Microsoft has officially announced its
"Origami" project today. Microsoft has had been teasing
us for the past few weeks, but the real goods start leaking out
early this week.
The new Ultra
Mobile PCs (UMPCs) feature 7" screens, weigh less than two
pounds, get around three hours of use on a charge and run on variant
of Windows XP TabletPC Edition. Models from Asus, Founder and Samsung
are due to hit the market within the next few months.
"We believe that (ultra-mobile
PCs) will eventually become as indispensable and ubiquitous as the
mobile phone today," said Microsoft VP Bill Mitchell.
Well, Microsoft and its partners have
their work cut out for them. Microsoft also had high hopes for
TabletPCs, but that endeavor has showed little promise. And with a
price tag of between
$599 to $999, only the true gadget geeks will go for these at
first.
That being said, here's a little of
what Mitchell has to say about the UMPC in comparison to other mobile
platforms:
PressPass: How does a UMPC differ from other notebook PCs and
other mobile computers currently on the market?
Mitchell: A UMPC is smaller, lighter and far more portable
than most other fully-functional PCs. UMPCs are also the first to
feature our Windows Touch Pack software that optimizes the touch
screen user interface for smaller form factors to simplify navigation
and ease-of-use while on the go It can be used in a hand-held mode of
operation rather than on a desk top, and can be used in places and
situations where notebook PCs can’t. It also has a more flexible
set of interaction and input methods, including a touch screen,
stylus and hardware controls. A UMPC can easily be synchronized with
a non-mobile, larger, primary PC at home or work, making it easy to
take music, movies, photos, and Office documents on the go. The UMPC
is also different from other small Windows XP-based PCs like the OQO
and the Fujitsu LifeBook P1500D, which are designed for enterprise
environments.