Quote: "Why use some new custom size when a potentially good one already exists?"

Do you mean good=cheap?
A 5" screen could save a huge amount of power but i'm guessing you couldn't get the case size small enough for a 5" screen to look good?

Regards
Steve Paine.

I know this question is either a.) answered somewhere else (i'm still looking while i play with IE 7!) or b.) asked to you and you've already answered it, but i will ask anyway.

You mentioned that in your envisioning of Haiku, you considered using Flash Memory.

Does the Origami standard support Flash Memory as an add-in for enhanced storage (or memory, via the concepts of EMD from Vista) where we could in fact potentially use a uMPC to play a game with relatively high requirements?

I've seen a lot of statements so far (like the Samsung Q1) that state it has 512Mb Ram, a 30GB HD, but nothing about any sort of CD-ROM support, or Video Memory, which leads me to wonder if this will be something you could, in a potential example, install the Sims 2, or Half-Life 2, or any other Game that has a high graphics requirement, and be able to play it?

-Steve

you can share the drives over network from your desktop pc - or do some other stuff to get games running with cds in the drive...but sims 2 and hl2 surely wont run on the current umpcs -

I have to say that I like the whole concept and I really think this will take off.  My only thought is about CD's/DVD's.  I haven't seen any device that has a slot for a dvd or cd.  I don't want to have to carry another device to watch a dvd or install software to this device.  I'm asuming that you can install software to this device, can you?  I like the design and agree with it but can't you add a slit in the side for a cd/dvd?  Maybe that is asking to much.

Any idea on when microsoft would add more partners to the UMPC family? For instance VIA is not mentioned, neither the Tablet KIosk or the SmartCaddie!

I realize you have many different targets for this product, but I think the most natural and potentially "killer app" for this device is in-car nav/entertainment systems.

Currently, there are only two choices - The high-priced mfr built-in systems that are totally closed, proprietary and not expandable or the DIY kits using PDAs or portable devices from Garmin, Trimble, TomTom, etc.

Being able to have my own, removeable and upgradeable nav system that can run any windows app and have networking options seems like Nirvana.

With built-ins costing $2000, and high-end Garmin etc. all. running $600 to $1000, even the anticipated initial price of Origami is palatable.

The problem is cables!  The advantage of the built-in nav system is that you don't have umpteem cables dangling everywhere.  With add-ins, you have to have power cables in cig liters (fighting for space with your cellphone charger), wires to the "car kit" that provides speaker audio, and wires to GPS antenna (ok - that is solved using Bluetooth).

Then there's the lack of integration with the in-car stereo/audio.

I would have liked to have seen Origami set rigid standards for mechanical connections and physical layout.  If all Origami devices had the same plugs in the same place, then 3rd party accessory companies could build nice "car kits" and even some car manufacturers might eventually build in the necessary interfaces.

I know microsoft tried the "Car PC" many years ago, but this time I think the technology is ready and the app is there -- turn-by-turn directions by GPS.

Now if XM or Sirrius would make a BT radio receiver......

I have a portable DVD player and personally think the screen is a good size.

Every one keeps talking about making this screen smaller or more "pocketable"  and I don't totally agree.

I'm going to use the current Ipod video as an example here because I think it is too small to watch anything on. There are poeple who will sit around and watch these things and I can't stand looking at the screens for too long.

however I can manage to watch things on a bigger screen and enjoy it.  the risk of making the screen smaller is that it will make using the device harder.

As for wires and such.  i think there is a need to have other connection options possible besides just wireless because sometimes its nice just to plug in a network cable.

Otto Berkes gives us a few more details about UMPC concept development in yet another installment of...

Why is a VGA interface not part of the Origami specs? Use with a large monitor (desktop scenario) or with a projector (business presentation) require VGA out, as does mobile use with an Head Mounted Display - so far, only the Samsung has a VGA port. This severely restrics the market for most Origami devices.

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Otto Berkes gives us a few more details about UMPC concept development in yet another installment of