Microsoft Courier
Update! It was announced that the Courier concept was discontinued on April 29th, 2010. Read here for more details.
Many manufacturers are calling their thin, slate like computers tablets, but they are not tablets as was meant in the original sense of the word. When one thinks of pads and tablets, they also think of writing, which of course what the original tablet PCs had in mind. Apple chose to forego the stylus with the iPad, but Microsoft is on the verge of bringing sexy back with the introduction of the Microsoft Courier.
On April 12, Microsoft announced their Manual Deskterity Project and hopes to prove that touch screen and stylus do have a place together in the latest generation of thin, touch input devices. The idea is that a stylus can be used along with your fingers for added control and dexterity, or deskterity if you enjoy plays on words. This is expected to have a major impact on the future of tablet computer input and Microsoft is hoping it becomes the next gold standard.
The Courier is designed less like a pad or tablet and more like a book. It sports a hinge that allows the device to be opened like a book to reveal two 7” touch screens, compared to the iPad’s single 9.7” screen. It would seem like this design would make the device more durable and better suited to carrying in a backpack or briefcase, without needing a hardened case to protect the screen.
The Courier is slated to be released with Windows CE 6 and to be powered by an NVIDIA Tegra 2 graphics processor, which is reportedly experiencing some problems with Adobe Flash integration. It will have a built in 3MP camera which is in stark comparison to the iPad’s lack of built in video input device. Weight is coming in at just over a pound, and thickness will be somewhere just below an inch, which is good considering the Courier’s design.
As far as connectivity goes, so far we only know of Wi-Fi capabilities. There is no word on 3G service and Microsoft is probably waiting for a report on the iPad 3G version before deciding one way or another.
Battery life and price seem to be two factors that potential consumers are interested in. Somewhere around 10 hours seems to be an arbitrary standard with tablet computer battery life. Even with heavy video use, consumers will likely not be happy with anything that delivers less than that. Price of course is always a concern and Microsoft will probably need to at least match Apple’s price for the iPad, unless than can prove they are truly offering an innovative product.
Though there are certain advantages to being the first company to introduce a new device since many impatient shoppers will quickly snatch them up, there are also advantages to sitting back and observing the response. Although response has generally been favorable for the iPad, certain things that are lacking are coming to light and the competition is paying close attention. Microsoft will certainly use this intelligence to improve the not yet released Courier and address some of the iPad’s missing features.
As of now, there is no definite release date for the device. Speculation is that it will be available late third quarter or early fourth quarter. One can assume that Microsoft is busy putting the final touches on the device and adding any last minute features that consumers are calling for. The innovative, book like design sets it apart from its competitors and excellent sales figures are expected.
