You didn't really expect Microshaft™ to sit on it's hands and watch helplessly as Apple made billions on the Ipod did you? Well here we go. The chums at MS have been teasing all the techies with bits and pieces of info on the new unit, code name Origami....including a fairly bizarre website found here: http://www.origamiproject.com/1/ where they have been releasing a cryptic flash animation each week that ends in a promised reveal date that never comes. What tech bloggers are reporting is that this new Origami release is going to be a multi-featured Ipod-like unit that can play videos and mp3's but will also be able to access the internet and accept hand written notes on it's screen surface using an included stylus. Rumors are that MS has been working on this for years, in their usual: "get it right, fuck it up, get it right, fuck it up again and release it too early, because the other company is getting too big of a lead" style. But let's wait and see, they did a pretty damn good job on the XBox, maybe they will nail this one too.

Reporting from the recent CES show in Las Vegas, this is Fucktard Johnson....back to you Katherine.

http://blogs.ocregister.com/gadgetress/archives/2006/03/will_thursday_b_1.html

F~

The most important feature for me is the internet, not games or music - if it has as good screen as PSP, I might well consider buying one... to test the my websites, of course. My current laptop is 3,5kg (almost eight pounds)... I just wish I could leave it at home, but there hasn't been good alternatives.

Here on TGdaily they think it might be a "touch-screen laptop":
http://www.tgdaily.com/2006/03/02/march_9_launch_for_umpc/

Nothing more than a mini-TabletPC ...

Unless it is a breakthrough in price&performances, chances are that (again) it'll be another μSoft failure ... not to mention that former Goldstar in Korea (now called LG Electronics) has already developed such a device ... and now are waiting Bill's next move ...



.

Vatsis:

My current laptop is 3,5kg (almost eight pounds)... I just wish I could leave it at home, but there hasn't been good alternatives.

V you should take a look at the new Sony VAIO VGN-S480, or similar. I think it weighs about half of what yours does. Or, if you want to go ultra-light, and you have the $$ to afford it (about 1900 EUR), the carbon-fiber model (Sony VAIO TX690P/L) weighs only 2.5 pounds and they are loaded. The problem with any ultraportable is that they aren't designed for hours of typing, the keys are smaller and closer together. So if you are just going to check on your sites....fine. But if you also need to do a bunch of corrective coding....forget it.

F~

Fucktard:

V you should take a look at the new Sony VAIO VGN-S480, or similar. I think it weighs about half of what yours does. Or, if you want to go ultra-light, and you have the $$ to afford it (about 1900 EUR), the carbon-fiber model (Sony VAIO TX690P/L) weighs only 2.5 pounds and they are loaded.

Boy, was I really smart when I bought a metal casing with my laptop... "so it won't get any scratches"... should call that draggable, not portable. VAIO would indeed go with my schoolbag, among the heaviest books... but now I'm starting to think it would be cool to have everything should fit in the jacket after I have graduated. Maybe that "Origami" thing will? We'll see...

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11732808/

There it is...

Ahhhh cool post O. I am gonna have to say on first impression that this thing is pretty fuckin' cool. I am also overjoyed that they decided to not actually make the units themselves. Because, after all, they are morons. Asus jumping in is also huge, because that is one sharp company, one of my favorites over the years for their cutting edge design and quality control. The only problem I see is that the $600-1000 price seems steep, but that's the initial release, maybe in a year or so they will be $399, and I am in. It's hard to market a product at that price point right now, when so many really nice lappies are selling for that range too, and the only real advantage this thing offers is weight and size, and I guess "coolness", which will undoubtedly make it the new rage in the US.

F~

Wow, look at how they chose to integrate the keyboard. It kinda makes sense I guess, but it's one of those things that you have to actually try to know. One thing is for sure....this will be debated on the net for years. Alot of people will hate it no doubt.



F~

Hiya FT

Saw that on the news last night.....the straw poll that the reporter held wasnt good...most people treated it with distrust!

drum

Fucktard:

Wow, look at how they chose to integrate the keyboard.

I wished it would have qwerty-keyboard add-on.. but again, then it could be only used when sitting. I've got pretty fast with typing sms with my cellphone, with only 1 thumb, so if two is twice as fast it could be fast enough. Also, I see it's Samsung which is known for good lcd:s.

But there are many things that could go wrong: I'm sure it has Wlan, but bluetooth? How long does it last when using Wlan (only 1 hour or more)? Is the proc fast enough to show full screen mpeg4 movies? Do the current tabletPc programs work or do they need tweaking etc.