Pardon my punning headline, it's been a quiet day and last night's hangover is still simmering. So, what is Origami? Well, besides a large slice of hyperbole which took the wind out of Apple's sails as they announced an iPod HiFi and a new Mini, it's also a small tablet running Windows XP. Whilst no specific details have been announced, the nature of the product was clearly unveiled yesterday, Origami basically consisting of a range of extra-small laptops, equipped with a few clever features, running Windows XP.

Origami is not a rival for the iPod or the PSP/DS (at least, not in the traditional sense)... nor will it be a PC that runs games, that clip we've all poured over was simply running in an XP environment. The mini 'tablet', as most reports are calling it, isn't the first time such a device has been attempted, but it could be a renewed effort for companies looking to exploit the burgeoning portable devices/computing market. Intel, for their part are widely expected to announce a similar 'ultra mobile PC' on their website come March 7th. Origami meanwhile will probably be fully unveiled at the CeBit expo on March 9th. A tablet PC with touch-screen, approximately the size of a paperback novel, is likely to be one of the systems proffered.

Bottom-end PC functionality is expected of the device, which will offer net and email browsing via WiFi, as well as document editing and possibly even gaming on certain platforms. Higher-spec iterations may also include global-positioning functionality or even mobile phone connectivity. Origami is most likely related to Bill Gates desire to create a super-portable laptop, outlined in a conference last year, where he mooted a 1-pound, 800 USD device, equipped with a battery that can last a whole day.

So, despite the furore and conjecture, its pretty obvious that Origami hasn't been the best-kept secret at for some time. But how many models of this variety are there, and will third-parties be getting in on the act? According to a new report on Ziff Davis, MS have actually been targeting a device costing less than 500 USD, but this may not be achievable in the near future... we'll keep you posted as Microsoft, Intel et al announce their wares more fully next week.

By Luke Guttridge

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