Preliminary reports indicate the Microsoft Courier will have two individual 7 inch high touch screens that fold together like a book.

Exact specifications of the screens (size and resolution) is unknown at this time. If concept demos are accurate and the height of each screen is 7 inches, the width of each screen is 5.3 inches.

When the first prototype is revealed we will break down the vital statistics on Courier.

The latest design concepts do not show a keyboard of any kind. All input to applications on the Courier are via its touch-sensitive screen and specially designed stylus.

The touch screen supports multi-touch gestures, making it possible for the user to pinch, swipe and drag using the fingers.

Courier's stylus or pen has two buttons that provide various functions depending on what drawing mode is being used or what software is interacting with the stylus. For example, one button will undo the last action in some modes.

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.