I really don't see much of a future for dual-screen devices like this. As soon as screen technology improves to the point where color screens are cheap enough and low power enough (think Pixel Qi) then this type of device will be obsolete. They are simply too complex (mechanically and electronically) and cumbersome compared to a compact tablet device.
@tacitus I disagree. I think a textbook e-reader has to be a two screen device to allow you to display the content effectively.
Why? Because you never just have one textbook open, and being able to put different books side-by-side makes a huge difference.
Maybe that isn't what the general public needs, but universities, and science and technology professionals would eat it up.
That being said, I think the side-by-side e-ink and LCD display is a gimmick, which is only offered because of the inherent immaturity of e-ink displays manufactured today,
Two pixel-qi screens would rock. I would like to see a dual 7" device with minimal bezels.
That all depends on if the Courier can live up to its concept. Even so, early devices like this are niche products without specialized software capable of accommodating users with a fun, intuitive, and interactive experience. The Courier is supposedly a device with a more polished OS designed specifically to marry the hardware and software in a trimmer design. This makes it more desirable for people whom wish to use the device for certain intended purposes.
Couple that with the sexiness and sleekness of it's design, suggested ease-of-use, and a level of geeky thrill you get from seeing people pin stuff in the center of the Courier, and it comes out a more desirable device.
Now, that being said, I don't think most end-users care about the cheapness of a PixelQ screen, mostly because few are likely going to see that translate directly into the costs. Manufacturers, on the other hand, are going to love it because they can charge heaps for new technology. The battery-saving ability of the PixelQ screen is a more consumer-desired feature, but even that is only so desirable if compared to a more vibrant, desirable display, like that of the iPad.
As for the size, even though the iPad has a big bezel, it's pretty thin. This device is twice the thickness of an iPad. A device that's better designed for this purpose probably isn't going to exceed that 1" mark and probably isn't going under that .5" mark soon. That being said, I think we can expect the Courier to be within those two dimensions as a specialized device and that is congruent with the rumors I've heard of it.
That being said, I carry around my 2007 Macbook Pro with little trouble other than in respect to its weight, and it's roughly an inch thick and has a huge footprint over either device. Suffice to say, either device is going to be more comfortable to handle, but at a (supposedly) 5"x7" form factor, the Courier is undoubtably more portable and from the press data, makes better use of its size without such outrageous bezels.
@Jon Presco Oh, come on! How many times do we have to repeat that THERE IS NO COURIER DEVICE IN DEVELOPMENT - http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/29/microsoft-confirms-kills-courier-in-one-fell-swoop/ ! Officially it was just Microsoft researchers bouncing ideas off the wall; unofficially, most likely it was an attempt to divert attention from *that other* tablet device.
The Rip is the latest addition to the Boogie eWriter line, devices that let you scribble notes and drawings and can be wiped away with the press of a button.
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I really don't see much of a future for dual-screen devices like this. As soon as screen technology improves to the point where color screens are cheap enough and low power enough (think Pixel Qi) then this type of device will be obsolete. They are simply too complex (mechanically and electronically) and cumbersome compared to a compact tablet device.
@tacitus Don't say that. The Courier fans will have a fit.
@tacitus I disagree. I think a textbook e-reader has to be a two screen device to allow you to display the content effectively.
Why? Because you never just have one textbook open, and being able to put different books side-by-side makes a huge difference.
Maybe that isn't what the general public needs, but universities, and science and technology professionals would eat it up.
That being said, I think the side-by-side e-ink and LCD display is a gimmick, which is only offered because of the inherent immaturity of e-ink displays manufactured today,
Two pixel-qi screens would rock. I would like to see a dual 7" device with minimal bezels.
@jsbaugh
That all depends on if the Courier can live up to its concept. Even so, early devices like this are niche products without specialized software capable of accommodating users with a fun, intuitive, and interactive experience. The Courier is supposedly a device with a more polished OS designed specifically to marry the hardware and software in a trimmer design. This makes it more desirable for people whom wish to use the device for certain intended purposes.
Couple that with the sexiness and sleekness of it's design, suggested ease-of-use, and a level of geeky thrill you get from seeing people pin stuff in the center of the Courier, and it comes out a more desirable device.
Now, that being said, I don't think most end-users care about the cheapness of a PixelQ screen, mostly because few are likely going to see that translate directly into the costs. Manufacturers, on the other hand, are going to love it because they can charge heaps for new technology. The battery-saving ability of the PixelQ screen is a more consumer-desired feature, but even that is only so desirable if compared to a more vibrant, desirable display, like that of the iPad.
As for the size, even though the iPad has a big bezel, it's pretty thin. This device is twice the thickness of an iPad. A device that's better designed for this purpose probably isn't going to exceed that 1" mark and probably isn't going under that .5" mark soon. That being said, I think we can expect the Courier to be within those two dimensions as a specialized device and that is congruent with the rumors I've heard of it.
That being said, I carry around my 2007 Macbook Pro with little trouble other than in respect to its weight, and it's roughly an inch thick and has a huge footprint over either device. Suffice to say, either device is going to be more comfortable to handle, but at a (supposedly) 5"x7" form factor, the Courier is undoubtably more portable and from the press data, makes better use of its size without such outrageous bezels.
@Jon Presco
Oh, come on! How many times do we have to repeat that THERE IS NO COURIER DEVICE IN DEVELOPMENT - http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/29/microsoft-confirms-kills-courier-in-one-fell-swoop/ ! Officially it was just Microsoft researchers bouncing ideas off the wall; unofficially, most likely it was an attempt to divert attention from *that other* tablet device.
@lurchmojoff Courier was pure FUD. Entourage is pure FAIL.