I just finished listening to the latest Engadget podcast, and the discussion on Origami, including why or why not Origami is even a viable device. Meaning no disrespect to the guys, here are the reasons I think Origami has at least the potential to be a big player in the portable computing market. Please note that this (like everything thus far) is also speculation, but provided Origami turns out to be what it looks like in the prototype videos, these are the reasons:

1. Origami has a big novelty factor. I agree with Engadget that this isn't the best device for the mobile professional, but I think if Microsoft does this right, the Origami device will appeal more to the iPod/ Sidekick and mobile entertainment crowd. Many people tell me they have a hard time with video on an iPod because it is too small.

2. Free VoIP calling courtesy of Microsoft. As wireless LANs proliferate across metro areas and further than that, FREE VoIP will also pick up steam as well (especially if it's free). FREE VoIP and wired college campuses is a match made in heaven.

3. Mobile gaming. Origami could evolve into Microsoft's answer to rival Sony's PSP in gaming. Some reports indicate that origami will not play games, or be powerful enough to hack it, so that would be a major bummer, but once again, all speculation.

4. DVD capability. Instead of having to buy the overpriced PSP versions of DVD's, I think Origami may offer a way to take media with you in a managed-copy scenario (as mentioned in Bill Gates' keynote at CES 2006) so everyone can take their DVD's content with them without having to buy PSP versions, effectively cutting down some (or a lot) of Sony's business.

continued in my next post...