I tried hard not to write about the latest rumor craze in the blogosphere, I really did. But I failed.
I failed because it’s starting to dawn on me that, notwithstanding the dazed and confused manner in which Office Live was ramped up and released, Microsoft may actually have a marketing plan. Well, at least Scoble and the boys better hope they do. Because Microsoft is talking the talk about Origami. And after all this, if it turns out to be much ado about nothing, Microsoft might be about to set off one gigantic bozo implosion.
Everywhere you look today, someone is writing about what Origami is or is not. Scoble, who presumably knows, hints that it’s something Tablet PC-like.
The Buzz
The official Origami web page, in a goofy 2001: A Space Odyssey way, implies some sort of portable, hub-like, device.
John Markoff of The New York Times says there’s a video out there indicating that Origami is a hand-held, wireless touch-screen computer.
Some folks have suggested that it might be a media player aimed at the iPod market. Personally, I would love it, as long as it wasn’t hostage to DRM and other RIAA foolishness.
My Wish List
What I would really love to see is a device smaller than a Tablet PC and larger than a smart phone or iPod, that would allow you to play music files, access the net, take pictures, take notes (assuming they can actually get handwriting technology to work like it’s supposed to), synchronize all of that data with your desktop, and serve as a wireless modem for your laptop. Roll that out with some sort of national wireless broadband service and you’d get instant traction.
But There’s Risk
So here’s the thing Microsoft, you’ve built the buzz. You’ve got people interested.
You’re talking the talk.
Just make sure that when you finally pull up the curtain that whatever’s behind it can walk the walk.
Otherwise cover your ears, because the explosion, both bozo and blogo, will be loud.
Newsome.Org 