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Developer of Courier-like iPad app: A Windows 8 version may be coming

Summary: The developers of Tapose, the Microsoft-like Courier app for the iPad, are considering doing versions for other tablets, including Windows 8.

Mary Jo Foley

By for All About Microsoft |

Over on News.com, Jay Greene posted on November 2 part 2 of his back-story on what happened to the Microsoft Courier project.

One of the most interesting tidbits in part 2 is that former Microsoft Chief Experience Officer and Courier champion J Allard is advising and financially backing the development of a Courier-like application coming to the iPad. (Even though Allard is said to be keeping "enough distance," it's still interesting, given he said he was going to be working with CEO Steve Ballmer on a couple of projects, starting in the fall of 2010.)

One of the founders of Tapose -- full-time Boeing employee and part-time software developer Benjamin Monnig -- responded to me wondering whether the company might do a version of Tapose for Android tablets and Windows 8 tablets. Monnig said "It's a possibility."

If Tapose does do a Windows 8 version of the application, it will be interesting to see whether they do it in HTML5/JavaScript, the preferred development environment for Windows 8. The app also will need to be vetted by Microsoft in order to be downloadable via the coming Windows 8 app store.

Courier was the dual-screen tablet that was being developed as a skunkworks project inside Microsoft until company brass decided to nix the project in the spring of 2010. Interface-wise, it looked like a Franklin Covey planner on steriods -- kind of like this Tapose screen shot:

Greene said Tapose for the iPad is expected out now some time around U.S. Thanksgiving.

Topics: Software Development, Hardware, Tablets, Software, Operating Systems, Mobility, Microsoft, Laptops, iPad, Windows

About

Mary Jo has covered the tech industry for more than 25 years for a variety of publications and Web sites, and is a frequent guest on radio, TV and podcasts, speaking about all things Microsoft-related. She is the author of Microsoft 2.0: How Microsoft plans to stay relevant in the post-Gates era (John Wiley & Sons, 2008).

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21 comments
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  • RE: Developer of Courier-like iPad app: A Windows 8 version may be coming

    I guess there are techs that would find this interesting but in this world today who really cares about something that might be coming? or might not?
    By the time win 8 comes out it will be old news.
    Dougvbx
    Reply Vote

  • HTML5/JavaScript / Courier-like app

    [i]If Tapose does do a Windows 8 version of the application, it will be interesting to see whether they do it in HTML5/JavaScript, the preferred development environment for Windows 8[/i]

    I seriously doubt HTML5/JavaScript is the preferred way of building metro styled apps. HTML5/JavaScript, .Net, and C++ native app development are on even footing, as far as access to WinRT and Windows system resources. Also the best apps will be produced by C++ which is required for high performance / sophisticated apps. Also .Net is able to produce the most capable apps after C++. The advantage of support for HTML5/JavaScript in Windows 8, is that it appeals to the largest set of developers out there - and I guess to many developers in MS' Online Division.

    As for the app, I think it would be great if someone recreated the app on Windows 8. Windows 8 has native support for styluses, so that should give the Windows 8 version an advantage.
    P. Douglas
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Developer of Courier-like iPad app: A Windows 8 version may be coming

    The cool thing about Courier is that it utilized a tablet with 2 nice sized screens. I thin it'll kind of suck on an ipad with its smaller screen. I hope if it comes to Windows 8 someone makes a 2 screen tablet that works with the app well. That would be cool and a dream come true for a lot of us that were really looking forward to Courier.
    rkegel@...
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Developer of Courier-like iPad app: A Windows 8 version may be coming

    Wait, what? HTML 5/Javascript is the preferred method to build Win 8 Metro apps? No wonder they need a BIOS lock. HTML 5/Javascript is a security nightmare, IMO.
    prof.ebral
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Developer of Courier-like iPad app: A Windows 8 version may be coming

      @prof.ebral

      So HTML/Javascript in a browser is a security nightmare, but code outside the browser that can do anything isn't.

      Develop much?
      tonymcs@...
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Developer of Courier-like iPad app: A Windows 8 version may be coming

    Ah - People like this because it was the best Microsoft had to offer - and is VERY cool and easy to use. MSFT's loss could be our gain. Hopefully someone will do a two screen tablet to run COURIER as it was intended. Thank you Mary-Jo for this very exciting news !!!
    jks1516@...
    Reply Vote

  • Who cares

    Must be slow news day. The whole 2 screen idea was stupid and would have failed miserably. The app shown is a a who cares moment. As far as Microsoft anything windows 8 as a windows fan I don't see it going over well at all. the metro ui and the start button make it a no desire for desktops and laptops. As has been shown with wp7 the tiles on mobile devices is something people really don't like. Unless a true desktop version comes to a tablet I personally have no desire for it and do not in my opinion see windows 8 being recieved well at all.
    Fletchguy
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Developer of Courier-like iPad app: A Windows 8 version may be coming

    HTML 5..Javascript it not the preferred way for Metro apps .. Its just that its an option. VB C# and C++ all have equal access to winrt.
    davidj@...
    Reply Vote

    • HTML5/JS as "preferred"

      Hi. I know the "official" word is they are all equal. But MS has been promoting HTML5/JS a LOT more than the other options. Yes, you can use a variety of programming languages (at least right now). But they've really been playing up HTML5/JS to date. MJ
      Mary Jo Foley
      Reply Vote

      • You don't need to spend ...

        @Mary Jo Foley,

        ... much effort persuading the choir to come to church. It is the prospective members that you have to spend more time on. That said, C++ and .Net already has a lot of resources in place, that simply have to be refocused to build metro style apps.

        It is very important to note, that it is highly irrational to try and build anything beyond simple apps in HTML/Javascript - when you have the choice to not do so. It simply becomes too complex, error prone, time consuming, and uneconomical. E.g. MS is not going to rewrite Office in HTML/Javascript to give it a metro style: that would be insane! Therefore if people are telling you stuff that gives you the impression that HTML/Javascript development is going to displace C++ / .Net development on Windows: they are wrong! Stick your fingers in your ears and say, "La, la, la, la ... la"; and don't listen to them!
        P. Douglas
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Developer of Courier-like iPad app: A Windows 8 version may be coming

        @P. Douglas,

        I remember reading that exact sentiment from someone at Microsoft. There's no need to sell .NET to Windows developers, but there's huge potential in selling Windows 8 to cross-platform developers. Unfortunate that .NET developers are so used to being the center of attention, that as soon as the light starts to shine elsewhere they get all panicky. :)

        Back on topic: I love the Courier concept (one or two screen), and wish OneNote would be redesigned in that direction so I can finally get comfortable with it.
        scH4MMER
        Reply Vote

  • RE: Developer of Courier-like iPad app: A Windows 8 version may be coming

    Notes Plus (one of the existing best sellers) also has this functionality coming in version 3 which is due for release shortly.
    MissionMan36
    Reply Vote

  • Let me play Devil's advocate.

    I see a basic problem here, Tapose has the look and feel of Microsoft's Courier, what makes you think Microsoft will not shut this down, afterall it is a brazen theft of their software. Just because Allard lost on the development front, his involvment would appear to be unlawful and open to suit by Microsoft. It wouldn't be the first time a disgruntled employee gave away company secrets. Who is to say that Microsoft is not going to have an updated Courier as part of the Windows 8 software package which includes the Office environment which was missing from the original version. I would be interested to hear Microsoft's reaction to this software and whether it will ever reach any marketplace.
    Rndmacts
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Developer of Courier-like iPad app: A Windows 8 version may be coming

    Windows reserved words: might, may, developing, could, soon, planned, coming, planning.
    TaxNerd
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Developer of Courier-like iPad app: A Windows 8 version may be coming

      @TaxNerd Careful, Microsoft has those words patented.
      dheady@...
      Reply Vote

  • 2 screens tablet?

    what a stupid idea, you must really be a fan-boy to swallow that kool-aid.
    theo_durcan
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Developer of Courier-like iPad app: A Windows 8 version may be coming

    I admit the Courier concept was interesting but I can also appreciate the fact that if what was written in the recent articles is true, than perhaps the correct decision was made. Think about it, a content creation device that doesn???t have a good email client. It would be unthinkable that such a device could be successful in scale (just ask RIM). Obviously, the Courier team didn???t bother getting the support of the Office team (hence no email client) or the Windows teams. It makes me wonder if we will ever see anything new, bold, and risky come out of Microsoft in the next ten years or so. It???s all about aligning with Windows and Office. This wouldn???t be so bad if those cycles didn???t move at such a snail???s pace.

    Now that some of the layers have been revealed on Windows 8, I don???t think too many would call it a bold and risky evolution of Windows OS. I personally like the Metro UI but it doesn???t strike me as timeless. I wonder if in a few years I feel about it as I do now when I see the XP UI (yuck). Also, I can???t help but wonder how the KIN ever got out the door and why BillG wasn???t called before the debacle was allowed to occur and further tarnish their mobile reputation. I would love to see the Microsoft that???s portrayed in that Office of the future video they have been passing around lately.
    windowseat
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Developer of Courier-like iPad app: A Windows 8 version may be coming

    THIS GUY HAD BETTER GET THE RIGHTS TO DO IT FROM MICROSOFT OR ELSE IT WILL BE PULLED FROM THE MARKET PLACE BUT DAMN THE COURIER HAD SOME GREAT FUNCTIONS TO IT THEY WOULD BE GREAT ON A WINDOWS 8 12 INCH TABLET COMPUTER BECAUSE YOU NEED 2 SCREENS
    gregnewm7
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Developer of Courier-like iPad app: A Windows 8 version may be coming

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  • RE: Developer of Courier-like iPad app: A Windows 8 version may be coming

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    AugenAuf
    Reply Vote
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