Now we know: Origami = Mobile PC with XP! That also means that it's probably very closely tied to the UMPC (Ultra Mobile PC) initiative which is supposed to be rolling out actual products this month.
How did the secret get out? Embedded data in the web page. Unwanted metadata in documents keeps popping up where you least expect it - and where you least want it. There have even been US Government documents on how to "cleanse" documents of private information and past change histories, etc.
Well this time, Microsoft slipped up on its web page by including the following text, "Origami Project: the Mobile PC running Windows XP." So instead of announcing it at the CeBit trade show end of next week, we got a "secret accidental stealth announcement." But Microsoft may not be unhappy about it because they are getting a lot of interest this way. When you just announce something it's boring. But people think they got information that you didn't want them to have it becomes exciting!
Did they plan it that way? I doubt it, but it's sure possible. And even without any special tricks, they've sure got my interest!
Read the whole scoop at
News.com.