Gizmodo: origami experience

Origami Experience 2.0 Ready For Download For UMPC Owners (Vista Only)

Elaine Chow — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 17:30:00 EDT

Microsoft has released its second version of the Origami Experience, making it available as a free download for Ultra-Mobile PC users with Windows Vista. The OE 2.0 software includes Picture Password, Weather, RSS functionality, an e-mail client, calender and other web features – basically what you get with Vista, but more touch screen friendly. OE 1.0 was barely used, partially because UMPCs had yet to really catch on in January 2007, but also because it made them slow down to a crawl. Hopefully, they've rectified that problem this time around. [JKontherun]

Origami Experience Requires a UMPC on Steroids

Louis Ramirez — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 14:46:05 EST

We were hoping that Microsoft's Origami Experience would add a dash of color to our otherwise drab UMPCs, but from the looks of this video, that doesn't seem to be the case. In fact, it looks like Origami does the opposite—slowing your UMPC down to a crawl. Granted, the interface is easy on the eyes, but the lag times are horrible (at least they are on this 1st Gen UMPC) and nothing seems to work the way it should. Check out the video for yourself. – Louis Ramirez

First Look: Vista Origami Experience Pack [TechEBlog]

Microsoft Brings Origami to UMPCs Running Vista

Louis Ramirez — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 14:12:14 EST

It's official—any of you out there running Vista on your UMPC (::crickets::) can now download the Origami Experience Pack direct from Microsoft. The pack is made up of three programs designed to make your UMPC easier to use. We've already shown you some of the screenshots in action and we have to admit, it does add a friendlier face to your UMPC experience. But you gotta upgrade to Vista first. – Louis Ramirez

Product Page [Microsoft]

Vista UMPC Screenshots: Can a New OS Save Origami?

Louis Ramirez — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 12:46:34 EST

Aside from a few models, there haven't been many UMPCs that have impressed us. The combination of high price and bulky looks have kept these "miniature" PCs from gaining any ground. But with Vista on the horizon, Microsoft has new plans for its UMPCs—plans it's calling the Origami Experience. The Origami Experience is essentially...

a software upgrade that gives your UMPC a fresh, Vista-like look. It's a brand new interface that addresses a few problems on current UMPCs where drilling down to your media isn't as fast as it should be. For starters, the Origami Experience brings a new Home screen to your UMPC. Instead of seeing the image below, you'll be greeted with the image at the top of the post. The cosmetic changes are small, but enough to make the home screen more appealing and easier to navigate.

Likewise, the Music and Video sections will also sport a new Windows Media Player 11 look as you can see from both images below (the first image is the old interface followed by the new Origami Experience UI).

Overall, the upgrade looks very promising and appears to fix some of the awkwardness found on early UMPCs. It's not clear whether any UMPC will be able to download the upgrade, but we'll report back on that as soon as we find out. Now all that needs to be addressed are the hardware and price of these UMPCs. – Louis Ramirez

Ultra Mobile PCs to Get Vista Facelift [Ars Technica]