Microsoft vs. Apple
However it is explained, whether it be PC vs. Mac, Windows vs. OS X, or The iPod vs. The Zune, Microsoft and Apple certainly have been feverishly competing to win the hearts of today’s gadget consumers.
And recently, after Microsoft’s Zune was overtaken (an understatement. I mean seriously who has a Zune?) by the iPod, these two companies have shifted to developing touchscreen tablets.
Apple Tablet
Apple seems to be somewhat hush-hush about the Apple Tablet. With only some factual details found online, it’s hard to say too much about this, other than evaluating the image.
It seems Apple has is sticking with the basic concept that is the iPhone. Just take it, turn it horizontally, and enlarge it, and you get the Apple Tablet. The same application dockbar as the iPhone is seen in the tablet. It has a 10″ screen (from Gizmodo). When I first saw a picture of it, I definitely thought about getting it, despite the supposed price (from $700-$900, from Gizmodo). Then I thought, Hey, this isn’t really something you can really tote around like and iPhone…darn. Further thinking about it, it could be marketed as a Netbook-like device.
The Microsoft Courier seems to have had much less coverage than the Apple Tablet. I suggest this is because consumers (or just people in general) love the mysterious atmosphere that having no knowledge other than a picture brings. This allows consumers, as well as the many, many apple rumor bloggers, to speculate essentially anything about it.
Another suggestion I have is that consumers have iPhone fever, and with Apple offering a similar device, they can’t resist grabbing one off the shelf.
Microsoft Courier
The Courier presents a much different feeling than the Apple Tablet. Courier’s user interface appears business-esque; another reason why coverage would be low, compared to the Apple Tablet’s action style feel. The two screens of the Courier are hinged, allowing the device to be folded like a notebook.
A problem brought up by many bloggers about the Courier is the glass on glass issue. Dirt caught between the two screens when folded will grind on the glass. Essentially after a week, the screens when off could look like the back of your once shiny iPod.
Microsoft Courier video demonstration:
Apple’s tablet isn’t an actual product yet. All of the info on it (including the photo you’ve got there) is purely speculation. The rumor’s been going around for almost ten years now. I could see them releasing something eventually (hell, maybe even soon), but it’s not genuine until I hear Steve himself tell me how excited he is about it.
10 years? Yikes. But I agree, and that any unofficial coverage, be it by blogs or legit sites, should be considered speculation.
Who ever wrote this is a flaming retard!…. way too bias!
Wouldn’t any touch screen device get figure print dirty??? so singling out the courier is obviously a fanboy attack. you idiot.
As much as i like the apple products, the courier seems as a way better form factor for any thing. despite it having smaller screens. The apple tablet looks like a UMPC and that had its own issues that apple is not addressing. The courier might win this with the form factor. Especially if the keep the origami concept in their consumers heads for a bendable gadget.