Thread: Microsoft to unveil iPod Rival?

For months there have been rumours of a new product Microsoft has reportedly known as "Origami", which aims to rival Apple iPod from the multimedia complex. Microsoft finally announced today that the device will be officially unveiled at the Cebit technology exhibition in Hanover, Germany, which runs from 9 to 15 March.

Origami is believed to be bundled with a handheld touch screen sensitive, wireless Internet, and can also play music, videos and games. The device will be launched in 2007, with a starting price of between $ 800 and $ 1000.

Details of the device from one another, especially interesting are the circumstances surrounding its launch.

Until recently, Microsoft refused to confirm or deny that they are working on Origami, although there were strong hints of Robert Scoble (known bloggers, who works at Microsoft), that a handheld complex under development.

Previously, advertising videos with Origami has been mysteriously "brain" and appeared on a website yourtube.com, which apparently in connection with Microsoft. On the video, and later confirmed by Microsoft, as authentic, and at least a year ago, shows people play games, write notes, listening to music, sending pictures, as well as through Internet navigation services.

Another twist to the saga was opening in early March, the official "teaser" web site Origami Project, which hinted at some of the opportunities Origami, and seemed to indicate imminent, the forthcoming announcement.

Indeed, the actual timing of today's official statement Microsoft, in all probability, not a coincidence, coming on the same day that it launched the Apple iPod Hi - Fi, a speaker system that is able to integrate portable music players in the living room audio systems. There, in love, certainly not lost between Microsoft and Apple, and, of course, Microsoft tried to steal some of its arch-rival in thunder.

The whole saga smacks of another attempt by Microsoft to brute viral marketing. We have to admit, though, the beginning of the circumstances caused quite a sensation.