Digital Home Thoughts: Origami (UMPC) Will Act as Media Center Extenders

"The especially good news for Media Center Edition aficionados is that Microsoft will enable Origami to serve as a Media Center Extender (MCX). Microsoft is coming out with a software version of MCX expressly for Origami (See Update above), meaning these little touchscreens can serve as a slave to any MCE in the house, so users can play recorded content, exploit Online Spotlight, use the electronic programming guide -- anything they can do with other MCXs (and most things they can do with an MCE). If you have automation software for MCE, you can use the Origami touchscreen to control the house. I often lament the lack of remote interfaces for MCE--who wants to turn on the TV just to to access a music playlist? It's sad that there are only two MCX form factors right now -- the Xbox 360 and the Linksys WMCE54AG. Why are there no in-wall MCXs for example?"

This is an obvious move, but I'm still so incredibly glad to see it because I was fearful it would take Microsoft several years to figure out that it's very necessary - I'm glad they hired some smart people over there. ;-) With an UMPC acting as a MCX, you now have a small portable device you can take anywhere in the house and watch your TV shows on. That's a killer scenario, and one that will drive UMPC sales as the sale of MCE computers continue to climb.