Microsoft's Manual Deskterity project reveals pen and touch input, Courier's future?
By Donald Melanson 
posted April 9th 2010 1:16PM
posted April 9th 2010 1:16PM
Apple may have made its thoughts on the stylus clearer than ever at its iPhone OS 4 event, but it looks like Microsoft Research is intent on redefining what's possible with a little pen-based input and, if this recently-revealed video is any indication, we're not about to stop them. Dubbed Manual Deskterity, the project is currently based around a Microsoft Surface device, and shows how pen and touch input can be combined for a range of tasks that wouldn't be possible with just one or the other -- using a photo as a straight-edge (as seen above), for example, or using the pen as an X-acto knife to cut a photo while you hold it in place with your finger. Of course, while the project is currently using a Surface, it's hard not to see how it could also be applied to something like Courier, especially considering the strong emphasis on creativity that echoes the Courier demo videos. Head on past the break to check out the whole thing for yourself.
Considering stereotypes, it's funny to see all of these Microsoft projects geared towards creation while Apple seems hell-bent on a consumption focus.
@jerbear
Considering stereotypes of Microsoft being for producing, it's funny to see all of these Microsoft projects in concept videos instead on store shelves like Apple products.
@Peter Church
That's because Apple is completely closed as to their R&D process.
@Peter Church
How are Microsoft concept videos any different than Apple's weekly patent frenzy?
@Peter Church You're right. I never see any Microsoft products on shelves. I should have thought before I spoke.
Don't worry. In 4 or 5 years Apple will do something like this on the iPad and it will be hailed as the second coming.
@jerbear
By now it should be very clear to everyone what Apple really wants. Hidden under that veil of "revolutionary and magical products", Jobs only cares about having their iTunes vending machines in as many hands as possible.
@jerbear
The UI is just too complex. Will it useful for professional ? I don't know.
But definitely not much interesting to average joe.
@zetman
The UI is digital replicas of actual tools.
I guess you have to clarify what you mean.
@NoToApple
is there really much point in you making a comment. I mean saying a company is out to make money......well.....duh!
@NoToApple You should have put an /s in there for good measure. =P
@roflcopter You are right, just wait until Mr. Jobs sees how much iAds gets him and then every Apple product will have a million iAds in them and it will somehow magical and revolutionary
@PBB Microsoft's concept videos show FUD vaporware. Apple's patent frenzy kills said FUD vaporware. Next question.
@roflcopter: that's a good description of the apple-"master plan".
@jerbear
The tables are indeed turning. Apple used to court creative individuals with their tools of production. Now though, they are shunning Adobe, the real source of software that enables their computers. Whether or not MSFT saw this coming, they are making a welcome entrance into Apple's domain, extending beyond spreadsheets and documents.
@NoToApple That's why I up-rank your comment!
@NoToApple and waht you think he means with all does charts and numbers.....they all care about money, nothing that come from apple or microsoft, any company is free.
@roflcopter Maybe you r right. In French slang tunes means cash. U think Jobs knew about that? Because right now iTunes looks more like iCash if u ask me. ;-)
Anyway, I love the pen + touch concept.
@Peter Church
That's actually because the iPhone has already been out since '07, they just released the same thing out a week ago, but a bigger version...
They don't update things majorly, they just re-design it's physical form and add a few features that jailbreakers have already had out and call it something "amazing"... xD
@jerbear The whole tablet looks like the one debuted on the Microsoft surface.. Sweet! Reactions to MS surface- http://bit.ly/ms-surface-opinions
@RabidAppleFanboi
you idiot
@jerbear
i love apple, but the point you make does disturb me, because from what we can see, it's starting to trend that way. i create for a living, and apple stuff is the best for that right now. so my love for apple stems from their focus on design, aesthetics, and creation focused software/hardware.
it bugs me that they seem to be shifting towards a "computer for dummies" model without parallel-pathing a "pro" version for powerusers. i believe that by default, things should be simple and usable out of the box, but including 'pro' options in a settings menu, or in a whole 'nother product, doesn't detract from that- it just gives you room to grow as your acuity does.
the gist: i love apple for what they produce (and how that helps me be productive) not for the name 'apple.' if microsoft or anyone else comes out with simpler, more elegant, more productive creative tools, i'll be first in line. or at least second in line.
my message to steve... don't forget the girl who brung you to the dance: the creatives
@NoToApple
do u work at apple and apple such people friendly and dont care much about money then explain this i have a device i brought it but i have to wait 5 month for its in built bluetooth device to get activated and i also pay a price for that . and future they might enable the FM and charge for that too.
so u still dont see the money right
@jerbear this tech is amazing and I am glad MS is really pushing for it! I just can't imagine what possibilities this tech creates for a device like Courier...once Courier comes out, iPad and likes will be so passe!
@jerbear exactly right.. this looks revolutionary to me, not the half-baked ipad.. but we are about to see.
Stylus > Sausage
@daytripper
That's not what she said
@daytripper
Looks like Microsoft really blew it! Don't they know they using a stylus or pen is confusing to people? It's not like people use pens and pencils everyday since they were children...
Empire > Rebellion
@Lord Vader Thank you for invoking Force Make-my-day
@Lord Vader I hardly ever LOL anymore, my lord, but I did with your comment.
@The Advanced Kind - the iPhone is a mobile phone and the iPad is a small tablet. Surface is a table. If you want a stylus for your iPhone or iPad they already exist. I don't think too many people have bought them, but they are out there. The key thing is that the iPhone and iPad are designed to *not* need them, and that has it's benefits for this type of platform. Developers have to design their applications around touch (finger) input - they can't fall back on relying on a stylus. Does that make it the ideal drawing pad? Nope.
@crunc
It's great that they're designed to not need them, but there are situations when a stylus is essential. Taking notes and drawing are two examples where fingers will never match the precision of fingers.
As for the styluses out there... they're trash. The capacitive screen requires them to be blunt, which makes them inaccurate, and with no palm rejection you can't rest your hand on the screen.
There's no reason at all these two inputs can't coexist. Fingers for basically everything, stylus for precision tasks.
@The Advanced Kind Right!!! I use pen and pencil to come up with concepts and layouts everyday, I would love to have this on a mobile device. The amount of concept that goes through your head while not sitting in front of a monitor is mind blowing.
If the MS Courier does come out I hope adobe makes an Illustrator version or something like this for it.
Props to MS for doing this kind of research.
is that an iphone in that microsoft research video?
@Xstream
with xp in it ! :D
@analogx Lol! I just noticed that. You think they jailbreak iPhones and load Windows wallpaper on them? Steve would be peeved.
@N900
Which Steve? Jobs or Ballmer?
(my guess is both)
Now put it into a neat lil hand held product... and name it Microsoft Courier... and sell it for a completable price.
But I thought Steve Jobs said you failed if you use pen input!
@quantumslip Steve Jobs fails when he opens his mouth. It cracks me up that the big iPhone 4.0 features were essentially catch-up to other mobile OSes except for one thing...iAds! How awesome! A way to get more ads and shitty Flash banner...er iGames on your phone
@quantumslip
iAd looks pretty darn cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAkmmbpnX10
@Peter Church
Fanboys never stop surprising me.
"This contract says you can take my liver... OK!!" *sign*
@quantumslip I thought Steve Jobs said stylus input was fail not pen input. Digital pens became popular on Macs before moving onto PCs.
@quantumslip
I think he was referring to mobile devices, and I agree. Personally I don't consider tables to be mobile.
This is very cool and although Courier is just a concept seeing this, I think Microsoft can make it.
@arnavdesai
I wish they'd hurry up, I have ideas that should be in infinite journals becoming casualties every second they wait!
Courier's future? Wouldn't the present Courier be more of a priority?
It's like talking about Duke Nukem Forever 2.
Notion Ink Adam and Courier are the only valid contenders so far that I see for the iPad. And damn, come out in Canada already! >:(
@Decel No, he has it right. For the Courier's future, it has to stop being vapourware, since the present is just demo's of what to come.
But if MS wants to really get that device right, they need to make sure that the CE-based InkSeine UI is top-notch.
@Decel Since the HP Slate apparently supports pen input, it smashes the iPad ;)
@Decel The Adam will blow away the iPad. Some of the recent videos and the specs that have been put out are ridiculous. Can't wait for the Courier. But also don't forget about the ITC Gemini. This summer is going to be amazing.