally, the UMPC also offers a long battery life, so you can access your information for long periods of time while on the road."
YOU CAN compare prices online while you are visiting a store and make the right decision.
YOU CAN get GPS information while driving or walking.
YOU CAN do email, or monitor work while standing in line at the DMV or at any other place you usually got bored at waiting and wasting your time.
YOU CAN surf the internet for the latest news while cooking in the kitchen.
YOU CAN download your music, videos, TV shows, photos and email, chat, IM friends…all from a small, thin device that fits in your purse!
http://umpc.com/usage.aspx
my purse?
Just kidding. I just hope it ties in with my home security and MCE and HVAC, and hell, tell me how long till I have to reorder the water filter in my fridge!
Is your life being wasted as an MS dummy? Do you really have an opinion of your own, or does Ballmer tell you who to do at night every day?
And Scobleizer is pretty lame. Grow up man.
Your mother is a whore. I have slept with her many a night.
Just telling it like it is.
Way too many Daves here! LOL....
First, thank Robert, for - well, somewhat - answering my questions.
At what point is consciously saying what something is not - the same as (over)hyping a product? When you have nearly 150 comments?
Tell me Robert, was it a complete coincidence that you claim to speak about a (for now) phantom product in terms of what isn't and therefore can claim you were not overhyping?
Wool - over - eyes. NOT.
Anyways, very nice PR. As good as - just about - anything Apple has done in the last 5 years.
One thing though.... with the exception of their last two announcements, they've followed through with products that people can acctually walk out of the demo and buy. Are we going to see anything close to that in 2 days? Or will we need to listen to yet another "real soon yet" plea?
That said, this sounds like something very cool. At least on the drawing boards. Yes, I'm a bit jaded. Nearly 5 years of history have done this to me.
Microsoft are making this just for me because I'm special. It's an e-book viewer to go head to head with Sony's new device. That's what Alexandria is(as in the ancient library at Alexandria); an iTunes style book-downloading service.
Either that or it's their Blackberry killer. Whatever.
http://www.expansys.com/p_oqo.asp
http://ubertablet.blogspot.com/2006/03/we-said-...
""The iPod is great. But already Apple is saying it wants to evolve what that form factor can do. Is Apple the only company that is going to provide innovative form factors?" Neil Holloway, Microsoft's European president, told Reuters.
While he declined to confirm or deny the existence of the Origami device, he said there is still huge potential to improve portable and digital devices through software, enabling consumers more easily to access and control digital content like music and video and even their home environment."
http://www.designbum.net/portfolio.htm
By the way, one of my respected friends thinks Origami will be a flop at $1000/unit. I think he may be right. The closer it gets to $500/unit the more market penetration. Origami's a great idea, but technology is probably 2-3 years behind for real market penetration.
access and sum other dumass shit it comes with i really like i and im on the edge of my seat but think wut do teens wanna do with this download music movies AIM myspace and surf the web possibly play games but i have a psp so it dont bother me
162 comments for not giving specifics must be a record of some sort.
I just had a couple quick questions/thoughts.
Can you confirm (if you can't that's cool) that the Origami does not have phone capabilities?
If it doesn't, I wish it did. With a Bluetooth headset the thing could sit in your bag, car, whatever.
Also, something kind of strange I've noticed. This is what I would conclude from all the information all over the net.
It will be an ultra portable tablet PC with heavy media functionality, some form or multiple forms of wireless, and it will run a Windows based operating system.
I think, especially due to the "leaking" of the "Alexandria" promotion, and the fact that on the "leaked" screenshot (I use quotes because I doubt they actually leaked, but more likely were put out) of what could be an Origami device shows "Alexandria" on the media player screen, that that shot is probably real. I think Alexandria will be a MASSIVE downloable media program that will blow iTunes out of the water, allowing users to download full length movies, complete TV series, etc.
UMPC.com and Intel's involvement would indicate that Origami will not be a Microsoft hardware product... but rather a Microsoft system. Yet, you keep speaking of it as if it is a singular product.
Is the word "Origami" similar to "Smartphone" in that it is more or less one product, but manufactured by different companies?
My guess is that it will be priced around $800, though I really think for it to be a sell-out-in-15-minutes thing like 360, it would have to be $500 or under.
So anyway. If you can't answer my specific questions, can you give me an idea to whether I'm more or less on the mark?
Thanks!
Mike
The Nokia 770 with more memory would be a home run. If I want to run Photoshop, I'll do it on my PC at home. When you try to make it do everything, it does nothing well.
Wait for Service Pack 1 before buying...
It will be full of security holes, bugs you name it.
If I was giving one, I would sell it on Ebay..
My dad, 1992; \'Mobile phone?!? If I need to speak to someone, I\'ll wait till I get home. How much per minute? Lunacy - it\'ll be a two minute wonder.\'
if it cannot kill communication devices, probably it is meant to kill notebook and similiar kind of devices.
As far as the looks goes I dont think it would even kill a house-fly.
It looks like more of earlier window CE devices.
regards
shantanu
The only thing I can confirm right now is that it'll be less than $1000. All will be answered on Thursday.
I have been watching all the claims. No one from Microsoft has ever said anything about battery life. Can you please let me know if you've seen anyone from Microsoft talk about battery life?
I ask this question on the video that'll be on Channel 9 on Thursday, though.
Perhaps Bill didn't make the claim of Origami, but the claim was made of the notional device:
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9584_22-6044016.html
When Chairman Bill Gates first outlined the notion of an ultramobile PC at a hardware conference last year, he talked about a device that would weigh less than a pound, have all-day battery life and could cost less than $800, possibly as little as $500.
Dave
I can say this, you say what is isn't which is supposed to be reverse psycology?
It is a subnotebook tablet? It sucks. That is what it does. Sucks. It has no use, it looks like a perfect example of something that would be developed on dilbert, too many cooks.
But you are not touching that end of the stick are you.
Games: nope
Music: nope
Video: probably better than portable dvd players, but more expensive
- The only use for this is watching videos on a
- plane? That doesn't bode well
Web surfing: nope
Mobility: nope
stupid device that you will buy and then defend your purchase: yep.
Crap
Here is how this thing was thought up:
So we made tablet PC - Yeah and they sold like, erm, cold cakes - lets make, a tablet... *all hold breath*... subnotebook. *lots of busying and excitedness*. Yes this could be our chance to redeem ourselves and go to too many creative meetings!
*WAIT* The dark lord of marketing comes in. That sounds too stupid. We need to give it an intruiging sounding name to drive internet rumour mills, and please give scobullizer some more doughnuts so he can tell his brown-nosing freaks to buy one
*Genius* we will do that bill, I mean dark lord of marketing.
In the corridor a sweaty ape is dancing to a rythme only he can hear. developers developers.
Jack of very few things, and king of none.
John, you're not alone in not understanding this new paradigm yet but it will probably be obvious in 2-5 years why you'll want one. Who knows, maybe you'll own such a device someday.
:-)
I'll be back :-)
If you have time check out my site
Icame across this site using 'stumble' (Firefox) and thought all the ideas fpoating aroudn here seem really interesting! (Although I don't seem to agree with everything lol)
Well, thats me :)!