RIP Microsoft Courier 2009-2010. We Hardly Knew You

Microsoft have cancelled their infamous Courier project.

The team working on the device were informed that the Microsoft execs had decided to drop support for the device which was in a late prototype form. Here’s an official quote:

At any given time, we’re looking at new ideas, investigating, testing, incubating them. It’s in our DNA to develop new form factors and natural user interfaces to foster productivity and creativity. The Courier project is an example of this type of effort. It will be evaluated for use in future offerings, but we have no plans to build such a device at this time.

The Courier Project was an interesting one. Many thought that this device could actually match Apple’s iPad. Many also said that this was one of the most innovative projects Microsoft worked on.

No reason as to why it was cancelled. I speculate that Microsoft probably wanted to pour more resources into the launch of Windows Mobile 7.

Hopefully down the road, Microsoft will resurrect this project with more features added to it.

Bye bye Courier, we’ll miss you!