58
Microsoft Courier
Released August, 2010
The Pros:Intuitive user interface - pen and finger based, built-in handwriting recognition. Foldable double display is ideal for mobility - much better than a larger tablet design. Extremely thin and lightweight - less than an inch thick, just over a pound.
The Cons:No hard release date or price. Vaporware. Does not exist.
The Microsoft Courier is a tablet/e-book device announced in September 2009, but not released until late 2010. It utilizes a book form factor with dual multi-touch, 7” screens that face each other, and its input is based on finger touch and a stylus pen.
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It’s essentially a super-slim (under a 1” thin) digital journal / personal notebook / day-planner designed for tracking contacts, tasks, and appointments, as well as browsing the web, sending email, and possibly reading eBooks (unconfirmed as of 03/10). Known features include a 3MP digital camera with a 4x zoom; the Windows CE 6.0 operating system (like the Zune HD and Windows Mobile 7 Series), and perhaps even a charging pad for wireless charging batteries. Plus it’ll include an internal GPS for geotagging.
Additional Information
The courier will be based entirely on touch input and likely include handwriting recognition technology. The version of CE included will be customized specifically for the device; all applications will therefore have to be designed for its form factor.
Features
- Digital Tablet / Journal
- Book Form Factor
- Dual Multi-Touch Screens
- Touch-Based Input
- Handwriting Recognition
- Windows CE Operating System
- Tegra 2 Processor
- Microsoft Paint
- E-Reader
- Day Planner
- Notebook
- Web Browsing
- Photo Viewing
- Live Video Conferencing
- Smart Agenda (Hyperlinked Content)
- Clip, Tuck, Paste
Infinite Journal Functions
- Take Notes
- Drag Photos
- Sketch Drawing
- Store Web Clippings
User Reviews (8)
Pros & Cons
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3
intuitive user interface - pen and finger based, built-in handwriting recognition
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3
foldable double display is ideal for mobility - much better than a larger tablet design
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1
extremely thin and lightweight - less than an inch thick, just over a pound
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1
based on Microsoft's latest mobile operating system - the same as the Zune HD, Windows Mobile 7 Series, much more power efficient, snappier compared to a Windows 7 based device such as the HP Slate
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1
Nvidia Tegra 2 inside - enhanced graphical capabilities
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1
Microsoft's e-book platform
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1
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1
folding design solves screen protection problem easily without needing protecting bag
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-1
could be used like a laptop: on-screen-keyboard on one screen, "monitor" on the other, thus leaving much more screen real estate than a single tablet like iPad or HP's slate
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-1
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5
no hard release date or price
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4
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2
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2
canceled project (late April 2010)
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1
Microsoft's e-book platform
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1
Has been promised in one shape or another by Microsoft for years
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-1
based on Microsoft's clunky desktop OS on a mobile device
Community Reviews
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Comments (1)
jplayer01:
#microsoft_courier Definitely interested in this. Lots of misinformation flying around though ... you can ignore most of the pros and cons listed by others at the moment except for maybe the one about multitouch and folding: Nobody knows anything about the Courier yet. We just know it'll be running a heavily customized version of Windows CE and ..... the concept videos show a very cool interface which I somehow doubt Microsoft will be able to implement.
Apr 20, 10
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