Microsoft Origami UMPC

The Ultra-Mobile PC (UMPC or Origami) is a full fledged PC running a modified Windows XP Tablet PC edition operating system. Making it capable of running any application made for Windows XP. The UMPC, previously known by its codename, Origami, is being jointly developed by Microsoft, Intel, Samsung, ASUS, Founder and others. Manufacturers will design these devices according to Microsoft’s base standards. Microsoft intentions are to make these devices “small, lightweight, carry-everywhere hardware designs” Measurements of the 800x 480 resolution (minimum) touch sensitive screen are reported to be 7 inches.

All UMPCs will be less than 2 pounds and under 2 inches thick. This means they will be significantly smaller than a regular tablet PC but certainly larger than a PDA. The UMPC will include touch-screen features such as a virtual keyboard called Dial Keys from its Windows Touch Pak Interface software. Touch Pak Interface will make the use of styli or fingers on the Ultra-Mobile PC convenient and modify installed applications to fit the small form factor of the UMPC.

The Ultra-Mobile PC operates on a 1GHz Pentium M, VIA C7-M, or Intel Celeron M processors. RAM and hard drive space will be 256MB and 30-60GB respectively. Origami devices will have an assortment of popular technologies supported, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, and USB 2.0 ports. The UMPC has a future that is bright as the device will soon support webcams, memory card readers, GPS, fingerprint recognition, and TV tuners with an upgrade to the Windows Vista operating system. The Ultra-Mobile PC is a whole new category of mobile computing.

For the last 10 years there has been an ever increasing choice of portable electronic devices to help make communication and collaboration an easier task. Cell phones now do more than just makes calls, small hand held devices called PDA’s enable you to stay connected with work while even on the road. Wireless connectivity is provided by 802.11g and Bluetooth, whilst fixed connectivity is in the form of 2 x USB 2.0 ports, LAN port, Compact Flash II slot and a VGA-out.

If you are familiar with using a PDA you will be used to using handwriting recognition technology and this is available in the UMPC. However, the touch pack interface allows for a new feature. Called the Dial key it is software especially written for the UMPC that allows you to use your thumbs on a touch screen keyboard that displays in the corner of this handheld device.