We’ve heard a lot about the hype. There were many analysts including Gartner who said the UMPCs success depends on the pricing and the features, Bryan Betts of Techworld, UK goes furthur to tell us all about it
Microsoft’s Origami project created a fuss at CeBIT the other week, but while most observers gave most of their thought to whether Microsoft was on the right track with Origami, I also found myself noticing the clear differences between Microsoft and Intel on the topic of ultra-mobile PCs (UMPCs).
First off, there has been far too much focus on the Origami hype - Microsoft has had a big win there, at least for now. It is worth noting that Origami is only an overlay on Windows XP Tablet edition, and that there’s not really any such thing as Origami hardware - that’s more Intel’s job with its UMPC spec (although VIA also has a finger in the pie - it used CeBIT to launch new low-power CPUs for ultra-mobiles).
Microsoft’s designers have obviously been watching the BlackBerry and Treo market, because the most obvious addition Origami makes to XP Tablet (XPT) is an on-screen keyboard designed to be operated by the thumbs. That’s why the Origami devices pictured so far have that wide retro-looking frame around the screen - it gives you something to hold them by as you type…
By contrast, most of Intel’s UMPC prototypes have keyboards, either ones that slide out or flip around. Microsoft’s response has been to suggest that Origami users should get an external USB or Bluetooth keyboard…
Read the full Article [ here ]
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