Microsoft Courier tablet computer – no plans to build

Microsoft Courier tablet computer

Microsoft Courier tablet computer

It may well be 2010 the year of THE TABLET, but there will be one device that won’t be joining the group – Microsoft’s much-desired and anticipated Courier tablet computer.

Frank Shaw, Microsoft’s VP of corporate communications, had this to say today:



Over the past few months there has been a ton of speculation about the “Courier” project from Microsoft. We’ve not discussed or confirmed the project. There is more speculation today, and below is what we are saying publicly:

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.

Courier was a pretty sweet looking/sounding slice of tech. Gizmodo had speculated in September last year that the device was “… in the “late prototype” stage of development”. It was a booklet computer rather than a true tablet computer – everything about it took the book as the metaphor, from the hinged form factor, to the twin seven-inch screens and pen-based interface. Much like the Apple iPad it was not meant to be, or replace, a ‘proper’ notebook computer, rather its key function was as a notebook and day planner, with a little web browsing, emailing and drawing/graphics pad.

So for now, the Microsoft Courier is downgraded from possible product to purely design concept. Vale, Courier.

Video demonstration

Here’s a simulated demonstration of the Courier… what might have been.

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