“Microsoft is promoting an all-new PC design, but will anyone really care? Formerly code-named Origami, the new design is for an ultramobile computer, or UMPC. The idea is to have a device with much of the same power and features of a notebook or tablet computer in about half the size,” Troy Wolverton and Bill Snyder report for TheStreet.com. “The UMPC concept faces a number of obstacles to mass adoption — and to having a meaningful impact on Microsoft’s results — analysts say. Price, market perception, the lack of major vendor support at launch and the actual physical design of the device all could work against the concept, analysts say.”
Wolverton and Snyder report, “As sketched out by Microsoft, the typical UMPC device would have a seven-inch touch-sensitive screen, weigh less than two pounds, include a 30GB to 60GB hard drive and a built-in wireless networking antenna, and run on an Intel or Via mobile processor. Unlike PDAs running Microsoft software, the computer would run a full version of Microsoft Windows.
“When Microsoft CEO Bill Gates first started talking about a new class of portable PCs last year, his idea was to have devices on the market for $500 or less. But the first generation of Origami computers, which will go on the market beginning next month, are set to sell at significantly higher price points, from about $600 to $1,000,” Wolverton and Snyder report. “[So far] multipurpose devices have done nothing to stop the outsized popularity of Apple’s iPod, which is known first and foremost as a great music player.”
“Another possible impediment to adoption of the UMPC is the lack of vendor support. So far, only five vendors have publicly committed to releasing devices based on the new design, of which the only household name is Samsung. Notably absent from the list are any of the major PC vendors, such as Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Toshiba and Sony. H-P’s absence is particularly noteworthy, given that it was one of the first vendors of both Tablet PCs and PocketPCs… And some analysts say it could be a big hit — if it’s done right. Unfortunately, outside of Apple, the PC industry has a history of having good ideas undermined by their complexity, says Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the tech industry consulting firm Enderle Group. ‘This platform could be next big thing, depending on how good a job it does,’ he says. ‘If it were coming from Apple, that would be a lot more certain.'”
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: We haven’t seen an article about “Origami” that addresses this question: If Oragami UMPC’s run a full version of Microsoft Windows (Samsung’s device runs Windows XP Tablet PC Edition), then wouldn’t they be able to run Apple’s iTunes for Windows? This was first brought to our attention by feedback from MacDailyNews reader “Frobots” in response to our “Origami” article on Tuesday. If Origami devices are indeed capable of running iTunes, then they would be iTunes Store-compatible, capable of playing FairPlay DRM-protected audio and video files. Microsoft will have run an end-around play that bypasses the need to license Apple’s FairPlay DRM, the same DRM that Apple has so far declined to license to any company other than Motorola. Interestingly, it’d be Apple that would be providing the free application, iTunes, that would allow Microsoft’s partners making Origami devices to break open Apple’s iPod+iTunes symbiotic ecosystem. What if they get the Origami device prices down to or near iPod levels? What will Apple’s response be to devices that can do such things along with email, web surfing, business applications, games and more?
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Related articles:
Microsoft’s Origami Project revealed – March 07, 2006
Does it matter if it runs iTunes? It’s not like anyone’s going to buy it.
“Unlike PDAs running Microsoft software, the computer would run a full version of Microsoft Windows.”
Well, that’s the first and foremost problem…
Apple should unleash their PDA PDQ!
Interesting point MDN!
People buying a UMPC aren’t in the same market as those who would buy iPods. There may be some overlap, but it’s nothing to worry about – especially if “Apple should unleash their PDA PDQ!” (credit: Turd).
Would this device not be simply another computer? Don’t ALL computers run iTunes? Are not ALL computers iTunes Store-compatible, capable of playing FairPlay DRM-protected audio and video files?
Why, MDN, are we looking at this device as different from any other computer?
Who cares. It would still be Apple’s software (iTunes) and Apple’s DRM (FairPlay), so they would still be getting their cut either way.
Besides, these things will cost $600+ so it’s not like they’re going to be direct competition for the iPod.
‘This platform could be next big thing, depending on how good a job it does,’ he [Rob Enderle] says. ‘If it were coming from Apple, that would be a lot more certain.’
Sometimes, even a butt monkey like Rob has a moment of clarity.
And one thing to say to all of this and how it will fare in the marketplace: TapWave
MS is going to try to do anything they can to make iTunes incompatible with future MS products. You watch, it will happen starting with Vista.
They cant compete so they will choke it out using technology and unfair practices.
“Knife the baby”. Anyone remember that one?
if apple restricted the use of itunes on these things (dont know how) then there own tablet (we all know its coming) will have an edge.
At last, MS gives us the perfect “to go with” for Microsoft Bob!
Can’t see why iTunes wouldn’t run on it to be honest.
Remember though the hardware platform is all Intel and is basically a shrunken PC. On that basis Apple could run a version of OS X on one with little effort. And they having been filing lots of touchscreen interface patents recently.
So imagine the same device but with Apple’s flair for design and easy to use consumer software, including iTunes. With Intel committed to developing the processor and battery technology an Apple version may not cost a lot to develop. Is the Newton going to make a return?
justified
– a portable that is fully functional is much desired. Especially ay $500.00. Make it easy to use and road warriors who use Blackberries would rejoice, especailly if you add VOIP.
The big question is will it replace the iPod?
Consumers who purchase iPODs want an easy to use device. Considering Microsofts history this is very unlikely.
Instead it will compete with PDA’s – perhaps growing the iTunes market.
But it is an interesting work around the fair-play license. If it’s doable is highly doubtful.
Who are these for anyways? They are going to cost more than any complete Dell system. So the average consumer is out, since cheap sells among home users.
These are going to be a niche product and maybe bomb like tablets have for the last 6 years.
Unless you can bring this home and plug an external screen to it and use a bluetooth mouse and keyboard for home use and then unplug and take it with you for travel or work. But what do you gain over a 12″ compact laptop?
The hype was more fun than the reality. Typical M$.
RECORD LABELS HALTING DIGITAL DOWNLOADS!!
The restricted sales are evidence that record companies are a re-examining the fledging digital music field, where consumers have become accustomed to easy — and early — access to new stars’ work.
Apple is DOOMED!!
Well here’s another piece of MS crap that no one seems to care about. It’ll crash while someone is trying to “multitask” by checking e-mail and looking at pictures. For everything it “can” do, I could spend $200 less and get a PSP to do 90% of the same things and it wouldn’t have any version of an MS OS on it.
MDN word == Couldnt as in “MS couldn’t be more proud of themselves for making more useless crap to dole out to the windows woefuls.”
2 to 3 hours of battery life and a price of 500 to 1000 are not a sutible replacement for an iPod epecially if you’re doing other stuff on it your bat life be even less. This is good to replace a laptop, but not an iPod, not yet.
Macromancer: “MS is going to try to do anything they can to make iTunes incompatible with future MS products. You watch, it will happen starting with Vista.”
– I’m not so sure about that. MS may eventually decide that there is more profit to be gained by selling stripped down versions of Windows to all the mp3 player manufacturers that wish to be able to use iTunes as their media player (instead of creating their own) while also having available the iTMS.
Actually, I think there is a lot of potential in this. Imagine having a handheld that can wirelessly access your songs that are stored on your home computer. Imagine being able to purchase iTMS songs anywhere you are directly to your handheld. Apple might soon introduce something like this, but now a lot of other manufacturers might be able to do this too.
HA HA You Kocksucks! Looks like uncle gates beat you to getting the iSlate to market before Stevie could. Of course you won’t like it. You’ll call it everything from ugly to vaporware, but face it, MS will have it out next month while Apple is pushing an overpriced ipod speaker.
If Apple announced this two weeks ago would be hard with excitement. But now you’re angry and envous.
I don’t see the problem about this competing with the iPod. It will be a different price point and a different form factor and so cater for different markets. I guess it might allow someone to play music on a long flight as you would a laptop, but it’s hardly slip in your pocket size is it? Yes, in some senses it will compete, in the same way that music playing mobile phones do, but they are still very different beasts.
There are some very good reasons why a device like this could be successful. I could see myself buying one as an ultra portable computer/storage device whilst on holiday taking photos for example. I’d like to have a laptop as well as a desktop but can’t really justify it – something around the £300-400 could well be justifyable as combining the best of a PSP in terms of media playback, a laptop in terms of functinality, and a ipod in terms of capacity.
Go Apple, I want a Mac OSX ultra portable!
Two pounds and seven inches doesn’t fit in my pocket. Even if this thing is a hit (which it won’t be), it won’t take away from iPod sales at all. I have a laptop that runs iTunes that I can carry around… I still have an iPod. You won’t be able to take this “origami” many more places than you could take an iPod.
Regardless of what it is capable of in terms of calculations, It’s too small to be usefully functional (with a keyboard, decent resolution, etc), but too big to be fully portable (as in, “fits in my pocket”).
I’d like one… but only because I like any tech device. The general public doesn’t need this. It’s like a segway–too slow to replace a car, but to big to replace your feet.
Your Daddy-
just like all MS products, this will get rushed to market and be a POS from the start. Uncle Gates has a wonderful history of this. Either that or it will get delayed for the next 4 years like Longhorn err…Vista…or whatever the name du jour is for it today.
MDN Word “would” as in “Would you honestly pay $599-$999” for the Art of Paper Folding?
I might—MIGHT—consider getting one of these to replace my Newton. The size is about the same. I’d be more interested if I could get OS X to run on it. There’s no way it’s going to replace my iPod
ok MDN’s comments usually annoy me, occasionally make me laugh hysterically, but this point is a very good one….hmmm definite food for thought….good going MDN.
Is this Micrsoft’s Newton killer??