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Early Details On Courier, Microsoft's Take On a Tablet
rbanffy points out an article on Gizmodo about Courier, a tablet (or more accurately, a booklet) in development at Microsoft. "The dual 7-inch (or so) screens are multitouch, and designed for writing, flicking and drawing with a stylus, in addition to fingers. They're connected by a hinge that holds a single iPhone-esque home button. Statuses, like wireless signal and battery life, are displayed along the rim of one of the screens. On the back cover is a camera, and it might charge through an inductive pad, like the Palm Touchstone charging dock for Pre." A concept video shows off the ability to use the two different screens for separate purposes, like browsing the web or a photo album on the left and using the right as a notepad or workspace.
Courier actually does look really nice. I have been thinking of buying a eBook reader, but the fact this has dual screen with multitouch makes me want to wait for this one, and that it can act as a tablet too. It makes it a lot more book like which you can see from the pictures too.
Besides eBook reader this would be a nice device to browse the web or do some work in the bed or sofa.
And I'm suprised to say this but compared to Apple's tablet this will probably be more open (in the not-restricted-to-apples-store way) and have a Windows platform. I hope they reveal more details soon.
They are very bad animals. Also, is the tablet chewy or do you have to swallow it. Thank you for your trim.
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Does it come in brown?
I'll stick with Vera Sans Mono.
There is a pretty good Anime named "Ergo Proxy". The main character Re-l Mayer, has a folding e-folio like device with translucent screens which I have coveted since I saw the series.
Oh... and the sound track is pretty good too.
Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
Ya know... it looks a little bit like the Apple Knowledge Navigator, a 1987 concept.
At this point, it's still some designers throwing around ideas with some fancy CG mockups.
The iPhone and the Kindle were both introduced to the world as working physical devices on a stage. This is just awesome-looking vaporware, much like the following:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vBb3_aZN7g (first 30 seconds or so of the video are blank, for some reason)
But then it's Microsoft and it is not a release version so likely all the cool features will be removed by then.
Ok, joking aside: what OS will they be running? Is Win7 capable of such neat touch-screen tricks already? Is such a tablet (which looks a bit like a double PDA to me) powerful enough for such a big system? I don't think I have ever seen or heard about a system that can do the things they demoed (well it was a complete mock-up: the user's hand was even drawn so it was for sure not a video of a real-life demo), so not sure whether MS actually has a system that can do what they showed in that video.
one of the screens could be replaced by a full Querty keyboard for rapid word processing. You could then hold it in your lap while typing with the speed of both hands.
Two screens double the size of an iPhones. Very nice. The pocket in the middle...very nice. the folding (a 15" combined screen area in a package the size of a small netbook)...very, very nice. If this thing even thinks about supporting Office, Apple may have a tough time competing with this thing if it is all as listed here. Of course, as with any company, things change before release (anyone remember WinFS?).
The video provided by Gizmodo shows a revolutionary multitouch UI. It might be more related to the system Microsoft developed for its Surface computers, rather than Windows 7's built in multitouch. Whether the mockup described in the video represents an entirely new Microsoft OS or an application running on top of an existing OS will be an interesting clue as to Microsoft's strategy for the tablet market.
Remember that? Wasn't it supposed to do this shit 3 years ago? Here we go again.
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... and decided they had to look just like a book!
I don't see a significant advantage to this two-page style of design, but do see significant disadvantages - the big one being the awkwardness of holding it. It's only going to be comfortable to use if you're basically in those positions where a paper book is easy to hold, which pretty much means sitting down. There's probably a good reason the photo and demo video don't show an actual person using the device.
Books weren't designed with "mobility while using" in mind. To follow the book paradigm so closely smells a lot like upper-management "innovation". You know, as in "we need something to differentiate our tablet from the other guys' tablets! I got it - it should look exactly like a book!"
#DeleteChrome
At this point, it's still some designers throwing around ideas with some fancy CG mockups.
It's not a intergalactic starship; is there anything in it that you think would be non-trivial to implement if they decided to build it? The hard part in these things, and the thing that will make or break them, is the user interface. That's what they're showing here. The fact that they haven't built a physical protoype yet is not that big a deal.
...dual blue screens of death
0 = 1 + e^(Alt something)
Microsoft keep making products that assume or even enforce a particular work flow.
What about those of us that aren't sales droids or road warriors?
Where is the command line interface? where is the C compiler and ssh app and X server?
The UI is just another part of the mock-up. It looks to be very dependent on handwriting recognition for character input, like entering the URL, which is very, very difficult to do right. (Has anyone done this well enough to be useful yet?)
There's no evidence that the UI in general is any more developed than the hardware side of the device- and until someone actually gets their hands on one, we won't know if the UI is any good or not. Remember, this is the same company that produced Vista's shutdown menu.
Reporting on Microsoft vapourware is just plain silly considering how little of their announcements that reach the market. Considering how much specs that gets tossed out the window to get it out after delays upon delays makes it even more pointless.
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A screen that folds up would simultaneously solve two problems: First, be smaller for easy carrying. Second, be large enough for viewing whole documents and for older people.
I've seen "scoll" computers depicted in scifi: screens that roll up into a compact cylinder. But they sound further in the future.
This looks pretty neat, i would like to have one; it's about time someone come up with something that's dual screen and look like a compact day planner
I've always been a huge proponent of a dual screen laptop. A ton of people cry about the lack of a tactile keyboard and it always ends there. Haptic feedback is getting better and I can see that as the future but for now something like this is needed. A single screen tablet just isn't useful or natural and they never truly caught on. This type of device is. I think it should actually be oriented as a regular laptop with a simple sensor to know the orientation change to portrait mode and function as shown in the demo videos. Just having the option is better than making it a portrait only device for no real reason.
My other concern is that Microsoft is not good at UI design. Occasionally they have flashes of brilliance but on the whole they fail miserably in this regard. Apple is not always better, so this isn't some fanboy argument. What they should do it farm out the UI to a design firm, something along the lines of Art Lebedev. Let it be truly revolutionary instead of being handcuffed by old ideas and methodologies.
Foe me, you give me those two things and make it a bit thinner but strong and I'm totally sold. I don't think it needs to be netbook cheap even, a fair range of $1200-$1600 and I think it is a winner. Teachers, students, professionals, ebooks, etc. in one device is a disruptive technology.
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This actually looks pretty cool - I would actually buy one if MS released it...
Looks neat, but can it run Linux?
you think how DRM crippled this will be. IF it becomes a must have item, it is a chance to get DRM firmly entrenched via the back door. Especially when you consider the studios that MS has done deals with, and their love of Digital restrictions. It will be the kick start for DRM. Approved content only, from the MS Store, no loading your "downloaded" ebooks on this baby. Its the perfect platform for strategy shift without too much whinging from us freedom lovers.
It breaks the concept of MS = PC Only. It allows them to start again, with DRM at the core, much like the Xbox 360. Dump all the last 20 years of legacy and go "apple" style with heavy restrictions, especially music. And will it sync to Linux, will it heck!
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Handwriting recognition is actually pretty good. I've got a MotionComputing LE1700 with Vista Business, and use it exclusively with a pen. I use Onenote, and push todo items to RTM via a custom add-in that I wrote. Now, it's by no-means perfect, but it is generally pretty good. It could be significantly better if it gave me an easier way of helping teach it my writing style, adding new vocabulary, that sort of thing, but I think the tech has gotten to the point of being generally usable. Also, to see some good development MS is able to apply to a product, Onenote is actually quite good (and looking around at forums you'll see lots of comments to the effect "I hate most MS products, but LOVE Onenote...") And the prototype they did with InkSeine was quite a break from traditional UI design... So, I personally think we are at a point where tablets with useable handwriting rec are here, and are more a matter of refinement.
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Brought to you from the makers or successful and well beloved products such as the Zune.....
Looks nice but I'm not holding my breath on this one as I expect it to be hobbled/crippled and DRMed to infinity and beyond!
is there really a consumer level need for a dual screen tablet? On top of that, if you look at the costs of netbooks, the screen and touchscreen are a huge expense when you look at netbooks in the sub $300 range. I really think what we have here is Microsoft marketing attempting to pump up their falling brand name by making a device they can show "pushing" windows from one screen to the next screen. In the real world, it's just not going to cut it except for those Microsoft lemmings who buy everything with Microsofts name on it. You know, you people with the Zune.
And FYI, Microsoft is doing a lot of marketing to get the netbook segment pushed into the low-end laptop segment and that includes setting hardware limits on what is considered an MS Windows capable netbook and what pricing they'll give for Windows 7. Those low end, low power devices are a threat to Microsoft because Windows still does not scale down below the low-end laptop segment very well at all and they don't want to be in the sub $300 pricing segment or want it around.
At Microsoft, smoke and mirrors is job #1.
LoB
"Anyone who stands out in the middle of a road looks like roadkill to me." --Linus
Hinged design that opens up fairly flat.
A strap to prevent it opening too far and damaging the hinge.
Another strap on the back where you hold it.
Maybe something like this.
Am I the only one who expected the logo for a Microsoft product called Courier to use a different font?
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I'd love to have a 20" diagonal screen (17x11x1.5) that fits in a backpack (9x11x3).
can it switch sides for lefties?
I have doubts that the commands used for tiny device with be desirable for larger devices since that aren't as economical to use.
Also, does Apple own the Patent on using two touch point to adjust a screen?
I'd like to play with one for a bit.
If it had a phone and room for mp3s, this could become very ubiquitous in the business enviroment. replacing Franklin.
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
Actually it's the vendors that are pushing for a price and size increase in netbooks, not MS.
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
...does it run Linux ?
Sorry, I flippantly posted without really R'ingTFA. Apparently is really is Zune-brown:
http://gizmodo.com/5365297///gallery?selectedImage=4
Mary Lou Jepson's Pixel Qi screens are coming soon. Then screens that are readable in any light will be available, the demo is pretty impressive.
Demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm8WoItVRn0 In the demo she also explains how her team has found a way to mass produce these screens using existing manufacturing techniques, so they can get to market very fast.
I think it will toss a huge wrench into Microsoft's plans for products like the Courier (supposing it's real at all). Pixel Qi is hardware that Microsoft can't control. So, it wouldn't surprise me to see them using the same methods they used against the OLPC and netbooks to squelch this new technology. Which could partially explain this current Courier hype.
About Pixel Qi: http://www.pixelqi.com/about_us
Except that Ballmer has told analysts and investors that they need to put Win7 on the netbooks so they start raking in the dogh again, but the price of the machines has to come up before they can sell the pricier OS.
Now, what about the camera being on the wrong side? Would anybody want that knowing they're screwed with Skype?
Handwriting recognition is actually pretty good.
In my case, it would have to be. No tablet machine I've come across has been able to cope with my generally italic script, which is generally regarded as attractive but not always easily readable for those unfamiliar with it. And I'm too old to learn how to print, given that I can manage a keyboard reasonably well.
so that's why the prices jumped and the hardware jumped when they started loading Microsoft Windows XP on them. I had no idea.
LoB
"Anyone who stands out in the middle of a road looks like roadkill to me." --Linus
...has anyome else picked up on the fact a REAL hand isn't being used to manipulate the Courier? Food for thought.
...can it also receive, store and send email? No? Didn't think so...
(Just moving my courier setup from one machine to another, incidentally...)
np: Yagya - Their Blood Is Black And Yellow (Will I Dream During The Process?)
"I'm not anti-anything, I'm anti-everything, it fits better." - Sole
I thought the tabletPC was Microsoft's take on the tablet.
Did I miss the memo where all stories on Slashdot are tagged as "story" ?
Perhaps we should also tag them as "slashdot" too. Or "content".
-David
p>Now, what about the camera being on the wrong side? Would anybody want that knowing they're screwed with Skype?
That TOTALLY depends on who you are talking to and what you want to show them...
but does it run linux?
I don't know which world you live in, but the only time Microsoft ever allows things to be more open is because it makes a profit for them or because they have no choice. This has no bearing on the Courier which looks very interesting, but I'm troubled with the idea of a book type split screen with a hinge, which, I think, could close on your hands while you're writing/tapping, if you hold it one handed. The interface and the mix of writing and touching is pretty nice. In fact the only thing about the Courier UI which troubles me is that it's complex and users will take a while to get to feel comfortable with it.
When can I get one running OSX?
The cake is a pie
vaporware, just like ~90% of stuff MS announces or "leaks"
It looks to be very dependent on handwriting recognition for character input, like entering the URL, which is very, very difficult to do right. (Has anyone done this well enough to be useful yet?)
Yes, Apple. They got it very much right (fast, highly accurate, flexible writing styles, etc.) in the late 90s and have only improved since then... but I'm not sure where that leaves Microsoft. ;)
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Handwriting recognition is more error prone then just typing in things, however, I think that once users get used to the quirks of the software, they should be alright with it. Although, there are a lot of people who prefer typing and MS probably should make allowances for those people who want to type.
Perhaps they could do some sort of on screen keyboard. Perhaps even turning the left page of the device into a keyboard and have the text on the right page in a landscape view. After someone was done with editing, they could press a button and the document would convert to portrait format for reading.
As to the UI challenges, while I was watching the Gizmodo video, the user was doing a lot of flicking of the screen on the right. I am betting that unless those are shortcuts and that there are more menus then they're showing, many people could get quite confused.