Microsoft launches Origami Experience 2.0

One of the highlights of last year's CES was the introduction of the Origami Experience software for UMPCs; it was exciting to be among the first to see what the Microsoft team put together. We're getting a sequel this year and after beta testing early versions for the past few months, I think folks will be happy with the update that the Origami Project team has put together. I suspect we'll get a look at the final version later today at the Tablet PC / UMPC meetup, but that's just a guess at this point. So what's new in OE the second?

• Origami Central is the main launch-point to provide quick access with the touch of a finger to apps and services. In my opinion, the UI is more fluid and intuitive.
• Origami Now is my favorite section because you can personalize to display information that's relevent to you: e-mail, RSS feeds, calendar events, etc... I almost think of this function as custom set of touch gadgets in a Windows Sidebar type of approach.
• Origami Picture Password secures your UMPC with fun puzzle.
• Touch settings, which we're all familiar with from OE the first.

More official details to follow; again, I'm hoping we'll get a hands-on of the final version later this afternoon. Meanwhile, if you have questions about the software, drop 'em in the comments. We'll answer them if we can and we'll hit up the Origami Project team later today for the rest!

Comments

[Richard L.]

Is is still going to be a Vista only software like version 1? A lot of UMPC are still offered with XP Tablet. Even your demo WiBrain is just with XP Pro. It might be very limiting to run only on Vista.

Also, does it adapt to various screen resolution and density.

[Rick Huizinga]

OK, I'm not sure I'm getting the entire Origami Experience. It seems it is designed to replace the Windows Shell with a more limited, fixed function interface. Isn't this what the Eee PC does?

Why pay a premium for a Windows UMPC running a limitiing Origami Experience UI, when the Eee PC is only $299-$499? I understand paying a premium to run Windows, but then why cripple it with the Origami Experience?

[Chris K]

It's not crippling, it's saving time for the bulk of the tasks that you might deal with on a UMPC. I wouldn't consider this any worse than the WinMo Today screen. It's meant to be helpful, and give you an at-a-glance format for the things that you really care about.

As with most things aimed at this purpose, it probably sucks for a large handful of users, who will happily throw it away. It's not like OE prevents you from running VPN software, or Office, or Trillian, or any of a million little Windows-only apps that you may need on a daily basis.

[Rick Huizinga]

Does it not replace the standard Windows shell? I.e. start menu, taskbar, explorer, etc.? How easy is it then to run other applications without the start menu?

[Bruno]

It does not replace the Windows shell, it complements it. The OS itself is not crippled all Origami Exerience does is that it provides you with an application that is touch optimized and that you can use for some of the most frequent tasks. It is a Windows application which you may or may not use, you still have full version of Windows undernath.