According to TheRegister, Microsoft's Origami is no more than a new user interface for a tablet PC - Intel's mini-tablet form factor Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC), to be precise. Word is "Microsoft's Origami component is not a new OS, merely a layer on top of Windows. But it seems all you have to do is put up an empty teaser website to send pajama pundits into paroxysms of anticipation."

According to CeBIT News, the Origami will include a circular virtual keyboard as part of its user interface. The Origami Touch Pack Interface, as the virtual keyboard will be known, is designed for thumb-typing, and is sure to guarantee tons of fingerprints on your Origami display. CeBIT News also confirms that a range of external peripherals will be available for the Samsung Q1, including a GPS unit, DMB TV tuner (which will be internal for units sold in Korea), Bluetooth keyboard and DVD drive. CeBIT News also says that you'll be able to rip DVDs to the hard drive, though we assume that this doesn't include CSS-protected movies.

In related news, Macworld has the scoop on Samsung's upcoming Ultra Mobile PC based on the Intel UMPC/Microsoft Origami specification. Dubbed Q1, the machine has a 900MHz Celeron processor, 500MB of RAM, 802.11a/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and runs a "special edition" of Windows XP. Anandtech also has some photos of UMPC prototypes from IDF.