It was meant to be a dual-screen, sleek and stylish tablet for the creative individual. However, Microsoft's Courier device was never produced, with no real reason ever being given. Now CNET has revealed why the device never reached the market.
J Allard, who oversaw the development and initial release of the Xbox, wanted the Courier to be a two-screen tablet that users controlled with finger gestures or a stylus. However, the device ran a modified version of Windows and was aimed at a more creative market.
In opposition, Steven Sinofsky, head of Microsoft's Windows division, was very wary of a tablet which didn't use the company's tailor made tablet software, which was at the time more than two years away. So Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, confused by which top level executive to side with, roped in Bill Gates to help him make a decision.
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In a meeting with the Courier development team, which included Entertainment and Devices division President Robbie Bach, it became apparent that the Courier's only e-mail support would be through a web browser. The device would also compliment the personal computer, rather than be a replacement.
With an emphasis on creativity and no dedicated e-mail client – an area where Microsoft makes billions of dollars a year – Gates made his opinion clear and within weeks, the Courier was cancelled. Allard and Bach soon left the company, although they said the Courier decision was not a factor.
It seems that with this example, Microsoft was keen to protect the widespread use of its established product franchises. While the company clearly has a staff compliment full of visionaries, it's failure to pursue this kind of product may come back to haunt the technology giant in the future.
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