Apple has released a device in tablet form factor calling it iPad. Its main purpose it consuming internet services and reading books. Microsoft has been silently working on a device concept called “Courier” which is rethinking the way touch devices are used.

Steve Jobs has recently commented about touch devices “If you see a stylus they blew it”. Apple is against stylus in a touch device. I feel they will be proved wrong. Microsoft is redefining itself slowly, First, they announced Windows Phone 7 which is a new OS from ground up focusing on touch interface. Now, check these videos of Courier. It is a cool concept device which takes touch device to next level.

They are making a device which will be not only good for consuming internet services but also create content. I think you will agree with me on that. Natural handwriting input in a notebook form factor is killer. I can’t stop thinking of applications which can come to life with this combination. Multitouch + Handwriting + Apps will bring Microsoft to forefront in devices market making it a viable competitor to reigning champion Apple.

I feel Courier will become perfect companion for any business.

Source

What is pCubee?

We have designed a personal cubic display that offers novel interaction techniques for static and dynamic 3D content. We arrange five small LCD panels into a box shape that is light and compact enough to be handheld. The display uses head-coupled perspective rendering and a real-time physics simulation engine to establish an interaction metaphor of having real objects inside a physical box that a user can hold and manipulate. We have demonstrated four types of interaction techniques with pCubee: viewing a static scene, navigating through a large landscape, playing with colliding objects inside a box, and stylus-based manipulation of objects.

See for yourself in this nice video:

more here

With Sony reducing its PS3 price to $299 and Microsoft reducing XBOX 360 price to $299 (+$50 mail-in-rebate). now its Big N’s turn to reduce the price of its console Wii. This price drop come into effect from September 27th.

Smartphone maker HTC is on a roll with the Android operating system. The company introduced its third Android-based device, called the HTC Hero, on Wednesday. It’s a touchscreen phone that will come with a newly designed user interface.

The phone has a 3.2-inch display, GPS, digital compass, a 5-megapixel auto focus camera and expandable MicroSD memory. The HTC Hero also features an anti-fingerprint coating on the screen for smudge resistance and a Teflon coating on the exterior.

HTC’s latest release adds momentum to Google’s Android operating system, which was introduced last year. The first Android phone to hit the market was the HTC-produced T-Mobile G1 phone in North America in October. Since then, HTC has also launched Magic, a touchscreen phone that eliminates the physical keyboard of the G1.

[Read more on wired]

Sony has announced three new entry-level DSLRs. The A230, A330 and A380 replace the Alpha 200, 300 and 350. The restyled cameras offer new ergonomics and easy-to-use interfaces, but retain the underlying specification of the predecessor models. As before, the basic model is a 10MP DSLR, the intermediate model adds Sony’s fast live view system and the range-topping model gets a 14.2MP sensor. The new Alpha DSLRs are better differentiated from one another, with individual color schemes and grip finishes helping to distingush between the models.