Leaked Microsoft Courier Video Shows How We'll Actually Use It

 

Microsoft's Courier booklet was surprising, mostly because it was so far outside of what everybody now expects from a tablet. This internal video shows how Microsoft thinks we'll use Courier.

Since publishing the first leak, several more people have come forward with details on the Courier project.

This video is produced by the same firm that collaborated with Microsoft's Pioneer Studios on the previous clip, and it walks through a slightly different (and more conservative/realistic) iteration of the Courier interface. While the first video showed a handful of use cases, this one actually provides an overview of the interface and Courier's features, and more of how you would actually use it if you are not a designer.

The heart of Courier appears to what's called the "infinite journal," which is what it sounds like: A journal/scrapbook that is endless, bound only by storage constraints (presumably). Hopefully they will call it something less awkward. The journal can actually be published online, and it's shown here as able to be downloaded in three formats: a Courier file, Powerpoint or PDF. There's also a library that looks a lot like Delicious Library, where things like subscriptions, notebooks and apps, are stored.

This interface does share a few things in common with the other one: In particular, the hinge between the screens is still used as a pocket to "tuck" items you want to move from one page to another. It also still revolves almost exclusively around using the pen for input: In 4 minutes of video, there's not a virtual keyboard in sight. Fingers are still used just to navigate, through flicks, swipes and pinches.

The interface has a few more traditional elements than the first video, with more of a Microsoft feel (fonts and titles bars) and less of the entirely handwritten journal aesthetic: a smart agenda, more defined folder system, universal search and multi-page web browsing. It feels more evolved and fined, and less convoluted, suggesting it's more recent.

It also begins to bring into focus Courier's priorities, and possible limitations: Other than the brief glimpse at the library and the web browser, there is basically nothing about viewing content, like watching movies, reading books, or listening to music. Courier, in this iteration, appears to be all about creating and writing with a pen, which is vastly different from what everybody expects out of the Apple tablet.

We expect to have more a in-depth breakdown of the Courier interface in the next few days, so stay tuned.

Microsoft Security Essentials anti-virus software is now live and free

In a move that's sure to please a few million Windows users and break the hearts of a handful of anti-virus companies, Microsoft has now finally made the non-beta version of its Security Essentials software available to the general public, and it's not even asking that you throw a launch party to get it for free. For those not in on the beta or following Microsoft's exciting forays into freeware, the software promises to cover all the security basics and fend off viruses, spyware and other malicious software, and Microsoft even assures us that it'll "run quietly in the background" and only intrude on your life when an action is required. You'll also, of course, get free updates on a regular basis, and it'll work just fine whether you use Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 -- hit up the link below to grab a copy.

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

Microsoft’s Courier is a Foldable Tablet

Looks like Microsoft is in its later stage of development of a foldable tablet PC called Courier. Gizmodo has the scoop on a set of photos and demo video.

It’s still hush-hush so there’s not a lot of details on this product. Some even hinted this could be vaporware. See demo video below.

In any case, this looks really cool.

ITG now accepting xpPhone preorders with choice of AT&T, Orange, or Vodafone

In preparation for its global launch, China's In Technology Group (ITG) has just launched a redesigned English website and is now accepting unpriced preorders for the Computex-revealed xpPhone. Trumpeted by the company as the "world's first mobile phone that runs Windows XP," the AMD-powered slider hasn't undergone any notable changes—cosmetically or otherwise—since it was last seen, so all the specs you've previously committed to memory are still intact.

That means the xpPhone is still all about what you see below:

The SSD and HDD options you see listed are apparently not an either-or choice, with ITG asserting that the device supports both drives at the same time (the SSD to "help save power" and the HDD for the "full internet experience") and can even be used as a portable hard disk when the system shuts down.

More interesting than the specs, the seven major advantages, or even the nine major technologies involved with the xpPhone, however, is the fact that it "supports the global three major 3G standards."

To prove it, the preorder page requires you to choose your "3G module" from a drop-down menu that lists Vodafone, AT&T, and Orange. Why the same xpPhone isn't able to support all the necessary 3G frequency bands on its own is unclear, but the use of the carriers' names at least bodes well for those in the US and Europe who hoped the phone would be available outside of China.

I asked my contact at ITG for pricing info and a global release date and was told that I'd be notified immediately when such details were ready for public consumption. I was also told that the final product will be "more thin and sharp," so although we don't know when or for how much, at least we know to expect the xpPhone to be sporting a new look the next time it makes an appearance.

11.6″ HP Mini 311 netbook gets official

HP has finally unveiled their very own version of the 11.6″ netbook. The HP Mini 311 will also feature a more powerful graphics chip, an NVidia Ion LE.

 

11.6″ display screen @ 1366 x 768 pixels
Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz
NVidia Ion LE with up to 3,19MB memory
1GB DDR3 (max 2GB)
160GB SATA HDD
WiFi 802.11 b/g
HDMI port
5-in-1 card reader
6 cell Li-Ion battery

Will come pre-installed with Windows XP Home Edition SP3 and a DDR3 RAM is a welcome upgrade (the first netbook to have DDR3). It’s a bit heavy though at 3.22 pounds. Price starts at $399 so this is gonna be the cheapest in the 12-inch category (price could go up for upgraded the RAM and HDD capacity).

What will Sony Ericsson bring next week? Sept. 21, 2009

15-09-2009: Sony Ericsson has planned a new launch event upcoming Monday. Via a webcast, everyone will be able to experience the launch of a new product, which is focused on a good music experience.

Today, Sony Ericsson published a website at which a live webcast is announced for Monday next week. At September 21, 6:00-6:30 PM (Philippines Time), Sony Ericsson will announce a new product that has everything to do with music.

What exactly will be the product that Sony Ericsson will announce on the area of music is something we don't know yet, and when we check out the website at which the live webcast will be posted, we're not getting any clues either. When looking at the graphics, we believe that the product will be focused on the younger mobile caller and the device will change the world of music forever, reading the texts at the website. We're curious!

Keep track of our front page next week, Mobile Phone Helpdesk will attend the webcast and write a report on the announcement of Sony Ericsson.

Sony-Ericsson XPeria X2

Sony-Ericsson is finally coming up with the next generation Xperia phone. The SE Xperia X2 has a design not far off from the first one, and hopefully, not priced as much.

3.2″ TFT resistive touchscreen @ 800×480 pixel resolution
Qualcomm MSM 7200 528 MHz processor
HSDPA 7.2 Mbps, HSUPA 2 Mbps
110MB storage, 256 MB RAM, 512 MB ROM
up to 16GB with microSD expansion slot
8MP camera with LED flash, AF and IS, WVGA @ 30fps video recording
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP
GPS receiver with A-GPS
TV-out
1500mAh Li-Po battery

Sony Ericsson XPeria X1

Globe Tattoo Prepaid and SmartBro Prepaid Kit drops price below P999

Globe is doing a promo on their Tattoo Prepaid Kit. Get a Php1,000 discount for every purchase of a kit — that’s just Php895 from the regular price of Php1,895.

The catch — well, promo period is only until October 31, 2009. The Globe Broadband Tattoo prepaid kit still comes with free 5 hours of mobile 3G worth Php100. Kits are available at Globe Stores and authorized dealers nationwide.

Note: SmartBro Prepaid kit also costs Php995 now.

Nokia N900 gets official

The Nokia N97 gets a big brother. Nokia confirms the new N900, a large-sized smartphone (internet tablet) packed with features and looking even better than previous models in the same line (such as the Nokia N850).

3.5 inch display (800×480 pixels) with resistive touchscreen
up to 1GB of application memory (256 MB RAM, 768 MB virtual memory)
32 GB storage
up to 16GB via microSD
HSDPA, 10Mbps, HSUPA, 2Mbps
WiFi 802.11 b/g
DLNA
Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP
5MP camera @ 2592×1944 pixels, Carl Zeiss optics, AF,
Dual LED flash with video light
ARM Cortex A8 600 MHz with PowerVR SGX graphics
Stereo FM radio and FM transmitter
GPS with A-GPS support
Digital Compass
TV-out

The 1320mAh Li-Ion battery does seem a little low for a smartphone like this considering the earlier E71/E63/E72 already have 1500mAh. Would be pretty interesting how the Linux-based Maemo 5 OS will perform. Will be available later this year with a suggested retail price north of Php35,000.

New releases from Nokia X3 and X6

At Nokia World 2009 were presented two new phone line with the index X (short XpressMusic) - touchscreen smartphone X6 and a slider with an index of X3. Both of them should appear on sale later this year. Nokia X3 main features of the slider - working with the radio without a wired headset, 2.2 inch display with 320x240 resolution, 3-megapixel camera, memory card support up to 16 gigabytes, the possibility of charging from USB (there is a standard 2-mm charger connector) and integration with web services OVI. Expected price is at level 540 (!) And 140 euros for, respectively, the model X6 and X3. Frankly, the price for the X6 looks quite pessimistic, despite its built 32 gigabytes of memory.

Cloned MacBook Air is more netbook-y but only costs $250

Oh wow, take a look at that MacBook Ai—hey, that’s not a MacBook Air! It’s a $250 netbook from China! That’s actually not too bad of a deal, considering that the machine has a 12.1-inch 1366×768 display, weighs just under three pounds, and is less than an inch thick.

Underneath it all, though, is your basic netbook: Atom N270 CPU, Intel GMA950 graphics, 1GB of RAM, 120GB hard drive, Wi-Fi, and Windows. And let’s just assume that the materials used with this netbook might not be as well-crafted as Apple’s magic aluminum enclosure within which the MacBook Air’s delicate parts are ensconced.

Still, the $250 price tag is pretty nice. You’ll have to be in China to get one, though.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Pure