Will Microsoft Courier be iPad Killer?

[Kwill]

After viewing the Microsoft Courier video I was quite impressed. I kept thinking, "Wow, will the Apple tablet be better than this?" After viewing the iPad launch, I was mildly underwhelmed.

For the most part the iPad appears to be an oversize iPhone with some MacBook Air styling. The way users interact with familiar desktop apps is groundbreaking perhaps. But IMHO it does not offer new computing paradigms. According to a Macworld article, enterprise is not too impressed either. Perhaps there will be a market for the iPad, in the same way there is for the MacBook Air.

For discussion: Does anyone think iPad will grow beyond a niche product? Did Apple leave the door open for Courier to be the favorite? Will Microsoft botch up Courier by the time it reaches the market (morph it into an oversize Zune)?

 

[REM314]

How can you kill something that hasn't been released yet?

I keep hearing about this new-fangled Microsoft surface though. I hear thats pretty new and exciting..

 

[iWoz]

MS courier?

 

[jbro1999]

all about marketing and quality.

apple > *

 

[rdowns]

MS courier?

It's the Comic Sans of the '10s.

 

[bearcatrp]

If they build it like the demo shows, it might be the best one out there. BUT, they have to build it first. I think it will be A better tablet for schools.

 

[eawmp1]

Is this like "killing" a fetus. The iPad hasn't been born yet.

 

[calderone]

Apparently the rock already killed it.

Rock > Aluminum + Glass.

Is this like "killing" a fetus. The iPad hasn't been born yet.

I see what you did there.

 

[Aloush]

It won't at all
The courier is for business people not something you would really use in a household
And yeah the iPad is a big iPod Touch but is easy to use where as the courier looks complicated and like it can't be used that much in a household.

 

[stewart715]

The thing about Microsoft vs. Apple is that it doesn't matter what edge Microsoft's device has over Apples.

Apples portable devices will always sell better than Microsofts. Bottom line. Sounds like an uneducated response, but its the truth. People associate the iPad as a bigger iPod. Those who love the iPod (large majority of people) who want a tablet will buy the iPad. Also, Apples App Store is something Microsoft will never be able to compete against, giving the large edge to Apple.

Most people want something like this for internet and for music/video. Everyone loves iTunes more than anything else. iTunes runs on iPad. Sealed.

Finally...that Courier doesn't look like anything the iPad can't do with some developer support...

 

[sundiego]

Courier looks like the ultimate tablet imo, especially for home use. I like how it is effective for notes, business, and has so much artistic potential. iPad is more of a consumption device vs. a creation device imo, which is not a bad thing, but not as exciting imo. Of course everything hinges on how good the character recognition is.

 

[Kwill]

How can you kill something that hasn't been released yet?.

When Jobs introduced the iPhone he smugly pre-announced the sale of 10 million units by the end of the following year. Pundits mocked him for having no experience building phones. Competitors had a full 6 months to respond but ignored Apple. Two years later they are still trying to catch up.

This year every manufacturer attending CES had a tablet prototype. They wanted to assure the public that regardless of what Apple had up its sleeve, they were ready to respond. Now Apple has shown its cards. Everyone else has 3 months to act. Within that time before launch it is very feasible that an idea can be "killed."

Most opposition lacks the financial and technical resources to make a winner. But uncharacteristically, MS showed its hand early and so far has the best looking package from a technical aspect. The UI, though clever, can appear a bit cumbersome for some tasks but overall, the video walks viewers through some plausible business activities that are well executed. Whether MS can compete on price and quality construction are other matters in which MS has traditionally fallen short.

 

[johnnyhow]

The great thing about ipad is, firstly, it's simple OS. I think they chose to go with iPhone os so they could directly compete with the yet to be released Chrome OS. The second reason is price- it puts it in the category of the netbook, while offering a fully integrated media player.

 

[outz]

all ms needs to do is add multitasking, webcam. maybe a usb port?

 

[sinsin07]

I'm not a fanboy of either company. That said, based on that video only, I don't think the iPad has anything to worry about versus the Couirer.

 

[surferfromuk]

all ms needs to do is add multitasking, webcam. maybe a usb port?

Just like that! No relasing 4 generations of iPhone OS, no R&D, no evolution of App stores or SDKs, nothing else, just wack something on a tablet, add multi-tasking and USB and your done!!

And of course your in right?

Do you really think Microsoft can simply leap from Winmob as it currently is to a competitive third branch touch operating system?

For starters

1) It will induce exactly the same contempt from the techno-elite as the iPad has
2) Microsoft can't even match the iPod Touch, so how are they gonna surpass the iPad?

Seriously, go watch Rise of the Nerds (genuine program) and understand the industry a little before making absurd statements.

 

[surferfromuk]

It won't at all
The courier is for business people not something you would really use in a household
And yeah the iPad is a big iPod Touch but is easy to use where as the courier looks complicated and like it can't be used that much in a household.

Hello! Courier doesn't exist. It's a video - a design exercise. There is no courier device or courier OS - its a movie created in flash.

Second to that all they really showed was a fancy high-concept touch version of Evernote or Devon Think. Everything the courier concept promises to offer will be surpassed by a $5 App for the iPad in little over 3 months!

iPad can be purchased very soon - it iExists.

 

[outz]

Just like that! No relasing 4 generations of iPhone OS, no R&D, no evolution of App stores or SDKs, nothing else, just wack something on a tablet, add multi-tasking and USB and your done!!

And of course you're in right?

Do you really think Microsoft can simply leap from Winmob as it currently is to a competitive third branch touch operating system?

For starters

1) It will induce exactly the same contempt from the techno-elite as the iPad has
2) Microsoft can't even match the iPod Touch, so how are they gonna surpass the iPad?

Seriously, go watch Rise of the Nerds (genuine program) and understand the industry a little before making absurd statements.

my statement above was mostly sarcasm...

face it, the ipad is lacking so much. with all that R&D you speak of why in the world include a microphone but not a webcam? and wtf, no multitasking? it's just ridiculous.

 

[MTI]

It will be a killer if MS puts HD Radio in it!

 

[budselectjr]

Still waiting on Microsoft Surface.

 

[appleguy123]

Is this like "killing" a fetus. The iPad hasn't been born yet.

That was brilliant!

 

[sinsin07]

The problem I see with a MS device is there old school thinking. I don't think they are capable of making a sleek thin device. If their first tablet device is anything like their first Xbox, count on it having a big green X on it.

In order for them to succeed in form, they need to leave the states and design it in Japan.

 

[surferfromuk]

my statement above was mostly sarcasm...

face it, the ipad is lacking so much. with all that R&D you speak of why in the world include a microphone but not a webcam? and wtf, no multitasking? it's just ridiculous.

Sorry man, missed that

I agree webcam is a dumb oversight.

I think the push-notification will mostly deal with the multi-tasking issue but I agree maybe *some* apps should be permitted to run concurrently - maybe one chat app, browser and iPod.

Can't see why games or much else needs to run concurrently?

 

[MTI]

I agree webcam is a dumb oversight.

As if Apple consumers needed to appear more superior . .

Although I am pro-nose hair trimming.

 

[gkarris]

Sooooo, let me get this straight...

The Microsoft Courier (not yet released) is the Apple iPad (not yet released) killer?

LOL...

Congratulations, MS.