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It looks like........a big PDA!

Looks really big, though.

I agree. It's completely the wrong size and shape for traveling around with. What purpose does it serve? I get email and the web on my smartphone when i'm out and i'll use my laptop when i'm at home. Seems like the portable media centre joke is repeating itself al over again.

I'm sorry, if it's going to be that big, it should have a keyboard.

This looks like thing you would get if you wanted to buy your kids a PSP for Christmas but you were too poor and were like "Look Brandon, it's just like a PSP but with less games."

That thing better have more features than I can shake a stick at, with its large size & large hoopla surrounding its release. Who's going to want to carry that thing around with them? It won't fit in a pocket. If it doesn't have many more features than an average laptop, I wonder where is the market for this device?

Jeeez - Microsoft just gets lamer with every thing the release.

It looks like tablet PC Mk2 - I guess MS never got tired of kicking that particular dead whale down the beach.

I can see if being good for some of the vertical markets, though...

What Microsoft should do is hire the Design Guru from Apple, pay him tons of money to design the next best Ipod for Microsoft, then I think Microsoft would have a better looking device, or better yet Microsoft should ask me to design the next orgami, my background is design and I am sure I can design a better one than Samsung

Microsoft is a slow learner. It looks like a Newton. That was 10 years ago and it failed. But they will sucker hardware makers to do one and Apple will have the last laugh.

Just like Microsoft Bob - only this is the hardware side.
They been trying to create a market for tablet PCs since the late 80s. They just don't get it.

It'd be cool if it folded itself into a crane.

That's bigger than my old newton. And that thing was was HUGE...

It really does depend on how they price this piece of kit. If it is around the iPOD price range then it is a very powerful piece of kit for playing videos etc on the move.

http://alan.blog-city.com/

If it is under 2 pounds, under $500 and has a hard disk I'd like to have it for travel. I could websurf, watch movies, view/backup images from my digital camera.

Wow.
After all the fype, even more lame than the ROKR phone. What are they smoking in Redmond?
Is this thing supposed to replace a laptop? A smartphone? A PSP?

I think this is one of those pet projects of Gates that won't die.

I agree. The styling falls short of whats required.
Howver, I'm pretty happy that the 'idea' of a 5-6" tablet fits well into the wifi-covered home now.Just needs that keyboard though!

http://blog.carrypad.com explains my reasoning.

Anyone needing the features of a Tablet PC will buy a Tablet PC. Anyone needing the features of a PDA will buy a PDA. This device cannot possibly have more features than either of the above. With a full-featured OS (read: slow and bulky), mediocre memory, and a Celeron chip, this thing will never get close to a PSP. What a waste of time for Microsoft and all its loyal partners...

I think it'll be a good size for consumers that aren't particularly interested or in need of most of the applications available. Good for games, surfing the web, etc. Elderly people, people that are alone, ill people, etc.

It can't be cheaper than a PSP. The BOT is at least $100 including the software license fee. You don't really need a keypad for the unit because of the handwriting feature and touch screen. If there is an USB interface, you can always plug in an external keyboard.

PSP still makes a lot of sense - web, games, video (movies), audio (MP3) and it is only $250.

It looks like an electronic Etch-A-Sketch.

Anybody interested in this kind of PC (Ultra Mobile, running Windows XP) should check out OQO.com - These guys have been selling a very similar device for well over a year now. It has a keyboard, only weighs 1 pound, has a 5in screen and measures 5in x 3.5in x 1inch.

The OQO device is nice but it will cost more than $3,000 with just a few accessories.

I've got to say that this is not bad for MS as a first release. Sure it's not as flashy as the other similar-functioning devices (but who knows how it functions yet?), but once we know the real functional aspects of it, I think people will change their tune.

I see myself carrying this this around, really I do. I see it in my truck for finding maps and directions, e-mail, chat, browsing, searching. Movie-watching? Sure, why not. Playing games... no, definitely not. I'm fairly confident that this is not going to be an ideal gaming device and I'm not totally convinved that gaming this was the intention, but it's also realistic to assume that gaming will be introduced on it at some time.

To me, it's a portable computer. As long as it's lighter than a tablet pc and as functional as a laptop (without the screen on a pivot), has a good battery life and is priced reasonably, I'll be the first buyer.

PDA's still can't cut it nor can Smartphones, the displays are much too small, the keypads are just plain weird to use.

I believe the market is ready for a potable device like this. It's sits between PDAs and tablets/laptops.

I know I am.

ugly.. yes.
Practicle.. maybe

Anything is better than the PDA. if this thing serves up a full verison of an OS and allows installs of non specific ( i.e. not 'oragami edition') software, then it might succeed. Else. not a chance.

Honey, I shrunk the ugly!

My Newton 2100 is smaller and I'll bet has most of the same functionality. Lame, MicroSloth, lame.

I know that as a college student this thing really has a market. Many Student don't want to bring their laptops because the only have desktop replacement laptops (BIG). College students want the ease of taking electronic notes while not carrying around there 2 thousand dollar laptop. PDA or a Smartphone just can't cut it, a 3x as expensive laptop can but... This product are for those that want something portable that isn't as small as a PDA or as expensive as a tablet

What big diff. it makes from the Navigator in my car. I don't need another one in my car. The one in my car already plays music, movie besides guiding me to destination.

I wouldn't mind having one of these for reading.

it looks like total crap.

WORTHLESS UNLESS IT HAS 3G.

I'd like to just say to Pierce...what college are you attending?? Run on sentences, incorrectly used words, and even wrong words (i.e. there vs. thier) Then again, dont tell us where you go to school it'll just lower our expectations of those that graduate from there. or is it their. or they're...

Wow, you folks seeing the same picture I'm seeing? I really think the only thing you might be able to make a size comparison to is the plug on the upper left of the picture shown, and I don't think that can accurately be any unit of measure.

I agree, it looks big, but so do actors when they are on television, and the average actor's height is 3 feet 7 inches... try that on for size.

Why does it have to look like it was designed in the 1980s? And what's with the grey in black color scheme? And why does it look like as if the screen bezel is half an inch deep? I thought the "deep dish" design died out with the dodo? Unless one works for NASA that is - I would expect to see one of those in the Crew Exploration Vehicle cockpit anytime now ...

I have only one possible explanation: short of reviving a dead product designer, everyone the Samsung team came out of retirement. Or... Samsung assembled a team for Microsoft specifically from those of their people who where awarded with a "window seat" many years ago...

Or... they just hope Steve Jobs will laugh himself to death! Yeah, that must be it. A new way of playing dirty...

Cool, Something else to port linux onto so that it might actually be useful for something...

I am a tablet user - to go to a 5-6 inch screen - yuck. if i can not imagine that this thing will have any further functionality than a tablet....i can only see that the PDA consumer would like to use it - but then why would you get something that cannot be carried in a pocket...? I think i will pass up this opportunity. Maybe for the next release. - the only disappointment is the hype.

wow, so lame its sickening. Microsoft needs to just lay down and die.

Posted by Baggins: "This looks like thing you would get if you wanted to buy your kids a PSP for Christmas but you were too poor and were like "Look Brandon, it's just like a PSP but with less games."

LOL i completely agree

Shouldn't your be able to fold something code-named "Origami"??

PDA resolution of 240 x 480 is lame. I've had several and all I ended up using it for was an ebook reader and my schedule. The web browsers for PDA are very weak and support very little. The software choices are limited and hardware accesories are limited and proprietary.

Now give me a full operating system. With a resolution 800x480. That can support my choice of many full featured web browsers, real hard drive space. Ability to run any software on my desktop can run that doesn't need a ton of cpu. Ability to run any accessory that is USB friendly. Including a whole range of keyboards, GPS, and a whole lot more. The end result is a device that is more than an organizer. It is more than a music player. It is a device that becomes my mobile desktop and my mobile office. If I need more pwoer I will remote into my desktop and use its larger storage, and powerfull processor.

Within the next year you will find me at the beach, or at a park getting my work done from anywhere.
Anywhere that is ...except from a cubicle.

I just dont see this working. I'm in college, and in my business classes everyone has a laptop. The killer, though, is it's clunky size and shape. Lets not forget the lesson of the iPod: The 'Cool Factor' is what sells electronics, especially mobile devices. This shoebox wont even make it to the store shelves.

I just have to wonder, does anyone really want a tablet? I think we already have the perfect design for bigger than PDA devices.

If it is not pocketable, then it should fold to protect a keyboard and screen, AKA submini-notebook.

Give me a tiny 7" or 8" screen notebook for under $800, then I will be interested. A slightly shrunken tablet. Who cares. I dont' want a tablet of any size. But I do want a cheap super-mini notebook.

But wait microsoft can't make a new version of the OS and have a lamo add campaign if it is just a smaller notebook....

You know it's good because M$ says it's good. You know it's needed in today's environment because M$ says it's needed.

Drink up, folks. There's a fresh batch of M$ Kool-Aid (complete with hallucinogens) available now!

Who is going to buy this?

I have heard talk about "soccer moms" and travelling salesmen.

Why? So the soccer mom can look up dGPS irections to and from soccer practice on the fly?

It might make sense for high mileage travellers if it did unfold to include a keyboard, but unless Microsoft has finally cracked handwriting recognition, it would be useless to enter text, sales information, etc.

Yer all must be a bunch of tech dorks. I think it has great potential. Laptops AND tablets have gotten bigger and bigger to the point where they are no longer really portable (i.e. not small enough to safely toss in a back pack). Looking at web content on phones and PDAs is fairly useless even on the best PDAs. Their pre-release photos looked a lot cooler and had keyboard options. The Sony U71 had all this but it never came to the US. Why? Because all the dorks like most of ya'll want 15" laptop screens to look cool at the coffee shop.

bgk
-Seattle, WA

Honestly, it looks like an Etch-A-Sketch. Didn't we all outgrow those?

I think I'll wait until Apple releases one....Ipod + Newton = Love

Origami... Impossibly Large. LOL

Whats Microsoft gonna do when apple release the Ipod Invisible? Make a portable desktop with a 30'' screen?

They could/should call it H#, or even H2 instead of Origami

Buy a decent pda... I don't see myself taking that big unit into the bathroom to catch up on my email :) and when is the last time you've seen a $1000 pda? The web would be better on the pda if more people know how to build a proper site and firefox was available on them.

In all honesty I would consider buying such a device. Every year I take my family on vacation and end up bringing a laptop (for checking email, downloading pictures from a digital camera, and doing small work related things that require a PC) and a portable DVD player (The laptop is too bulky to set up such that the kids can see it when in the back of a rental car).

If this device also gets me car GPS navigation feature to boot, all the better.

Now I just hope they can keep the price point low.

It looks like I'm going to drop it and break it.

Or sit on it.

it looks like a microwave

:) Stevens Point

Microwave??

Huh....you must be confusing it with the Apple HiFi! Now that looks like a microwave.

I think it's a great device and if Apple ever came up with such a device..they would definately cost and arm and a leg!!

Wow!!! I love it. If this device offers Full Internet browsing, Wireless, Ethernet, Cool Games, Microsoft Office Software(mainly excel and word), Pdf viewer,
And a good media Player that has all the Codecs, (MP3, WAV, MPEG etc) Stong Battery Life, GPS MAPPING, Cool Games, and a Sweet foldable, detachable or ps2 port for a keyboard.... I will be the first in line to buy one!!!! VERY VERY KEWL! thanks Microsoft!!!

How is this supposed to bo ultra portable. it looks like a giant PDA, is almost as big as a small notebook, and is worse than either. Micrososft needs some true innovation, not just some else that didn't work, with a new skin on it.

Nice, very nice!
Your iPAQ's dead, PDA's are dead. If you want an iPAQ, it's inside your PDA phone.
Now PDAs as we knew them need to expand to offer expanded functionality and better usability. Origami is it.

I don't understand the market. I can't tell the size because there's no point of reference in the pic's, but it doesn't appear to be much smaller than a laptop. If it doesn't fit in a pocket/purse, then you still need a bag to keep it dry/clean. So where's the advantage? Please don't tell me this is designed to be one more distraction for salesmen and soccer moms while they are supposed to be driving.

I ordered one

I'm sorry I have to write all caps because I hav to yell out loud:

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU MICROSOFT-HATER PEOPLE??? IF YOU DON'T LIKE MICROSOFT (ORIGAMI AS IN THIS CASE), IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO MOVE ON AND _DON'T_ _BUY_ ORIGAMI OR MICROSOFT'S PRODUCTS!!!

You Microsoft-Hater people, including Linux/Mac fools, are completly lame.

EVERYONE, KNOW THIS: Origami is a balance between PDA and Tablet PC. End of story.

Now, go back to "so-hated, dumba**" Slashdot, you Linux/Mac fools.

I'm going to grad school and I agree with Tate Martinez; I have the same requirements, but this product doesn't seem to qualify. If anything, the Toshiba Libretto is better suited since it comes with a keyboard. I don't mind small keys since I have small fingers. I also prefer smaller screens -- anyone who's done any amount of travelling knows, a 4 lb laptop with all the accesories in a bag is a hassle and a pain in the shoulder; not to mention the other pieces of luggage you have to carry. However, the only drawbacks with the Toshiba Libretto are the hefty price tag, and the external DVD-RW drive... ditto for the OQO. Moving up in size, but with integrated DVD-RW drives, would be the Fujitsu P7120 Lifebook or the older (UK version) Sony PCG-TR5MP with the built in camera. I guess I'm leaning towards the Fujitsu because it's easier to obtain in the US, and I don't know if I want to support Sony BMG after the XCP Rootkit scandal. My beef is: why can't someone make a Libretto sized subnotebook with the features of the Fujitsu?

If you read "the world is flat" by thomas friedman than you would understand that this is microsoft's attempt at quickening the flattening of the world. That is bringing mobile internet and mobile computing to the masses. (personally this device would be perfect for my needs if it were the size of the 700w Treo with the same computing power.)

Also MS is not developing the device so much as developing the OS. I think the black device shown above is a samsung creation. I also belive the monkier origami is more about flexibility, or adaptability to your needs.

Lol its microsoft, of course it will make money. if not, they will just buy the competition. I actually think this thing will rock.

Can anyone say ETCH A SKETCH?

Looks like an Xray table.

Is there a handheld device that can actually read human handwriting or at least can be used with the speed of a PC keyboard? I really want some sort of portable device I can use to take notes reliably, but the way things are paper is still the way to go.

This might sell;

PDAs have never been as successful as their manufacturers wanted them to be - and their killer app (SatNav) was never in the original plan.
Tablets have been even worse - the concept is cool, but they were too big, and too expensive in comparison with like-specced convensional laptops.
But the Origami size might be just right. Seems to be approx. A5 to me, which is a nice size. Stick in a lowish end Centrino system, running XP (or most likely Vista), and its way more powerful than any PDA. Should be cheaper than a tablet, and have better battery life (smaller display).
But both of the former devices have limited their usefulness by not exploiting their full potential in terms of software. If you could use ChemDraw with these devices, and enter the structures using the stylus with some sort of structure-recognition software, I can guarentee massive sales to the chemical industry...

:(

Think of a submini laptop - the size of a checkbook but 1/2" thick. Small keyboard, 1024x384 screen, wireless, cellular-capable.
512mb ram, 5-10gb flash drive, no moving parts. 1ghz++ cpu, running xp. I'd buy one today, at nearly any price.

I have to say that for educational applications, this has potential. Handhelds with wi-fi still aren't practical for K-12 students to use the web (the screens are too small). Laptops are big and clunky for younger students. This is progress toward an end platform. While I am not always a Microsoft/Intel proponent, I have to say that this approach to a project where the ideal form factor is not yet determined is very good: put it in the hands of manufacturers to develop their own vision. We'll get different sizes/layouts and the potential for someone to "land" on the one that works for consumers.

...How about I go out and rip the screen off of a laptop and shove in a processor, hard drive, video card, disc drive and sell that.

Honestly, I'm just gonna buy a fat desktop and wait for this to drop, cuz there's no sense in buying a bulky laptop when I'm only gonna use it for MS word, excel, mozilla, etc. I'll leave the hardcore computing, games, video editing, etc. to my desktop. Personally, I think the Samsung is hot. It's a close up people, jesus! And for people on Job's dic*, I don't hate. Someone's gotta make bank off you fools.

I'm just disappointed.

You guys are smoking rock! E-mail and Web on your phone? PDA's -- How long did that last? You can't see jack on a PDA screen. Give me a frickin break. If, and I say IF, it can handle applications with any agility at all, the working world will buy these things hand over fist. Me included. Laptops are seriously clunky and small ones are seriously fragile. Well, PDAs and phones -- read above. This is probably the sweet spot. It better not be too damned expensive though. Make it happen...

tres ugly.... tres big.....

Umm.... my Sharp Zaurus SL-C3000 PDA can do most, if not all of that already, is smaller, and has it's own keyboard. I don't care that it doesn't run Windows.

This origami thing won't fit in my pocket and I'd forever worry about damaging the screen.

This looks horrible. It reminds me of the first Palm Pilot, as if it were a product left over from the mid 90's. If Microsoft and co. truly wanted to make something innovative, they should've turned to Apple for designing and styling. As to its functionality, there is none. If you want something small, but functional, buy a smartphone. If you want a full PC, that fits in a backpack, buy a tablet PC. Some tablet PCs purposefully come with a 16" screen, but they have a decent laptop hardrive and if you buy right, you can get one with a better than average, nVidia or ATI chipset. While my tabletPC isn't capable for playing Doom, I'm content with playing CS or a bunch of other games, with great graphics.

Microsoft, you wasted a lot of resources on this shitpad, however the new Live service is pretty amazing.

Has any one noticed, MS and Apple are throwing crap in the market with lot of hooplaa. MS with Origami and Apple with that music thing - Ipod HIFI. But there are no REAL products being introduced. Is it indication of coming economic woes? and perhaps these companies are getting cautious?

No folding screen? bah, this is crap

I just got rid of having to carry laptop + phone + PDA when travelling. Now I just take the Smartphone. Sure I can only make calls and do email but hey - I'm travelling. I also don't expect to have my TV and dog with me on the road. So when I travel it's more important to have one device. If this thing can make phone calls then I'm in - otherwise I'll stick with the compromise. One Unit only please.

It'a could be good for ebooks and maps.

I don't care what people from Google and Apple (above blogs) have to say about the Super Ultra Compact PC... yea, I know they are jealous about Microsoft... :-))

Seriously, I think Microsoft has introduced the right device at the right time. I agree the design is not very fascinating but the product looks great as it's got everything that anybody needs. I don't care if you have a navigation system in your car or a CD player in your car, I don't care if you have IPOD or Google's future POD (Google need to stop fooling people with hype as their stock is no longer going up because the investors are no longer buying the words that are coming out of Google's mouth..:-)) This device would help those in need. We are a group of 15 friends and atleast 12 said they would buy this device and 3 wanted to wait for another year. I know the people from the above blogs will buy it but will also critize the product... I commend Microsoft for this great product.. I WILL BUY IT THE VERY FIRST DAY. (I DON'T CARE WHAT THE PEOPLE FROM THE ABOVE BLOGS HAVE TO SAY)

H. Sadruddin

Wow, what a bunch of negative responses; but that is typical of the human species.

Complaining about the screen, size and/or lack of keyboard misses the entire point. All those issues will be addressed as the product evolves.

As I see it, the important feature is that it runs Windows XP. If you can gain all the functionality of PDAs and iPods and cell phones, AND run any and all windows apps, that is a BIG DEAL, me thinks.

In my case, I write financial models for banks, written in APL+Win. Bankers want Windows apps ... end of story .... so I have no choice in platform. If I can run APL and my 50,000+ lines of code application on this machine, and do all the multimedia entertainment, bluetooth, cellphone, wi-fi/e-mail and PDA tasks, and stuff it into my knapsack on hiking/fishing treks (it even has GPS so I won't get lost in the woods), that makes Origami a winner.

Time will tell .....

..../Vess

PS: I don't have an iPod, Bluetooth, PDA ..... perhaps I can skip all those and catch up in the gizmo world with one Origami.

screenshots?

Lame.. bill gates love the cock

Uhh yeah people... for cryin out loud... Linux and Mac have all sucked at one point. Microsoft has done nothing wrong. I dont see Apple trying to break new ground...... or wait thats right they made a small boombox that plays music that was downloaded illegally. GREAT JOB APPLE! get a life people. Microsoft has changed everybodies lives. YOU DONT HAVE TO BUY IT. ill take your share.

If only the OQO had cellular capabilities, it would be nearly perfect. The origami should have had an integrated DVD drive in the unit, and the battery life is worthless... 3.5 hrs or over 1.7 hrs DVD playback? That's pathetic. If the OQO were also a cell phone, I could leave the IPOD, Cell Phone, and Laptop at home... and just have to bring a portable DVD player and folding keypad... not that's mobility.

Looks like the Sony LFTV

Bought a high-end IPAQ from HP 2 years ago - played with it for 3 days then sent it back. Told HP, my wife and friends "I want one with about a 7 or 8 inch screen so I can do useful work". Well here it is. I want one - or mayb e two...

It has a 7 inch LCD Display, 900 Mhz Pentium M Processor, 512 MB RAM, and a 40 GB Harddisk, WIFI, WLAN, BLuetooth, Windows Tablet PC Edition (Specially designed for this device), What else do you want. no LapTop, No PDA, No iPod Vedio, No CellPhone, just an Origami, and it has all.