Microsoft's Courier 'digital journal': exclusive pictures and details (update: video!)
By Nilay Patel 
posted March 5th 2010 1:44PM
posted March 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.
It appears to be LCD, but man, I'm with you on this. Mirasol would make it AWESOME.
@DestrictoEnse HMMMM good theory
I think I might actually give in to the whole e-book thing if/when this actually comes out! I like the idea of a device that can act both as an e-reader and a digital notebook!
eh...doesnt exactly get me excited.
Looks sleek but not sure foldable and loosable pen sounds like good features.
Meh. It's still running Windows in some form.
And a stylus? In 2010?
@njknight
How exactly would you write/draw without one?
@njknight
How do you expect to write and draw? What are we, kids fingerpainting?
@njknight You're so right. We should be writing with our fingers. After all, most of society has regressed to the point that finger painting represents the pinnacle of human achievement.
@njknight
Pretty hard to write with just your finger, you idiot.
@Prevacator If you think the Handwriting Recognition will be functional enough to allow you to actually write long form in this, you're delusional.
@njknight
it's a notebook genius... did you write in your notebooks with finger-paints when you went to school?
@PaulY Best reply to a troll I've seen in a long time. Congrats and cheers!
@njknight Iave you tried the handwriting recognition in windows 7? It is very good. It can recognize my friend's handwriting with about 80% accuracy. His handwriting is completely illegible to everyone, including himself. In other words, it can do better than a person, sometimes. I don't have the time, but someone else used my tablet to write a reasonably long article and was very pleased. You have to correct stuff occasionally, but you correct less often than you correct something you typed because you missed a key.
@njknight
1. Handwriting recognition actually evolved since the Newton. Exhibit A: Evernote. With a Tegra2, it has enough processing power to recognize handwriting on-line.
2. Even if you don't want to write, you might want to draw, write equations, etc... Now THAT's hard to do without a stylus, as it's even hard to do with a physical keyboard and unless you want to wait for a "Mathematician's Virtual Keyboard" to hit the stores, you might want to have a stylus.
3. The presence of a stylus doesn't exclude a finger-friendly interface, or even a capacitive screen. If this stuff uses Wacom's digitizer, it can have a multitouch capacitive screen too.
@njknight Obviously you have not used handwriting capability lately in anything. My almost two year old tablet translates my sloppy handwriting in amazing accuracy as in .. PERFECT in OneNote.
@njknight
even if something magical would happen and the handwriting recognition would suck a stylus would be a plus - every users handwriting would improve, which you can't deny is a bonus.
@njknight
its due for a comeback. virtual keyboard suck for notetaking. and it keeps the screen relatively clean besides the gestures. I'd rather draw and write with a pen over a stubby finger any day.
And whats the alternative here really? are you comparing this to an ipad in your head? Man, windows sure can't beat that ipho.. ipad os.
You know what, why am I responding to you. It's of no use as your clearly an ignoramus.
i cannot wait for this thing to be released... its about time someone made a truly functional ereader
Still not going to be used for actually reading books. These kinds of iPad-like devices just don't have the ease of readability as e-ink devices like the Kindle and the Nook.
@Aegee14
Ya, e-Ink is so good that is why Kindle bought a color LCD company and is planning on dumping e-Ink as fast as they can get a colored machine on the market. They are worried. e-Ink is just a fancy word for old technology. Remember the old Palms with black and white screens, same thing just a new name. Just a plain old calculator screen with a new name, e-Ink wow.
@Aegee14
Nope.
Reading books on a LCD screen is not fun.
But if MS sticks to that video that we saw as the main use for it, then it makes sense.
@(Unverified) Gulp
omfg.....im so buying one.
Grammar Nazi Alert: things aren't "centered around" they're centered on or circled around.
On topic- the Courier looks awesome and perfect for lefties who want to write on the left screen.
@nickux
LOL @ Grammar Nazis...
if it were only possible to get rid of the bezel in the folding area. and make it screeeeeeen
Amazing. Just amazing.
But, stop... if it wouldn't be able to play video (.avi at all) - this will be the piece of !@#$%
WOW
Microsoft is on a roll lately!
Folding form factor. That is so awesome.
pen based = gay (always loose or break the pen)....besides that kinda cool
@noob4u Apparently only gay products allow for writing or drawing. Who knew?!?
@noob4u I like how you've divined the sexual orientation of the device based on its input method. Clever work.
@noob4u
I find it interesting how you take notes in class.
"Sorry proff Anderson, I didn't bring a pen because I figured I'd just lose it."
I think there's a certain age when you should accept the responsibility to not lose things.
@noob4u
Firstly don't be rude... secondly proper grammar is always nice... Don't be that guy....
@Alexicov
you guys on these blogs are incredible... your all the biggest anti fanboy preachers on the planet!! your drinking the kool-aid...blah blah blah, and yet as soon as you see something you like and someone else has a complaint about it (I dont like a PEN with my RESISTIVE touch screen display...both obsolete in the year 2010!!) but wait, my compaint isnt about apple so it isnt condoned by you oh so important people...you guys need to grow up...come back when you get out of high school and get a real job
@noob4u
"come back when you get out of high school and get a real job"
You graduated high school? I wouldn't have guessed, given your abhorrent application of grammar.
Regardless, people aren't railing on you because you're a fan-boy; they're railing on you because you're ignorant and homophobic. Since you're so big and graduated high school, you should know logic such as "something I don't like = gay" doesn't get you very far.
Finally, I realize perhaps in your prestigious post-high school career you might not use any writing implement whatsoever (at this point I'm not even sure you know how to use one), but the rest of the world touches pen to paper on a daily basis. For us, a pen input is useful for jotting down notes, doodles, sketches, drawing, writing equations, illustrating an idea to a coworker. If you think these activities are obsolete because the calendar reads "2010" you are sorely mistaken.
@Missing Matter Exactly. Have fun expressing equations or storyboarding that new idea to a board meeting with QWERTY.
@Missing Matter
you guys are correct, I apologize for my rude behavior. I was laid off a few days ago because I was attending college and the company couldn't work around my class schedule. No excuse of course but I am a little on edge with this whole US economy being so bad.
P.S: I am not homophobic... quite the contrary actually
I wish I had a need for this, because that is some sexy gadgetry. Unfortunately, I don't keep a journal.
@Androidian Slip
Thats what i thought. It looks amazing, but outside of a journal and ebook use, i cant see this being a device i would use that often. It just seems that other then journal and ebook, the other half the screen is wasted. web browsing was a perfect example of that, what about word processing (other then a journal type) or a excel type app or movies. content creation apps "seem" limited in design by the split screen.
Also i do have a few questions about power, processing and driving 2 separate screens. and then split the battery for even weight, while being under an inch thick. thats a tall order to fill!!!
It does look dam sexy and some very, very cool concepts. I just dont see the big picture yet, i mean im sold on 2 apps so far, but not as a whole product. but its got time, since it still in the 3D rendering phase.
@Androidian Slip
but quite a lot of people use planners... this product will definitely put the planner companies in check ie franklin covey by being more creative
Any chance they make a version with one e-ink screen?
@(Unverified)
oh snap. it just got real you guys.
Wow, Apple really is changing the game with this iPad --- wait, what? This is from Microsoft?
@longcipher
NO! Only Apple is capable of innovation.
*Checks for an Apple logo*
Yeah, definitely just another wannabe.
*cough cough* flash support =D
I'd love this for note-taking . . . and cocking about, of course.
Yummo!
Oh come ON, Engadget commenters. "Wah wah wah, iPad sux, it's just a big iPhone." This is just a big ZuneHD!
For the record, I am in love with the idea of both. I wonder if it will have 3G and GPS (assisted or otherwise) - after seeing the proposed Dorling Kindersley star map app for iPad, my brain is buzzing about what these devices can do.