Ultimate HANDHELD Coming!!!

3rd report so far but arguably most interesting.

Microsoft is preparing to unveil a handheld multimedia device designed to take on Apple's iPod and the Sony PSP, according to reports.
Called Origami, it is thought to boast a touch screen, wireless web access, and to play music, videos and games.

A slick advertisement for the embryonic product and an official teaser site are available online. Microsoft confirmed it had been working on Origami, but insisted no date had been set for an official launch.

Speculation about Origami grew as Apple launched the latest innovation in its iPod range. It also unveiled the latest version of its Mac Mini computer, boasting an Intel processor and the ability to stream media content from other computers on a local network.

According to the Origami advertisement, posted online at video-sharing website youtube.com, Microsoft sees the Origami device as an all-purpose multimedia lifestyle tool.

Microsoft wants Windows-based media centres in the home
The device's young, attractive users are shown using the device to stream music wirelessly at home, check the web for directions when far from home, or to send pictures snapped on mobile phones or digital cameras.

Microsoft said the advertisement was created a year ago, and may not reflect the eventual size and shape of any Origami device.

There was no indication whether the device would carry the Microsoft brand name or if Microsoft would simply provide the operating system, the Origami project is a joint effort with unspecified partners, Microsoft said.

However, bloggers have linked to a speech made by Bill Gates at the 2005 Windows Hardware Engineering Conference in which he talked about an "ultra mobile" device that would cost less than $800 and would run all day on one battery charge. Mr Gates put a 2007 date on the launch of this product.

Other Microsoft watchers have pointed to an agreement with chip firm Transmeta which makes low-power processors for handheld devices.

Apple's new iPod Hi-Fi aims to put the iPod in the living room
The company, which is best known as a software developer, has launched branded hardware in the past, including tablet PCs and home media centres.

However, Microsoft lags behind Apple and Sony in the potentially lucrative hand-held market. Last year, Apple added video playback to the iPod, and speculation persists that new versions of the iPod currently in development could incorporate a larger screen and touch-screen facilities.

The Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP), also launched in 2005, offers wireless internet access, games and media handling capabilities but Oragami should go to the next level.

There is already a thread on this.

And more news has come out. Very limited multimedia functionality. This is not made to take on either the PSP or the iPod.

Its not really an xbox though more of a p.c handheld just like a PDa really!

http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Sto...1632.46519.htm

ame Informer has learned from a reliable source about some possible exciting new features concerning Microsoft's rumored Origami portable tech device... including the fact that all of the video and screens we've seen of the unit are real (though not final). But there’s one very important detail that no one has touched on yet – Xbox 360 compatibility. So don't wait until March 9 for http://www.origamiproject.com to reveal the system like all those other chumps. Catch all of the juicy information right here, right now.

[Since we broke this story yesterday, OrigamiProject.com has updated their site with even more vagaries than before. The latest flash animation reads:

"hi there

wondering where to find me?"

Then proceeds to display images of a city, forest, mountain, subway, and car. Next, it reads:

"i'm everywhere you are

but never in the way

who am i?

find out 3.9.06..."

So it looks like we've got another week of waiting in store...]

In our previous coverage of Origami, we talked about the system's possible internet, media, and gaming functionality. This has all been verified. In fact, Microsoft supposedly has very high hopes for the system, even going as far as calling on the portable tablet to “replace the laptop.” It is said to be compatible with Windows Vista, but we don’t yet know if Origami will actually use it as an operating system or just use its own.



One of the biggest eye catching moments seen in the Origami video was a running version of what appeared to be Halo. We’ve learned that this isn’t just the PC or Xbox disc slid into the back. Origami will apparently run its very own proprietary gaming software, and a Halo port will most likely be one of the first titles released. But the prototypes we’ve all seen so far seem to have too few buttons to handle a game like this. Microsoft might be considering peripherals for the system like the USB keyboard seen in the video and even a snap on gaming controller shell.

Perhaps the most interesting gaming feature, however, is Origami’s ability to connect to Xbox 360s. Once connected to a 360, presumably through the USB ports, Origami is expected to function as a second screen for compatible games. One example we heard specifically focused on a game in the Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter vein. While you’re TV is displaying the main game, the Origami could show the first person view of another player to help with tactical planning. Or the Origami screen could display an overhead view of the battlefield from a flying probe. Sports games could use it for play calling in football games or the 24 second shot clock in basketball games. And remember, we’re talking about a touch screen here, so Origami could function as a controller as well as a dedicated screen. These are just a few of the many possibilities unlocked by such a setup. Let’s just hope if this all comes to fruition that Origami’s connectivity doesn’t crap out like Game Boy Advance’s.



Some areas that are still foggy are price range, internal specs, and release date. It will most likely cost at least as much as an Xbox 360, but probably significantly more. Consumers interested the 360 compatibility and exclusive games will have to choose between buying the Origami or purchasing another next gen system like PlayStation 3 or Revolution. That could be a very tough sell for Microsoft as they look to nab a piece of the portable pie. Plus, if they’re try to get developers on board with the second screen feature, Microsoft will have to do a lot of convincing to assure gaming companies that enough gamers will have an Origami to make it worth the extra work. Who knows though, they may just decide to take a huge hit on the price like Sony will have to do for the PlayStation 3.

But these pricing concerns are probably why they’re trying to sell it as an everything machine. If Microsoft markets Origami as something that can replace a PC or laptop, then enough people might buy it for that reason with the gaming features as an added perk.

Thursday’s OrigamiProject.com reveal will most likely give us some more technical information about the system, show professional photos of a “closer to finished” unit than the prototypes we’ve seen so far, and hopefully confirm some of the things we’ve reported. It’s unknown whether they will reveal the 360 gaming functionality or talk much about Origami’s proprietary games. But I guess we’ll all know for sure until March 9.

http://gear.ign.com/articles/694/694783p1.html

Looks good.

Looks gay its just an over sized PDA.

Originally Posted by killer 57 Looks gay its just an over sized PDA.

Could not agree more on that

Glad i'm not the only one guys. Looks far too big and doesn't impress me. The PSP isn't a worldbeater but it will do me and my Ipod is probably my most prized posession, it's awesome.

it look ok to me and if want to have a media player to take away then you'll get much more.

Like evr device, after a while a smaller version will come out. Its sounding quite interesting

Definetly, but for now, I don't really need one and if they do downsize it, i'd obviosuly think about it!

Not very handheld

Look huge and ugly

wow,gonna have to get bigger pockets for that sucker.
im thinking 6th generation ipod,downloadable games,wifi etc.
The ipod video is great (got one) apple have got this covered

Handheld for who? Bigfoot?

Ugly looking blighter.

Its suppose to be a portable PC........................or PDA............okay is just sucks.