"Halo" on Microsoft's Origami concept device, in a screen shot from a video that the company says reflects its initial thinking from a year ago, not necessarily a final result. (Digital Kitchen video)

After a few days of speculation, a video of Microsoft's "Origami" device surfaced on the Web this weekend. If you haven't seen it already, read on for instructions for accessing it. But there's a catch. Microsoft acknowledges that the video generally reflects a concept it has been working on, along with unnamed partners, but it says that the video is actually a year old and reflects only its "initial exploration" into the concept. However, in a statement, the company promises more details "in the coming weeks."

The video is still worth seeing. It validates the notion that the Origami project is headed in the direction of a miniature "lifestyle" computer, not only for playing music but also for other functions. Internet access, messaging, photo editing, and video gaming are among the uses depicted in the video.

As noted in this story from Monday's P-I, it's not yet clear if this would be a device under the Microsoft brand (which would be a departure for the company) or if it would be branded and marketed by others, and use the company's software, as is currently the case with Portable Media Centers and other devices. John Markoff of the New York Times also explores in the Origami speculation in this story.

You should be able to access the video directly via this link. If that doesn't work, go to this site, click on DK, then on the cursive "enter." Click on "WORK" and then "BRANDTHEATRE." A link to the Origami concept video should be first on the list that emerges. Finally, click on the name "origami" within the cluster of photos. (Via ActiveWin).

You can click here for a gallery of screen shots from the video. It's now clear that this is where at least one of the Friday night Engadget photos came from.

One interesting point: If you look closely at the video-game segment of the concept video, you'll see that the game being played is none other than "Halo" -- presumably the Windows PC version. That would support the notion that an Origami device could essentially operate like a miniature Tablet PC, with the ability to run Windows programs.

And one final note: A spokesman for Microsoft, Frank Shaw, said Sunday that the company doesn't plan an Origami announcement on Thursday, as might have been expected. The March 2 date on OrigamiProject.com instead refers to plans to offer more details on the site. In that context, the references to three weeks at the bottom of the site start to make more sense.