Origami Video

Whoa... this thing is a lot bigger than I thought it was from yesterdays pictures. Watch a promotional video for Microsoft's Origami Project here. It is a small tablet PC with WiFi/bluetooth/3G(?) connectivity that will, among other things, be able to remote content from a Media Center PC. It looks like a full-blown XP machine to me as opposed to Win CE, although t is hard to tell from the video. Rumor is that it will run about $500.

Microsoft's Origami project - Engadget

Microsoft's Origami project - Engadget

Engadget's got some pictures and speculation on Microsoft's soon-to-be unveiled "Origami Project" (www.origamiproject.com).




Potentially an OQO type of ultraportable device? Probably and instant-on Windows Mobile device with WiFi and portable media capability. It is obviously no coincidence that this "technology" announcement is coming a couple of days after Apple's. They must think that what they've got up their sleeve trumps Apple's rumored touch-screen 6G iPod Video.

As I've mentioned before, I think a "WiFipod" is extremely compelling (although I'm biased and would certainly prefer a PlaysForSure device that works with all the subscription music services). Shameless Plug: Check out AOL Music Now! Should be an interesting week....

Digital music fans: Should you rent or buy?

I'm not still not a fan of the term "rent" (you don't "rent" cable TV - or milk for that matter), but I agree there are people that should buy tracks and others that will benefit more for a subscription service. Below is a quiz from The Mercury News that will help identify which approach may be better from you.

KRT Wire | 02/24/2006 | Digital music fans: Should you rent or buy?: "SHOULD YOU BUY OR RENT YOUR MUSIC?

1. The collection of CDs I listen to regularly has:

A) fewer than 100 discs.

B) more than 100 discs.

2. I often want music that I don't have on CD.

A) True.

B) False.

3. The music I listen to is:

A) usually easy to find in stores.

B) not easy to find.

4. My musical tastes:

A) vary from month to month.

B) don't often change.

5. When I buy a song I like, I:

A) don't listen to it any more than the rest of the music I've purchased.

B) listen to it over and over again.

6. I listen to the radio a lot.

A) True.

B) False.

7. I learn about new music:

A) by hearing it in random places and tracking it down.

B) from friends' or trusted sites' recommendations.

---

YOUR SCORE

Add up the number of A's and B's from the seven questions.

More A's: You may want to consider renting; it gives you the opportunity to explore a huge catalog of music without committing to any one song or artist for too long.

More B's : You probably want to consider buying; either your tastes are too esoteric or you're the type to purchase a few songs and enjoy the heck out of them"

iPod is this Generation's BetaMax

Does anyone else see the parallel? Closed ecosystems eventually fail.... VHS vs. Beta. Apple vs. Windows. MiniDisk. The list goes on and on. One day I'll come back to this thought and rant on it more, but in the meantime I just wanted to throw that out there...

Rumor: Apple to Buy Palm? - Gizmodo

Rumor: Apple to Buy Palm? - Gizmodo: "Rumors are running rampant lately and today we hear that Apple may be evaluating a Palm purchase."

Whoa, now that would be interesting.... iTreo anyone? It would make sense given the rumors about Apple wanting to be a MVNO (Mobilve Virtual Netowrk Operator). Definitely something to watch...

Away Message

Set your away message to promote AOL Music Now...

I'm not here right now, but check out AOL Music Now while you wait!

I've got some ideas on how to personalize this, but since I'm not a programmer I'm going to have to hit someone up that acutally knows what they are doing. :-)