Microsoft’s Origami – Hot new GPS?

I became aware of Microsoft’s Origami project recently, and today saw an Ogle Earth post, reporting rumors that Origami units are likely to have GPS capability. The rumor-mongering site cited, has an excellent article that discusses Origami and compares it to OQO’s and the Nokia Internet tablet.

So what is this Origami thing and why should you care? Basically, it’s a miniaturized PC. Think of a hybrid between a Tablet PC and Pocket PC. My wife calls these things "tricorders" and is lusting after the holy grail, defined by her as a compact, touch screen, full XP unit with integrated GPS, cell phone and digital camera. Well, she may have all but the last two with this unit.

The interesting thing for the GPS market, IMHO, is the possible competition Origami could give the Garmin nuvi. Sure, the Origami is bigger, but it is a full-blown, Internet capable PC. And it may end up costing less than the nuvi. Garmin’s had quite a run with the nuvi; it’s been sitting in the number one spot, in terms of GPS units sold at Amazon, quite frequently as of late.

Of course, the Origami will still suffer many of the drawbacks of PDA-based GPS receivers. But then this isn’t a backcountry tool, and neither is the nuvi.