Microsoft acknowledges PC-like portable 'Origami' device

Reuters - A new portable media device that allows users to listen to music, play video games, browse the Internet and jot handwritten notes is the initial vision of a product in development by Microsoft Corp. and its partners.

Microsoft yesterday acknowledged that an early version of its new handheld, PC-like device was featured in a video on the Web site for marketing firm Digital Kitchen LLC.

"While Origami is a concept we've been working on with partners, please know that the video seen on Digital Kitchen's Web site is a year old and represents our initial exploration into this form factor, including possible uses and scenarios," a Microsoft spokesman said.

While some media reports flagged the product as a possible rival to Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod digital music player or Sony Corp.'s PlayStation Portable game device, Origami seemed to incorporate more functions and appeared to be much larger than those gadgets.

The company declined to disclose details about the device, including when it might be available for sale, but said there would be announcements over the coming weeks.

The device appeared to be a tablet PC, a notebook-shaped computer that allows users to write with a digital pen to input text on handwriting-recognition software. It was about the size of a oversize postcard.

The video showed young people using the Origami device to sketch pictures, use a map with Global Positioning System technology, listen to digital music and play Halo, a popular Microsoft video game.

It was not immediately clear whether the product would be a Microsoft-branded device or if the software maker would simply provide software and services. Microsoft would not reveal the identity of its partners on the project.

Microsoft started to generate buzz about the device when the Web site www.origamiproject.com registered to the company touted an unknown product with cryptic messages like "Do you know me?" and "Do you know what I can do?"

The Web site promised to disclose more information on Thursday, but Microsoft said there will be no announcement this week about Origami.

Intentional or not, the mysterious marketing campaign fueled speculation and rumors usually reserved for Apple and its ultrasecretive new product announcements.

The disclosures about Microsoft's Origami comes as Apple promises to unveil "fun new products" at a media event later today.

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