Cool Products & Hot Companies

So what is Microsoft Origami?

With all the buzz about Microsoft's secret "Origami" product it's fairly easy to make some predictions about what it might be. We are betting that it is a breakthrough new tablet PC, and that OQO has built a reference design for it. It's a FULL Windows tablet PC that is about 4X6 inches, can act as your main work computer and can be carried in your pocket.

So who needs a mini-PC? It's been tried before and failed miserably. But this time there are a few differences. First, Tablet PC makes it a KILLER note taking device, complete with Microsoft OneNote so that you can index and search your notes. And of course it runs Outlook, so your entire schedule, email, etc. are always with you. With built-in Bluetooth you can connect to a keyboard and monitor anywhere you go - why lug a big laptop around when you can take this in your pocket when you go home. With built-in Wi Fi you can connect anywhere for web surfing and email access. And with a decent sized hard disk there is NO REASON to carry an ipod around - why not just bring your entire digital music collection and a few videos with you?

We'll find out on March 9th...

Peer to Peer Meets the Cellphone

Have a lot of pictures on your phone? What if you could allow all of your friends to access them on their phones, and vice versa in a simple and intuitive way?

Radar, from Tiny Pictures, Inc.. does just that. Think of it as peer to peer photo sharing between cell phones. Create a group for your family, take pictures of your kids, and they automatically appear on the grandparents phones for them to view. No need to send them via email, post them to a blog (or make them public by doing so), etc.

Tivo Rules...but...

Yeah, Tivo is great. But come on, there are SO many obvious changes that need to be made to it. Like, why can't I simply display a list of ALL of the shows I've recorded, check the ones I want to delete, and do a mass deletion? Instead I have to delete them one at a time.

And when my Tivo updates it's operating system every few weeks, why do I have to RE-ENTER the Tivo secret code for skipping ahead 30 seconds at a time to get through the commercials?

It's great that I can now view Yahoo photos on my TV via Tivo, etc. But you know, I just want to watch some TV quickly and easily and without any hassles.

Tivo, are you listening?