This morning’s report is super short – We’re in the home stretch now.

Intel put up a bunch of vague talk about UMPC features, and some device images. Engadget is carrying that story. Many questions still need answering.

Here’s a look at CNBC’s coverage of UMPC (WhatIsNew blog) at the Intel conference today. Very cool. Sounds like there’s two classes of devices. Devices that will be available very, very soon and devices that will not be available this year.

The new UMPC video is GREAT!

Engadget’s report on CNet’s hands on.  Models shipping in a few weeks?  WOOOOO!

For more Origami Reports click here.

More Pics

• Rob Bushway is pointing to a new set of photos (and these look very real) that UberTablet published.

Form Factor:

• Allen on PalmAddict is right. Form Factor is important. He doesn’t like the shape of the Origami designs that have been roaming around the net and he doesn’t like the Nokia 770’s shape.
• On the other hand, I’ve been using pdas since the days of the Pilot 1000. I’ve owned a Pilot 1000, a Palm III, a Palm V, a Palm Tungsten C and now I own a Palm TX. The TX is a wonderful device and it’s been in my pocket since I bought it, but the web browers available are crap. No offense to the authors, but it is no longer OK for me to have to look up mobile-ready versions of the sites I visit.
• Since the primary functions for my PDA are all web based applications, I am definitely willing to move to a wider form factor for my ‘PDA’ where a modern browser will feel at home. And since I no longer want to be tied to browsers that do not have modern functionality, I’m happy to see that Origami will be running XP which means I can use FIREFOX.
• So, while I agree that form factor is important, I also think bigger is better, to an extent.
• As for the form factor making my pocket the wrong place to carry the device, I’m really going to have to figure that out. Maybe they’ll come out with a line of windbreakers, fleeces and tshirts with Origami pockets in the belly.

UMPC.com

• Let’s get the party started in the forums over there. The account creation link is here.

Apps – Since this thing will be running XP, I’ve got a pretty good idea of what I’ll be installing. Some of these are the apps I install on every PC and some are apps that I’ve never really tried because I’ve never owned a Tablet PC. I know, I’m in for a treat.

• Firefox (of course). I wonder if there is a small resolution skin out there.
• Outlook, Office
• OneNote 2007 (if I can get it), which means:
• – Napkin Math – Reminds me of the cool stuff you can do with the Fly pen from LeapFrog.

• – Drawings mingled with text
• – Linked Notes
• – All images are OCR’d – all of a sudden I really want the Origami to include a camera!!!
• BallDroppings – If you don’t know what this is, go there NOW! Bruce Sterling loves it and so will you.
• Graphite – Uses Tablet PC Ink to create flowcharts, etc.
• AraxisMerge – Don’t leave home without it.
• SR32 – Don’t leave home without that, either.
• FileZilla
• Gaim
• mIRC
• Ink Art / Art Rage – I saw the first version in action and I can’t wait to see what’s new! Maybe I should watch the movie I just linked to….

tech.memeorandum

• tech.memeorandum’s coverage today. Here and here.

More wishlists

• Michael Parekh has a list up. I’m guessing he’ll be very happy. And if the thing has an EV-DO option, we’ll both be walking on air.
• Nathan Weinberg suggests that the Origami form factor matches nicely with the new Office 2007 UI. Hmmmmm….
• Hugo Ortega has his own wishlist. (contacts, video, onenote, msn with ink, synchronization, connectivity)

Tomorrow, the door officially opens over at umpc.com.

As always, you can find the rest of my thoughts about Origami here.

Scoble made several statements about Origami today in the comments of his “Origami is not a Treo/iPod/PSP Killer post” including “tedge: it’s one of two devices he showed off at WinHec. The video will talk about this.”

SirShannon found a couple of substantive pages hidden behind the root of the umpc.com teaser site. Some content (quoted here in case the pages are removed):

QUESTION: What is a UMPC?

ANSWER: An Ultra Mobile PC is a small device that you can carry and use to access your favorite online games, videos, music, TV shows and more on the go, with the quality you’re accustomed to to when you’re in front of your PC.

The UMPC also connects you to people via email, VoIP, Instant Messaging and texting, and since it can identify its environment, the UMPC can bring you information according to your location, like the best local restaurants.

Additionally, the UMPC also offers a long battery life, so you can access your information for long periods of time while on the road.

QUESTION: Is the UMPC going to replace the laptop or PDA?

ANSWER: No. The UMPC is a mobile device designed to access online media and content on the go. It is not designed to process lots of work or write a college thesis. You have your laptop or desktop for these tasks. Instead, the UMPC is a great PC companion.

The UMPC is powerful enough to provide a great gaming, music or video experience. People will have to decide whether they want to replace their dedicated electronic device with the UMPC.

QUESTION: What is the relationship between http://www.umpc.com and Intel?

ANSWER: Intel understands very well the needs around mobility and the enthusiasm the UMPC category creates among people. Therefore, it decided to sponsor a UMPC Community website where enthusiasts could share their thoughts, ideas and comments around this exciting category and the opportunities it creates for users, developers, and customers.

———————–

A thing of the future…now!

YOU CAN get information on the hottest sales and promotions at the Mall while you drive by.

YOU CAN compare prices online while you are visiting a store and make the right decision.

YOU CAN get GPS information while driving or walking.

YOU CAN do email, or monitor work while standing in line at the DMV or at any other place you usually got bored at waiting and wasting your time.

YOU CAN surf the internet for the latest news while cooking in the kitchen.

YOU CAN download your music, videos, TV shows, photos and email, chat, IM friends…all from a small, thin device that fits in your purse! [No purse for me, please. Thank you.]

Previous entries in this series.

OrigamiPortal is back online with commentary on the new render that’s floating around.  I guess it could be a heavily skinned XP…

Scoble’s seen it.  He’ll have a Channel9 video of it on Thursday and he plans to buy one.  He says:

It’s not an iPod killer.

It’s not a portable Xbox.

It’s not an OQO killer.

It’s not a PSP killer.

Update: it’s not a Nokia N90 killer either (thanks to Marc Canter for asking about that).

I’m already heavily committed to buying this thing at launch (I’m in the process of selling my XBox 360 and accessories to fund the purchase) and I’m starving for more info.  I’ve always wanted something affordable with this form factor.

Previous entries in this series.

Has OrigamiPortal.com been shut down? Looks like it. CompuGuy1088 says a new, leaked, rendering was published on OrigamiPortal today:

Scoble says he’ll see the Origami on Monday. I wonder what, if anything, he’ll be allowed to post on the visit. Hopefully everything!

Meanwhile, there is a great conversation over at GottaBeMobile. Dennis is asking the big question: What does the Origami you will buy NEED to have?

Steve Payne has a great graph of when applications become possible as Power and Size increase. On the X axis, he has screen size (Phone, PDA, CarryPad, Mini-Notebook). On the Y axis, he has processing power.

Techno-Squirrels is guessing that Origami will be $600, 20GB HD, 7″ screen, 800×480, Bluetooth, Wifi, 512MB RAM.

Finally, I’ve been thinking about the list I published yesterday and I’d like to make some changes:

• Upgradable to at least 512 of RAM (I can live without 1GB. Vista needs at least 1GB, though, so this would be a sacrifice.)
• At least 20 GB Hard Drive. 10-15 GB would be ok if it’s all flash. Flash would really help out the battery situation. (My minimum used to be 30GB.)
• PCMCIA slot or EVDO built in.
• Touch screen that ignores fingers. Only works with Tablet PC stylus. (I used to think I wanted a screen that worked with fingers, but Paul Watson is absolutely right: “I should be able to rest my hand on it and write, writing on a pda wears your hand and wrist out.” (from comments here)
• Wifi, Bluetooth
• I don’t need SVGA out on board or in a dock.
• I don’t need an Ethernet port.
• At least one USB port
• $900 or less
• I don’t need Gyro sensors, but I think the ROI on adding sensors with the sensitivity of WarioWare Twisted! to every portable computer would be awesome for all kinds of apps.
• Basic 3d graphics
• Basic protective case
• At least 800 pixels in longest edge of the screen
• Landscape screen
• Available in March or April
• Hot-swappable battery packs (Suggested by Dr Murdoch in these comments).