Thoughts On Microsoft Origami, Anyone?

[jyl]

I've been eagerly waiting for a pocket computer that's more powerful than a PDA, with a keyboard and an all-day battery.

Ten years ago, I carried a Hewlett-Packard 200LX all over the world. Fit in a breast pocket, retrieved my email and newsgroups from any payphone, was my "second brain". When it died I used a Newton 2000MP for some years. Didn't quite fit in any but the largest coat pocket, but did everything else plus accepted my handwritten notes as well as a plug-in keyboard when sitting-down in classes. By 2000 the first Palms and Blackberries were out and I was sure than the pocket computer of my dreams was only a year away. The great keyboard of a Psion, the handwriting input of a Newton, the robustness of a 200LX, the simplicity of a Palm, the wireless communications of a Blackberry . . .

Then everything stalled, at least as far as I was concerned. Everyone dropped their keyboard-based PDAs, the Palm-sized devices never got any more powerful, Blackberries added voice and GPRS but remained painfully limited (even try to read the PP BBS on one?), nothing seemed to really do it for me.

I tried one of the micro-laptops, a Toshiba Libretto, but although I could live with the size the battery life was just too short. The smallest conventional laptops, like the IBM X40, are great but just too bulky for a carry-everywhere device.

As much as I'm trying to avoid Windows, I'm hoping Origami will be "it" for me. If not, I'm hoping Apple comes out with a Newton descendant - though I have no reason to think they will.

Anyone else interested in this little niche of the tech world?

[Rich76_911s]

I thought that it would be an awesome addition to the car, If it had the ability to pump out some good sound. At 2.5 LBS that is lighterthan a lot of car stereos and at 500 bucks (in a year or two) it is cheaper than some of them too. I think it has a future exspecially if wi-max was ever figured out.

[nostatic]

I still have a Newton 2100. Don't use it though as I can't really interface with much.

Odds that MS get's it right with Origami? Low I'd say...

Apple has a bunch of new patents on touch screen technology and gesture UI stuff. They have something cooking, but my guess it will be more entertainment oriented...but that's what computing is doing these days, so...

[HardDrive]

Some of the HP Ipac devices have an add on thumb keyboard.

I am not impressed with Origami. I don't see how its ground breaking in any way other than price. Pathetic battery life.

Very expensive, but OQO is the ultimate.

http://www.oqo.com

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Gonna go over like a lead balloon. Remember the TabletPC? I think they still sell 3 or 4 of those every year.

[scottmandue]

I have been looking at the Treo and Blackberry then I saw the Origami and checked it out online.

For me it is too big to be convenient, if I am going to carry a high tech device I would get one of the new super thin laptops. But then all I'm looking for is a phone I can check email on that will keep a calender.

[HardDrive]

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte
Gonna go over like a lead balloon. Remember the TabletPC? I think they still sell 3 or 4 of those every year.

Ummmmmmm....I'm using one right now, and at least 50% of my company uses them. They only fit a number of niche markets, but they are going like gang busters in those markets. Great for medical records access, inventory, customer check in.....

[krichard]

http://www.qtek.nu/europe/products/9100.aspx

I bought the above phone and it pretty much rocks. I use it at work for corporate email, calendar... outside work it works great for my personal email and fast internet EDGE. Yea it's basically a PDA but smaller, with built in keyboard and cell phone. Best of all worlds.

[Oracle]

I'm really dissapointed... probably I expected more.

Its too heavy/bulky to carry with you all day long, battery life is not good, you need two hands to do anything unless you have a table.

I don't see anyhing new, just another product that initially will have good inertia but will never replace a Blackberry (and I don't have one)

This product will have its niche but won't make it to the corporate environment because:
A) is cheaper to offer a booth/portal PCs in key public areas
B) the wifi thing is not a viable option in large companies due to security issues.
C) Deployment and maintenance of another platform is the last thing companies and IT want.
D) No way companies will let the employees have a toy that is $500 that can't be mass deployed. i.e. cell phones, blackberries
E) Ask any IT guy if they want to start supporting these gadgets...

Hmm.. I'm dissapointed... nothing new..

I think RIM Blacberry unit sales dropped from 400,000 to 250,000 in Q1 this year due to the patent infrigment thing in court. Analysts expect a huge profit for Q2 since many companies were on hold..
Micosoft has a loooong way to ding that marketshare.. You can ask Palm what they think ;-)

-Jasper

[HardDrive]

"B) the wifi thing is not a viable option in large companies due to security issues."

Huh?

802.1x, rock solid.

Take a look at the security features of MS Exchange 2003 for mobile devices. Great features that are not dependant on the ISPs for keeping clients up to date.

[Oracle]

Originally posted by HardDrive
"B) the wifi thing is not a viable option in large companies due to security issues."

Huh?

802.1x, rock solid.

Take a look at the security features of MS Exchange 2003 for mobile devices. Great features that are not dependant on the ISPs for keeping clients up to date.

Granted. Protocols are secure, call it WPA (well this one not so much), WEP, etc. with multiple options for encryption.. The problem is that you're broadcasting corporate information outside the walls. The risk is simply too much.
Name 3 big companies that have WiFi fully implemented across the board as the main way to communicate the computers.

No matter how cool those deployment tools look it all comes down to a question: Would you trust your corporate security and integrity to Microsoft ?

If you answer yes then I will just shut up and go away... Here's a hint:Not even Microsoft is using or relies the security of the network solely on their own products... (and they don't have Wifi for the corporate network)

[JavaBrewer]

I was all ready to purchase my first Apple device - the video Ipod. I could write it off as a business expense to boot... Then I heard they were getting ready to release a new IPod with a larger touch display screen. Then my good friend had a IPod go sour connecting to his PC that also stumped tech support. Sent it in for a replacement but it's a 1 month turn around... Hurm... I so don't care about entertainment hardware, boy am I getting old...I think I'll just spring for a Mp3 player and call it good.

[Oracle]

I bought the sleek ipod and it lasted like 2 months before it quit working so I sent it back and by the time I got it back I kind of realized I didn't miss it, in fact I like not carrying anything with me but my cell on my waist and thats it.. I'm old school, I listen to the news while driving and like switching stations.
Ipod was a nice sleek thing that needed extra attention cause it will scratch and show by just looking at it..

[jyl]

I've had an iPod since 1G and have found them trouble-free. The kids like watching movies and TV shows on the latest one, during roadtrips and the like. Ditto for me on planes. I also use it for music in the car on longer drives. So I think they're great, but wouldn't want them to be the end-all and be-all of Apple's consumer electronics. I want my son-of-Newton!

[Mr Beau]

My Dell X30 with a foldable keyboard works pretty well. Has wifi and Bluetooth so connectivity is pretty good. I've used it on a few occasions with my mobile phone as a modem when net access is needed in remote locations. With my setup I don't have a lot of bandwidth but it works OK.

The fact I can use Windows programs is a plus. In addition I can put in an SD card and watch videos or listen to music. I use it with a bluetooth GPS receiver in the car and it works great. Syncs with Outlook no problem etc...

[911skb]

I use a Pocket PC 6700 from Sprint.

Windows Mobile 5
ActiveSync to our Exchange server (email, contacts, calendar)
EVDO-around 400kbps or 1xRTT-around 70kbps
WiFi
Bluetooth
Slide out QWERTY keboard, much better than Treo or BB
Mini SD card up to 1Gig (possibly 2Gig now)
Windows Media Player for songs, videos.
Camera, video recorder.
Mini USB port.
You can control it from our PC via the mini USB if needed.
I'm sure you can find an external keyboard via mini USB or Bluetooth.
Battery life is one full day with heavy data useage.
Full MS Office suite.
Lots of programs out there to install.
I bought Microsoft Pocket Streets mapping sw, even was able to load maps of Germany and the 'Ring (just in case I happen to go someday).

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally posted by Oracle
Name 3 big companies that have WiFi fully implemented across the board as the main way to communicate the computers.

I know at least one Fortune 50 company that has WiFi available to all employees via a combination of VPN and WPA.

[techweenie]

Wait for Rev. 3.3.1.

[Oracle]

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte
I know at least one Fortune 50 company that has WiFi available to all employees via a combination of VPN and WPA.

Thanks..
...that's 1

Anyone else?

Anyway... I'm sure there are others. My point was to show why I think the new origami product will never be big in the corporate world...

[87coupe]

Adobe, HP, Cisco, should I go on?