More graphics detailing the user interface of Microsoft's Courier have leaked to Gizmodo. The images show how touch-screen finger gestures and stylus operations interact with Courier's two glass screens. These images were likely developed in secret by Pioneer Studios, a division of Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices division.

Each journal in the library is fully customizable and searchable. The library button brings the user back to an visual index of all stored journals. Search terms are entered by writing with the stylus. Individual pages can be viewed with finger gestures.

According to CEO Steve Ballmer, Microsoft has no interest in developing an e-reader that would compete with other devices such as Amazon's Kindle. He claims the company already has a device for reading, and he says "it’s the most popular device in the world. It’s the PC."

That being said, Ballmer is known as a passionate supporter of innovation and we expect that the Courier tablet will be a game-changer nonetheless. Microsoft has released its own tablet-compatible e-reader software called Microsoft Reader.

Codex might be the first glimpse of a working Courier-like prototype. Although it's bulky and unrefined, it proves the concept is workable. Another plus to the Codex is that it actually exists.

Dual screens are oriented automatically by sensors to provide the correct configuration based on the activity. The hinge in the center allows Codex to close, stand upright, and open in a variety of positions. Two people could use the device simultaneously.

Courier has been discussed, rendered and conceptualized, but the actual device remains to be seen. Whether the hardware exists or not, sources inside Microsoft are already indicating the company plans to release the product sooner rather than later.

Mary Jo Foley at ZDNet has inside sources at Microsoft who say the company wants Courier to hit the market in mid-2010. Considering that Courier is not even in the commercialization pipeline yet, that could be an ambitious goal.

Several Courier prototypes are said to exist, although the exact number is unknown. The device is rumored to be at a stage in product development where user interface concepts are being circulated to outside agencies. What about the hardware?

According to Mary Jo Foley at ZDNet, the product is an "incubation" project, which puts it one step ahead of a "research" project. Her sources have also indicated that when it hits the commercial pipeline Microsoft will manufacture the device itself.

Sources have told Mary Jo Foley at ZDNet that the Courier dual-screen tablet will run Windows 7, Microsoft's latest operating system. However, standard Windows 7 applications will not run on Courier.

Applications will be specifically tailored to take advantage of the touch-screen capabilities and unique display configuration of Courier. This way Microsoft can insure that the user experience on Courier is optimized for the hardware.

Renderings of Microsoft's Courier have leaked to Gizmodo. The images show the dual-screen device powered up, looking finished and portable. Pioneer Studios, a division of Microsoft Entertainment and Devices, has developed a series of internal Courier concept presentations. Here are renderings of the device and stylus.

Microsoft Courier will have two seven-inch screens and close like a book. Users interact with the tablet using a stylus or by touching the screens.

More details of Microsoft's Courier tablet have been leaked to gadget blog Gizmodo. Like previous videos and photos this concept animation was produced by Pioneer Studios, a division of Microsoft Entertainment and Devices.

Microsoft is said to be at a late prototype stage in product development where they've begun to show Courier concepts to outside agencies. This video shows an in-depth depiction of how one might use the dual-screen device to work on a collaborative project. The highlight of the video is Pagestream, the heart of the user interface.

The first video showing the user interface of the Courier tablet was leaked to tech blog Gizmodo this fall. Pioneer Studios, a division within Microsoft Entertainment and Devices, developed the concept. The device is said to be in the late prototype stages and consists of two seven-inch screens that respond to gestures and a hand-held stylus.

As seen in the video clip, Courier features endless screens for handwriting, photo taking and copying excerpts directly from the web dubbed the Infinite Journal. Moving content between different applications is fluid and seamless.