Endgadget reports Microsoft's dual-screen Courier booklet

[wodin]

Originally Posted by Seventh Son

I know it's a prototype right now but it looks rather fat. And it's probably not eInk.

And how is that a bad thing?

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by brecklundin

that is a ideal evolution of a device. I really like it...given the newest processor power, online office apps and email and combine that with the MS pen input and/or a solid speech recognition app, Win7 w/Aero, the resurrection of the "old" MS Reader software and I LOVE this device.

If there really are color eink as well as other outdoor readable display tech (must be color) I would LOVE carrying this at times, my recreational reader at times and often both...and if you add a real system architecture rather than the kludge that ereader devices are today, I cannot see this not eventually coming about.

And do not underestimate Microsoft Surface:
http://www.microsoft.com/surface/

Apple is likely going to eventually spring board their dual-touch tech in the iPhone and Touch as something just like the device in the OP....times get more interesting every day.

BTW, I do not see this as a replacement for my casual reader, but as a very sweet portable device that when combines with whatever cloud computing becomes...Google will indeed be a player here as well.

This is truly sweet, if it ever gets released anywhere near to the prototype/video we've seen. I'm not holding my breath, but I can tell you that if it ever comes to market and doesn't involve a kidney or my first-born, I'll be in line.

[LDBoblo]

Prototype? I just saw some 3d models and some animation. I don't think there's any hardware to speak of yet.

Dur...they said prototype stages...but the images provided are all 3d renders I think.

[ahi]

Originally Posted by wodin

And how is that a bad thing?

In terms of readability in bright light-conditions and/or potential eye-strain--possibly, but not necessarily, both.

- Ahi

[EricGagne]

The problem with Microsoft's Courier is that it's most probably using LCD technology which like any laptop and PDA will be almost completely unreadable in sun light.

I really don't see this device as the next eReader, I think the Courier is Microsoft's attempt at fixing the Tablet PC failure.

Yes there's lots of talk about color eInk but the technology is still too slow to support a full touch interface with Drag & Drop or multi-touch.

[GeoffC]

Has interesting possibilities, though personally I'd only 'want' one for reading which may make this product more complicated than it needs to be. But I can see a vast potential market for something this size - provided Microsoft can program it without a need for constant updates .....

[HansTWN]

dual screens would be too heavy for me, especially glass versions.

[brecklundin]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

dual screens would be too heavy for me, especially glass versions.

Don't take this the wrong way but how in the heck do you know that? I mean gee wiz!!, this is not even a real device just yet and already there is noise about weight? Usually from the same folks who put their reading device insider a cover so it looks and works like a book.

I have fairly advanced RA and can hardly hold a piece of paper for more than a few moments but that is because it's too thin not weight. I can hold my Kindle if I balance it right and I still have not rushed to just I cannot hold this device because it's too heavy...

Let's give it a chance...still I hope you don't have any had probs like mine. I was Dx'd about 40yrs ago and have enjoyed a lifetime of meds and pain...but now that I am older I get the really GOOD STUFF!! hehehehe....and NO...I don't have THAT good stuff, I have the card that says I am legal in California but never have used it.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by brecklundin

Don't take this the wrong way but how in the heck do you know that? I mean gee wiz!!, this is not even a real device just yet and already there is noise about weight? Usually from the same folks who put their reading device insider a cover so it looks and works like a book.

I have fairly advanced RA and can hardly hold a piece of paper for more than a few moments but that is because it's too thin not weight. I can hold my Kindle if I balance it right and I still have not rushed to just I cannot hold this device because it's too heavy...

Let's give it a chance...still I hope you don't have any had probs like mine. I was Dx'd about 40yrs ago and have enjoyed a lifetime of meds and pain...but now that I am older I get the really GOOD STUFF!! hehehehe....and NO...I don't have THAT good stuff, I have the card that says I am legal in California but never have used it.

How do I know it is too heavy? Because I have the Sony 505, and I would never buy anything twice as heavy! Even if they made it out of plastic, the 2 screens would make it uncomfortable to hold for extended periods. I am serious, after all, we are talking hours here. Isn't some constructive input what they need right now (in the design/prototype phase)? Otherwise they put it on the market and then say "Gosh, we hadn't thought of that!"

[brecklundin]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

How do I know it is too heavy? Because I have the Sony 505, and I would never buy anything twice as heavy! Even if they made it out of plastic, the 2 screens would make it uncomfortable to hold for extended periods. I am serious, after all, we are talking hours here. Isn't some constructive input what they need right now (in the design/prototype phase)? Otherwise they put it on the market and then say "Gosh, we hadn't thought of that!"

Oh, I hear ya for sure...but they know weight will be a very key component of these devices. Well, I would HOPE they should know that by now...

Remember they will likely balance the weight between the halves (very important) and I doubt it means dual controllers, though it might be a smart move to use dual controllers and cpu's, and the case, if they use an alloy like Mg or a ceramic along with the same sort of internal frame, the device will be VERY light. Like you mention the heaviest component could be whatever they use over the display film. I am not beyond betting on a ceramic alloy of some sort rather than glass. I recall reading a clear ceramic alloy is out there somewhere and it is not only stronger with less flex but also significantly lighter than glass.

My point is there is no certainty it WILL be heavy. Will it be over 1lb? My guess is yeah maybe, but it will most certainly be under 2lbs by a fair amount. Remember it needs to compete in a couple markets, ebook devices are expanding functionality and slate/tablet PC's are getting more powerful and lighter every day. Nobody will buy a 3lb device the need to balance in one hand and operate in the other...ok, a few will but not the masses.

Only issue I see is it will likely be pretty expensive at first. I bet over $2k...I would hope not, but after watching camera lenses just sitting on the shelf almost double (or in a few cases triple) in price over a period of a few months, nothing will surprise me anymore.

BTW, I am talking about the product from MS (http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/22/m...-late-prototy/) NOT that beast from iRiver...now THAT is a POS in the making if I ever saw one...even for a proof of concept model.

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by brecklundin

Oh, I hear ya for sure...but they know weight will be a very key component of these devices. Well, I would HOPE they should know that by now...

Remember they will likely balance the weight between the halves (very important) and I doubt it means dual controllers, though it might be a smart move to use dual controllers and cpu's, and the case, if they use an alloy like Mg or a ceramic along with the same sort of internal frame, the device will be VERY light. Like you mention the heaviest component could be whatever they use over the display film. I am not beyond betting on a ceramic alloy of some sort rather than glass. I recall reading a clear ceramic alloy is out there somewhere and it is not only stronger with less flex but also significantly lighter than glass.

My point is there is no certainty it WILL be heavy. Will it be over 1lb? My guess is yeah maybe, but it will most certainly be under 2lbs by a fair amount. Remember it needs to compete in a couple markets, ebook devices are expanding functionality and slate/tablet PC's are getting more powerful and lighter every day. Nobody will buy a 3lb device the need to balance in one hand and operate in the other...ok, a few will but not the masses.

Only issue I see is it will likely be pretty expensive at first. I bet over $2k...I would hope not, but after watching camera lenses just sitting on the shelf almost double (or in a few cases triple) in price over a period of a few months, nothing will surprise me anymore.

But a device with 2 screens set up like a book probably isn't very usefull either as a computer or a tablet (unless you can seperate the halves).

[brecklundin]

no reason to separate the halves at all...ever use dual displays on your computer? Same idea...everything controlled from the same hardware with output simply routed to the correct display either setup as an extended display or a second display (needs a twin head video card for a second indy display {same diff, almost anyway, as dual display controllers]}.....though having one side be just something you could detach as a reader only might be cool though many probably would not buy it for that ability or not buy it if you could not do so. Still some might want it that way. Not me...I can see this device almost completely replacing a large format ereading device and a laptop with the current laptops turning into your normal home/desk PC.

But CPU's, memory and what not are CHEAP these days so it's possible these halves could be untethered to function independently, but I do not see much benefit for how I would use it.

Did you know something like 80% of laptop/notebook consumer (non-business) PC's purchased in the US never leave the home. I forget the exact number but that is a close guess I think. Anyway, that means weight is not really as much a factor to the consumer as their marketing might try and have people believe. For business users yeah, but not for home/personal consumer devices. Weird huh? A device such as this MS thing could really appeal to that market as well as business users.

[EricGagne]

You two are discussing it has if it has been established with no doubts that this would be an eReader which I think it is not.

We're talking about a two screen device, multi-touch, advanced graphics possibilities, networking, hand written characters recognition and so on. I don't see all this running for days without a recharge on a small lithium-ion battery. This will require a significant amount of power which either means big (and heavy) batteries or very short battery life.

I think the weight factor should be considered in comparison to Laptops and Tablet PC's which is most probably the market in which Microsoft would be planning to position it. I love the idea of this Courier and if it ever hits the market I want one......but not as an eReader, for that I'll stick to my Sony 300.

[GeoffC]

Originally Posted by HansTWN

How do I know it is too heavy? Because I have the Sony 505, and I would never buy anything twice as heavy! Even if they made it out of plastic, the 2 screens would make it uncomfortable to hold for extended periods. I am serious, after all, we are talking hours here. Isn't some constructive input what they need right now (in the design/prototype phase)? Otherwise they put it on the market and then say "Gosh, we hadn't thought of that!"

good job you've chosen a Sony 505 to pack about with you everyday - instead of 100 (or so) hard-backed books ....

[wodin]

I think that the only advantage to having a hinged dual screen would be for carrying it in a bag and having the screens protected.

From watching the video, it looks like the beastie needs to be laying flat on a table to be useful as a computer/reader. If you have to poke and gesture at both screens, it could be pretty award to have it 3/4 open like when reading a pbook.