Something About Marketing

Over the past few weeks Microsoft has been promoting a new device code named "Origami." When I heard this I thought, "hey, that's a catchy name." Despite the name, nobody really new what the new device was. Microsoft finally unveiled it on Thursday, minus the name. Turns out the device won't be called "Origami" but instead an "Ultra-Mobile PC." Gee, what title sounds more catchy? I think Microsoft should have kept the first nickname. Besides the name, the product doesn't look that great. It's not very "pocket-sized", is pretty pricey ($600-$1,000US), and weighs 2.5 pounds. That doesn't sound very mobile to me. It is enabled with a touch screen and a stylus to maneuver around the screen. Holding this thing with one hand would be a little difficult. Christi Lu Strauss, morning host on CNN International, commented she didn't know how she would carry it around. You can't put it in your pocket and it's bigger than most purses. Not only that, but it's a hand-held device. The machine seems to big and bulky to be holding in your hand. And, for the price, you could buy a cheap laptop instead.