Microsoft, first thinkers of the contemporary tablets might scrape out Courier indefinitely

Microsoft Corporation announced Windows 7 in late 2009 and immediately after the launch of the newest version of the personal computer operating system; a new version was in the making.

Windows chief Steven Sinofsky, drafted a plan to develop a new operating system, Windows 8, that would run on the PCs and tablets as well. Apple, Inc.’s iPad was nowhere to be seen, in fact Steve Jobs staged its announcement in April 2010 but Sinofsky had
anticipated the boom in the tablet market as the smartphone industry was evolving to that point already with handsets from Apple and HTC on a broader vortex.

However, where in Windows department Sinofsky was planning to adapt the tablet culture in their new Windows version, there was another department sketching out a new tablet altogether. The tablet was called Courier and its department was headed by J Allard.

The new tablet was a dual-screen (7-inch each) booklet device which had designated brains for either one of them. However, both were interconnected for inter-communications.

The concept was to build a device that would have two slates, capable of both stylus and hand touches and the user would be able to work separately yet simultaneously.

The idea behind such a complicated design, yet very easy to use, was the freedom of multi-tasking. Without the hindrance of minimizing windows, the user will be able to conduct research on one screen and produce own work on the other, concurrently.

However, after the advent of Apple’s tablet, the picture changed altogether and Windows were forced to delay the Courier and now it is rumoured that the new tablet will be scratched compeletely.

Both Sinofsky and Allard have deep connection to Microsoft’s mantra of innovation. Before heading Windows’ department, Sinofsky helmed MS Office for eight years. He took charge of the most competitive and brisk-paced Windows department in 2006 and since
then has earned a reputation for timely delivery of the products, one of the quirks of Microsoft.

One the other hand, Allard has presented himself as one of the most innovative minded personnel at Redmond. He invented the idea of Windows for the first time and suggested in a draft in 1994 to make Microsoft’s signature operating system an internet tool
in personal computers. He foresaw the internet evolution in his mind.

Despite the fact that Courier’s beautiful dimensions and basic idea of multi-tasking are mind-boggling and eye-catching in the first place, the product in the company’s vision might not be as economical as Courier’s department thinks, not at least in the
next three to four year until the iPad-mania wears off.

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Posted by Usman Khalid on Nov 2 2011. Filed under Sci-Tech. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry