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Re: Courier vs. iTablet: Portable Office or Portable Living Room?
Posted by: Chris Maxcer 2009-09-25 04:48:30
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It's quite possible that Microsoft has a product in development that could give Apple's long-rumored tablet device some real competition. The potential product is apparently called "Courier," and according to images and video leaked to gadget blog Gizmodo, it's pretty freakin' amazing. At first glance, Courier looks more like a booklet than a tablet. It opens and closes like a book, and it appears to be bound in a leather or faux leather cover. Each side sports a seven-inch-or-so screen, and when closed, it might be less than an inch thick.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRH8eimU_20
...because traditionally Microsoft makes vapourware announcements just before Apple brings a real product to market. If this thing was late-stage prototype why the CGI demo? When Apple unveiled the iPhone long before it's release we had a live walk-through.
I thought a split screen/clam-shell device was a possibility as long as it has a near seamless connection between the displays but a book? - what an innovation!
I thought a split screen/clam-shell device was a possibility as long as it has a near seamless connection between the displays but a book? - what an innovation!
The concept shown in the Courier video is nice, but it's easy to make a concept animation.
Two questions:
Has Microsoft ever actually produced anything this innovative before?
If Microsoft has developed such a futuristic user interface, why does the yet-to-be-released Windows 7 still have an old-style interface, instead of something like this?
Two questions:
Has Microsoft ever actually produced anything this innovative before?
If Microsoft has developed such a futuristic user interface, why does the yet-to-be-released Windows 7 still have an old-style interface, instead of something like this?
I have to admit, if the Courier exists and will be released as an actual product, I'm sold. I would gladly toss my paper notebook in favor of this. Plus, in the work environment I have, it would be invaluable for checking on the status of various processes throughout the facility.
I'm very intrigued at the thought of this form factor being used for an e-book, a la Kindle -- much more "booklike" with the two screens/pages.
I wouldn't be too concerned about trying to view movies on it -- I'd save that for the also mythical-until-proven-real Apple tablet. Who says I couldn't have both gadgets? (well, other than my wallet, that is!)
Very hopeful that at least one, and preferably both, sees the light of day.
I'm very intrigued at the thought of this form factor being used for an e-book, a la Kindle -- much more "booklike" with the two screens/pages.
I wouldn't be too concerned about trying to view movies on it -- I'd save that for the also mythical-until-proven-real Apple tablet. Who says I couldn't have both gadgets? (well, other than my wallet, that is!)
Very hopeful that at least one, and preferably both, sees the light of day.
