Features of Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005

   Microsoft launched the first version of the Tablet PC in November 2002. The Tablet PC represents the evolution of the notebook PC. It marks a new direction for PCs, adding pen-based technologies to existing PC functionality. This created a sensation because of its new revolutionary support for ink to the existing applications. Also the swiveling screen which enabled to use as a normal lap top as well as a slate created excitement among the users.

   The Tablet PC is built on top of the existing Windows XP Professional and is a superset of Windows XP. That means users who are already familiar with the functioning of Windows XP Professional will take less time to get adjusted with the functioning of a Tablet PC. The Tablet PC is unique in all aspects i.e. it is sold only on special hardware to enable the ink support on the screen. This screen normally known as the LCD panel of a laptop now serves as the input panel to capture data with the help of a stylus.

   There is also support for the keyboard and the Tablet PC comes in two different versions. One is the regular laptop model which has been enhanced to swivel and is known as the convertible model. This is similar to a laptop and comes with a DVD drive as well as all the accessories found in a normal laptop. The other model is known as the slate model and does not have the accessories found in a laptop. The only way of using this, is through the stylus and is also lighter than the convertible model. The slate model can be docked to an external docking station to enable access with a keyboard and mouse.

   The only way of using ink in the Tablet PC was the “Windows Journal”. This was designed to receive ink from the stylus and also to support the export and import of selected text to other applications as well as exporting to normal text. The Windows Journal was designed to look like a letter pad with a header at the top and a ruled page to provide bearings to write paragraphs of text. This was the only application which supported the capture of Ink in the first version.

   Microsoft listened to people’s feedback on the usage of the Tablet PC and then announced the next version of the Tablet PC operating system, Windows® XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 in November 2003. This new version features deep integration of pen support in Windows XP, making it easier to create text anywhere within Windows XP and familiar Windows-compatible applications. This enabled users to enjoy a more natural computing experience. Microsoft also announced the release of the new Tablet PC Software Development Kit (SDK), to enable developers to create enhanced capabilities, including the ability to create “pen-aware” Web pages, and to help them deliver new and innovative applications based on the Tablet PC platform.

   Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 is a part of the Windows XP SP2 which was a major release this year and this upgraded the existing versions of Tablet PC to the new version during the installation of Service Pack 2.

   We will look at some of the features of the Tablet PC 2005 Edition. We will also see some of the features that have been introduced in the 2005 Edition.

   Top Features

   A Better Laptop.

   The Tablet PC was developed keeping in mind the user’s familiarity with the existing format of the laptop plus the features that are supported only on a laptop such as hot docking, hibernation, extended support for batteries. Hence the Tablet PC provides the full power and functionality of a notebook PC, as well as additional Tablet PC functionality.

  • A complete workstation. Since Tablet PCs are the same as the traditional laptop, they can be attached to docking stations, and existing standard keyboards, monitors and mouse products can be used for easy computing at users’ desktops. And the convertible models offer the same features as the conventional laptop so that the user can use the Tablet PC as a normal laptop when he doesn’t want to use the stylus to write notes.

  • Windows XP Tablet PC Edition operating system. All Tablet PCs are preloaded with the version of the Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 operating system, a superset of Windows XP Professional with specific Tablet PC enhancements. This operating system is an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) version and is not available as a retail version. All Tablet PCs come with in either convertible or slate model. And they are equipped with a digitizer on screen to enable capturing of data with a stylus.

  • Microsoft Office System. The Microsoft Office System adds deeper integration with inking to the core Office applications (Word 2003, Excel 2003, Power Point 2003 and Outlook 2003), elevating inking to a native, out-of-the-box capability. Some of the core features include onscreen editing, onscreen reviewing existing documents and composing documents just like writing on a draft of paper. In addition, Office XP will continue to offer a freely downloadable add-on for the Tablet PC that provides Office integration features.

  • Screen rotation. This feature allows users to change their screen orientation to portrait or landscape mode with the click of a button. This allows the user to adjust his comfort when working with various kinds of documents which other wise would require great deal of scrolling thereby causing discomfiture when working on lengthy document processing.

    •    A New Style of Computing Experience

       The Tablet PC opens up new and different ways of using a PC by enabling a computer to be used like a normal laptop or converted into a slate style to enable writing. Users have the flexibility to work on their Tablet PC with a digital pen, a traditional keyboard and mouse, and speech and even a combination of all three.

  • Windows Journal. Windows Journal is a note-taking utility available only in Windows XP Tablet PC Edition that allows users to take, save, search and manipulate digital notes in their own handwriting. Users can convert handwriting to text, input text into notes, search for keywords across all notes, create drawings and include graphics files in notes.

  • Digital pen. The digital pen allows users to write directly on the screen, just as they would using pen and paper. The digital pen lays emphasis on the fact that the digitizer should accept the input only when it is pressed on the screen. This avoids handling complex situations like a PDA (Personal Device Assistant) which uses the concept of a touch screen. Since the Tablet PC screen is larger than a pocket PC, the hand must rest constantly on the screen to emulate the handwriting experience. Hence this additional support.

  • Improved handwriting recognition. Improvements to the core recognition engine now enable the handwriting recognizer to anticipate what kind of data to expect (e.g., a phone number or name), resulting in better recognition results. This enables the user to work with a relaxed frame of mind when working on applications without having to worry about whether the application should distinguish between the characters and numbers. This is enabled via the Content Tagging Tool when developing applications for the Tablet PC.

  • Speech recognition. Since the Tablet PC was designed for the mobile user, this meant that the user had to interact with the computer without the keyboard and mouse. Hence Speech recognition has been integrated deeply with a Tablet PC and this allows users to use their voice instead of a mouse, keyboard or pen to command and control applications as well as input text. Speech can be combined with other natural input methods, such as handwriting, for a more natural computing experience. New innovations have been included such as guidance when stuck with a complex scenario. This includes a guiding wizard which is enabled when the phrase “What should I say” is spoken.

  • Improved Tablet PC Input Panel. Since the upgraded version of Tablet PC was to support all applications whether a simple word processing tool like Notepad, Word or data centric application like Outlook Contact Manager and composing emails, this meant that the existing Input Panel had to be improved to meet the complexities when working with various applications. Hence the Input Panel has been upgraded to the “In-place TIP” and this feature gives users greater flexibility by launching an in-place input panel wherever the user wants to write, offering a more natural writing experience. Handwriting converts to text dynamically and the user can make corrections before inserting text, offering a vastly improved correction experience for handwriting conversion.

    •    The Most Mobile PC

       The Tablet PC provides everything users expect in a mobile PC, in a form that allows them to be productive in more situations, no matter where they are — at their desk, in a meeting, giving a presentation or even on an airplane. And it is build on top of the most powerful and innovative operating system Windows XP Professional which is the most secure and efficient operating system ever developed.

  • Lightweight. Tablet PCs weigh as little as 2.2 pounds for easy portability. This is because the user is always on the move and should be able to move around holding the Tablet PC without discomforting or tiring himself out.

  • Long battery life. Up to eight hours of battery life enables users to work away from their desk for long periods. This is because when the user is on the move there is no way for him to be constantly connected to a power source and hence the Tablet PC should be able to work for long hours without the need for charging every now and then.

  • Wireless connectivity. Most Tablet PCs offer built-in wireless connectivity, enabling users to stay connected while away from their desk. This is because when the user is on the move, he should have access to the Internet or his office network through a Virtual Private Network (VPN). And the Tablet Pc should be able to provide connectivity without the need for cables because of the absence of networking infrastructure when on the move. Hence wireless connectivity is the only way for the user to access his mails or work on his office data through a VPN.

  • Onscreen keyboard. The Tablet PC includes an onscreen keyboard as another option for inputting data and text when users are away from their desks. When the Tablet PC is in slate mode, this means the user doesn’t have access the keyboard and he might need to enter special characters or perform some specific operations that is totally impossible with handwriting. Hence the need for a onscreen keyboard so that he can tap on the specific key to execute certain commands.

    •    New Benefits of Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005

  • Enhanced “ink to text” experience throughout Windows XP and in any Windows-compatible application makes the pen a mainstream input device. Inserting text is easier with the new Tablet PC In-place Input Panel (TIP) feature and word and case recognition is improved. Developers and users even can add rules for how handwriting should be recognized in certain text fields (such as e-mail, addresses or URLs).

  • Integration in Office 2003 and the One-Note note-taking program enhances productivity by allowing users to easily insert text with the new TIP and annotate anywhere in Microsoft Office Word 2003, Office Excel 2003 or the Office PowerPoint® 2003 presentation graphics program, and send handwritten e-mail in the Office Outlook 2003 messaging and collaboration client. Using Office OneNote 2003 on the Tablet PC brings together ink, text and Web content all in one application.

  • New capabilities for developers make it easier to create powerful productivity applications. Developers can integrate pen and ink in Web-based line-of-business solutions. The Tablet PC Operating system comes with an add-on known as the Tablet PC SDK which enables developers to use the existing familiar tools like Visual Studio .NET or Visual Studio 6.0 to create ink aware applications that work seamlessly on all operating systems.
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