It was shown days before an Apple event. Rumors at the time pointed to Apple releasing its tablet at that event. They didn't and watching the rushed CGI video of a concept that would never become a product being released right before a non-event was priceless.
> If anything MS cleard the field for the iPad
I wouldn't hold my breath
http://mashable.com/2009/09/22/microsoft-courier/
MS cancels the Courier on April 29th -- the same month the iPad came out (and actually a day before the launch of the 3G version).
There doesn't seem to be a FUD play at all here, except in the eyes of the most ardent consipracy theorists. RBanffy? :-)
As for the September 9th event, it was disappointing. Lots of people expected a "one more thing" moment with what would become the iPad.
So, it was right after an Apple event and right before a couple product announcements from Apple.
Word is they did. Apparently they had some contractual obligation to do so.
And I don't think they intend for XBox to fail, but the goal wasn't to make profit in of itself, but rather to block and clear the way for their own living room initiative.
Why would anyone consider the date Courier was "shown" be days before what was suspected to be the date Apple would announce its tablet?
Huh? Courier was first shown in 2009. Way before the iPad was announced. If anything MS cleard the field for the iPad by announcing they were killing the Courier project.