Code named Origami, details have been kept under tight wraps by Microsoft but the company made headlines today as it unveiled details at the CeBIT trade show, which is running in Hannover, Germany this week.
Gossip about the Origami has been rife for weeks. Microsoft set up a teaser website and there has been a lot of online buzz about the new devices on news sites and blogs.
Additionally, a few sneak previews have emerged throughout the week before today’s official launch.
The devices, which look like a cross between a handheld computer games console and a PDA will use Intel chips and run a version of the Windows XP operating system for tablet PC.
They will have a touch screen of about seven inches across. Devices will also have a 30-60GB hard drive for storage, with Intel Celeron M, Intel Pentium M or VIA C7-M processors.
Users can input content either using a traditional keyboard, linked either by USB port or wireless Bluetooth connectivity.
It will also include software for playing digital music, but aren’t designed to take on Apple’s iPod music players. However, those who have seen the device said battery life is less than Microsoft hoped for at around two and a half hours.
Microsoft said the devices will come from three manufacturers: Samsung, Asus and Chinese manufacturer Founder.
When they come to market later this year, the devices won’t be called Origami. Microsoft said they will instead refer to the category of the device and be known as “Ultra Mobile PCs,” or “UMPCs.
The company said pricing will be up to the manufacturers but expects them to be around €1,000.
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