Microsoft's Courier 'digital journal': exclusive pictures and details (update: video!)
By Nilay Patel 
posted Mar 5th 2010 1:44PM
posted Mar 5th 2010 1:44PM
As we've heard, the interface appears to be pen-based and centered around drawing and writing, with built-in handwriting recognition and a corresponding web site that allows access to everything entered into the device in a blog-like format complete with comments. We're also hearing that there will be a built-in camera, and there's a headphone jack for media playback. Most interestingly, it looks like the Courier will also serve as Microsoft's e-book device, with a dedicated ecosystem centered around reading. It all sounds spectacular, but all we have for a launch date is "Q3 / Q4", and we have no idea how much it's going to cost, so we're trying to maintain a healthy skepticism until any of this gets official -- call us any time, Microsoft. One more pic showing the interface after the break.
Update: We've added a gallery of user interface shots -- some of which we've seen and some of which are new.
Update 2: We've just gotten two full-length HD videos of the interface in action. We've seen parts of these before, but there's some new stuff here that's quite interesting. Check it below.
Now that is something I would actually buy!
@B3astofthe3ast we need to check China factories... we will find one there.. and buy it from them. Just like Dell mini 5
@B3astofthe3ast
lol...wow sold on mockups!....
buy it before even demoed or actually produced....and they say apple has fanbois..
@rhetoricassassin This has long been a concept/dream, and there are demo videos of it on the net, but they have all been discounted as being fake. This certainly lends more credibility to those videos.
To get you started... http://gizmodo.com/5365299/courier-first-details-of-microsofts-secret-tablet
@reader1 LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
you, sir, fail.
@reader1
A 5x7 screen is perfect for sketching and taking notes. Something a stylus is incredible at. And you're crazy if you seriously think anything will fade out controllers. The ipad's screen is at a poor size, IMO. It's too big for portability and easy handling.
You're in the minority here.
@B3astofthe3ast
All I gotta say is... daaaaaaaaaaammmmnnnn!!!!!
@B3astofthe3ast make it mine!
@B3astofthe3ast This actually looks really useful, can't wait to have a go on one. http://bit.ly/tablet-of-ms-reactions
@B3astofthe3ast So you want a product that provide yet another way for you to get work done?
This will lose despite being the better product.
@Tes I'm still trying to figure out what this is better than. Maybe pen and paper but that's all I got so far. It looks really awkward.
@Tes
Ok this looks like the critics corner, so...
I don't agree with the guys above but I have doubts from an engineering point of view, about battery life.
On a "less than an inch" thick device that has 2 screens that need to be bright enough to be visible outside (these are 2 lcd, not e-ink!)...
If they somehow manage to make that work, just WOW. So please Microsoft, prove my doubts unfounded and you have my money.
@(Unverified) Totally agree with you there. We are in the age of amazing devices.....and awful batteries to power them. I mean I own a nook with an eInk display and I'm unsatisfied with its battery. I'm trying to imagine a device with two LCD's instead and somehow it doesn't have the same problem, only exponentially worse? Here's hoping for a battery revolution in the near future.
@Tes
Magical!
@(Unverified)
Considering the fact that it runs on egra, which is tiny, I'd bet they could have all the electronics behind one screen and lots of battery behind the other.
@smib
But that may be awkward to hold weight wise, for example if one side were heftier than the other. Better to split the battery between the two halves?
This looks sweet, but what would really have done it for me... what would have guaranteed my purchase... Mirasol!
@(Unverified)
My ZuneHD lasts for two weeks of playing ~2.5 hours a day of music and it's _tiny_. I really doubt that a larger device like this isn't going to be able to push the pixels if they go OLED/Tegra2. Then again, I'm not sure that OLED screens have gotten this large for an affordable amount, so it remains to be seen.
@(Unverified)
you know what would improve battery life on this?
OLED SCREENS
>:-D
@groberts1980
Batteries don't(and can't) follow Moore's Law.
@vVv You know what would improve the battery life on this and make a whole lot more sense? A Pixel Qi screen.
@Tes I think that is a fair assessment.
1. Better product: obviously more research, planning, design, and new ideas going in as opposed to the 'same but bigger' idea
2. Losing: New product people are not familiar with, likely missing the hype and marketing that other products enjoy, a very specific target demographic that doesn't spill over into the teenager/parents side of things
@vVv how about AMOLED???
@(Unverified) It is supposed to have the Tegra 2 in it, right? I don't know to much about it but i do know that the tegra is extremely efficient and can squeeze an amazing amount of time out of batteries.
@vVv ZuneHD had an OLED screen. I think Microsoft will use it on the Courier, too.
THIS looks like a potentially revolutionary device. Love the two screen format, makes so much sense, especially for e-books. If the price is right, Microsoft could have an entire fleet of win here.
@Mach
Please let there be a correlation here ... http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/26/pixel-qi-has-several-more-partners-since-ces-is-working-on-ne/
@DestrictoEnse For anyone that hasn't seen it, here's an awesome video over at Gizmodo of what the OS looks like and how it will work...
http://gizmodo.com/5369493/leaked-courier-video-shows-how-well-actually-use-it
@Mach
I don't see myself reading for extended periods on backlit screens. I can think of a lot of things this would be fun/possibly useful for, but reading for me would not be one of them. As a general purpose tablet device though I imagine it would have one thing going for it though: it's small and the screens are protected when it's stowed.
@Mach I don't know that clamshell makes more sense for ebooks and content creation than a slate... but definitely enhances the portability of the device.
@DestrictoEnse This was my very first reaction to seeing this. I have loved everything I have seen about the courier so far, but the inclusion of Pixel Qi tech would make this a product that I would actually consider as an eBook.
eBooks are simply made due to eInk technology. I don't read books on my computer because it is an uncomfortable experience. I will, however, happily read a book on my eReader, because it is close enough to an actual book to be pleasant.
@Mach
But how many Apple "patents" does this device violate?
@Mach
Well, same argument against ipad as an ereader holds here too. I'd rather not have a backlit screen as a dedicated e-reader. But, assuming it does more things than ipad does (and one device is a rumor the other unreleased - giant shaker of salt) - I'd like the courier better.
@Blacknimbus lol. Oh crap there's a gesture over there. Litigation powers, activate!
@DirtyVegas I agree with all the backlit screen comments. I just really think the two-screen format is great, imagine the potential (hopefully ideas like this will be implemented):
- Fold one screen back like you fold a book back for a slate form-factor (though this may need some kind of protector to keep the rear screen from getting scratched, maybe?)
- If the screens could have some kind of stand or maybe if the hinge had a lock or enough tension, you could orient the device sideways and use the bottom screen as a touch keyboard and the top could be a complete main screen.
- Pen / Touch keyboard combination would be killer, IMO. It's interesting how MS is pitching this as more of a digital journal/sketchbook than a media consumption device like the iPad, and I'd probably go with the productivity angle over the media one, since I already have my media in a more portable form factor with the iPhone, but can't do too many productive activities on it.
@Blacknimbus
it doesn't violate any apple patents. it's junk.
@Mach
I have to say it was the final photo in the set that really got me interested - I really like the palette and drawing options they have in there. Roll on Q3!
@Mach Agreed. This device makes sense to me. The iPad does not make sense in any way.
@Blacknimbus
How many apple patents does it violate?"
Just one: "Dont produce anything until Apple invents it"
@Blacknimbus
I think none, remember that Microsoft has a number of multi touch patents too
@Mach Why does a virtual book needs two pages? Sure makes sense for thick and heavy paper book, but it doesn't make sense for digital book reader. One page is good enough (you can use your other hand to hold on in the train), and turning page takes only a simple touch... For other things like having two virtual desktops, yes it definitely helps!
@chispito
Just put a filter over it and stop compaining
@chispito
Just put a filter over it and stop complaining
@anthonyt
You know when the iPad will start make sense to you?
When Microsoft releases the Courier as an App for the iPad.
@lantinian
That won't happen for a simple reason. E.g., a very simple action showed in the demo videos, like opening your contacts to flick a contact onto Maps, or onto your journal requires, ahem, multitasking. They say Apple has that in the making, but anyway, a lot of things, to work (dragging over pics from a browser etc.) would require too much integration with an operating system, which Apple will hardly allow even if it for once decides to do multitasking.
oh snap!!!
Boom!
This actually looks really useful, can't wait to have a go on one.
Any clues on the screen tech used? I'm praying for Mirasol, but it's unlikely that Qualcomm would allow it to be combined with Tegra...