Seeing Origami
Origami:
It’s not an iPod killer.
It’s not a portable Xbox.
It’s not an OQO killer.
It’s not a PSP killer.
Update: it’s not a Nokia N90 killer either (thanks to Marc Canter for asking about that).
Update 2: it’s not a Treo 700w killer either (thanks to Dave for pointing that out).
Update 3: hey, PalmAddicts, it’s not a Palm killer either. :-)
So, what is Origami?
Visit http://channel9.msdn.com on Thursday and you’ll see.
I am going to buy one. With my own money.
March 6th, 2006 at 10:25 am
Scoble…you forced me to buy the audiobox SMT 5600…and I loved that device…till I got my Treo 700w….if the orgami is of the same caliber….and you rave about it…..then dammit you’ll force me to buy one too :). I just hope it’s something that a mere mortal can buy and not priced at the OQO level.
March 6th, 2006 at 10:29 am
http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/06/possible-origami-pic-surfaces-on-the-web/
March 6th, 2006 at 10:30 am
“I am going to buy one. With my own money.”
The Robert Scoble secret to free stuff: use son’s allowance to buy cool stuff ;)
March 6th, 2006 at 10:39 am
Richard, heheh! I wish! If that were the case I could probably buy two!
March 6th, 2006 at 10:50 am
What time ??????
March 6th, 2006 at 10:50 am
Duh. Thus I hope it’s going to be a stunning device that will destroy any trace of iPods/OQOs/PSPs in this world.
This eternal wait is going to leave me without sleep for a week.
March 6th, 2006 at 10:55 am
OK, so not a killer, but I hope that doesn’t mean its:
another iPod knock-off;
a portable PSP also-ran;
(I’m not sure what “killing” OQO means at this point)
;)
March 6th, 2006 at 10:56 am
[...] Scoble speaks up about the Origami: It’s not an iPod killer. It’s not a portable Xbox. It’s not an OQO killer. It’s not a PSP killer. [...]
March 6th, 2006 at 11:08 am
Robert: it’s not an iPod knockoff or a portable PSP also ran either. :-)
March 6th, 2006 at 11:12 am
I can’t kill ‘coz its in a different league, or it can’t because its a wimp ?
March 6th, 2006 at 11:16 am
no pun in my previous post ;) (hint: wimp)
March 6th, 2006 at 11:17 am
[...] Scoble writes: [...]
March 6th, 2006 at 11:18 am
met: I thought I made that clear. It’s not an iPod, so how could it kill an iPod off? It’s not a video game, so how could it be an Xbox portable or kill off a PSP?
In other words, those things are apples, cherries, and plumbs. Origami is a peach. :-)
March 6th, 2006 at 11:22 am
More Origami
Scoble posted that Origami wont be an iPod killer, nor a [insert competitor product here] killer
March 6th, 2006 at 11:25 am
I thought I remember hearing at some point more news on Monday (i.e., today) … but probably just falling victim to rumors and hype - I’m almost convinced I want one at this point.
March 6th, 2006 at 11:26 am
Anyway… Is it a gadget in the strict meaning of the term (something really portable and limitedly useful)?
March 6th, 2006 at 11:27 am
Ravi: there will probably be more news all week long, but Thursday is definitely the coming out day. They are showing it off at the huge CeBit conference in Hannover, Germany.
March 6th, 2006 at 11:27 am
Sim: define “really portable.” :-)
It is a gadget. It is a lot smaller and lighter than my Toshiba Tablet PC.
March 6th, 2006 at 11:29 am
Robert, how do you know that you are going to buy one with your own money, unless you know the price ??
so whats the bottom line ?? :)-
March 6th, 2006 at 11:32 am
Portable as a book.
March 6th, 2006 at 11:33 am
Taking what’s it’s not.. I’d speculate…
It’s too big to be a practical music device despite that it will probably to all those WM10 things.
It’s not powerful enough to be an xbox but MS will probably encourage ISVs to put games on it
It’s not OQO - does that mean it has less than XP making it unattractive as a platform to develop for?
It’s not a PSP - combo of 1 & 2 above - not portable or poweful enough
March 6th, 2006 at 11:33 am
What about the Nokia 770? Differences, other than (assuming) it runs some flavor of Windows?
March 6th, 2006 at 11:38 am
[...] http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/2006/03/06/seeing-origami/ [...]
March 6th, 2006 at 11:38 am
/pd: I know the price, but can’t say until Thursday when the partners announce. Sorry.
Anonymous: it won’t kill any Nokia cell phone.
Colin: see ya on Thursday. I won’t bite on the bait to talk more. :-)
March 6th, 2006 at 11:39 am
Maybe it doesn’t kill the devices mentioned although it seems like it has a fair amount in common with the OQO. Origami will kill the OQO because it will be cheaper and have more efficient battery consumption. It probably fills a new niche in which it touches a bit of the capability of portable movies, music, gaming, web, 3G wireless, WIFI, GPS, VOIP in a slightly larger package than the IPOD, PSP, etc… I can’t see any other possible explanation and I dare Microsoft to prove me wrong! We’ll see on March 9th. BTW, if it is what I think it is, I’m waiting until it has Vista on it and then i’m springing for one! ;)
March 6th, 2006 at 11:40 am
“Anonymous: it won’t kill any Nokia cell phone.”
Yeah, the 770 is a tablet with no phone capabilities. It seems very similar to the Origami concept as I’ve seen thus far. It goes for $350 from Nokia.
March 6th, 2006 at 11:43 am
I’m really enjoying watching everyone try to bait you, Robert.
Luckily, nothing you’ve said so far is incompatible with my want list.
(http://blog.tokash.org/2006/03/05/origami-report-sunday-march-5th-2006/)
March 6th, 2006 at 11:46 am
Anonymous Coward: The Nokia 770 isn’t even in the running. Hope that helps! :-) Why? Cause can you run iTunes on a 770? Can you run Photoshop? Can you run Quicken? MSN Messenger? And on and on and on.
March 6th, 2006 at 11:50 am
[...] We’re all awaiting anxiously for Thursday when Scoble reveals on Channel 9 - Origami. I’m hoping it’s the rumored 12″ tablet PC Gates and Ballmer have been talking about. I need a tablet. [...]
March 6th, 2006 at 11:52 am
If it is what everyone thinks it is, I’m ecstatic. My Tablet PC mantra has been “I want a small, inexpensive satellite PC that lets me RDP into my main CPU when I need it.” If this is it, great (esp. as I was disappointed by SFF PCs such as Shuttles veering back towards mini-tower designs right before the Mac Mini came out, thus ruining/delaying my vision of my home office setup)
March 6th, 2006 at 11:55 am
Is Mrs. Scoble aware that Robert has his own money?
I sure hope this thing has a beer bottle opener on it so that it will still have some functional use when we all get over it in three months.
March 6th, 2006 at 11:58 am
[...] More from Scoble [...]
March 6th, 2006 at 11:58 am
Mike: I have — gasp — my own credit card! :-)
March 6th, 2006 at 11:58 am
#31, if not there’s still a good ‘ol paper-weight use case ;)
March 6th, 2006 at 12:00 pm
[...] OrigamiPortal is back online with commentary on the new render that’s floating around. I guess it could be a heavily skinned XP… Scoble’s seen it. He’ll have a Channel9 video of it on Thursday and he plans to buy one. He says: It’s not an iPod killer. It’s not a portable Xbox. It’s not an OQO killer. It’s not a PSP killer. Update: it’s not a Nokia N90 killer either (thanks to Marc Canter for asking about that). [...]
March 6th, 2006 at 12:03 pm
If the thing is only $600, and it can fun a full Windows operating system, it’s a PDA killer, much like current cell phones could be considered iPod killers in that the features and price points make lesser devices somewhat obsolete.
March 6th, 2006 at 12:07 pm
Whose money do you usually use? And do they have enough to buy me one :)
March 6th, 2006 at 12:09 pm
Listen to Scoble — It’s not a PDA killer. Think of this more as a “lifestyle” device. You can’t fit Origami in your pocket but you can with a PDA. BTW, i’m planning on scrapping my laptop at end of life, purchasing a media center pc for home use and have an origami to take with me when I have small PC needs on the go.
March 6th, 2006 at 12:13 pm
Is it bigger than a breadbox?
March 6th, 2006 at 12:14 pm
Bob: how big is a breadbox in your world? It’s a lot smaller than a loaf of bread in mine!
March 6th, 2006 at 12:15 pm
Dave’s right. It won’t replace my SmartPhone or PDA Phone. It’s not a Treo 700w killer, for example.
March 6th, 2006 at 12:20 pm
“Cause can you run iTunes on a 770?”
You can stream songs from iTunes to it. It will also play MP3 and the other usual formats.
“Can you run Photoshop?”
I think somebody is porting Gimp, who knows. It’s not something I use, so I’m not particularly interested.
“Can you run Quicken?”
I used MSFT Money for a while, but stopped when my bank put everything online, so I don’t really care.
“MSN Messenger?”
GAIM or Meebo work well for me.
I’m just curious in how the two will compare, more in the realm of form-factor, wireless/Bluetooth/etc.
March 6th, 2006 at 12:24 pm
I know what it is.
It’s a hype machine that will put Apple and Google’s hype machines to shame.
March 6th, 2006 at 12:25 pm
just tell us this.. is http://www.umpc.com legit from intel? if so well be hearing seomthing from them tomorrow. hopefully not another damn teaser…
March 6th, 2006 at 12:25 pm
Two questions, Robert:
(1) Just a week ago, you very clearly complained about the damage overhype can do. How does your post differ?
(2) Microsoft has already been guilty of not being EXACTLY clear about what is being announced with this product - see the March 2 announcement. I notice the lack of detail of EXACTLY what this Thursday will bring - even from you! Namely - when will this product be available for purchase to the general public?
Please, Robert, understand the context of my questions… if Thursday bring a mere demo of a product that won’t be available until June or later - then IMHO you are guilty of everything you accused others of last week.
March 6th, 2006 at 12:26 pm
and you recorded the channel 9 video for origami today didnt you, you tease..
March 6th, 2006 at 12:27 pm
Is it going to replace my XDA exec and stick me back to using 2 decvices - a truley portable computer and a phone ?
March 6th, 2006 at 12:33 pm
[...] Y no, origami no es un señor japonés, Robert Scoble, evangelizador de Microsoft acaba de publicar lo siguiente en su propio blog: No es el iPod kiler No es una XBox portátil No es el OQO killer. No es el PSP killer. […] Entonces, ¿Qué es Origami? Visita Channel 9 el jueves y lo verás. [...]
March 6th, 2006 at 12:35 pm
I know it’s not a name-the-most-devices-you-know-about contest. But… Can the Origami be a PMA430 Killer?
March 6th, 2006 at 12:39 pm
Rafael: yes. I filmed it this morning. But the marketing folks are holding me back until Thursday.
Dave: I agree I’m guilty of hyping. Am I guilty of overhyping? Well, I’m trying to tell you what it’s not. So, I’m trying to pull the hype level down. And, I am buying one of these, when it’s out (and, yes, we do cover all that in the video).
Martin: Origami is NOT an Apple hype machine killer. :-) (Me neither! Heheh!)
Nige: possibly. ;-)
March 6th, 2006 at 12:40 pm
Sim: I don’t even know what a PMA430 is. Can you give us a URL for that?
March 6th, 2006 at 12:41 pm
Running Photoshop on that device? It’s very bad when running it on 15″ monitor…
It’s just an attempt to find a new market for (and save for a while) Embedded Windows XP…
March 6th, 2006 at 12:50 pm
http://www.archos.com/products/ip_centric/pma_400/
(but without the DVR function)
Anyway, the most important of all is that Origami will boost Win XP and it will be powerful enough to run some good app. (It MUST be a bloody Apple hype machine killer).
March 6th, 2006 at 12:51 pm
RR: it’s not running Embedded Windows XP either.
Sim: I don’t think it’s a PMA 400 killer either.
March 6th, 2006 at 12:53 pm
its a small tablet, running tablet pc.. now its prolly “concept” in stead of a real product like the tabled was before…
..
March 6th, 2006 at 12:58 pm
http://www.origamiportal.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=10
pics claimed to be leaked
March 6th, 2006 at 1:00 pm
its an SD tablet, or superdeformed!! tablet..
or its an offshoot of the mirra project that never really took off
its basically not a tiny, but not a large tablet, enabled in all the ways it should be enabled, price point hitting 400-650 bucks
comes in two flavors
running tablet pc os, or a micro version of it
aimed at “lifestyle” folks / and or / multipuporse medical / educational ie school classrooms device
March 6th, 2006 at 1:01 pm
Ok, this is Dave from comments #25 & 38… Just got a WordPress acount as to not be anonymous. This device isn’t going to kill off the PC nor IPOD, PSP, etc. Get with the program, peeps. It merely acts as a lifestyle device or a bridge, if you will, to the devices everyone mentions. I don’t understand the complaints of hype or overhype. It’s obvious that it is what it is and isn’t what it isn’t. It is cool, in a niche of it’s own. I’ll be buying one eventually.
What interests me is Microsoft’s talk about an eventual price point of $500 or lower. Does anyone remember Negroponte’s $100 3rd world PC? Seems to me that Microsoft could make some big bucks if they do this right. It may take a few years or so to bring the price point down but there may be some economics in selling this idea to the 3rd world…
March 6th, 2006 at 1:01 pm
This sounds more like a semantic dispute as to what a “killer” is. It’s not a PDA killer because…well, that depends on your definition. Is it because you can’t fit Origami in your pocket? I really don’t consider a PDA to be something I’d put in my pocket, either; I’ve seen people carry them around like that, and it looks, well, odd. However, a small, light Tablet PC renders every other aspect of a PDA (even the phone hybrids to an extent) unnecessary, so if that fits your definition, it is a killer.
For me, I wouldn’t carry a PDA in my pocket, and a tablet PC running a full version of Windows for $600-ish is plenty enough to be one in my (pocket) book.
March 6th, 2006 at 1:05 pm
Project Origami is astroturf. The product it purports to hype isn’t available for sale and won’t be unless DELL, Gateway or HP decide to build one. “Project Origami” is the hype preceding a preannouncement at CeBIT.
Like real origami, it does not replace a real bird, or a frog, or whatever you make out of paper.
March 6th, 2006 at 1:10 pm
so what your saying is that out of our origami (our paper) we can make it operate like all those other devices (stuff we build with that paper)??
its a better replacement not a killer to many many things… it still sounds like something that will kill something else..
March 6th, 2006 at 1:12 pm
Wow, It does not kill anything, it performs all the graphics, communications, interactive stuff you ever wanted and The scoblizer will buy one with his own credit card.
I a gadget freak anyway, it sounds like this device, although bulky will be the end all with our current technology.
With the Thursday showing I take it we will be able to order one and receive or what until manufacturing catches up?
I know lots of people have been disappointed about the roll out of the 360 xbox
This machine sounds extremily functional it would be ashame to kill the momentum developed with MS marketing on this with slow deliveries.
March 6th, 2006 at 1:13 pm
please please let it be a Libre killer that doesn’t cost much and has a great screen. Maybe e-paper (origami, I get it…)
March 6th, 2006 at 1:15 pm
Dave is right folks. I have blogged about the Origami quite a bit already since I was at the Tablet PC Partner briefing in Redmond where Microsoft introduced this new concept for “Ultra Mobiles” devices, or “Lifestyle Devices”. The lifestyle part is really the key here, something you would not leave home withouth, something useful, cool, and stylish, not awkward and geeky.
You can find out more about what Microsoft revealed during this event at http://www.infusionblogs.com/blogs/activenick/archive/2006/03/02/393.aspx and http://www.infusionblogs.com/blogs/activenick/archive/2006/02/13/303.aspx. I was also quoted by Mary Jo Foley of the Ziff Davis’ Microsoft watch about the Microsoft origami project at http://www.microsoft-watch.com/article2/0,2180,1933439,00.asp.
Hope this helps answer some of your questions. I have revealed as much as I could without breaking my NDA.
Cheers.
March 6th, 2006 at 1:17 pm
[...] Scoble is saying that channel 9 will be revealing the Origami mystery on Thursday. Thank god. [...]
March 6th, 2006 at 1:22 pm
i also have a feeling origamiproject.com might become a order page for these things, from all different manufacturers. mass world infiltration lol
combine, skype (bye bye cellphone), iTunes (bye bye iPod that cant search) itll most likelly have a built in cam (bye bye digicams.. unless ur a pro)
this kinda sounds like the start of WIMAX, imagine these devices all connected to each otehr and forming a lan of some sort that way everyone gets internet in clusters..
but im thinkin too much here… awaits till tomorrows umpc.com fake or not
March 6th, 2006 at 1:22 pm
Please consider the meaning of Origami. Origami (折紙 origami “paper folding”) is the art of Japanese paper folding.
The art of origami takes a piece of paper and through human interaction, transforms it into many different shapes. Visualize these shapes as the different devices everyone mentions. You can easily be using a music shape, then have it transform into movie, GPS for driving or geocaching, email, web, light pc-use shapes.
It’s a mobile device, not pocketable, yet small enough to bring along in many cases to utilize. It doesn’t necessarily replace those devices yet can fullfill many of their use cases.
The strength of Origami will increase exponentially as 3G wireless networks become ubiquitous.
Makes sense, right?
March 6th, 2006 at 1:27 pm
I’ve always wanted to run Google Earth or Microsoft’s Virtual Earth on a worthy mobile device. With Origami and a 3G connection, we can. This kicks so much butt!
March 6th, 2006 at 1:27 pm
So far, it sounds like it will fill exactly the hole in the market I’ve been harping on about in my blog. Its got to be the elusive Carrypad at last.
Steve/Chippy.
March 6th, 2006 at 1:34 pm
“I agree I’m guilty of hyping. Am I guilty of overhyping? Well, I’m trying to tell you what it’s not. So, I’m trying to pull the hype level down.”
Then you fail. You started the hype, it got out of hand, you blamed the people behind the project, you retrenched from all of yourr misstatements, then you said: “Just wait till it is anounced,” THEN you refuse to keep your own damn advice.
I don’t think your ignorant of the effect of this “udner-hyping” post; I think you are ignorant of the fact that we can see through that silliness.
March 6th, 2006 at 1:37 pm
[...] Der Origami-Hype ist auch ohne mich schon groß genug, aber angesichts Scobles neuester Origami-Information kann ich nicht widerstehen ihn selbst noch etwas zu schüren. [...]
March 6th, 2006 at 1:39 pm
Dave,
I won’t get rid of my notebook, I still need my main computer to be portable, but its a high-end heavy notebook so something like Origami will allow me to keep it at home more often. I’ve really liked the idea of a Tablet PC, but for me the killer is that all tablets that have been out have basically been notebook replacements. What you end up doing is spending more money for a notebook that has less power and capability.Its not something you would get to complement your existing PC either. If the Origami device has a good price range and good battery life, it would be a nice complement to a notebook (or desktop). Hopefully it would also be easier to write on than a PocketPC, like Tablet PCs are, so it would replace my PDA; I would carry it in my bag.
March 6th, 2006 at 1:41 pm
Rather than saying it is not a _____-killer, you could simply stick with “We’re creating a new kind of device for an untapped market.” Even as a half truth, it’s better marketing than saying what it isn’t.
March 6th, 2006 at 1:42 pm
But really, let’s try to get past all these “kills or doesn’t kill” convos. We know what it is or isn’t. Now is the time to be creative and think of numerous use-cases for the device. Once MSFT has done a great job communicating these and the market innovates around the new “Origami” economy, the public will soon understand and buy them like hotcakes.
1) Google Earth or Virtual Earth w/ GPS & 3G wireless for driving directions and connected functions.
2) Finding a great ____ while out and about. (restaurant, barber, etc.)
3) Making VOIP calls via Live Messenger, Skype, Google Talk, etc.
4) Imagine what you can do with P2P applications with everyone and their mother owning one… Endless opportunities here.
The point is, the IPOD created it’s own economy. The Origami economy will be bigger! There’s plenty of money to be made here in the new “Origami” economy. Solve creative problems and you will also reap the rewards.
March 6th, 2006 at 1:49 pm
Agreed, Brian #71. This isn’t a laptop killer ;) In retrospect I probably still would own a laptop but would use it less. Just like the other devices it “doesn’t replace.”
March 6th, 2006 at 1:54 pm
oh, so it is a scoblekiller? “scoble would kill to get it”
March 6th, 2006 at 2:06 pm
Origami Hype
Man, you’ve got to love the internet. The amount of hype going around about a microsoft project called origami is spreading like wild fire throught out the online world. Well microsoft blogger and a good guy Robert Scoble has blogged
March 6th, 2006 at 2:12 pm
Face it - no product will be released that would “kill” any of the other products mentioned. This is why it isn’t an iPod killer, even if it was “only” a portable MP3, WMA, video player.
Methinks it’s an extension of your digital life. Leave your laptop at home, but have constant access to the most important data: email, RSS, contacts, media, internet.
March 6th, 2006 at 2:38 pm
can you at least tell us if it will have a usb or firewire port? :)
March 6th, 2006 at 2:54 pm
Damn it scoble what is it. IF its not all the above is it a piece of silk we can wipe our arse with? just hint it damn it. Just hint to us what it IS!! not what it isnt.
March 6th, 2006 at 2:56 pm
[...] Scoble gives us a little hint at MSFT new gadget, or does he ?? [...]
March 6th, 2006 at 2:57 pm
Isn’t this just the microtablet debuted last year at CES? I mean, the hype machine at Microsoft already blew its load by mentioning the tablet features.
March 6th, 2006 at 3:00 pm
If it’s anything like the supposed “leaked” photos (i.e. micro-tablet) I’d purchase on with Scoble’s money as well…..
March 6th, 2006 at 3:04 pm
if i sit on it but on top of a cushion so it’s basically just my ass squishing it against a cushion, will it break or crack the screen?
will it have a built in wifi detector that tells me if the connection is open so that i can just wander with it and never pay for service?
if people pirate movies and download them illegally to origami machines but then bring the origami machines to friends’ houses to watch them without burning or sharing tons more copies, is it less illegal ’cause it’s like just one main stolen copy? and btw, does pirating crappy movies or songs also count as illegal, or do they carry reduced sentences and fines (e.g. zeppelin versus death cab)?
is it gonna be waterproof - or will any third parties make really cute “bling” cases for it too?
March 6th, 2006 at 3:18 pm
So - what good is it if it can’t kill anything else?
:-P
March 6th, 2006 at 3:26 pm
CROWD: An iPod killer! We’ve found An iPod killer!
VILLAGER #1: We’ve found an iPod killer. May we overhype it?
CROWD: Overhype it! Overhype! Overhype it!
SCOBLE: How do you know it is an iPod killer?
VILLAGER #2: It looks like one.
CROWD: Right! Yeah! Yeah!
SCOBLE: Bring it forward.
ORIGAMI: I’m not an iPod killer! I’m not an iPod killer!
SCOBLE: Uh, but you look like one.
ORIGAMI: They photoshopped me like this.
CROWD: Augh, we didn’t! We didn’t…
ORIGAMI: And that wasn’t my video. It’s a concept piece.
SCOBLE: Well?
VILLAGER #1: Well, we did do the photoshopping.
SCOBLE: And the video?
VILLAGER #1: And the video, but it is an iPod killer!
VILLAGER #2: Yeah!
CROWD: Overhype it! Right! Yeaaah! Yeaah!
SCOBLE: Did you photoshop it up like this?
VILLAGER #1: No!
VILLAGER #2 and 3: No. No.
VILLAGER #2: No.
VILLAGER #1: No.
VILLAGERS #2 and #3: No.
VILLAGER #1: Yes.
VILLAGER #2: Yes.
VILLAGER #1: Yes. Yeah, a bit.
VILLAGER #3: A bit.
VILLAGERS #1 and #2: A bit.
VILLAGER #3: A bit.
VILLAGER #1: It has got Windows Media Player.
RANDOM: *cough*
SCOBLE: What makes you think she is an iPod killer?
VILLAGER #3: Well, it looks like a portable media device.
SCOBLE: A portable media device?
VILLAGER #3: I got better.
VILLAGER #2: Overhype it anyway!
VILLAGER #1: Overhype!
CROWD: Overhype it! Overhype! Overhype it!
SCOBLE: Quiet! Quiet! Quiet! Quiet! There are ways of telling whether it is an iPod killer.
VILLAGER #1: Are there?
VILLAGER #2: Ah?
VILLAGER #1: What are they?
CROWD: Tell us! Tell us!…
VILLAGER #2: Do they hurt?
SCOBLE: Tell me. What do you do with iPod killers?
VILLAGER #2: Overhype! Overhype!
VILLAGER #1: Overhype!
SCOBLE: And what do you overhype apart from iPod killers?
VILLAGER #1: More iPod killers!
VILLAGER #3: Shh!
VILLAGER #2: PSP killers!
SCOBLE: So, why do PSP killers get overhyped?
VILLAGER #3: Because they’re made of… wood?
SCOBLE: Good!
CROWD: Oh, yeah. Oh.
SCOBLE: So, how do we tell whether she is a PSP killer?
VILLAGER #1: See if its made of wood!
SCOBLE: Ah, but did not the original Atari have faux wood-paneled?
VILLAGER #1: Oh, yeah.
RANDOM: Oh, yeah. True. Uhh…
SCOBLE: Did Atari sink when it hit the market?
VILLAGER #1: No. No.
VILLAGER #2: No, it sells! It sells!
VILLAGER #1: Launch the product, launch the product!
CROWD: Launch! Launch the product!
SCOBLE: What also sells well on launch?
VILLAGER #1: Bread!
VILLAGER #2: Apples!
VILLAGER #3: Segways!
VILLAGER #1: Pokemon!
VILLAGER #2: Uh, Goo– Google!
VILLAGER #1: YouTube!
VILLAGER #2: MMORGs!
VILLAGER #3: Uh, Flickr! Flickr!
VILLAGER #2: VOIP! VOIP!
BILLG: A duck!
CROWD: Oooh.
SCOBLE: Exactly. So, logically…
VILLAGER #1: If… it… sells as well on launch… as a duck… it’s a PSP killer.
SCOBLE: And therefore?
VILLAGER #2: An iPod killer!
VILLAGER #1: An iPod killer!
CROWD: An iPod killer! An iPod killer!…
March 6th, 2006 at 3:26 pm
will it be avaible in us ? and when ?
March 6th, 2006 at 3:30 pm
It’s not Bill who is doing it. It will be Samsungs device with Intels new prosessor and Windows os.
March 6th, 2006 at 3:31 pm
[...] Microsoft Origami - Niemand weiß etwas genaues, und die, die es doch wissen, dürfen es noch nicht sagen. Ein Microsoft-Insider verrät, was es alles NICHT ist. [...]
March 6th, 2006 at 3:35 pm
Is this origami going to have CC (Close Caption) in video? If not, then Microsoft isnt committed to keep there words on making the device accessiblity. I dont want to hear oh there will be a third party software to fix this and this. Please, try to understand that the disablity should’nt be left out of the techonogly world. Let share the future with using origami as a gap to the disability community.
March 6th, 2006 at 3:44 pm
Will it let you run gaming sites like pogo.com?
March 6th, 2006 at 3:46 pm
What about the DualCor cPC? Now that thing is a high powered UMPC.. Robert how does it compare or is it an Origami device?
March 6th, 2006 at 3:57 pm
Thomas, I’m sure that the information in the video will be shared lots of places.
No more answers coming until Thursday, sorry.
March 6th, 2006 at 3:58 pm
Just found this….
http://www.designbum.net/alexandria.htm
looks like it might not be called the origami….
its a kewl video for a “Microsoft Alexandria” ?!?!
-=n00g=-
March 6th, 2006 at 4:07 pm
Will it run Linux?
March 6th, 2006 at 4:12 pm
[...] Continuano le indiscrezioni sull’attesissimo Microsoft Origami. Scoble ha avuto modo di provarlo e ha lasciato qualche indizio sul suo sito. [...]
March 6th, 2006 at 4:14 pm
Origami - is this it?
Well, this looks pretty good even for a potential photoshop creation. With all the rumors and evidence floating around the web, it is pretty obvious that “Origami” stands for Microsofts new TabletPC. Here is one from an Intel advertisment:…
March 6th, 2006 at 4:16 pm
I love the origami and i have not even seen it yet lol . I hope it is pretty, has a keyboard and a good spec and i will be over the moon. Oh and a kinda low price too as i am kinda stink(do you have that word in america?) anyway Long live HYPE
March 6th, 2006 at 4:23 pm
Curiosity kills the cat! And now when you have endorsed the product yourself, (”I am going to buy one. With my own money.”) I am waiting eagerly for Thursday to come.
I would love to see a product from Microsoft that would once again deviate all the force to the ‘dark side’. Long Live the Empire.:-)
March 6th, 2006 at 4:35 pm
I really hope it has a stashable slide keyboard a sustainable battery sum kind of OS derived from vista or XP pro it has wifi and sell for around 500 or less anything more and ill spring for a laptop i hope its touchscreen or summin like that microsofts got me at the edge of my seat for this thing i cant wait till thursday tobias blog image looks very photoshopped but if it is that which i dont like its semi-kool but looks like a Symbol PDA for grocery stores with orange buttons
xxskyliner34xx@gmail.com
March 6th, 2006 at 4:38 pm
Robert, is it a Crestron Killer?
Thanks
March 6th, 2006 at 5:03 pm
[...] Nathan Weinberg on the InsideMicrosoft site adds some more speculation to the rumors about Origami, but he’s basing his thoughts on the recent posts provided by Robert Scoble as well. [...]
March 6th, 2006 at 5:04 pm
Is it an Apple Newton killer?
March 6th, 2006 at 5:08 pm
Well, whatever it is, it better be good, or you and your buddies in Redmond will never live it down. If Microsoft goes down in flames in the midst of all this hype Robert, one thing it’s sure to be is something akin to the next Microsoft Bob.
March 6th, 2006 at 5:09 pm
[...] 眾多 comments 裡面這個最有趣 :p [...]
March 6th, 2006 at 5:19 pm
Is it a Notes killer? :-)
March 6th, 2006 at 5:36 pm
I hate to say this, being that I don’t normally jump on bandwagons, but I think it’s more of a vaporware-video- iPod / Sony Location Free TV killer. It seems like it’s an ultraportable, ultra-high function entertainment handheld with capacity to TV out and with integration with upcoming Vista flavors. I know we won’t get a definitive answer until Thursday, but if it’s what I think it is, it’s been a long time coming and a well needed addition to the market.
March 6th, 2006 at 5:38 pm
Jim: I don’t buy things that aren’t good.
March 6th, 2006 at 5:41 pm
IvyMike: isn’t the Newton dead already? How can you kill something that’s already dead?
Bruce: very funny.
Jason: no, it’s not a Celestron killer.
Chad: when I get mine I’ll check if it’ll run Linux. Don’t see why it wouldn’t, although you might have to write your own drivers to control various things.
March 6th, 2006 at 5:42 pm
Eric: it’s not vaporware. The one I was holding today was near final device.
It’s also not a video iPod killer. Although didn’t Steve Jobs once say that he couldn’t believe anyone would use a two-inch screen to watch video? ;-)
March 6th, 2006 at 5:57 pm
“IvyMike: isn’t the Newton dead already? How can you kill something that’s already dead?”
Hello, and welcome to the joke!
March 6th, 2006 at 5:58 pm
“Apologies to Monty Python,” that was hilarious.
You forgot the part where the Origami is shown playing “It’s a Fair Cop.MP3″…
March 6th, 2006 at 5:59 pm
But, no one is saying what the real problem is…..they say its running windows! All we need, one more thing to have to babysit daily and clean out all the viruses and spyware.
March 6th, 2006 at 6:04 pm
I still don’t think you’ve answered the REAL question at hand.
You’re willing to pay for one.
But are you willing to go beyond that?
Would you beat your way to the front of the department store for it like they did for the chocolate bars in Willy Wonka?
Would you set up complex money laundering schemes to get you enough money to buy two of them?
Would you blackmail someone for their’s?
How far would you go to get one of these things?
Will you wait out in the freezing cold a week in advance, so you know you will get the first one?
Will you hide outside the shipping plant, waiting for the right moment when the boxes are being loaded into the truck, to ambush the workers for one?
=) Just something to think about.
March 6th, 2006 at 6:08 pm
Scobe -
I was saying a “vaporware video iPod” killer as in the fake photoshop’d iPod version that’s been circulating with the big touch screen and all that. I fully believe that this is not vaporware in any way. I agree about the tiny screen wholeheartedly. If it weren’t for the TV out option on the video iPod, I wouldn’t bother with the video aspect at all.
March 6th, 2006 at 6:16 pm
i just don’t feel the buzz of any of this viral marketing…even from scobe.
if anything this blog has gotten kinda boring.
March 6th, 2006 at 6:17 pm
http://www.engadget.com/2006/02/23/is-this-the-video-ipod-or-mac-tablet/
http://www.engadget.com/2006/02/10/so-this-is-the-video-ipod-eh/
http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/05/another-video-ipod-surfaces-online/
(Sorry to double-post.)
March 6th, 2006 at 6:21 pm
If this is a small tablet like Bill showed at WinHEC I will be impressed, its way ahead of schedule, even if it doesn’t use new chip technology. I’ve been tempted by PDAs for years but using a different OS and apps puts me off. Sounds like a fantasy style kitchen sink gadget, but in a good way.
Suprised Microsoft dont just wait for Vista before launching it with the tablet improvements it’ll bring.
March 6th, 2006 at 6:22 pm
Scoble, can you spread this one for Nick (roughtype) pls:
‘The best run businesses do not run SAP’
http://www.roughtype.com/archives/2006/03/does_sap_sap_pr.php
March 6th, 2006 at 6:33 pm
Aaron: I agree. I have gotten boring. I have 300 emails a day to keep up with now, and it’s hard to do that, do interviews, and be interesting at the same time. I’m struggling to do it. Also, reading Memeorandum was making me boring. Absolutely agreed!
March 6th, 2006 at 6:33 pm
tedge: it’s one of two devices he showed off at WinHec. The video will talk about this.
March 6th, 2006 at 6:38 pm
What MicroSoft is trying to do with Oragami is create a new market, rather than attacking the PDA, MP3 or laptop market head on…
The “what if” commercial is really hip, but much like cell phone camera’s taking pictures of Little Richard bowling, there seems little practicle use for this size/ability of product…
Oragami truly exposes the brain-drain MicroSoft is dealing with, as the talent pool has largely gone south to Google, Apple, Yahoo, and start-ups. This isn’t an opinion or “spin,” it’s simply the truth that a large contingency of high-end talent has left MicroSoft for richer stock -option opportunities. In short, the people that are gone were indeed smart folks.
The unfortunate approach for MicroSoft with this product is it is trying to be all things to all people, which ends up delivering average at best products.
This goal is a marketing nightmare. Rather than targeting one market and choosing to be the best in that market, they are trying to create one (which is great) but the end result is being so so at everything - a marketing disaster…
The starting, or hook, price is rumored to be around $500… Interesting.
Bottom Line: It will land with a flurry of hope and excitement much like “The Ginger Project” (that gyro scooter thingy), and end up being a great concept, but much like Apple’s Newton, either ahead of it’s time, too pricy, or a combo of both, with features that are all just so, so…
As Seth Godin might say, “This isn’t a purple cow, but a bunch of brown cows mashed together, and no matter how hard one tries, that does not make purple…”
~OUT
March 6th, 2006 at 6:48 pm
[...] One of the ideas I’ve been toying with is replacing my convertible with an even smaller slate type computer (the Motion Computing LS800 comes to mind). The logic goes like this: I’ve got a powerful desktop computer in my office, an even more powerful one at home, and when I’m on the move, I’m more apt to use my convertible PC in tablet mode than with the keyboard exposed. My Toshiba is great in this mode, but I’d like something more portable…something that could rival the size of the Moleskine. This would not serve as my primary computer, at the same time it would give me greater capabilities than my Treo 650. This device should have enough computing power that I could run the Microsoft Office suite, while remaining compact enough to carry around like a medium-sized paperback book. The LS800 surely fits the requirements, as does the OQO, but I couldn’t imagine spending $2,000 for a portable tablet. The Origami device is being pitched at a more palatable price range. From what Scoble is hinting, Origami will be an entirely new category of devices. Could this be the device that I’ve been hoping for? Well, we’ll all learn on this Thursday….stay tuned. 0 0 Tags [...]
March 6th, 2006 at 6:49 pm
I’ve seen the UMPC / Origami Community site and I HAVE TO HAVE ONE OF THESE!
http://sirshannon.com/2006/03/06/umpc-origami-ultimate-mobile-pc-community-site/
March 6th, 2006 at 6:51 pm
>This isn’t an opinion or “spin,” it’s simply the truth that a large contingency of high-end talent has left MicroSoft for richer stock -option opportunities. In short, the people that are gone were indeed smart folks.
How do you argue with this? The guy who did the Origami is one of the four first guys on the Xbox team. I guess he didn’t leave.
March 6th, 2006 at 6:51 pm
I wonder what will be announced tomorrow. The UMPC.com site’s teaser date is 3/7.
March 6th, 2006 at 6:56 pm
tedge: it’s one of two devices he showed off at WinHec. The video will talk about this.
Ooo, I only remember him showing the one device besides the aux display.
I hope this launches tablets in a big way at last, its time we went further than keyboard and mouse. Microsoft should get into hardware, alot of their concepts end up poorly executed by third parties. I suppose software is where the money is though.
March 6th, 2006 at 6:56 pm
Alexandria = Urge ?
March 6th, 2006 at 6:58 pm
http://umpc.com/usage.aspx : try this for me info and pix (intel’s ultra mobile pc website).
March 6th, 2006 at 6:59 pm
$500-$700
little tablet PC.
March 6th, 2006 at 7:03 pm
I saw this too a few hours ago
http://mobilitytoday.com/news/intel_umpc_photos.html
March 6th, 2006 at 7:06 pm
I’m pretty sure I’ll get one, whatever it is.
/looks over at pile including Tablet PC, Segway, iPod, Archos PMA 430, Sidekick IIc, PSP, NDS, Xbox 360, etc.etc.etc.etc. Of course, I won’t be able to retire until I’m 140.
March 6th, 2006 at 7:07 pm
> How do you argue with this?
You don’t. Clearly the poster has the internet’s second oldest agenda and doesn’t care this is a good device or not.
(Although I do like the part where he has the msft org-chart in hand and knows exactly when any employee turnover has officially rendered Redmond brain-dead. Then he turns around and suggests that umpc might end up as a visionary concept ahead of its time.
That’s right, he’s outed himself as the worst form of /.-by-the-numbers-idiot: the current Microsoft consists of a bunch of brain-dead visionaries!)
The device looks like an interesting form factor, the pictures on umbc.com look much less clunky than the original.
“QUESTION: What is a UMPC?
ANSWER: An Ultra Mobile PC is a small device that you can carry and use to access your favorite online games, videos, music, TV shows and more on the go, with the quality you’re accustomed to to when you’re in front of your PC.
The UMPC also connects you to people via email, VoIP, Instant Messaging and texting, and since it can identify its environment, the UMPC can bring you information according to your location, like the best local restaurants.
Additionally, the UMPC also offers a long battery life, so you can access your information for long periods of time while on the road.”
March 6th, 2006 at 7:08 pm
YOU CAN get information on the hottest sales and promotions at the Mall while you drive by.
YOU CAN compare prices online while you are visiting a store and make the right decision.
YOU CAN get GPS information while driving or walking.
YOU CAN do email, or monitor work while standing in line at the DMV or at any other place you usually got bored at waiting and wasting your time.
YOU CAN surf the internet for the latest news while cooking in the kitchen.
YOU CAN download your music, videos, TV shows, photos and email, chat, IM friends…all from a small, thin device that fits in your purse!
http://umpc.com/usage.aspx
my purse?
March 6th, 2006 at 7:24 pm
Did you hear!?! There are 2 comments over at Engadget that said Engadget will end their 30-day give-away-spree with free Origamis!! PICK ME, PICK ME!
March 6th, 2006 at 7:29 pm
Ok, I got it.. Remember Mira? Where you could control your home computer and get audio/video sent to wherever you are.. It’s that. The whole doing it as a screen idea was silly anyway. A remote control/viewer for your home pc w/ heavy “media extender” add-ons is totally worth buying.
March 6th, 2006 at 7:34 pm
Haven’t you ever tried a man purse on?
Just kidding. I just hope it ties in with my home security and MCE and HVAC, and hell, tell me how long till I have to reorder the water filter in my fridge!
March 6th, 2006 at 7:35 pm
Turn the light on out in the garage with it.. stuff like that.
March 6th, 2006 at 7:36 pm
James: actually I asked about Mira in the video.
March 6th, 2006 at 8:41 pm
[...] I noticed a bunch of referrer links coming in from several Personal Megite pages, no doubt due to my comment on Scoble’s latest Origami post. [...]
March 6th, 2006 at 9:10 pm
Scoble,
Is your life being wasted as an MS dummy? Do you really have an opinion of your own, or does Ballmer tell you who to do at night every day?
And Scobleizer is pretty lame. Grow up man.
March 6th, 2006 at 9:16 pm
Cox,
Your mother is a whore. I have slept with her many a night.
Just telling it like it is.
March 6th, 2006 at 9:25 pm
now, now, let’s not turn into /. here.
March 6th, 2006 at 10:08 pm
[...] Scoble made several statements about Origami today in the comments of his “Origami is not a Treo/iPod/PSP Killer post” including “tedge: it’s one of two devices he showed off at WinHec. The video will talk about this.” [...]
March 6th, 2006 at 10:14 pm
Dave from #45 here….
Way too many Daves here! LOL….
First, thank Robert, for - well, somewhat - answering my questions.
At what point is consciously saying what something is not - the same as (over)hyping a product? When you have nearly 150 comments?
Tell me Robert, was it a complete coincidence that you claim to speak about a (for now) phantom product in terms of what isn’t and therefore can claim you were not overhyping?
Wool - over - eyes. NOT.
Anyways, very nice PR. As good as - just about - anything Apple has done in the last 5 years.
One thing though…. with the exception of their last two announcements, they’ve followed through with products that people can acctually walk out of the demo and buy. Are we going to see anything close to that in 2 days? Or will we need to listen to yet another “real soon yet” plea?
That said, this sounds like something very cool. At least on the drawing boards. Yes, I’m a bit jaded. Nearly 5 years of history have done this to me.
March 6th, 2006 at 11:33 pm
I need a portable ebook reader that can hold all my favorite books, and I want it to have a browser so I can surf the web and have it cache rss feeds from slashdot, engadget, BBC news, etc automatically if I wander through a hotspot.
Microsoft are making this just for me because I’m special. It’s an e-book viewer to go head to head with Sony’s new device. That’s what Alexandria is(as in the ancient library at Alexandria); an iTunes style book-downloading service.
Either that or it’s their Blackberry killer. Whatever.
March 6th, 2006 at 11:44 pm
[...] MIcrosoft is building some buzz around something called “Origami”. There is a lot of speculation regarding exactly what “Origami” is, including a complete website trying to gather all the information in one place. And at least one guy is writing poetry about the damn thing. [...]
March 6th, 2006 at 11:45 pm
Does it work with bonjour?
March 7th, 2006 at 1:04 am
New photos over at Hugh’s: http://ubertablet.blogspot.com/2006/03/we-said-origami-not-versace.html
March 7th, 2006 at 1:07 am
Interesting that OQO is calling itself an “Ultra Mobile PC” these days..
http://www.expansys.com/p_oqo.asp
March 7th, 2006 at 1:09 am
On that same page, Hugo (no Hugh, sorry) says this: “I am also told that they will be available in Australia next month which means that the USA will be in the same boat – especially when you consider we follow your lead.”
http://ubertablet.blogspot.com/2006/03/we-said-origami-not-versace.html
March 7th, 2006 at 1:39 am
hey i m am doing a course in the it industrie and i have to do a 2min talk on the it industry and i have found this but i dn t have a clue what the heck it is so um help.
March 7th, 2006 at 2:17 am
Hey Scoble : If it has a camera on it… I know one thing I’ll use it for… for accounting…. I buy anything at a store - I scan the barcode - and automatically my personal accounts are updated :)
March 7th, 2006 at 2:47 am
Thanks for sharing Robert. Let’s talk Thursday.
March 7th, 2006 at 3:43 am
[...] Cosa NON sarà il Microsoft Origami 7 Marzo, 06 | In Curiosità Tecnologiche, Breaking News | Fonte Articolo | Continuano le indiscrezioni sull’attesissimo Microsoft Origami. Scoble ha avuto modo di provarlo e ha lasciato qualche indizio sul suo sito. [...]
March 7th, 2006 at 6:09 am
I think this says it all (and a lot more). Classic strategic move, I might add…
“”The iPod is great. But already Apple is saying it wants to evolve what that form factor can do. Is Apple the only company that is going to provide innovative form factors?” Neil Holloway, Microsoft’s European president, told Reuters.
While he declined to confirm or deny the existence of the Origami device, he said there is still huge potential to improve portable and digital devices through software, enabling consumers more easily to access and control digital content like music and video and even their home environment.”
March 7th, 2006 at 6:30 am
Engadget confirms UMPC details: http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/07/intel-umpc-details-begin-to-emerge-products-coming-on-9th/
March 7th, 2006 at 6:35 am
Is it a Tom Tom killer?
March 7th, 2006 at 6:58 am
Origami Specs
Nathan speculates on what a Robert Scoble post might mean for the specs of Origami. Scoble says that we’ll find out more about Origami on Thursday at Channel 9.
March 7th, 2006 at 6:59 am
Chad, the form factor of the Tom Tom and Origami are similar and you can bet that the market will come up with slick ways to mount Origami to the vehicle. Tom Tom better concentrate on software for Origami and concentrate less on it’s hardware platform.
March 7th, 2006 at 7:04 am
Microsoft Alexandria?????
http://www.designbum.net/portfolio.htm
March 7th, 2006 at 7:09 am
Anyone tossing out the hype argument is full of it. According to Wikipedia, hype is “largely synonymous with exaggeration and overstatement…” If anything else, Scoble was underhyping by clarifying and saying what Origami isn’t. Just look at the number of comments on this post — tons. People are interested in Origami. Those claiming hype are simply
By the way, one of my respected friends thinks Origami will be a flop at $1000/unit. I think he may be right. The closer it gets to $500/unit the more market penetration. Origami’s a great idea, but technology is probably 2-3 years behind for real market penetration.
March 7th, 2006 at 7:21 am
For me a 16 yr old who i think this is really being marketed to 500 bucks isnt that a bit much but i do see its capabilities but if to be ideal for teens on the go it needs a keyboard wifi long battery life not GPS voip
access and sum other dumass shit it comes with i really like i and im on the edge of my seat but think wut do teens wanna do with this download music movies AIM myspace and surf the web possibly play games but i have a psp so it dont bother me
March 7th, 2006 at 7:38 am
Will it give me minty fresh breath?
March 7th, 2006 at 7:43 am
[...] Por otro lado, Scobleizer juega a las adivinanzas y adelanta lo que no es Origami [...]
March 7th, 2006 at 7:44 am
[...] Por otro lado, Scobleizer juega a las adivinanzas y adelanta lo que no es Origami. [...]
March 7th, 2006 at 7:44 am
Is this thing just a small laptop/tablet? Is this really any big deal? What’s so amazing about having a 8 inch computer? A 14 inch computer can do more, and have a bigger screen for multimedia. A 4 inch comptuer is more portable and can do just about as much. It seems like an awkward middle ground to me.
March 7th, 2006 at 7:47 am
Hey Robert, Which post have you received the most comments on?
162 comments for not giving specifics must be a record of some sort.
March 7th, 2006 at 7:52 am
Guy: It’s the power of a post that isn’t about how great blogging is.
March 7th, 2006 at 8:09 am
Hi Robert,
I just had a couple quick questions/thoughts.
Can you confirm (if you can’t that’s cool) that the Origami does not have phone capabilities?
If it doesn’t, I wish it did. With a Bluetooth headset the thing could sit in your bag, car, whatever.
Also, something kind of strange I’ve noticed. This is what I would conclude from all the information all over the net.
It will be an ultra portable tablet PC with heavy media functionality, some form or multiple forms of wireless, and it will run a Windows based operating system.
I think, especially due to the “leaking” of the “Alexandria” promotion, and the fact that on the “leaked” screenshot (I use quotes because I doubt they actually leaked, but more likely were put out) of what could be an Origami device shows “Alexandria” on the media player screen, that that shot is probably real. I think Alexandria will be a MASSIVE downloable media program that will blow iTunes out of the water, allowing users to download full length movies, complete TV series, etc.
UMPC.com and Intel’s involvement would indicate that Origami will not be a Microsoft hardware product… but rather a Microsoft system. Yet, you keep speaking of it as if it is a singular product.
Is the word “Origami” similar to “Smartphone” in that it is more or less one product, but manufactured by different companies?
My guess is that it will be priced around $800, though I really think for it to be a sell-out-in-15-minutes thing like 360, it would have to be $500 or under.
So anyway. If you can’t answer my specific questions, can you give me an idea to whether I’m more or less on the mark?
Thanks!
Mike