Report: Microsoft 'Origami Project' Portable Concept Shown

Images have emerged online depicting a concept for the 'Origami Project' Windows-compatible handheld system from Microsoft, which has variously been reported as challenging either Apple’s iPod, or the portable games market currently dominated by Nintendo and Sony. A since-removed promotional video on the website of film production company DigitalKitchen shows a portable computer whose functionality is likely to straddle both markets. Although it is unclear whether Microsoft approved of the video being shown on DigitalKitchen’s website, the company has confirmed to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer that it is working on the device with so far unidentified partners. But it indicated that the concept shown in the video is a year old, and reflects only an “initial exploration”. Rather than an explicit game-only device, the Origami Project concept seems similar to existing tablet PCs, with a large touch screen display noticeably bigger than either the iPod or PSP. Actors can be seen in the promotional video using the device to listen to music, access the Internet, edit digital photos, controlling media on a home PC and playing video games. The device is clearly shown running a version of Halo, implying that video games will play a significant role in the marketing campaign and features list. Previous to the appearance of the DigitalKitchen video, Bill Gates had discussed a mobile PC concept at a conference in Seattle last year, where a non-working device called the Ultra Mobile 2007 was shown. At the time, Gates indicated that the device should have an “all-day” battery life, weigh less than a pound and cost between $500 and $800. Microsoft has indicated it will unveil more details of the Origami Project “in the coming weeks”.