A laptop, a Kindle, a tablet PC or the new Microsoft Courier? The courier brings dual-screen functionality to the tablet PC. The Courier mixes motion gestures, stylus and touch-screen functionality to a device that puts the book back into notebook.
After watching the video for the use of the Microsoft Courier that was shared on Gizmodo, the combination of input options represents a broad change in how people will start to interact with devices like this.
The video walks through the scenario of a user preparing for a meeting and collecting notes and details to share. She slides a contact name from her address book onto a map to get directions for the meeting. Later she slides another name onto her journal for the event to share the information with that individual.
Browsing the web, taking notes at a meeting, organizing contacts and even taking pictures with the included camera for the device. It’s all part of Microsoft Courier’s feature list. In article that discusses the Microsoft Courier on the PC World website, the device won’t be quite like anything you’ve seen or expected from a computer device. Mix your run-of-the-mill paper organizer with the data organization and storage of a computer device.
With an organizer like that, I might actually open it up after putting everything in it the first time.
The only note is that this device may not exist at all. It’s only a prototype with no definite plans for production. I think Microsoft should absolutely move forward with this device. Mix in a dual-screen book reader device to compete with the Kindle and you’ve got a winner.