Windows 10: Microsoft talks about the cancelled Courier booklet device

Back in 2008, Microsoft was internally testing a tablet PC with two displays, and the device would have featured a booklet design. The two displays with touch support faced each other in a booklet form and it also supported stylus (pen). Microsoft did work on Courier but the company never released it in the market.

Microsoft has been working on a new mobile device similar to the Courier digital Notepad concept, but the company has always remained tight-lipped on the cancelled Courier tablet. At Build 2018 developer conference, Microsoft revealed what exactly happened to the Courier project.

The operating system of the Microsoft Courier was reportedly a custom version of Windows. Steve Ballmer decided to cancel such a device “because it didn’t have a clear platform or developer story”.

It was killed “because it didn’t have a clear platform or developer story”

— Brad Sams (@bdsams) May 8, 2018
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The rumoured device would have featured seven-inch screens when the book was closed. The Courier was a secret project and existence of such a device was only known by a few key engineers.

In 2010, Microsoft officially confirmed that they were working on Courier but the company ultimately cancelled the project

“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,” Microsoft Corporate VP of Communications Frank Shaw said in a statement.

The history of Microsoft Courier


Image Courtesy: TheVerge.com

The Courier was running a modified version of Windows, and the project was led by Xbox godfather J Allard. Steve Ballmer had a dilemma. Both key executives – J Allard and Steven Sinofsky were pursuing a new vision for the tablets. While J Allard’s Courier ran a custom version of Windows, Steven Sinofsky was working on a tablet-friendly version of Windows but it wasn’t ready at that time.

Interestingly, Courier wasn’t supposed to replace the computer or smartphone. Surprisingly the device would not have featured an email application (Microsoft’s Outlook) and users would have to read emails from the web. It was a bit surprising concept as Microsoft Outlook was the company’s cash cow. The Courier could have been the ultimate device for creators – as it featured two dual display, journal design and stylus.

In other words, Courier was cancelled because it ran a custom version of Windows, and it didn’t align with Microsoft’s vision.

Surface Andromeda – The future of mobile computing




While Microsoft hasn’t discussed the rumoured Andromeda at Build 2018, the company is still working on such a device. The Andromeda (also referred to as Surface Phone by many) is a project similar to Courier concept. The company is also working on series of improvements for Windows 10 in order to deliver the best experience on Andromeda.

The eagerly-anticipated Andromeda could be similar to the Courier concept, and the operating system will be optimized to run on this device with multiple modes. It certainly makes sense as the device could come in the form of a digital notepad with a foldable display. Microsoft will be using a hinge to enable foldability and it could also feature several form factors including phone and laptop modes.

It’s not yet known if Microsoft is pursuing a phone form factor or not. Rumours that have been swirling around the web suggested that Andromeda could see daylight rather sooner than later.

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