No Halo-on-the-go with Microsoft's Origami
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Mar 2nd 2006 at 11:30AM }
Despite promising rumors
that surfaced earlier this week, Microsoft's Origami, an "ultra-mobile PC," will likely lack the technology
to support Halo. An AP reports states, "[The Origami] is not a portable version of Microsoft’s Xbox
videogame console." However, GameSpot speculates that the device would be capable of running less demanding games,
like Civilization III. And the latest rumors suggest that Microsoft is optimizing a number of older PC games
specifically for the Origami. But with the Origami's touchscreen capabilities, why not open the doors for a new form of
gaming-on-the-go? Oh... wait a minute...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bunkhouse @ Mar 2nd 2006 11:42AM
That looks quite thick.
Evil Inside @ Mar 2nd 2006 11:47AM
Microsoft needs to hire a new design firm, that thing looks like it was designed in the early 90s.
Andrew @ Mar 2nd 2006 11:49AM
the way I see it that's no skin off Microsoft's back, they'll make just as much money on it through licences and third party software with or without a Xbox equivalent gaming function.
as a rookie IT professional, I want one regardless.
Thryon @ Mar 2nd 2006 11:53AM
Dang people....how many times will someone have to come and say "THIS IS A PROTOTYPE". No one should comment on the final product till thye see the final product.
To bad for a lack of Halo, but I am not sure I would want to play Halo while on the road. I find that the most fun portable games are the simple quick fix games (aka Tetris).
Tim @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:04PM
"rookie IT professional"
Heh.
skoobydoo @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:05PM
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11636942/
I read somewhere that one will have a keyboard and Geforce Go processor. Probably enought to run Halo at a decent frame rate.
Anyway, it is shaping up to be impressive. And some of the "Mobile PC running XP" machines look sweet!
Andrew @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:11PM
Majoring in Web Development, hopefully will be graduating this May.
on Monday I'm going to a Microsoft Technet conference.
skoobydoo @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:14PM
Not sure why you posted that Number 7...
On Tuesday I will be most likely wasting my time playing some game...
Just FYI
LunarDuality @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:15PM
Excuse me while I pat myself on the back for stating the 3/2/06 would be *more* teaser and less "answers" regarding the Origami site.
I also said that it was doubtful that it would carry the Xbox brand. Score two for me. =P
And regarding it's design -- MS clearly stated that this was an early prototype that is now 6 months to a year old. So I imagine that it looks a little better now. However, even if it hasn't been significantly improved I think it's a cool device. It seems to fill that gap between the PDA (small screen, limited functions) market and the full blown PC market. I see it as a sort of PC extender which is a great idea I think. I don't wanna have to carry a huge laptop around and this thing would fill my need. Oh yeah, and if it's under $500 or so then it combats the "get a slim, light, laptop argument since those can be very pricey.
Tyler Schoening @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:17PM
"But with the Origami's touchscreen capabilities, why not open the doors for a new form of gaming-on-the-go? Oh... wait a minute..."
It's comments like these that make me a happy person....
Andrew @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:24PM
response to number 8
I was responding number 5, 8. BTW have fun on Tuesday.
skoobydoo @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:32PM
I think this is a smart move by Microsoft.
I think that the PDA market was never that useful to me, it could never do anything that my small laptop couldn't. After a while I using my PDA, and now it is in some box somewhere collecting dust.
I would love it if it would wirelessly connect to my Media Center PC and share videos... DROOL!
If this is essentially the size of a notepad of paper I could see using that anywhere I go.
Number 11... That makes more sense... Good luck with that.
Daryl @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:40PM
Would this be competition for the PSP if it does games, music, and video functionality?
epobirs @ Mar 2nd 2006 1:07PM
As for hiring designers, that would be up to the various implementers of the concept. If this is going to run off the shelf Windows software then it is likely only a specification for a product rather than the product itself. Vrious companies will do their own style exercises and specialized features.
This isn't new for Microsoft. They've been involved in such efforts since MSX in the 80s. Take a proposed chip set and base features and let any interested company produce their version that focuses on that company's area of expertise. Panasonic, for instance, might produce a Tough Book model that is a bit heavier and bulkier but very durable. Somebody like Alienware might create a gaming oriented version. Both would run the same software. They would just package the hardware base differently.
Of course, some companies are already well underway with their own versions of the handheld Windows PC:
http://www.oqo.com/
Gareth @ Mar 2nd 2006 1:20PM
Number 13 - As long as they don't use Betamax/Minidisk/UMD/'whatever Sony's we-never-learn R&D department comes up with next' media formats, I don't see why not.
epobirs @ Mar 2nd 2006 1:24PM
It would compete with the PSP but not directly. For one, there would be a huge difference in cost of entry. The PSP's price is driven by the profits on software, especially royalties on manufacturing third party games and movies on UMD. It is a closed system. If, as it appears, the Origami concept is an open system that runs regular Windows software then the only revenue for Microsoft would be for the OS license and any actual Microsoft apps. This means the hardware needs to sell at a profit and would be coming from companies other than Microsoft.
This should be thought of like the tablet PC. An extension of the PC to increase the market for Windows OS licenses and Microsoft apps. It isn't a new platform, just a new category of the PC platform.
LunarDuality @ Mar 2nd 2006 1:40PM
@ epobirs
Thanks for the link to that OQO device. Very cool indeed. My only problem with it -- It's $2000!!!! I mean it's a sweet machine packed into a 5" frame, but I can't afford that. That's why I'm hoping the Origami platform has a more penetrable price point.
saboola @ Mar 2nd 2006 1:48PM
Unlike the PSP you would be allowed to run what you want, when you want, how you want (if it is using Windows XP). I want one.
Extinction @ Mar 2nd 2006 2:12PM
"But with the Origami's touchscreen capabilities, why not open the doors for a new form of gaming-on-the-go?"
Because Palm pilots and PocketPCs have had games for what, a decade now?
schnickschnack @ Mar 2nd 2006 2:24PM
Where will this "handheld-monster" get it's power from? Seems like i have to buy a portable atomic powerplant too, if i want to play halo longer than 5 minutes. (I probably won't play Halo longer than 2 mins, because it's a bunch of shit anyway...)
Jay @ Mar 2nd 2006 2:34PM
about bloody time! anyone who seriously thought that they could play Halo on the go on that thing needs their head checking. I said it before and now I'm just rubbing it in that I was right XD
sorry. it's a smart machine though. If there was a version that could run OSX and look a lot nicer I'd get one. pity that you're likely limited to analogue audio, no DVI etc. that Apple's portable machines have.
dotun.o @ Mar 2nd 2006 2:52PM
I still don't get the hype though, because so far this machine seems no more than a smaller and likely much cheaper Tablet PC. Nice, but not something we aren't already familiar with. And being essentially a PC, it will run apps and store and edit music, video, pictures etc. and also play games. Playing Halo will depend on its hardware specs. If powerful enough or upgradeable, it should play the game fine but likely with keyboard/ mouse input or USB gamepad (and not face buttons as some are speculating). In short, it seems no more than a portable, screen-input PC unless I'm missing something.
Personally, I am intrigued as I would love to have a Tablet PC (or Mac if Apple makes one) primarily for artwork but Tablet PCs are still very expensive; this device likely being cheaper would be enticing, but when I think of it being Microsoft hardware and I look at their track record with Xbox and Xbox 360 durability and reliablility... I'll wait and see.