“A new portable media device that allows users to listen to music, play video games, browse the Internet and jot handwritten notes is the initial vision of a product in development by Microsoft Corp. and its partners,” Daisuke Wakabayashi reports for Reuters. “Microsoft yesterday acknowledged that an early version of its new handheld, PC-like device was featured in a video on the Web site for marketing firm Digital Kitchen LLC. ‘While Origami is a concept we’ve been working on with partners, please know that the video seen on Digital Kitchen’s Web site is a year old and represents our initial exploration into this form factor, including possible uses and scenarios,’ a Microsoft spokesman said.”
“While some media reports flagged the product as a possible rival to Apple Computer Inc.’s iPod digital music player or Sony Corp.’s PlayStation Portable game device, Origami seemed to incorporate more functions and appeared to be much larger than those gadgets,” Wakabayashi reports. “The company declined to disclose details about the device, including when it might be available for sale, but said there would be announcements over the coming weeks… The Web site promised to disclose more information on Thursday, but Microsoft said there will be no announcement this week about Origami. Intentional or not, the mysterious marketing campaign fueled speculation and rumors usually reserved for Apple and its ultrasecretive new product announcements. The disclosures about Microsoft’s Origami comes as Apple promises to unveil ‘fun new products’ at a media event later today.”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Microsoft working with partners to introduce an Apple Newton/eMate 300 clone? Yawn.
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Related article:
Microsoft wants to steal Apple’s thunder, to announce ‘innovative concept in development’ on Tuesday – February 27, 2006
“please know that the video seen on Digital Kitchen’s Web site is a year old and represents our initial exploration into this form factor, including possible uses and scenarios,’ a Microsoft spokesman said.”
Well of course, they only had the Apple patent to look at – they need to wait for their product to launch to show the innovation over the past year. (wink)
Snore. Move along. Not worth giving ’em hits or attention. REAL products interest me more.
Only MS can combine vaporware AND bloatware in one. If MS ever manages to ship anything (I estimate 2011 based on the endless Vista postponements) I’ll still wait for Apple to get it right.
Steve better show this today.
Any links to coverage? Or is is blacked out?
Super WiFi touchpad multimedia/game/pda “iPad/iTab”
plz?
Does anyone know when we’re going to find out about the new products being released today? When will the event end?
Uh…you mean a PDA there Microsoft? Nice piece of innovation.
You mean Microsoft’s big announcement wasn’t the reintroduction of towels at MSHQ? What a let down!
I-LOVE-THIS-COMPANY!!! WOOOOOOOO!!!!
I wonder wonder:
The event starts at 10 a.m. Pacific time.
You’re welcome
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MS is in panic about the upcomming Apple event.
That’s why the spread this Origami thing.
MW “hit” like in hit them hard
they just confirmed that they are working on something so that when they blatently copy apples attempt they can say that they did it first.
microscum. scourge of the earth.
This started floating around sometime late last night (as seen on Google News) and this morning. Not believing in coincidence, I would say that M$ was trying to steal some of Apple’s thunder today. chumps~
MW: STUDY; as in…
“GrasshopperGates, study at the foot of the master.”
Well of course this ‘innovative’ product needs to be that size so that when fat boy Steve demonstrates it circa 2009 it won’t get lost in one of his numerous rolls of gravity defying fat. I mean what idiot seriously believes people will want to carry around something that size. Surely the Newton proved it either needs to be bigger and smaller. The real answer of course will be smaller with flexible (or similarly space defying technology) screen but I doubt that Microsoft could produce such a device in time for … well an animated Bill Gates head stone I should think, presuming he lives that long.
Apple store online is now closed…..!!!
The Origami reminds me of a the nanobook I’d love to see from Apple. The DK video was pretty slick, too – it shows people “using” the product (like the commercials many of us wish Apple was doing). I’d also like to point out that there are other interesting Microsoft videos at DK, including one for a watch that displays information “coming in 2003”. But did that actually materialize?
I’d love to see a computer the size of a DVD case that would be extremely portable, if not super powerful. My ibook is not my primary computer, and I am VERY willing to sacrifice some comfort and power to have something lighter and smaller. Picture “magazine” computers that are smaller and thinner than “notebooks”, hence the new name. Think National Geographic or even Reader’s Digest size!
How many seconds before their new toy is hit with a virus?
In keeping with tradition, video games on this device are stopped by clicking on the Start button.
“please know that the video seen on Digital Kitchen’s Web site is a year old and represents our initial exploration into this form factor”
In other words, this is what the device will still not be capable of in four years but we will apply for patents to halt all competition and innovation. Service packs will be released regularly that do nothing but justify our programmers’ paychecks.
Bill thinks that this is the future. Bill is ALWAYS right.
Not even VaporWare; it’s VaporSpeak
I don’t think this is a yawn at all. I think it shows exactly the hopelessness that has become Microsoft. I had tremendous admiration for it in the early 90’s when I supported hugely the Office software development. But as time has gone by, it’s become a company that seems to define itself as a replicator of others’ ideas in every aspect. Even this imitation of a secretive product launch a la Apple has become a complete and utter fiasco.
It’s a great shame that wealth of a magnitude greater than a lot of sovereign nations should be so spectacularly WASTED.
Thank the heavens for that little company in Cupertino…
The DK video is all about sexy, upscale models just lounging — strictly lifestyle positioning which has zero to do with an actual product.
I think it’s funny that the DJ chick in the RV seems to be using a dual-screen Mac digital audio workstation to do the real creation with the little MS product being just some kind of cupholder that she can take out to her friends.
Spoiled kids who drink in the desert with a million dollar RV, spoled kids lounging in the backyard of their parent’s designer house while “photographer” Dad take one lame shot on a mountain and emails it back to the kids with a written scrawl “print this.” Print it yourself Dad, can’t you see I’m busy lounging and designing a killer T-shirt with a digital crayon?
While Vespa delivery boy pulls over to open his helmet and read the Origami — in bright sunlight — to check his directions. Uh, watzamatter, can’t affort a Magellen with audio turn-by-turn?
The theme seems to be that with Origami one can finally be “free…” as in free to lug around this big battery-hog instead of a Nano? Or free to struggle with PDA limitations when, for just a little more space, you could be carrying around a nice full-featured laptop?
But the most tedious part of all is the blatent mimic of Apple’s “secret” strategy, complete with staged “leaks.” Yawwn…….reminds me of those old AT&T “vision” videos of a future where all pay telephones would offer stuff like realtime language translation+video.
radiohead, I liked your take on the video. That’s exactly what I was thinking when I saw it.
It’s funny to read how only on a mac site Microsoft’s prototype is bashed all around by many folks here (and getting great responses elsewhere), while Apple releases a piece of shit speaker set that gets praise from the very same people. Double standard?
Apple boom box blooming horrid
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=29977
“It’s funny to read how only on a mac site Microsoft’s prototype is bashed all around by many folks here (and getting great responses elsewhere), while Apple releases a piece of shit speaker set that gets praise from the very same people. Double standard?
Apple boom box blooming horrid
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=29977
“
ROFL applaud. GO ZEALOTS!!!