• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Microsoft Courier: dual-screen touch tablet

Status
Not open for further replies.
Wow, can't believe they just quit like that. It was easily the most interesting and most innovative tablet out of everything we've seen so far.
 
Marty Chinn said:
Wow, can't believe they just quit like that. It was easily the most interesting and most innovative tablet out of everything we've seen so far.
Click to expand...

HP Slate has been...postponed too ('cuz of the deal with Palm). That's two major iPad competitors down for the count.
 
Marty Chinn said:
Wow, can't believe they just quit like that. It was easily the most interesting and most innovative tablet out of everything we've seen so far.
Click to expand...

lol

It was vapourware. I could have created something innovative in photoshop just like MSFT did. Innovation is only reality.
 
I should have seen this coming.

It all looked so cool and nutty. I wanted it to be real.

on the bright side: they seem focused on Win Phone 7 and a single UI style for their portable devices.
 
Marty Chinn said:
Wow, can't believe they just quit like that. It was easily the most interesting and most innovative tablet out of everything we've seen so far.
Click to expand...

You forgot the word "concept" in there. It wasn't a real product. It had great potential, and was interesting, but then again, so does a lot of science fiction.
 
outside of xbox, Microsoft really need to kick up a gear in the consumer space. They're hardly even in the conversation anymore, it's always Apple and Google, iPhone, iPad and Android. Even the Slate they demoed with is going to be Web OS now.
 
That's because the iPad is all what everyone needs in a tablet device.

Apple makes the best products, and everyone else sucks according to public perception.

Microsoft is still rebuilding its image, and I suppose by introducing "knock-offs" from Apple will still hurt it.
 
claviertekky said:
That's because the iPad is all what everyone needs in a tablet device.

Apple makes the best products, and everyone else sucks according to public perception.

Microsoft is still rebuilding its image, and I suppose by introducing "knock-offs" from Apple will still hurt it.
Click to expand...


not sure if this is sarcasm…

I think it’s a fair bet that win phone 7 will end up on tablet devices and it will be good.
 
LCfiner said:
not sure if this is sarcasm…

I think it’s a fair bet that win phone 7 will end up on tablet devices and it will be good.
Click to expand...
agreed.

too bad MS couldn't put together enough applications/vision to see Courier through.

looks like it's all up to Android and WinMo7. and chances are, a WinMo7 version is still a year or more away...so in the short term, it's Android or no competition for Apple for some time.
 
From Neowin:
According to our own sources the project was always based on Microsoft Research and reached a concept stage but Microsoft was never planning to create the device.
Click to expand...
http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-cancels-courier-project

So it was just a thought, a concept, how the Microsoft Research Codex could look as a consumer device. Looks like this wasn't an authorized leak after all.

Geez, Microsoft really needs better control over their employees.
 
Mecha_Infantry said:
It was vapourware. I could have created something innovative in photoshop just like MSFT did. Innovation is only reality.
Click to expand...

Exactly. Pipe dreams are not inventions. Reminds me of a quote from my avatar:

"An invention that'd be good: a watch that counted down your life."

"How does it work ?"

"Pop it on your wrist."
 
Marty Chinn said:
Wow, can't believe they just quit like that. It was easily the most interesting and most innovative tablet out of everything we've seen so far.
Click to expand...

Here's my thoughts. Noone was willing to make a Windows 7 Tablet with MS's Courier on the horizon taking all the buzz. So to appease their licensees they had to scratch that idea. Also I'm sure they want to start building buzz for a Windows Phone 7 OS based tablet instead.
 
Burger said:
Exactly. Pipe dreams are not inventions. Reminds me of a quote from my avatar:

"An invention that'd be good: a watch that counted down your life."

"How does it work ?"

"Pop it on your wrist."
Click to expand...

Good ol' Karl.
 
Yeah it's been confirmed:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/29/microsoft-confirms-kills-courier-in-one-fell-swoop/

At any given time, across any of our business groups, there are new ideas being investigated, tested, and incubated. It's in Microsoft's DNA to continually develop and incubate new technologies to foster productivity and creativity. The "Courier" project is an example of this type of effort and its technologies will be evaluated for use in future Microsoft offerings, but we have no plans to build such a device at this time.
Click to expand...

The first comment and avatar in the story are epic
 
You know what would be cool to counter the battery-life issues? If they built in a second battery compartment and you could choose to buy the second battery if you wanted to double your power capacity. That would be awesome.

Also I'm not an engineer and I have no idea how that would work while retaining form factor but I'm just throwing that out there because I'm so concerned. [/beck]

...is what I would have said if the Courier were still alive, which it's not, because it's dead. Man. MAN. That thing was so cool and now... fuck. Shouldn't get so peeved over conceptional vaporware.







!@#$
 
Burger said:
Exactly. Pipe dreams are not inventions.
Click to expand...

This.

It was a cooked up idea and concept, probably one of dozens that look cool in theory, but one that had A) a graphics guy savvy enough to make a cool looking video, and B) a leak to the public.
 
Ken K in the Fresh!!! said:
Not sure if anyone has said it but it's probably part of the deal to get bing on all future iPhones and ipads
Click to expand...

That is about the silliest assertion I've ever read. Ever.
 
hopefully apple make something similar. I just want something that can replace my design folio, is that so much to ask?
 
brotkasten said:
From Neowin:

http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-cancels-courier-project

So it was just a thought, a concept, how the Microsoft Research Codex could look as a consumer device. Looks like this wasn't an authorized leak after all.

Geez, Microsoft really needs better control over their employees.
Click to expand...


I would still wager that it was an authorized leak since that second one came out a month before the iPad was about to ship. Plus the language used in those engadget articles about how they got the info read very much like "intentional leak" to me.

It got people talking and I think it was an attempt to draw attention away from what Apple was doing.

Still, I don't mind if it was an intentional leak. It's just bothersome that they never really seriously considered making this.
 
Don't worry guys, I'm sure it's just because they were working on just too many great innovative projects that they couldn't complete it - I for one can't wait for the Kin!!!!
 
JonathanEx said:
Don't worry guys, I'm sure it's just because they were working on just too many great innovative projects that they couldn't complete it - I for one can't wait for the Kin!!!!
Click to expand...

Haha, isn't it awesome to remember yourself over and over again that we'll get the Kin but not the Courier? :lol
 
LCfiner said:
I would still wager that it was an authorized leak since that second one came out a month before the iPad was about to ship. Plus the language used in those engadget articles about how they got the info read very much like "intentional leak" to me.

It got people talking and I think it was an attempt to draw attention away from what Apple was doing.

Still, I don't mind if it was an intentional leak. It's just bothersome that they never really seriously considered making this.
Click to expand...

Well, even the leak of the Zune HD wasn't authorized and that was a real product.
 
SnakeXs said:
That is about the silliest assertion I've ever read. Ever.
Click to expand...

Why? I can see it being a bit far fetched but, on the other hand, Microsoft wouldn't have to spend on a product that could easily tank. Lets face it, iPods might be overrated, but things are what they are. While the working professionals might prefer Microsoft's Courier, the general public's going to do what they always have: run to Apple. Though I am mostly playing devil's advocate here .... cause like I said it is far fetched.
 
Its amazing how MS will get left back in all most everything because they give up half through or half ass support there own product after its out because they don't want it competing with there own OS. Apple, Google and many others will surpass them by leaping frogging over the need for a OS like Windows but just churning out products like the Courier which they just axed.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Former Microsoft VP says Microsoft missed the AI wave like the internet and mobile
News 
6
476
mitch1971 replied
Should I get Android tablet vs iPad?
14
1K
Meicyn replied
Microsoft Edge stores your passwords in plaintext
News 
48
1K
winjer replied
Microsoft screws up security encryption again, now it's Bitlocker
News 
35
775
Bojji replied
Microsoft blocked the word Miscroslop on their Discord server
Social 
43
1K
winjer replied
Top Bottom