Courier: Microsoft’s booklet that is revolutionary

Curtis — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 03:38:41 +0000

Microsoft has been behind the scenes because of the much anticipated Apple tablet. However, Microsoft has been working on their own secret gem that will definitely raise some eyebrows. It’s called the Courier, it’s not a tablet, but more of a booklet. As of now, the word around the street is that it is in it’s later stage of development.

The Courier booklet consists of duel 7″ screens which are both multitouch. Both screens are connected by a hinge that has one iphone-like home button. The Courier also features a camera on the backside.

The Courier user experience presented here is almost the exact opposite of what everyone expects the Apple tablet to be, a kung fu eagle claw to Apple’s tiger style. It’s complex: Two screens, a mashup of a pen-dominated interface with several types of multitouch finger gestures, and multiple graphically complex themes, modes and applications. (Our favorite UI bit? The hinge doubles as a “pocket” to hold items you want move from one page to another.) Microsoft’s tablet heritage is digital ink-oriented, and this interface, while unlike anything we’ve seen before, clearly draws from that, its work with the Surface touch computer and even the Zune HD.

I’ll keep everyone in touch with the latest on Microsoft’s new booklet. This looks amazing! As we move closer to the release, we’ll learn much more about the Courier, stay tuned!

via [gizmodo]

The dual 7-inch (or so) screens are multitouch, and designed for writing, flicking and drawing with a stylus, in addition to fingers. They’re connected by a hinge that holds a single iPhone-esque home button. Statuses, like wireless signal and battery life, are displayed along the rim of one of the screens. On the back cover is a camera, and it might charge through an inductive pad, like the Palm Touchstone charging dock for Pre.

Concept Bug » Courier

Courier: Microsoft’s booklet that is revolutionary