iSlate Hacked

Microsoft is getting as bad as Apple with their no tell policies.  If they just told us something, we wouldn’t have to sneak around so much.

LATEST NEWS ON THE COURIER
The Microsoft Courier is looking to be a real game changer in the tablet/slate field.  Just as with the iPad, we are having to go on rumors, speculations and leaks.  Microsoft is keeping this project top secret.  The current leak was reported by Gizmodo, they were the first to have pictures and details.
The Courier is said to be in the late development stages, still working on the design and functions.  It is being referred to as “The Infinite Journal.”  It includes two, multi-touch 7-inch screens that can be used for writing, flicking, and drawing with a stylus pen, or navigating with your fingers.  It can collect and hold almost any kind of content, web clippings, notes, diagrams, drawings, or photos, each item gets a timestamp and geotag. The hinge doubles as a “pocket” to hold items you want to move from one page to another.  Microsoft’s tablet heritage is digital ink-oriented, and this interface works with the Surface touch computer and the Zune HD.  It has been reported to run on top of Windows 7.
Looks as if the left screen is used for web-browing and the right for record keeping.  It has a Smart Agenda that can keep your important items visible at a glance.  The library is your main file browser and organizes everything by type.  The left side holds your favorites tray, where you can paste your most important projects or apps.
The pen is more than just the old fashioned stylus, it comes with two buttons, an eraser and different drawing modes activated by a twisting mechanism.  The rear button is an undo action, while the front button is a quick-select.  You can also use finger gestures to interact with the device.
It has a camera mode,  that  uses the “Cloud” system which provides you with the web-based access to your Journal, where you can share it on line.  This seems to be serious competition for the iPad.

The  OXYGEN, ZINC, ARGON, AND COBALT
Ammunition Design Group is a product design group based in San Francisco, CA led by Robert Brunner, Matt Rolandson,and Brett Wickens, as a break-off of Pentagram Design.  This company designs computers and hardware, and other devices for many companies.  This group is now reportedly working on designing computers specifically for Microsoft’s Windows Vista operating system.
Hence…the projects that are being speculated to be underway.

The Microsoft Oxygen Project- the concept is a desktop system that converts from typical use mode, to media viewing, to pen input.

The Microsoft Zinc Project- a concept intended for countertop use.

The Microsoft Argon Project- a concept of an entertainment biases all-in-one PC.

The Microsoft Cobalt Project- A convertible notebook/tablet system.