It’s not over yet, Seattle Pi reports that Microsoft is planning yet another secret project which might be announced any time soon, yes yet another hardware, so is that a Music Player? Transmeta Corp., which specializes in microprocessors for hand-held computers seems to be involved in this…
Microsoft appears to have another mysterious hardware project up its sleeve.
Transmeta Corp., which specializes in microprocessors for hand-held computers and other machines, disclosed in a regulatory filing last week that it had “substantially completed” the work required under a series of “development services agreements” that it signed with Microsoft last year.
This much is clear: Microsoft says it’s not related to the tiny “Ultra Mobile PCs” unveiled earlier this month as part of its previously secret Origami Project.But beyond that, neither company will say what Transmeta has been doing for Microsoft.
The Santa Clara, Calif., company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings describe the initiative only as a “proprietary Microsoft project.” About 30 Transmeta engineers have been assigned to the effort, according to the company’s filings.
Given the timing, some analysts speculate that the deal could reflect Microsoft’s desire to see hardware makers release new types of machines to generate extra consumer interest later this year, when it launches Windows Vista, the next version of its flagship operating system.
Microsoft’s main business is software, but it often works on prototypes and reference designs to influence the direction of the broader computer market.
“It’s clear that something is up” with the Transmeta deal, said industry analyst Roger Kay, president of Endpoint Technologies Associates. “It fits tactically with the larger strategy of trying to have new, interesting stuff coming out toward the end of the year, when Vista is launched.”…
….However, the first Origami devices, from three hardware makers, use chips from Microsoft’s traditional partner, Intel, not Transmeta. Asked about the situation last week, a Microsoft representative said the Transmeta development agreement isn’t related to Ultra Mobile PCs….
Read the full article at [ Seattlepi ]
Oh well, When Microsoft first announced that it would be in $500 to $900, every one was excited (because it would start at $500) and UMPC site has posted the prices on the Founder Mini-Note (
