Microsoft’s Ultra Mobile PC Site
GottaBeMobile is pointing to Microsoft’s new UMPC site. Not much new information, but it confirms a lot. The Asus and Samsung models are there in 3D rotating animations.
Channel 9 Origami/UMPC Video is UP!
It’s not on Channel9.msdn.com, yet, but it is on MSDN. Thanks, Robert, for putting it up early for those of us who don’t want to stay up till 3am!!!
I just watched it. Great stuff. OrigamiPortal has a step by step analysis.
(video is on channel9, now) Though this is just one model and the actual functionality on each model will differ, here are my take-aways:
- The scaling functionality is cool. The display can be set to emulate large resolutions in case you are using an app whose minimum size is greater than 800×480.
- DirectX 7 / DirectX 8 level graphics.
- VGA out on this model, right on the device.
- Hard Drive size will vary with manufacturer. Some will be 1.8″, some 2.5.
- Ethernet Jack, Wifi, Bluetooth built in to this one. 2 usb ports as well.
- Hold button to prevent accidental button or screen tapping.
- Memory may or may not be user upgradable.
- Batteries will be easy to swap on the go.
- Built in picture-frame-style stand.
- 2 Mics for better quality VOIP.
- CF slot.
- Wait for official product announcements for pricing. (he said $599 to $999, probably)
No mention AT ALL of EVDO in the video. It’s clear that the EVDO path for these guys is going to be ‘connect to your phone’. Yuck.
Kids Programming Language
KPL is a programming language built by Jon Schwartz and others. KPL is featured in this 45 minute Channel 9 video.
I learned a lot about the language and the programming environment from the video. Here is some of that information. Sorry if I got anything wrong. I didn’t take notes.
KPL Version 1 (currently available)
- Based on .Net.
- The IDE is based on Visual Studio. Lots of Visual Studio functionaliy is available, simplified, including code block collapsing and auto-complete.
- Sprites, motion and input are easy.
- Syntax similar to basic.
- Lots of docs and examples.
- Thriving community of example submitters.
- Needs more girl-oriented content.
KPL Version 2 (coming soon, although most of it was shown in the video)
- Debugging in the IDE (breakpoints, watchpoints, list of all variables in scope and their values).
- Objects and user defined objects.
- Distributable EXEs.
- The KPL libraries will be available to C#, etc and you’ll be able to automatically convert your KPL code to other .Net languages with one click.
- DirectX wrappers – build 3D apps (a 40 line program was demoed with a spaceship flying around in a textured box. Watch the video – words don’t do it justice.) Terrain/character collision is taken care of for you.
- Build your own modules in any .NET language with an SDK, expose that functionality to KPL.
- Control an aimable camera over USB.
No EVDO for Origami?
I haven’t seen any reliable information indicating an EVDO upgrade path for Origami devices. I’m concerned.
Origami Report: Wednesday Morning, March 8th 2006
I made a summary page for all of my Origami Reports last night. (In the comments, Scoble mentions that the Channel 9 video MIGHT be available at earlier than 3am.)
MacWorld, GottaBeMobile, and CIO.com are reporting on a Samsung Origami device. Launch date and price are unknown, but “Samsung’s product, called the Q1, runs on a 900MHz Intel Corp. Celeron microprocessor and has 500MB of RAM. The Q1 which was on show at Samsung’s Cebit booth a day ahead of the show here in Hanover. It boasts both WLAN (wireless local area network), 802.11 A/G and Bluetooth connections, and uses touch-screen controls. It runs an instant-on multimedia player so users don’t have to launch the full XP operating system to watch a video.”
New videos are up at UMPC.com (via UltraMobilize)! These videos apparently complement the DigitalKitchen video very well, going more in depth into various functions. Gizmodo is buzzing about them, too.
Great CNet Video looking at a UMPC device that will launch this year. Justin shows all the ports and slots on the device as well as a look at the pre-loaded StreetDeck Media Player software. Very cool stuff. This model’s touchscreen doesn’t need a stylus.
Gizmodo is reporting on a rumor that Origami has a portable friendly launcher. The rumor would explain the non-XP-looking interface we see some times in ‘leaked’ images. What relation that has to the instant-on multimedia player that doesn’t boot to XP that Samsung mentioned is yet to be seen.
Engadget now has a hands on with the Samsung Q1!
Origami Report: Tuesday Late Night, March 7th 2006
Origami Report: Tuesday Night, March 7th 2006
Origami Report: Tuesday Afternoon, March 7th 2006
Origami Report: Tuesday Morning, March 7th 2005
Origami Report: Monday Late Night, March 6th 2006
Origami Report: Monday Evening, March 6th 2006
Origami Report: Monday Morning, March 6th 2006
Origami Report: Sunday, March 5th 2006
Origami Report: Saturday, March 4th 2006
Origami Report: Friday, March 3rd 2006
Confirmed: Origami will run Firefox!!!
Origami Project from Microsoft: Week 2
John Tokash 