Microsoft officially announced their UMPC efforts at CeBit tonight (US Pacific time). [Link to MSNBC]
UMPC–which stands for Ultra-Mobile PCs–is a new category of small, full-featured computers that are becoming increasingly feasible because of the continuous advances in low-power processors and ever more pervasive wireless connectivity–at a reasonable price. But it’s not just the hardware that matters here–although to me this is critical. What can make devices such as the UMPC
Anyway, here’s the official press release is here.
The press release, however, doesn’t even begin to address all the hyper-hype that’s swirled around the Origami project. There’s no time for a deep breath here. This is real time. This is the web. This is about conversation.
So…in an effort to keep pace, Microsoft has converted the OrigamiProject site into a community site focused around UMPCs here and Channel9 has a great video from one of the creators of Origami…uh the UMPC devices here.
However, few people have actually had a chance to see, touch and use a UMPC device. So good information on UMPCs is still sparse.
That’s why I was quite surprised to see Michael Gartenberg’s First Analysis of UMPCs. He’s actually been able to use a pre-production unit for “a bit.” Good read. A key takeaway phrase for me: “Origami as a concept may well change what devices people carry with them.” We’ll have to see if the actual shipping devices live up to this.