Bill Gates is expected to demonstrate an Origami device at the CeBIT information and telecommunications trade show in Germany on Thursday.
Intel revealed Tuesday it’s part of Microsoft’s much-hyped Origami project, with the semiconductor maker supplying low-power chips for “ultra mobile” PCs while the software maker is developing software to run the device.
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates is expected to demonstrate an Origami device at the CeBIT information and telecommunications trade show in Germany on Thursday.
Intel said the mobile PCs, which are as small as portable DVD players, are a hybrid between laptops and smart phones. Microsoft has been generating buzz for the devices through a teaser web site and tactical leaks as part its Origami project, which aims to bring handheld Internet devices to the masses (see Microsoft’s Stealth Origami).
The devices are expected to run on Windows XP and be capable of playing movies, music, and video, and offering GPS (global positioning system) navigation features. There will be versions with smaller screens and fan-out keyboards. There also will be devices that will use a projected keyboard image that users will be able to type on. The first devices will offer a 7-inch touch screen.