Origami

Whether or not Microsoft intended for it to leak so quick, news of their "secret" project, Origami, has leaked quite rapidly. Check it out here: http://games-industry.biz/news.php?aid=14987 .

This is quite exciting for people following the mobile technology industry. Even though Microsoft doesn't expect this product to sell on the market, there is an incredible amount of ambition behind this. As of now, Microsoft refuses to call it anything but a concept. Such a wonderful concept it is.

Think about a super portable laptop. Now add a touch-sensitive screen, something made popular by Nintendo's Nintendo DS handheld game system and tablet PCs. You have a simplified computer where you can instant message friends, surf the internet, answer emails, and play simple computer games. If Origami turns out to be affordable for the masses, Microsoft might have a hit on their hands.

One of the biggest problems with today's mobile electronics is functionality. Navigating websites on my cellphone is a skill one acquires after months of practice. Learning how to text message people without a QWERTY keyboard is a chore as well. Let's not forget we're doing this all on a screen smaller than a folded dollar bill. If a product remotely similar comes to market that resembles the Origami project, it will have solved one of mobile technology's biggest roadblocks - usability.

Some of the things I would like to see implemented is to include a full-fledged internet browser, wireless support for PC games, a media player, and for it to extremely user-friendly. Having the ability to be upgraded would also be a nice touch. I don't expect to see a product like this reach the market for the next few years, but when it does it will certainly be my next toy.