Microsoft Courier UX tablet leaked

It's not confirmed, it's not a finished product, and it is just vapourware until we hear more. But the 'Courier UX' -- Microsoft's apparent dual-screen tablet -- has to be one of the most intriguing rumours of the year.

Gizmodo claims its leaked images and details of the Courier UX are genuine, and that it's in the late stages of prototype development. Pictures and video detail a book-like system that uses two touchscreens, each utilising finger and stylus gestures to navigate and manipulate images, Web pages and text. There's a 3-megapixel camera on the back, too.

The news tallies with our own reports from earlier this week. We understand Microsoft has been pushing its 'Microhard' research teams into more experimental fields, and that members of the Surface division are involved.

But what's even more curious about the Courier is that it's not a Windows 7 device. Wise move, too. Instead, the OS is more reminiscent of the Surface operating system, but incorporating features you'd want to use on the go, such as maps and the Internet.

We don't know how likely such a product is to become a reality, and the only photos we've seen are computer-generated renders. The UI looks beautiful and intelligent, but until we see a physical device in a human hand, we're keeping this beard long for convenient stroking.

Check out some more pics at Gizmodo, where you'll also find a CGI demo.