Interview with Steve Vosloo:

• http://m4lit.wordpress.com/ – m4lit project website
• http://vosloo.net/ – Steve’s personal blog
• http://twitter.com/stevevosloo – Steve on twitter

News:

• Zoodles browser

Picks of the week:

• Matt: Google Moderator
• Chris: Microsoft Mouse Mischief

• New features in Google docs
• Facebook Teams Up with Microsoft on Docs.com
• More Than Half of Mobile Internet Time Is Spent on Social Networks [STATS]
• MIT Media Lab’s Surround Vision brings virtual reality to a tablet (video)

What makes this device really compelling however is the way that this form factor has been combined with a combination of stylus and finger inputs.  Large movements in the UI can be achieved using fingers and more precise movements, such as drawing and writing are accomplished with the stylus.  There is a video at the bottom of the post showing off how Microsoft has combined these two input methods seamlessly.

The entire package is very slick and compelling.  Since I am an edtech guy though, I’m always asking myself where this fits in the edtech device landscape.  In my opinion, this type of device has the ability to be a game changer where other devices have failed to have a major impact.

A Kindle, Ipod Touch and Netbook all in one

The Courier has the potential to replace a number of devices in my edtech toolbox.  If the size is correct, it has the ability to replace both a netbook and an Ipod Touch in one device.  The 7 inch size seems like a sweet spot between actually being able to get work done and being portable enough to take with you everywhere.

Some will disagree with me, but I think this type of device also has the ability to eclipse devices like the kindle and sony readers.  I think the inventors of the book form factor had something going with their two panels of text.   Two panels fit well in your hands and the two panels allow your eyes to easily distinguish between to areas of text.

Yes, I can hear some of you saying, “But it’s not epaper!  It’s back-lit and will strain your eyes!”  Yes it is back-lit, but really?  How many hours a day do most of us spend in from of a back-lit screen?  We got to work and work on a back-lit screen and then we go home and watch TV and play video games on back-lit screens.  When you look at your cellphone, you are looking at a back-lit screen.   I believe that form-factor, and things like color and resolution will easily offset whatever minimal uncomfortableness  a back-lit screen causes.

I believe that the Courier has the potential to be a very powerful educational tool.  The “scrap booking” type interface makes this type of device ideal for research.  Which is something that the ipod touch and kindle have always failed at doing well.  The pen input makes this device into a powerful illustration and lecture tool, especially if there’s a way to do wireless video.

At any rate, I am excited to see Microsoft producing this kind of innovation and thinking ahead of the market.  Check out the videos below and let me know what you think.

What might be the roots of the Courier.