Origa-me-too

Origami buzz has been with us for the entire week, as thousands of geeks wait for the confirmation of their expectations on Thursday, March the 2nd. There have been several leaks during last couple of days, notably Engadget reported the story with pictures. So it really looks like we will get something like a Tablet PC, may be a little smaller. It will be interesting to see if this is really the reincarnation of a concept device announced by National Semiconductor back in 2001, to promote their x86 "Geode" platform, presently owned by AMD. By the way NSM's device was named "Origami™ Mobile Communicator"... a coincidence?
In the meantime, assuming Origami really is a new toy from Redmond, let's ask Microsoft guys a couple of questions.

1. Is it based on Windows XP? So is it going to boot for 45 seconds, run for two hours on batteries and require constant security updates? Do we really need that massive scale operating system just to browse the web, take care of our emails, play some music and slideshows?

2. Or is it based on the Windows Mobile platform with its consistent lack of first-class applications, like a decent web browser (no... they will not bundle Opera, leaving you with Pocket IE that even does not handle web pages from Yahoo and Google), or an email application that can handle html messages (is it too much I'm asking for...?).

3. Are we going to get a decent touch screen that can be operated with just a finger (Synaptics "under LCD" touch sensors inside)?

4. Will my custom made Fontopia earbuds with mic work with that (or will I have to carry another special headset, just for the Origami)?

5. Is it going to be charged by a mini-USB socket (or will I have to carry another power brick)?

As I said before... Smart design is a key to market success. The devil is in the details. That is why Apple iPod grabbed the MP3 market. The list above is just a couple of hints. What does the market need? First of all something that is easy to operate. Windows is still too complicated (in any form). A web browser, like Opera (with AJAX support, fast rendering and RSS feeds) would do. Plus the ability to run standard chats and VoIP calls (like Google talk). The catch is the thing should be able to run at least all day on a charge. And an easy to operate and synchronize media player (and I do mean easy, not the one like the Windows Media Player 10). Good Bluetooth support (would love to have A2DP profile in it), WiFi and we are done! Easy? Seems so... Will they do it? Not likely, I'm afraid... My bet on who will get there first? May be Apple with the reincarnation of the Newton platform or Nokia with the new release of their web tablet (already confirmed to support Google Talk)...

Ps. Want to see more of the Origami? Then open the http://www.d-kitchen.com/main.swf with your browser and navigate to Work... Brandtheatre... Microsoft Origami. No need to wait until Thursday :P