Origami- Why?
The buzz behind Microsoft's new `Origami' system or Ultra Mobile PC platform reached epic proportions over the last few weeks, bringing fans and critics out of the woodwork. To me, the system is less relevant than the macro trend toward user-friendly mobile content. Every time I have upgraded my phone or my blackberry, the embedded software has become more and more robust, thus reducing my need for a laptop or PC for a wide array of applications. Microsoft's new system for a smaller, more user-friendly tablet is simply an acknowledgment that the features that have driven the market share for laptops way up when compared to PCs, is now driving share of smaller devices up against laptops. Microsoft wants to make sure that it creates a stop-over point for people wanting to migrate down the size curve from laptops, but still think a blackberry screen is too small. By create a buzz-filled stopping point, while at the same time scrambling to gain share in the software market for smart phones and feature phones, Microsoft is trying to make sure it remains relevant outside the PC platform. Whether this new system does it or not remains to be seen- I will certainly toy with some of the newer versions and see whether they are a good fit for me. Right now, I am pretty happy with my Blackberry. Nonetheless, the product will sell a lot of units and will probably be successful in slowing down the migration to phones. This is after all what they were trying to accomplish in the first place.
An easier trend to predict is that with the advent of more and more feature rich mobile devices, there will be increasing demand for software and content optimized for mobile. We have looked at several companies that either create or consolidate content in this area and believe it will be a robust business for years to come. A personal favorite in that arena is www.Handango.com.
For more information on the origami system check out these links: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/umpc/default.mspx; http://www.internetnews.com/wireless/article.php/3590586;
or simply take a look at the comprehensive coverage of the subject on www.gizmodo.com
For more on my firm, check out www.pharosfunds.com
Technorati Tags:
Microsoft
Origami
Pharos Capital Group
The buzz behind Microsoft's new `Origami' system or Ultra Mobile PC platform reached epic proportions over the last few weeks, bringing fans and critics out of the woodwork. To me, the system is less relevant than the macro trend toward user-friendly mobile content. Every time I have upgraded my phone or my blackberry, the embedded software has become more and more robust, thus reducing my need for a laptop or PC for a wide array of applications. Microsoft's new system for a smaller, more user-friendly tablet is simply an acknowledgment that the features that have driven the market share for laptops way up when compared to PCs, is now driving share of smaller devices up against laptops. Microsoft wants to make sure that it creates a stop-over point for people wanting to migrate down the size curve from laptops, but still think a blackberry screen is too small. By create a buzz-filled stopping point, while at the same time scrambling to gain share in the software market for smart phones and feature phones, Microsoft is trying to make sure it remains relevant outside the PC platform. Whether this new system does it or not remains to be seen- I will certainly toy with some of the newer versions and see whether they are a good fit for me. Right now, I am pretty happy with my Blackberry. Nonetheless, the product will sell a lot of units and will probably be successful in slowing down the migration to phones. This is after all what they were trying to accomplish in the first place.
An easier trend to predict is that with the advent of more and more feature rich mobile devices, there will be increasing demand for software and content optimized for mobile. We have looked at several companies that either create or consolidate content in this area and believe it will be a robust business for years to come. A personal favorite in that arena is www.Handango.com.
For more information on the origami system check out these links: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/umpc/default.mspx; http://www.internetnews.com/wireless/article.php/3590586;
or simply take a look at the comprehensive coverage of the subject on www.gizmodo.com
For more on my firm, check out www.pharosfunds.com
Technorati Tags:
Microsoft
Origami
Pharos Capital Group
posted by Bob Crants | 8:36 AM
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