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Nov-05-2009Microsoft Courier: A Feature Breakdown(topic overview)
CONTENTS:
- Looks like the core of the interface is the Smart Agenda, which pulls all your content together like calendar entries, emails, etc in one starting place, described as "Cliff Notes" to the Pagestream "novel." (More...)
- There is also a view called Smart Agenda which summarises the content in your Infinite Journal showing appointments, emails, to-do lists, weather and messages from friends in one place. (More...)
- ''Information is snapped from the browser or the external camera on the back, or via sketches or handwriting recognition, and can be "tucked" under the center spine as you find the right place to store it. (More...)
- A "cloud" feature allows people you collaborate with to leave you messages on shared information and you can also access your journal from web browsers. (More...)
- Courier obviously appears like a magazine with home button at the bottom on the hinge. (More...)
- There are also options to add your own custom cover to the Infinite Journal and the ability to search not just by time, location, file name and tags but via handwriting recognition. (More...)
- For more details on features and gestures, head to Gizmodo Gallery. (More...)
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Looks like the core of the interface is the Smart Agenda, which pulls all your content together like calendar entries, emails, etc in one starting place, described as "Cliff Notes" to the Pagestream "novel." The journal looks like it's searchable in many ways, by time, location, and tags, and it's all accessed by a multi-button pen. It also features a camera and there's mention of "books and subscriptions," so you may be able to use the Courier as an ebook reader as well. None of this is official, but man does it look sweet. [1] The heart of the interface appears to be the Smart Agenda, pictured above, which pulls together all your disparate content like calendar entries, emails, and to-dos into one unified starting place, described as "Cliff Notes" to the Pagestream "novel." The journal itself appears to be searchable by all kinds of data, including time, location, and tags, and it's all accessed by a special multi-button pen. There's also a camera and an offhand mention of "boos and subscriptions," so it sounds like whoever was dreaming this all up considered using the Courier as an ebook reader as well -- which would be totally sweet, given the types of annotations you could do.[2]
There is also a view called Smart Agenda which summarises the content in your Infinite Journal showing appointments, emails, to-do lists, weather and messages from friends in one place. In this marvelous multi-touch world we live in gestures are vital and Microsoft Courier has them. [3] Pretty standard, could change. Smart Agenda is basically the entire inner workings of the UI, in a sense, it's the Courier's home screen and it is a summary of things like emails and appointments and it looks awesome from the photo. It displays stuff from the Infinite Journal which is basically the soul of the Courier. Think of it like a notebook for drawing, writing, keeping stuff and sharing, only it's all digital.[4] The Gizmodo tips also elaborate on the concept of the Infinite Journal, which compiles all the clips, notes and other information in the Courier. It centers on a Smart Agenda that provides a calendar overview, messages and data like weather.[5] The core concept of the Courier is the Infinite Journal, and that's kept under control with the Smart Agenda that pulls out pertinent calendar entries, to-do lists, messages and indexed pages so that you're not left browsing the whole database mindlessly.[6]
The Smart Agenda would essentially be a condensed version of your Infinite Journal pulling together day-to-day information for easy reference including e-mails, to-do lists, appointments, and recent messages.[7]
The core element of the Courier appears to be Smart Agenda, a platform that pulls together appointments, emails and to-do lists in to one unified starting point.[8] The Smart Agenda is what you will be dealing with daily. It will show you appointments, emails, to-do lists, messages from friends and weather details.[9]
Courier's UI is simply great and it will give users the possibility to add calendar entries, read emails, and more, all in one app called Smart Agenda.[10]
''Information is snapped from the browser or the external camera on the back, or via sketches or handwriting recognition, and can be "tucked" under the center spine as you find the right place to store it. ''That center spine also has a single Home button, similar to that on the iPhone. It sounds as though Microsoft's Courier team have been making some sensible design decisions photos can be cropped before they're actually snapped, for instance, in the viewfinder; there's a hardware camera button; and a Library feature suggests ebook consumption is on the cards too, no matter what Steve Ballmer might say and the gesture support looks like a great balance between the finger-use of the iPhone and the pen-centric interface of a Tablet PC. ''We're really hoping this is something destined for production, and that the rumored mid-2010 launch gets pulled forward. [6] Microsoft has not announced its Courier tablet yet but it looks like the user interface has been leaked to the public.[9] Is Microsoft trying to build up momentum for the Courier? Apple on the other hand is not willing to show us anything and we have to keep digging for one shady rumor after the other. This time it looks like Gizmodo got a hold of the whole user interface so let'''s take a look at it.[9]
Information about the user interface of Microsoft rumoured touch-screen tablet, the Courier, has been leaked to the Gizmodo technology blog.[8]
The dual-screen, booklet-shaped device is expected to go on sale later next year. Microsoft has refused to comment on whether it is working on developing such a product, but newly leaked documents describe the Courier's user interface in great detail.[8] There are a number of people who would be happy to buy it if it were available for the holidays. Your comment history also seems to be pro Apple, anti-MS. Do you have the same attitude towards Apple? Apple generally announces a new device without letting people get their hands on it before it is sold. Has Microsoft ever released a product that they didn't give full details about in well in advance and give reviewers full working units well before the launch? It is not like they keep their products closely guarded secrets until the second they go on sale. You can wait for those reviews and first impressions and let others experience any of the release bugs and still get order on on launch day.[2]
According to the illustrations, there's a lot more to the Courier, including a Web browser, camera, a file browser called the Library for a quick look at all your stored information, easy-to-use painting tools and more. These new details about Courier make it sound like a fascinating and innovative device. We also don't know some basic things about Courier like how it would handle Web-based video or what kind of storage this device would have.[7] All files are housed in the Library, which organises content by category and type. The left-hand screen of the Courier acts like a "favourites" tray, where users can collate their most important or frequently used applications, documents and projects in a single place. The integrated web browser enables users to "clip" interesting content they see on the web and add it to their Journal scrapbook.[8] When your content appears online, the people you share your journal with will be able to make notes and comments about your content. Once the comments have been entered, they are automatically updated on your Courier device so you can see what your collaborators are saying. One of the most interesting functions of Courier is its ability to clip content from a Web site and allow you to store and manipulate that information any way you like. Called Clip, Tuck, and Paste, with this function you would be able to clip information from a Web page, and then 'tuck' it underneath Courier's hinge between the two screens.[7]
At the core of Courier's functionality would be the Infinite Journal, which is exactly what it sounds like: limitless virtual pages where you can take notes, sketch, and store Web clippings.[7]
The heart of Microsoft Courier's UI is the rather snazzily named Infinite Journal. It's a notebook which catalogues your writing, drawings, photos and multimedia. It is actually structured with pages and each item has a time stamp and is geotagged.[3]
Details about the tablet device dubbed as Courier were reported first by Gizmodo with concept video and images. As per those details, Microsoft Courier is a booklet with about 7-inch multi-touch screens. This booklet is meant for writing, drawing/sketching, and viewing/editing photos using a stylus along with fingers, of course.[11] More details have emerged about Microsoft Courier, Redmond's rumored tablet project. Gadget blog Gizmodo has uncovered a set of illustrations that make it clearer how you would operate the device, and what its mains functions would be.[7]
Last time we've seen Microsoft Courier we were really impressed by it and we could say that this is the only thing that impressed us recently from the Redmond-based company, except for Windows 7. Microsoft Courier will be a dual-screen tablet, and this last set of screenshots shows that there will be a lot more than just a device with two touchscreens.[10] If you're used to the fairly convention files and folders structure of Windows (even the shiny new Windows 7), Microsoft Courier looks like it could blow your mind.[3] Hope it would go with Windows 7, not windows C.E. Reply Thats already confirmed bro.just check the previous post about it at Gizmodo. It runs proper Windows 7 on Microsoft hardware. I would wait in line for this. I use my tablet about 4-5 hours a day for taking client notes and this thing looks like exactly what I need (and more). Please don't get my holiday hopes up, there is no way this thing is coming out that soon without much more press already.[2]
As you can see, the Courier looks fantastic and really, it makes the Apple Tablet look silly, because well, it appears to be the real deal and has a lot of innovative things going for it. It's upped the ante for the Tablet to make a real appearance. Hopefully this thing materializes for Microsoft. It could even be used as an e-reader in the future.[4] The Apple Tablet may be exciting us in theory but the Microsoft Courier already looks amazing in practice.[3] Users can "tuck" items in to the "spine" of the device to temporarily store content before moving it from one section of the Journal to another. The launch of the Courier could see Microsoft renew rivalries with Apple, which is rumoured to be working on its own touch-screen tablet computer. The Apple tablet, nicknamed the MacBook touch, is expected to resemble a larger iPod touch, with a 10in touch-screen, and double as both a games console and a home media hub, capable of streaming content and services in much the same way as Apple TV does. Neither Microsoft nor Apple have commented on the rumours surrounding these touch-screen tablet computers.[8]
In late September, we reported on the Microsoft Courier tablet device, which put the not-officially-in-existence Apple iTablet'' to shame with it's intuitive UI and dual-screen setup. We haven't officially seen this thing, and it's already amazing.[12] Well, for one, the Microsoft Courier actually exists and two, wait until you see what Microsoft has cooked up. Oh, and it's not a Tablet but a booklet, but Apple's Tablet is probably the closest thing to compare it to. It definitely is, even though it’s not even out.[4]
Courier has been characterized as a prototype concept that, if it reaches a more definitive stage, may undergo significant changes. It's widely considered a test vehicle for Microsoft's future touch interface concepts and a possible preemptive response to a possible Apple tablet.[5] While the world and his wife seems obsessed with the Apple Tablet, which is still, let's remember just a rumour at this point, Microsoft's Courier tablet looks increasingly impressive.[3]
The Courier might also be called a booklet, and its impressive UI will support multitouch and handwriting recognition. Microsoft's Courier will not only be useful for users who just wanna browse the web or for designers who want to show off their work, it will also be enjoyed by people who want to read ebooks. Steve Ballmer took us by surprise when he said that he hasn't seen the Courier, while the tablet / booklet took us by surprise now that we know that it can be used as an e-Book reader.[10]
Microsoft's Courier project a dual-display "book" style electronic journal has been intriguing us since it first leaked back in September, and the latest spillage of UI details courtesy of Gizmodo's mysterious tipster is doing nothing to temper our interest. ''The twin screens are both multitouch-capable and respond to fingers and the special stylus, the latter having two side-buttons (the upper one being an "undo" key), an eraser on the other end, and a rotating barrel that flips between different pen modes.[6] Those crazy kids at Gizmodo either have an incredibly reliable source inside Microsoft that keeps slipping them details about the company's upcoming Courier tablet with dual touchscreen displays, or the whole thing is part of an elaborate hoax. Either way, Gizmodo has published the latest leaked document about the Courier, and this one details exactly how you're supposed to use the thing.[13] Today, the saga of the Courier gets a little bit deeper. Our friends at Gizmodo, who seem to have a source from inside Microsoft feeding them goodies, have produced scans of a document that explains in detail how the Courier works. Needless to say, this is going to be one incredibly hot gadget.[14]
The Courier's main file browser is quite different too. It shows a visual catalogue of all journals, applications and books and subscriptions on the device. That final category suggest Microsoft is planning to market the Courier as an ebook reader too.[3] You'll also be able to access your journal from any web browser suggesting a Mobile Me style cloud service will come with the Microsoft Courier.[3] Of course, the Microsoft Courier will also have a web browser, which seems to have a rather minimal interface.[13]
Microsoft Courier also seems to have a new browser which uses an index-card style view to allow you flip through your previously visited sites.[3] A new leak of internal documentation has provided a deeper explanation of the Microsoft Courier.[5]
Microsoft Courier dubbed tablet device with dual-touchscreen is being rumored in works.[11] Take the Microsoft Courier, a dual-screened tablet PC/electronic journal/e-reader.[14]
Of course, Microsoft has gone a step ahead and added a unique stylus with twin buttons. Both products have striking physical similarity and screens. Are the Eee Reader and Courier merely concepts or will they ever reach consumers? We'll have to wait till either Asus or Microsoft make their respective products official.[11] Windows 7 Upgrade Woes Mount: Endless Reboots and Product Key Problems Microsoft message boards are active with users complaining of upgrade problems related to Windows 7. Consumers Won't Pay $120 for Windows 7 Upgrade We've gotten used to free or cheap software, so Microsoft should offer some deals for its newest OS.[7] I see a lot of innovation and great products coming out. We already have windows 7 and snow leopard, the new iMacs, Android 2 and all it's phones, the 3gs. Such great stuff.[2]
I like it. I'll only get this if it runs Windows 7 proper, and the agenda thing's just an application preinstalled on it. In my opinion, as long as this thing interfaces and talks nicely with Windows 7, I don't see a need for it to actually be running it.[2]
Courier will have a Browser like our File Explorer and will offer Vertical Cover-flow like interface to flip between different files. Apart from this, Library is termed to be the actually file explorer interface element that will help organize and catalogue every file on the device.[11] Depending upon the interface features, the Courier may have 3G network capabilities, WiFi, expandable storage and maybe web browsing support. We wonder how much battery life would this device offer.[11] On paper, Courier looks like it would be an innovative device, with some killer features.[7] I doubt it'll happen this holiday season, but maybe next? This thing looks like the perfect everyday-computing device to replace my current tablet :D. Reply[2]
Based on what has already been reported, the rumored Courier tablet would have two 7-inch color screens, with a flexible hinge in the middle allowing the device to close like a book.[7] Although, there is a Network World post from September that shows off a live video of another Microsoft prototype called Codex that is strikingly similar to Courier. Maybe a physical Courier prototype is out there somewhere, but I'd sure like to see tangible proof before getting too excited about this device.[7]
A new set of documents leaked to Gizmodo show off the Courier's user interface, which uses everything from multitouch gestures to pen-based handwriting.[1] The images detail the Courier's unique user interface, which draws on everything from multitouch gestures to pen-based handwriting recognition.[2]
The new images leaked indicate gestures as a part of Courier's user interface.[11]
This isn't a laptop without a keyboard, it's a new device designed from the ground up to be controlled with a pen and multitouch gestures. The reason why traditional pen-based tablets suck is because they're running on interfaces designed for a mouse and keyboard and are intended to replace a laptop. This is none of those things.[2] The dual-screen tablet prototype has a fundamentally simple interface with two-finger multi-touch gestures: besides usual navigation, it would let users tap-and-hold to clip a photo or other object and a two-finger swipe left or right to move that object to the opposite page. The pen also has two buttons and an "eraser" to both switch between drawing styles as well as to remove recent changes.[5] The pen has an undo button, an eraser and a twist mechanism which switches drawing modes. Other features include the Library which acts as the main file browser and the camera which can be used to take lots of interesting photos. That'''s how the Courier is supposed to work, at least in theory.[9] Maybe the coolest feature is the pen which can be twisted to act different and also has two buttons, one of which is undo, and the other allows you to jump between pen types fast. It also has an eraser and a full color palette.[4]
A "cloud" feature allows people you collaborate with to leave you messages on shared information and you can also access your journal from web browsers. [4] Microsoft would have users navigate quickly between pages through a Cover Flow-like 3D page view with a timeline; the web browser would have a similar metaphor. A separate Library section would handle both apps and media in a central bookshelf location and implies that e-book reading would play a significant role.[5]
You can flip or search through your Infinite Journal until you find the page you want to store the content in, and then paste the Web clipping into your journal.[7] Gizmodo says the Infinite Journal would have page numbers for easier reference, and every page receives a timestamp and a location tag once content has been entered. It's not clear whether the Infinite Journal's location tag would come from automatic geotagging through GPS or wireless access points, or whether it's just a matter of manually entering your location for each page.[7]
Infinite Journal is the name given to entire content on the Courier held together. It summarizes the Pagestream view for a better and easily manageable blocks consist of appointments, emails, to-dos, weather and messages from friends. Probably, it's the screen that appears immediately after home screen of Courier.[11] Now that you know what basic hand gestures will do you need to know that the content of the Courier is referred to as the Infinite Journal.[9]
It'll also allow you to clip content from sites and immediately send it to your Infinite Journal.[3] Finger gestures are pretty intuitive on screen: tap and hold will clip content for you; a flick can turn pages or navigate vertically, pinches will zoom you out from the journal to the library.[4] A one-finger tap and hold will clip and copy content, a flick vertically scrolls, two fingers gestures open and close apps. Up or down opens apps while swiping across the screen and off closes them.[3] Gestures controls so far include - tap and hold to clip the content, finger flicking in directions, and flicking from one screen to other zooms the content.[11]
The display supports multitouch gestures, and you can clip a content by tapping and holding; flick content from one screen to the other by sliding it with two fingers; and pinch certain content to zoom.[13]
What makes it special is the power to easily clip content, like photos, to keep it in your journal.[4] It has a Journal Overview, which provides at-a-glance access to the contents of the Courier, and allows users to quickly and easily find and share photos and other media online.[8]
The user interface is based on a "journal" metaphor, and you can create notes, copy and paste items from the web, and perform other actions.[13] Shared portions of the Journal can be used by friends and colleagues to leave notes which will appear instantly in the Smart Agenda.[9] It'll allow collaborators to leave comments on shared portions of your journal. They'll appear instantly and notifications will pop up in the Smart Agenda.[3] You'll be able to access, view, and edit it from any browser. Friends and collaborators will be able to comment on public sections of your journal, and you'll be informed of such comments in the Smart Agenda.[14]
Think of the Smart Agenda like the home screen of your smartphone for example.[9] The Smart Agenda platform is controlled, edited and navigated using a special multi-button pen, and appears to support ebooks and freehand drawing and annotations.[8]
Courier obviously appears like a magazine with home button at the bottom on the hinge. [11] Courier is believed to have significant flexibility allowing you to create original drawings and sketches using an application like Microsoft Paint.[7] The "cloud" is also going to be a bit part of the Microsoft Courier experience.[3]
Gizmodo, once again, has released information that should get Apple a little worried, if of course the Tablet is a real thing. They have put up a ton of informative slides about the Courier's UI that show pretty much blow you out of the water.[4] Now we have the Courier, usb 3.0, light peak, 4th generation iPhone, better Android 2 phones, and the Apple Tablet to look forward to.[2] Unlike Apple's rumored tablet, which is assumed to be primarily an entertainment device, Courier's main function will be as a day planner/notebook that allows you to keep track of appointments, to-do lists, and contacts.[7] Microsoft is working on tablet-style UMPC device while rival Apple continues to hop, skip and jump around the Mac Tablet rumors.[11] I think smartphones and tablets are going to change electronics in a drastic way. It's so exciting. We have Apple, Google, Microsoft, Intel and so many other companies to thank for this. I hope they keep pushing each other to innovate and make better, higher quality products.[2] And, yes, I do have the same attitude toward Apple, or any other tech companies. I've gotten burned on first-gen products enough that I prefer to wait for early adopters to waste their time and money doing beta testing.[2]
There are also options to add your own custom cover to the Infinite Journal and the ability to search not just by time, location, file name and tags but via handwriting recognition. [3] An interesting feature of the search engine is handwriting recognition which is must-have for a tablet.[9] The main thing that Courier features over a tablet PC and OneNote is potentially better (we don't really know) Outlook integration, and a sleeker dual screen design.[2]
Every piece of new info we get about the Courier makes it sound even more exciting. This is the first, and so far only truly unique idea for a tablet PC I've yet seen.[14]
Courier's browser looks straightforward, though it uses an index-card metaphor to flip through your history, like a vertical version of Cover Flow.[4] Courier surely looks impressive and intriguing but Asus might not be pleased with that. At the CeBIT Expo 2009 in March, Asus showed off its dual-panel touchscreen PC concept prototype which is now dubbed as Asus Eee Reader.[11]
Courier would be used as reading device too and hence, acts as an eBook reader too.[11] After several information leaks, and unnamed sources assuring the tech world that the device is real, no photographs have surfaced yet showing a physical Courier prototype.[7] The device will also have a camera for taking photos, and a "Library" screen for finding all of your applications, data, and other information.[13] Courier would also include Wi-Fi connectivity, and a camera on the back of the device.[7] The back of Courier booklet will host a camera to click pictures. It gets a dedicated hardware button to click snaps and also a view finder for proper adjustment.[11]
Nice. Get used to hearing about clip, tucking and pasting because it's a big component of Courier.[4] You will also be able to take notes, snap photos, browse the Web, and clip photos and text from Web pages.[7]
For more details on features and gestures, head to Gizmodo Gallery. [11] Microsoft is all about the cloud these days, with company executives constantly referring to Microsoft's three-screen vision (personal computer, mobile device, and television all syncing or pulling information from an online database).[7] No information has been released about the price or anticipated release date, but if you ask me it can't possibly come soon enough. A part of me thinks something this cool must be an elaborate hoax. An inspired, useful, and truly original device coming from Microsoft? It was bound to happen eventually, but I'm still just the teensiest bit suspicious.[14]
SOURCES
1. Microsoft Courier interface details - SlipperyBrick.com
2. Microsoft Courier interface explained in more detail
3. Microsoft Courier tablet: amazing user interface secrets revealed - mirror.co.uk
4. Microsoft Courier makes Apple Tablet look silly
5. New MS Courier leak details multi-touch interface | Electronista
6. Microsoft Courier UI details leak: perfect pen/finger balance? - SlashGear
7. Microsoft Courier: A Feature Breakdown - PC World
8. More details emerge about Microsoft Courier tablet - Telegraph
9. Microsoft Courier User Interface Out in the Open? [Microsoft Courier Tablet UI Gets Explained] » TFTS Technology, Gadgets & Curiosities
10. More Leaked Screenshots Of The Microsoft Courier Booklet Showing Amazing UI SoftSailor
11. Techtree.com India > News > Gadgets > Microsoft Courier Booklet UI Leaked
12. Microsoft Courier Tablet Device Detailed | Erictric
13. Microsoft Courier user interface spelled out
14. Microsoft Courier Interface Details Leak
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