Just a few months ago, there seemed to come an alternative to the iPad – Microsoft Courier. While Apple released the iPad  in April the Microsoft Courier will never make it.

Microsoft has decided to stop the project and focus other projects. The MS Courier could have become a real iPad killer. But obviously MS has other plans, rumors say the will concentrate their efforts on the netbook market.

Microsoft’s Frank Shaw:

At any given time, we’re looking at new ideas, investigating, testing, incubating them. It’s in our DNA to develop new form factors and natural user interfaces to foster productivity and creativity. The Courier project is an example of this type of effort. It will be evaluated for use in future offerings, but we have no plans to build such a device at this time.

There is no explanation why Microsoft gave up on Courier project. Maybe the resulte would just be too expensive compared to the iPad.

It is sad, since the Courier could have been that different kind of  e-reader to challenge the iPad and other e-readers on the market.