Microsoft's Origami

[theONE]

Game Informer has learned from a reliable source about some possible exciting new features concerning Microsoft's rumored Origami portable tech device... including the fact that all of the video and screens we've seen of the unit are real (though not final). But there’s one very important detail that no one has touched on yet – Xbox 360 compatibility. So don't wait until March 9 for http://www.origamiproject.com to reveal the system like all those other chumps. Catch all of the juicy information right here, right now.

[Since we broke this story yesterday, OrigamiProject.com has updated their site with even more vagaries than before. The latest flash animation reads:

"hi there

wondering where to find me?"

Then proceeds to display images of a city, forest, mountain, subway, and car. Next, it reads:

"i'm everywhere you are

but never in the way

who am i?

find out 3.9.06..."

So it looks like we've got another week of waiting in store...]

In our previous coverage of Origami, we talked about the system's possible internet, media, and gaming functionality. This has all been verified. In fact, Microsoft supposedly has very high hopes for the system, even going as far as calling on the portable tablet to “replace the laptop.” It is said to be compatible with Windows Vista, but we don’t yet know if Origami will actually use it as an operating system or just use its own.

One of the biggest eye catching moments seen in the Origami video was a running version of what appeared to be Halo. We’ve learned that this isn’t just the PC or Xbox disc slid into the back. Origami will apparently run its very own proprietary gaming software, and a Halo port will most likely be one of the first titles released. But the prototypes we’ve all seen so far seem to have too few buttons to handle a game like this. Microsoft might be considering peripherals for the system like the USB keyboard seen in the video and even a snap on gaming controller shell.

Perhaps the most interesting gaming feature, however, is Origami’s ability to connect to Xbox 360s. Once connected to a 360, presumably through the USB ports, Origami is expected to function as a second screen for compatible games. One example we heard specifically focused on a game in the Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter vein. While you’re TV is displaying the main game, the Origami could show the first person view of another player to help with tactical planning. Or the Origami screen could display an overhead view of the battlefield from a flying probe. Sports games could use it for play calling in football games or the 24 second shot clock in basketball games. And remember, we’re talking about a touch screen here, so Origami could function as a controller as well as a dedicated screen. These are just a few of the many possibilities unlocked by such a setup. Let’s just hope if this all comes to fruition that Origami’s connectivity doesn’t crap out like Game Boy Advance’s.

Some areas that are still foggy are price range, internal specs, and release date. It will most likely cost at least as much as an Xbox 360, but probably significantly more. Consumers interested the 360 compatibility and exclusive games will have to choose between buying the Origami or purchasing another next gen system like PlayStation 3 or Revolution. That could be a very tough sell for Microsoft as they look to nab a piece of the portable pie. Plus, if they’re try to get developers on board with the second screen feature, Microsoft will have to do a lot of convincing to assure gaming companies that enough gamers will have an Origami to make it worth the extra work. Who knows though, they may just decide to take a huge hit on the price like Sony will have to do for the PlayStation 3.

But these pricing concerns are probably why they’re trying to sell it as an everything machine. If Microsoft markets Origami as something that can replace a PC or laptop, then enough people might buy it for that reason with the gaming features as an added perk.

Thursday’s OrigamiProject.com reveal will most likely give us some more technical information about the system, show professional photos of a “closer to finished” unit than the prototypes we’ve seen so far, and hopefully confirm some of the things we’ve reported. It’s unknown whether they will reveal the 360 gaming functionality or talk much about Origami’s proprietary games. But I guess we’ll all know for sure until March 9.

http://gameinformer.com/News/Story/2...1632.46519.htm

Doesn't look so hot. But, if it runs an XP backend (rather than CE), then I may consider the thought of pondering the idea of purchasing this item.

[Game_Hydra]

This device has no place in game informer... it is a pc... or portable tablet pc

[ShadowMarth]

Yeah, but by showing a guy with a screenshot of halo on it they garnered free publicity when actually no one should give a ****.

It wouldn't be able to run Halo anyway... well, maybe 2D Halo.

XD

[Yoshi]

Things too huge anyway...looks like a gamepark.

[P4NC4K3Z]

game...park? I would buy it if it turns out to be a good portable computer...cause this laptop ain't portable .__.

Betcha it won't and microsoft will lose alot of money...>_>

Flame shield...ON

[theONE]

microsoft cant lose money... when u have a leader that craps out money, you cant lose

They can lose money on a failure of a product. They just have (more than) enough money to simply bounce back and go back to the drawing board.

[ShadowMarth]

Yeah, like they did with the Xbox... Not precicely a failure, but it lost loads of money. They claim to have been using it simply as an entry point to the market... if it weren't for Halo it'd have been an exit point as well. And I still don't get it... it's a fine game, but there's much better on PC.