It doesn't look as if Origami has much of a future in business without a keyboard - virtual or otherwise. Just who, exactly, is this aimed at? At the moment it sounds like an expensive Playstation.
If you go on Microsoft's UMPC site, there's a demo video that includes a shot of the virtual keyboard; it's split, and appears in the bottom corners so you can hit the "buttons" with your thumbs as you hold the device at either end. Clever.
The devices also seem to be Bluetooth compliant, so BT keyboards are an option, not to mention USB.
If these devices perform reasonably well, I want one badly. Much easier to carry around than a laptop.
As the US forces medical professionals to electronic medical records this could be a huge area of growth. I use a tablet for computer charting and something like this might be useful, but the current software I use works better with more pixels and a large screen. I'm not sure how I'd like squinting at 1080 x 768 pixels on a 7 inch screen
For all the hype, this thing is a huge disappointment. It's a tablet PC, and the market for it has to be some subset (keyword: subset) of either the laptop market or the PDA market. But this is too big to replace PDA's, and doesn't really act as a good fit to replace my laptop.
I have had a Fujitsu P1510D for a while now. These devices are not any better, lighter, don't have a longer battery life and lack the keyboard to use make it a convertible. I also have not seen a docking station.
Ha ha hah. Origami has made me laugh from the moment I saw the "mysterious" Flash promo on origamiproject.com. From the moment I saw it was a Microsoft product, I knew it would not be the revolutionary product they tried to make it seem on the promo. Don't get me wrong, the idea of a mini tablet PC, smaller and more portable than a laptop is very appealing, but not at the announced price tag. For a few more hundred dollars, I can buy myself a proper laptop, which seems to be less power hungry than these devices.
It would seem to me to be bad timing to "launch" these things in the shadow of Windos Vista. For a new hyped product not to be able to run Vista, which is not that far away, would have negative influence on the "geek" and first adopter buyer.
As a student who spends much of my down time in search of an open computer lab, i can say oragimi would be awesome IF, it weren't $1,000. I think students would be a perfect market, you could work on all of your papers right on the device, you could take notes on it ect. I would definitly be in the market for one if it weren' $1,000 I mean really i could buy a laptop these days for $500. Why would I bother with oragami? I think their problem is that they're trying to make this too many things... If this were more like a glorified dell axim then maybe id bite, but its reall a stripped down overpriced tablet pc...
I think you'd find as many students with this as a PDA. Not anyone I know has a PDA. They're just too small, and notebooks make better companions when you're studying.
As for papers, students are more likely to spend 500 on a Dell desktop than a first generation tech toy.
The only portable device you'll really see on campus is a MP3 player. Even laptops are confined mostly to the desk/bed. Especially since a lot of universities have limited WiFi coverage areas that don't include classrooms or lecture halls.
After all, isn't just a $500 Mead notebook if you can't surf teh interwebs while in class?
Built-in 3G! (IMHO) Using Bluetooth to connect to a 3G Bluetooth mobile adds $100s more to price tag - plus drains two batteries for the function of one.
Too bad MS missed this boat, again...
Will wait for Apple's iPuter. They'll get it right the first time.
From all the hype it really unclear as to who this device is targeted at. It's certainly not a replacement for a laptop and it's certainly not a replacement for a more mobile device like a PDA or high-end cellphone. So who is the target audience.
Considering that it could do most things that a laptop could, I'd say that its a laptop replacement. It is most definately NOT specifically targeted to take on the PSP. That is just plain ludicrous.
This is a "tweener" device great for non-busines folks on the go. Shopping, travel, leisure time. Therefore, it needs to be an entertainment, shopping, information, connectivity device, including phone, for adults.
Point it at a storefront, it retrieves the latest coupon. Sit on a bench and watch the latest news/sports. Call your daughter in college and see her/she sees you. Take a picture with flash.
Use a $500 laptop running the OS of choice, and still have enough cash left over to buy things without needing coupons, fly to your daughter's college for a visit, and take a picture with a nice camera.
The capability to connect to the Internet via bluetooth through your cellphone is a much better solution. Cell phone technology changes rapidly, new networks, frequencies, protocols, company mergers, etc., and cell phone companies are notorious about not updating their devices with service packs and such. The bluetooth option is a better way to go because it seperates the UMPC from the communications hardware and will prevent obsolescence of the devices.
Funny stuff - looks like Microsoft came out with a Newton about a decade too late. Read this quote with the Newton in mind... "It's a product in search of a market," he said. It's too expensive for the things it does, Baker said, and is "too under-featured to do some of the other things it needs to do."
it didn't cost so much, wasn't so big, and wasn't just shrunken tablet pc.
If it has a touch screen, then make the device as big as the screen, why do I want all this extra real estate on the sides of the screen. The pictures of people holding it look like they are about to play a giant gameboy. No thanks.
It can't really be that expensive to make a portable PC with a touchscreen. lower the price!
I like the idea of running windows xp(vista really) on a small device that i can play music/watch video/check email/do work with/whatever a pc does. If I could actually run any program that works on windows on it I'd love it. Itd be great for car rides/planes/subway or for lunch time, down time etc. I think it could have alot of uses. I find my PDA to be too one dimensional. I have an ultraportable laptop, and it's fine, but something even smaller would be great.
on the sides, imagine holding it one handed, reading it like a book. I think it is nice to have somthing to grip onto that is not the screen, as I invision using a device like this one handed a lot. That is also the reason I like having some controls on the front, for scrolling and such. As for the size, I like it. The screen is easily readable, unlike my PDA half the time. And why the 'someone other then MS make this please'? MS makes the software, which appears quite usable and friendly. The hardware makers need to get the price of the components down, as well as the battery life up (a lot).
This device makes no sense. I can get a 2 1.2 lb laptop with a 10 inch screen - yes it is more expensive - but it is also more capable. I can get a DVD player that looks like a tablet with the DVD built in for $400. What good is this without a DVD drive? If I could transfer DVDs to the hard drive - yes, I could see it - but is this intended to encourage people to download software to rip DVDs to the hard drive??
This was hyped up by the press not MicroSoft. If this can eventually work upto a day with a battery charge and the price comes down, and if the Wi-Fi connectivity cost is not too steep - this will be a great hit. I'll buy one for sure.
I mean, its too big to carry around casually like an ipod or palm pilot. I can't just slip it in my bag. And it lacks the functionality of a laptop so why would I bring this over a laptop? And why would I hook this up to an external GPS unit for navigation when I can just buy a standalone GPS receiver for 1/10 the cost and takes up 1/2 the dashboard space. When will we see an iPod sized device with camera, phone and full PDA functionality? Now that will deserve some hype!
Granted it may not be used by the masses, but some of us, myself included, have been waiting for something like this for awhile!! I want something better than a collection of 8.5x11" paper pages held together by large binder rings, known to newspaper carriers as throw books! I have to keep track of over 900 addresses, with over 700 active addresses daily, before I can throw the daily newspapers in subcribers drive ways. I have to daily update my throw book to reflect what addresses have requested vacation stops or restarts, the throw books use Excel format. In my case, a PDA is too small and even a small laptop is too big, for use in my own pickup, along with several hundred rolled and bagged newspapers! Thank you very much!
I saw a post on another thread saying that the larger screen and bigger overall size of the UMPC compared with PDAs/Smartphones would be very attractive to senior citizens, who find small screens and tiny buttons hard to use.
Given that seniors will comprise a increasingly large proportion of the population in years to come, this may well be a viable demographic for the UMPC.
I think I'll run off and trademark GranTop and GrampsPC, just in case.
This device offers a LOT of functionality that I can't find anywhere else. I'm a long-haul trucker, and I can use this device to store audio books and my complete music collection. "Get an iPod", you say, but I can also store and play recorded TV for my downtime on the road, and I like the larger screen for that.
It would also provide me Internet access in hotspots, and the potential for GPS is intriguing.
I had been looking at a Tablet PC, but this would honestly be easier to carry around and be generally more useful.
So, Before all the bashers and fanboys start commenting, Microsoft makes software, ideas, solutions. Yes its looking for a market, but its up to the manfactures to develope the hardware. Cant wait wait to see the 2nd gen.
ps. remember what the initial thought about the smartphone?
I agree that this will not revolutionize the world over night, but neither did the iPod if you recall. I applaud MS for innovating rather than sitting back. Personally, I don't believe that PCs (or Macs) will always be boxes that sit on/under your desk nor will their mobile counterpart remain a clamshell-keyboard combination. Tablet PCs probably would have taken off if they werent so expensive.
This could be the form factor of the future. Battery life may prevent this version from revolutionizing the world but then again maybe not. Look at the PSP people drop $300+ and then purchase UMD movies for that thing and all it does is play games and movies. Some people are still dropping $400+ on PDAs that are really only good at calendar/contact management. Others are dropping $1000+ on mobile navigation systems for their cars and they only do GPS (have to buy an add-on GPS for Origami but still cheaper). I just spent $300 on an iPod and all it does is music and teeny-tiny video& I guess my point is that this device COULD replace all of those easily. (OK maybe not my iPod - for now).
Regarding pracitality - many sales people run their entire business from their car and this thing could be the default solution for entering data. In fact, sales people always take notes while on sales calls but would never whip out a laptop that would be tacky. Next time you have a sales person in your office imagine them pulling out a laptop, then contrast that image to them pulling out a little digital notepad and jotting notes. The difference may seem small but its not.
Im sure no one here pays attention to the Mac rumor sites, but theres a very real possibility that MS just beat Mac to the punch with Origami as far as form-factor goes. I think that the success of the iPod combined with the fact that OS X is arguably a better OS may have finally opened Microsofts eyes a bit. Maybe they finally see that in the long-term they need to innovate or die. I dont see them dying anytime soon. Bottom line: This is a cool product that could potentially revolutionize computing but its success hinges on Microsofts ability to market it.
For those of you who hate either MS or Apple or both please disregard this post none of my arguments make any sense if you refuse to acknowledge the fact that the world is becoming platform-agnostic.
Well reasoned post, but nope, just haven't just the kool-aid!
You're right that computers in the FUTURE will be much different, but this UMPC is taking such baby steps - a crippled way to run the same old OS intended for a desktop - that the future is as far off as ever.
Nice to dream though, and it's good you have more vision than most people.
I believe that this is one of the few products which could claim a spot as the next big thing to happen in the PC revolution.
Being a previous owner of a Newton I saw the benefits of such a device and can see the future of a Net & GPS connected, computer-like, music/video, organiser, phone companion.
To day that Microsof tis innovating would be a strecth - Newton was an innovation, this is an attempt to do it better. As to Microsoft's ability to a make a consumer oriented device which actualy works and is reliable is very doubtful - Apple is more likely to come out with this than MS, who doesn't understand the consumer (or seem to care about them) , and Apple has shown with the iPod that it can take an existing idea (the music player) and turn it into a mainstream hit. With their Disney /Pixar connections they are better positioned to make it happen for video as well, and the iPod phone thing is really just a matter of time and logistics (commercial realities).
I'm excited about the prospect of a small device like the iPod providing me with the platform to add-on what I need (GPS/Net/software/viodeo/phone etc.) - however I think there are quite a few users who would avoid it if it were Tablet PC (MS) based due to the insecurities, unreliability (not to mention a lack of sytle). I mean really - who wants to carry around a device that contains everything important to you that constantly gets compromised by viruses etc, and requires a expensive software upgrade every year for no good feature-related benefit?
But whoever takes this market is going to have to work well with other partners to achieve it (Motorola/Nokis/Sony etc) and I can't see MS making much ground in the phone business sincet they are scared of MS and have made their own softare standard. I think it's Apple's market to lose at this stage.
There is nothing innovative here. Not in the slightest. This is a rehashed idea, that is typically "nderfeatured and overpriced like everything else from Microsoft.
Just like the original Tablet PCs and Apple Newton this appears to be a product in search of a market. It's too expensive (I can buy a inexpensive laptop that has a bigger screen, more storage and more capabilities for hundreds less (TigerDirect was selling a refurbished Gateway laptop with a faster Celeron processor, 60 gig HD, CD-RW/DVD combo drive, 15.4" screen and more for $599)) - why would I buy this thing? If I wanted small I can buy a PDA or even a Palm-OS or Windows-based mobile phone for less. I don't see this becoming the 'next big thing' under ANY circumstances...
What makes this different than the Creative Zen Vision or other PMC's? I mean, sure, it's a little more powerful, some new software and a little bit of functionality added, but what makes this so life changing, significant, or amazing? I dont see the point. PDA's and smartphones can have the functionality of Origami devices, albiet with much smaller screen- but they still can do everything the Origami can.
Looks like Microsoft has gone the way Apple did with its Newton all right! Bill Gates really learned a lot from Steve Jobs. For the first time MS has an innovative product and behaves like Apple. Can I use Newton OS or Mac OS X on it? Okay, then can I run Bayanihan Linux in it? Can I? Can I? Please?
Manage updates with the Download App
The devices also seem to be Bluetooth compliant, so BT keyboards are an option, not to mention USB.
If these devices perform reasonably well, I want one badly. Much easier to carry around than a laptop.
records this could be a huge area of growth. I use a tablet for
computer charting and something like this might be useful, but the
current software I use works better with more pixels and a large
screen. I'm not sure how I'd like squinting at 1080 x 768 pixels on
a 7 inch screen
parked my Newtons a long time ago. I won't even bother buying
one of these.
This will go the same route as BOB.
These devices are not any better, lighter, don't have a longer battery life and lack the keyboard to use make it a convertible.
I also have not seen a docking station.
Sorry Microsoft, a day late and a dollar short.
Here's my review in a word:
Weaksauce.
Back to work you slackers!
I think they should cut their losses with this tablet stuff and spend some money debugging the mess they've already created.
anyone I know has a PDA. They're just too small, and notebooks
make better companions when you're studying.
As for papers, students are more likely to spend 500 on a Dell
desktop than a first generation tech toy.
The only portable device you'll really see on campus is a MP3
player. Even laptops are confined mostly to the desk/bed.
Especially since a lot of universities have limited WiFi coverage
areas that don't include classrooms or lecture halls.
After all, isn't just a $500 Mead notebook if you can't surf teh
interwebs while in class?
Too bad MS missed this boat, again...
Will wait for Apple's iPuter. They'll get it right the first time.
Point it at a storefront, it retrieves the latest coupon. Sit on a bench and watch the latest news/sports. Call your daughter in college and see her/she sees you. Take a picture with flash.
It'll fly! Just show the soccer moms and boomers!
Of course, the product is nothing great. But, hey, at least you got the hype part right!
"It's a product in search of a market," he said. It's too expensive for the things it does, Baker said, and is "too under-featured to do some of the other things it needs to do."
If it has a touch screen, then make the device as big as the screen, why do I want all this extra real estate on the sides of the screen. The pictures of people holding it look like they are about to play a giant gameboy. No thanks.
It can't really be that expensive to make a portable PC with a touchscreen. lower the price!
I like the idea of running windows xp(vista really) on a small device that i can play music/watch video/check email/do work with/whatever a pc does. If I could actually run any program that works on windows on it I'd love it. Itd be great for car rides/planes/subway or for lunch time, down time etc. I think it could have alot of uses. I find my PDA to be too one dimensional. I have an ultraportable laptop, and it's fine, but something even smaller would be great.
Someone other then MS make this please.
As for the size, I like it. The screen is easily readable, unlike my PDA half the time.
And why the 'someone other then MS make this please'? MS makes the software, which appears quite usable and friendly. The hardware makers need to get the price of the components down, as well as the battery life up (a lot).
Given that seniors will comprise a increasingly large proportion of the population in years to come, this may well be a viable demographic for the UMPC.
I think I'll run off and trademark GranTop and GrampsPC, just in case.
It would also provide me Internet access in hotspots, and the potential for GPS is intriguing.
I had been looking at a Tablet PC, but this would honestly be easier to carry around and be generally more useful.
ps. remember what the initial thought about the smartphone?
This could be the form factor of the future. Battery life may prevent this version from revolutionizing the world but then again maybe not. Look at the PSP people drop $300+ and then purchase UMD movies for that thing and all it does is play games and movies. Some people are still dropping $400+ on PDAs that are really only good at calendar/contact management. Others are dropping $1000+ on mobile navigation systems for their cars and they only do GPS (have to buy an add-on GPS for Origami but still cheaper). I just spent $300 on an iPod and all it does is music and teeny-tiny video& I guess my point is that this device COULD replace all of those easily. (OK maybe not my iPod - for now).
Regarding pracitality - many sales people run their entire business from their car and this thing could be the default solution for entering data. In fact, sales people always take notes while on sales calls but would never whip out a laptop that would be tacky. Next time you have a sales person in your office imagine them pulling out a laptop, then contrast that image to them pulling out a little digital notepad and jotting notes. The difference may seem small but its not.
Im sure no one here pays attention to the Mac rumor sites, but theres a very real possibility that MS just beat Mac to the punch with Origami as far as form-factor goes. I think that the success of the iPod combined with the fact that OS X is arguably a better OS may have finally opened Microsofts eyes a bit. Maybe they finally see that in the long-term they need to innovate or die. I dont see them dying anytime soon. Bottom line: This is a cool product that could potentially revolutionize computing but its success hinges on Microsofts ability to market it.
For those of you who hate either MS or Apple or both please disregard this post none of my arguments make any sense if you refuse to acknowledge the fact that the world is becoming platform-agnostic.
but this UMPC is taking such baby steps - a crippled way to run the
same old OS intended for a desktop - that the future is as far off as
ever.
Nice to dream though, and it's good you have more vision than
most people.
Being a previous owner of a Newton I saw the benefits of such a device and can see the future of a Net & GPS connected, computer-like, music/video, organiser, phone companion.
To day that Microsof tis innovating would be a strecth - Newton was an innovation, this is an attempt to do it better. As to Microsoft's ability to a make a consumer oriented device which actualy works and is reliable is very doubtful - Apple is more likely to come out with this than MS, who doesn't understand the consumer (or seem to care about them) , and Apple has shown with the iPod that it can take an existing idea (the music player) and turn it into a mainstream hit. With their Disney /Pixar connections they are better positioned to make it happen for video as well, and the iPod phone thing is really just a matter of time and logistics (commercial realities).
I'm excited about the prospect of a small device like the iPod providing me with the platform to add-on what I need (GPS/Net/software/viodeo/phone etc.) - however I think there are quite a few users who would avoid it if it were Tablet PC (MS) based due to the insecurities, unreliability (not to mention a lack of sytle). I mean really - who wants to carry around a device that contains everything important to you that constantly gets compromised by viruses etc, and requires a expensive software upgrade every year for no good feature-related benefit?
But whoever takes this market is going to have to work well with other partners to achieve it (Motorola/Nokis/Sony etc) and I can't see MS making much ground in the phone business sincet they are scared of MS and have made their own softare standard. I think it's Apple's market to lose at this stage.
right! Bill Gates really learned a lot from Steve Jobs. For the first
time MS has an innovative product and behaves like Apple. Can I
use Newton OS or Mac OS X on it? Okay, then can I run Bayanihan
Linux in it? Can I? Can I? Please?