ORIGAMI Not Just Folding Papers

What comes to your mind when you hear the word origami? Do you think of the Japanese art of folding papers into various shapes? Yup, you're right, but just not entirely! In the world of IT, or information technology, origami refers to a device, bigger than a PDA but smaller than a laptop, that people can carry easily everywhere to function as a PC. And it is for real!

It was Microsoft that first brought up the idea in early 2006. Origami was Microsoft's codename for what the company now calls the Ultra-Mobile PC, or UMPC. But unlike the XBOX, Microsoft does not make the hardware. According to Microsoft's concept, Origami or UMPC is a small touch screen PC, weighing around two pounds, that runs on Windows XP Tablet PC Edition with a new software extension, the Microsoft Touch Pack. The Touch Pack was designed for easy interaction with a small PC. How small? That depends. UMPCs, for now, have a screen size of seven inches or less, diagonally, using a 800 x 480 pixel resolution. That places them between traditional PDA or Pocket PC with screen sizes of 3.5 to four inches, and small Tablet PC where screen size began with a diagonal 8.4 inches but where most have now moved up to 12.1 inches.

Although Origami comes in a small size, it doesn't mean the device has small processing and storage abilities. UMPC are specified to include a hard drive of at least 30GB. They may come with Intel Celeron M, Intel Pentium M or VIA C7-M processors, resulting in different battery lives. UMPC also have a USB 2.0 interface and a PC Card slot. They must have WiFi, Bluetooth is optional, as are internal mini-PCI slots and EVDO wireless radio. Battery life must be at least three hours, and will hopefully grow to six hours or more as manufactures gain experience with the platform. UMPC devices may be used as VoIP phones, so they may include single or array microphones, or you can use a Bluetooth headset.

On 2006, Samsung launched its first Origami: Samsung Q1. This device uses Intel Celeron M ULV Processor, and has 512 MB Memory and 40 GB HDD. It also has 3.5 hours of battery life, the same as a standard mobile PC. For those who like to play games, this device comes with a 3 button control and an 8 way joystick. Connecting to the Internet won't be any problem, as it has a 10/100 Ethernet card, 802.1 lb/g wireless LAN and Bluetooth 2.0 (EDR). What's more, it only weighs 779 grams!

Ever since the first launch, many other companies have launched their UMPC, such as Asus with its R2H, Ago with ago7, Sony with its UX Viao, ECS with its H70, and Amooba with its Amooba Origami. Some of these are already in town! If you happen to be loaded, be sure to get one. Just be ready to spend more than $900 !