Microsoft Origami

[Guest klausindeed]

A few articles on the subject:

Microsoft to Unveil Secret Project Mar. 2

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

February 24, 2006, 2:06 PM

With speculation flying about what "fun new products" Apple plans to announce next week, from video iPods to DVR-enabled Mac minis, Microsoft has its own surprise up its sleeve. The Web is abuzz with guesses as to what the Redmond company plans to unveil at origamiproject.com on March 2.

The site, registered by Microsoft and "discovered" early this week, provides few hints. A Flash animation pops up three questions: "Do you know what I can do? Or where I can go? Or how I can change your life?" It ends with the text, "Learn more on 3.2.06."

Imagery of circuitry, clouds and office buildings has sparked rumors that Microsoft may be readying a new mobile communications device. Company evangelist and blogger Robert Scoble says he was unaware of the Origami Project site, but hints: "I do know that Origami is the code-name for a new kind of device. Oh, heck, here come the NDA police, gotta go!"

Scoble's comments may refer to a prototype handheld device demoed at COMDEX in 2001 by National Semiconductor.

"About the size and weight of a small digital camcorder, the National Geode 'Origami' Mobile Communicator is a flexible unit that folds and unfolds to perform eight popular consumer electronics functions in one easy-to-use device," the company said at the time.

Other industry watchers are speculating Origami could be a new type of wearable PC that "unfolds" to run Windows Mobile and costs under $500.

Analysts who have been briefed on the project are keeping mum on any details, building up the suspense for next week. "Expect that we'll have a lot to say about what it all means as well as the implications over the next few weeks," says Jupiter Research vice president Michael Gartenberg.

Scoble Warns: Origami Over-Hyped?

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

February 27, 2006, 1:46 PM

Speculation continued over the weekend regarding Microsoft's Origami Project, with a purported video of the product further feeding the rumor mill. Microsoft admits the video of the portable PC is legit, but says it was an early concept. Company evangelist and blogger Robert Scoble warns the hype may lead to disappointment.

News of Origami broke last week after Microsoft leaked out a teaser Web site at origamiproject.com. A Flash animation pops up three questions: "Do you know what I can do? Or where I can go? Or how I can change your life?" It ends with the text, "Learn more on 3.2.06."

While initial expectation pointed to an actual product unveiling on March 2, Microsoft now says it will simply offer some more details on Origami. The project's site indicates there will be two more weeks of updates providing additional information.

However, with the hype building up fast, Microsoft could release specifics sooner than it had planned. A number of analysts have already been briefed on Origami, and a demonstration is planned for Thursday at Microsoft's Redmond campus.

Still, hard facts have yet to leak out -- aside from the Digital Kitchen video showcasing a wireless mini-PC with touch screen. The device looks similar to a small Tablet PC, but the video gives no indication of its ability to fold, which is ostensibly why Microsoft chose the Origami name.

It's also not yet clear whether Microsoft is simply building the software technology and will tap hardware partners to actually build Origami. The company took such an approach with Portable Media Centers, which have largely failed to take off in the marketplace in the face of competition from Apple's iPod.

In a blog post Monday, Robert Scoble, who has written a book on the importance of blogging, used Origami as an example of how Microsoft could have better kept the hype from boiling over. He warned that customers might feel let down when an official announcement is made.

"I know you don't want to let bloggers in on the secret, but when you don't tell us what's up we can't help you keep expectations under control. Now everyone expects Origami to be bigger than the Xbox. I'd much rather expectations were dialed down a bit," Scoble said.

But gadget lovers aren't easily dissuaded when a new device is on the horizon -- especially one coming from Microsoft that claims it "can change your life."

While he can't yet comment on Origami, Jupiter Research senior analyst and Microsoft Monitor author Joe Wilcox echoed Scoble's sentiment. "My rule of thumb for any product is simple: Under promise and over deliver," he told BetaNews. "If you promise the moon, make sure you deliver the stars."

Microsoft Origami: Mobile PC, Runs XP

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

March 2, 2006, 11:08 AM

As expected, Microsoft on Thursday revealed a few new hints about its much-hyped Origami Project, which is expected to launch in the form of an ultra-portable PC with touch screen and media capabilities. However, details of the project are still sketchy and Microsoft is remaining cryptic.

The "week 2" update on origamiproject.com expands the questions offered last week, saying "wondering where to find me?," "i am everywhere you are, but never in the way" and "who am i?" The statements reinforce the idea of Origami as a small portable computer.

Viewing the HTML source code to the site additionally shows the following text: "Origami Project: the Mobile PC running Windows XP."

The final week of hints will be posted to the site on March 9. Microsoft has not said when it plans to fully detail the effort, but a number of analysts have already been briefed on Origami.

Some speculate Microsoft will simply offer a platform for hardware partners to build devices upon, providing the software and underlying technology design. Such a move would be similar to the approach the Redmond company has taken with Tablet PCs and Portable Media Centers.

A purported video of the product has helped to further feed the rumor mill. Microsoft admits the video of the portable PC is legit, but says it was an early concept.

"The full details aren't there but a picture is starting to take shape. Expect more speculation this week, which also means more buzz," commented Jupiter Research vice president Michael Gartenberg. "All of a sudden MSFT isn't looking quite the same as it was a few weeks ago."

However, such buzz has also led to concern that Origami may fall short of expectations. Microsoft evangelist and its most public blogger, Robert Scoble, warned last week that customers might feel let down when an official announcement is made if the hype gets too big.

"My expectation is that Origami Project, whatever it is, may not be easily defined--initially, anyway. That would be consistent with some other Microsoft products (like Outlook 10 years ago) or life changing products (like DVRs and Blackberries) that pretty much defied explanation," remarked Jupiter Research senior analyst Joe Wilcox.

"How does a company promote a product or technology that is difficult to define? One approach is to make big aspirational promises, which is exactly Microsoft's approach. But making big promises carries great risk, too."

Thoughts?

[eBait]

Cheap IPod ripoff.

[Myrak]

Yeah, most likely over-hyped.

Plus, the site now says wait till 3.9.06. Damn, too much waiting.

[Guest klausindeed]

Cheap IPod ripoff.

How so?

Seems to do alot more than IPod's can. Although most of it is indeed speculation. I guess we will have to wait and see.

[Nemesis]

companies always overhype, thats how they get that big rush to the store on opening day, like the Xbox 360, and the PS3 that is coming out. it wont be as great as what they say it is. every company does it, and I dont blame them, I would do the same thing if it boosts sales

EDIT: I found a little more about it on

Engadget