Microsoft wants feedback on Origami for e-book reading

Bob Russell · 03-03-2006, 07:57 AM

Seems that Microsoft is interested in Origami as an e-book platform. Paul Hoover wrote the following comment on Mar 3..."I work on the Microsoft team responsible for Origami as a product designer. Do you have any feedback on the device shown from an e-book perspective?"

TeleRead has the comment which was also referred to from here.

How about it... anyone here have any ideas for him on what would make an Origami device a good or bad e-book reader?

BTW, if I followed my Google links properly, it seems that Paul is also a writer, so his interest in the subject is probably quite genuine and deep, not "just" another work project.

Related Stories:
Microsoft lets Origami secret slip
Microsoft's "Origami Project" is...

Jaapjan · 03-03-2006, 08:38 AM

Very well. Reaction posted.

jah · 03-03-2006, 09:11 AM

Having used the Clie Th55, Plam LifeDrive, Nokia 9500 and HTC Universal as eBook readers I would say the key features you need are long battery life and high resolution screen. I would also say the eBook reader has to be bug free, which is not my experience of using the MS Reader on the Universal.

Jaapjan · 03-03-2006, 09:53 AM

In all fairlyness, I have the Jasjar too (universal) and there -is- not microsoft reader for windows mobile 2005. Not published for mobile 2005 anyway. Which makes it understandable that it works badly. If at all.
I doubt battery life or the screen are going to be changed at this stage however. It runs windows xp (embedded?) after all. Sort of.

luag · 03-03-2006, 10:12 AM

only if it supports dual layer monitor (if thats possible)
lcd and eInk.
this would make an interesting gadget.

Jaapjan · 03-03-2006, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luag

only if it supports dual layer monitor (if thats possible)
lcd and eInk.
this would make an interesting gadget.

You say funny things

I have never even heard of anyone in any branch doing such a thing. I think you can hardly be making a serious comment. It might be good, but without knowing what you can do with it, when and how long makes or breaks it.

jah · 03-03-2006, 11:51 AM

@jaapjan, there is a WM5 reader! Look at: http://www.microsoft.com/reader/downloads/ppc.asp

The problem is if you use DRM eBooks stored on the SD card and use PowerSave on reactivation the MS Reader app can crash and also you can lose data about where you were in the book (last page you were reading).

luag · 03-03-2006, 12:13 PM

Jaapjan: i was not serious ...i forgot to put

at the end

but wouldnt that be good though?
lcd at the back layer for operating windows and other apps, but when you read ebooks, eInk display will be used for better reading experience and better battery life.

it sounds gradually better and better to me right now lol
maybe i should patent this idea as soon as i can :P

Antoine of MMM · 03-03-2006, 12:19 PM

Besides the reader (should be XML based), the platform should have hardware-wise OLED color screens for clarity and ease. A PalmOS-like interface for the sake of ease of use and lack of clicking too many times. Wireless should be standard and easy to setup. And for goodness sakes, do not bundle a web browser, let me pick and choose

rmeister0 · 03-03-2006, 12:51 PM

Some items that usually don't get thought of:

Non-glare screen. Seriously. Gotta have this.

A screen that can be turn down to it isn't too bright. One of the biggest headaches I get is reading in the dark after my wife has gone to sleep, and the lcd backlight hurts my eyes.

Update Microsoft Reader which desparately needs it. Allow the user to change the font, foreground and background colors, and properly reformat itself on non 4:3 screens. Oh, and eliminate the page margins, which are just a waste of space on small pda screens.

Snappy! · 03-16-2006, 06:22 AM

I just remembered about this G168 device ...
http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/03/t...artbook-g168a/

Similar specs as a UMPC, except that it uses WinCE and not WinXP. 7" screen, wifi, etc. Oh ya, no hdd.

Snappy! · 03-17-2006, 08:53 PM

ok, so a Sony VAIO VGN-T350P already delivers 5-7hrs actual batt life in a 3 pounds package.

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/2005/0...e_sony_laptop/

Sure its expensive and even a refurbished version goes for $1600+ ... but hey, its doable.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...P=OTC-CNETFEED

03-03-2006, 07:57 AM	#1
Bob Russell MobileRead Editor Posts: 4,847 Karma: 22959 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: Sony PRS500, Treo 700p, Dell x50v, Lenovo X61t	Microsoft wants feedback on Origami for e-book reading Seems that Microsoft is interested in Origami as an e-book platform. Paul Hoover wrote the following comment on Mar 3..."I work on the Microsoft team responsible for Origami as a product designer. Do you have any feedback on the device shown from an e-book perspective?" TeleRead has the comment which was also referred to from here. How about it... anyone here have any ideas for him on what would make an Origami device a good or bad e-book reader? BTW, if I followed my Google links properly, it seems that Paul is also a writer, so his interest in the subject is probably quite genuine and deep, not "just" another work project. Related Stories: Microsoft lets Origami secret slip Microsoft's "Origami Project" is... Last edited by BobR; 03-04-2006 at 08:22 PM. Reason: Replace image with correct one.

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03-03-2006, 08:38 AM	#2
Jaapjan Avid reader Posts: 262 Karma: 132 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The Netherlands Device: HTC Touch Diamond, iLiad Book Edition	Very well. Reaction posted.

03-03-2006, 09:11 AM	#3
jah Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2005 Device: SE P990 SE M600 Nokia 9500 XDA Exec	Having used the Clie Th55, Plam LifeDrive, Nokia 9500 and HTC Universal as eBook readers I would say the key features you need are long battery life and high resolution screen. I would also say the eBook reader has to be bug free, which is not my experience of using the MS Reader on the Universal.

03-03-2006, 09:53 AM	#4
Jaapjan Avid reader Posts: 262 Karma: 132 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The Netherlands Device: HTC Touch Diamond, iLiad Book Edition	In all fairlyness, I have the Jasjar too (universal) and there -is- not microsoft reader for windows mobile 2005. Not published for mobile 2005 anyway. Which makes it understandable that it works badly. If at all. I doubt battery life or the screen are going to be changed at this stage however. It runs windows xp (embedded?) after all. Sort of.

03-03-2006, 10:12 AM	#5
luag Connoisseur Posts: 81 Karma: 18 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Device: TH55	only if it supports dual layer monitor (if thats possible) lcd and eInk. this would make an interesting gadget.

03-03-2006, 11:51 AM	#7
jah Member Posts: 10 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2005 Device: SE P990 SE M600 Nokia 9500 XDA Exec	@jaapjan, there is a WM5 reader! Look at: http://www.microsoft.com/reader/downloads/ppc.asp The problem is if you use DRM eBooks stored on the SD card and use PowerSave on reactivation the MS Reader app can crash and also you can lose data about where you were in the book (last page you were reading).

03-03-2006, 12:13 PM	#8
luag Connoisseur Posts: 81 Karma: 18 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Device: TH55	Jaapjan: i was not serious ...i forgot to put at the end but wouldnt that be good though? lcd at the back layer for operating windows and other apps, but when you read ebooks, eInk display will be used for better reading experience and better battery life. it sounds gradually better and better to me right now lol maybe i should patent this idea as soon as i can :P

03-03-2006, 12:19 PM	#9
Antoine of MMM Mobile Ministry Magazine Posts: 119 Karma: 87 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Charlotte, NC Device: Nokia N75/N800 Internet Tablet	Besides the reader (should be XML based), the platform should have hardware-wise OLED color screens for clarity and ease. A PalmOS-like interface for the sake of ease of use and lack of clicking too many times. Wireless should be standard and easy to setup. And for goodness sakes, do not bundle a web browser, let me pick and choose

03-03-2006, 12:51 PM	#10
rmeister0 Addict Posts: 267 Karma: 298 Join Date: Mar 2005	Some items that usually don't get thought of: Non-glare screen. Seriously. Gotta have this. A screen that can be turn down to it isn't too bright. One of the biggest headaches I get is reading in the dark after my wife has gone to sleep, and the lcd backlight hurts my eyes. Update Microsoft Reader which desparately needs it. Allow the user to change the font, foreground and background colors, and properly reformat itself on non 4:3 screens. Oh, and eliminate the page margins, which are just a waste of space on small pda screens.

03-16-2006, 06:22 AM	#11
Snappy! Addict Posts: 260 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2006 Device: SHARP Zaurus C1000	I just remembered about this G168 device ... http://www.engadget.com/2005/03/03/t...artbook-g168a/ Similar specs as a UMPC, except that it uses WinCE and not WinXP. 7" screen, wifi, etc. Oh ya, no hdd.

03-17-2006, 08:53 PM	#12
Snappy! Addict Posts: 260 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2006 Device: SHARP Zaurus C1000	ok, so a Sony VAIO VGN-T350P already delivers 5-7hrs actual batt life in a 3 pounds package. http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/2005/0...e_sony_laptop/ Sure its expensive and even a refurbished version goes for $1600+ ... but hey, its doable. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...P=OTC-CNETFEED