Windows XP Tablet PC Edition: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:25, 27 January 2008

Revision as of 18:17, 28 January 2008

Line 20:

{{Windows XP}}

<!-- The software section of [Tablet PC] article should be merged/moved into this article -->

'''Windows XP Tablet PC Edition''' is an edition of [[Windows XP]] intended for specially-designed notebook/laptop computers called [[tablet PC]]s. Windows XP Tablet PC Edition is compatible with a pen-sensitive screen, supporting handwritten notes and portrait-oriented screens. A retail version cannot be purchased separately from a tablet PC, but is available to Microsoft Developers Network (MSDN) subscribers. Unlike the [[Windows XP Media Center Edition]] which is not available in a retail or volume license form, a volume license version is also available.

==Versions==

Line 26:

* Windows XP Tablet PC Edition - The original release.

* Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 - The Tablet PC equivalentincluded toin Windows XP Service Pack 2.

The 2005 edition is available as a service pack upgrade, or as a new [[OEM]] version.

Line 33:

==System requirements==

There are no clear specific system requirements for Windows XP Tablet PC and Tablet PC 2005 editions, as they are provided pre-installed on Tablet PCs. Tablet PCs come with a touch sensitive screen and an electronic stylus using which users can operate the operating system, write and draw using digital ink instead of typing or drawing using the mouse.

==Included software==

[[Image:Tablet.jpg|right|thumb|225px|Tablet PC running Windows XP Tablet PC Edition and Energy Blue Theme]]

Windows XP Tablet PC Edition is based on Windows XP Professional and includes all the software features provided in it. It is also often bundled with [[Microsoft Office OneNote]] 2003. In addition, it includes some of the following softwarecomponents:

* [[Windows Journal]]

* Sticky Notes

* [[InkBall]]

* [[Energy Blue]] theme

The following downloadable packs released by Microsoft add more functionality:

*[[Windows Journal]]

* Microsoft Experience Pack

*Sticky Notes

**Ink Art

*[[InkBall]]

**Ink Crossword

*[[Energy Blue]] theme

**Ink Desktop

**Media Transfer

**Snipping Tool 2.0

;Experience*Education Pack

**Ink ArtFlash Cards

**Equation Writer

*Ink Crossword

**GoBinder Lite

*Ink Desktop

**Hexic Deluxe

*Media Transfer

*Snipping Tool 2.0

;Education Pack

*Ink Flash Cards

*Equation Writer

*GoBinder Lite

*Hexic Deluxe

==Vista upgrade==

Despite the inclusion of Tablet PC support in Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate editions of [[Windows Vista]], it is only possible to upgrade to Business and Ultimate editions. This is because Tablet PC edition is based on [[Windows XP]] Professional, and so moving to Home Premium would cause a downgrade and loss of features. However, it is possible to perform a clean install of Windows Vista as a replacement for Tablet PC Edition legally.

Some of the "new" features advertised in [[Windows Vista]] have already been launched as part of Windows XP Tablet PC Edition or Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005. Examples include:

*Windows Journal

*InkBall

*Sticky Notes

==Technology==

[[Image:TabletPC 2004.jpg|right|thumb|225px|A Typical Tablet PC Screenshot, showing a docked TIP from Tablet PC Edition 2005]]

<!-- Partly lifted from [[Tablet PC]] article -->

===Ink:===

Windows XP Tablet PC Edition may utilizeutilizes the Ink object as a means of data input and storage. This is a data type created as part of the Windows XP Tablet PC Edition API that allows oneusers to manipulate and process handwritten data, including recognition results and, in some cases, the pressure information for each part of the stroke. Properties of Ink can be changed in much the same way as properties of other objects, and the data can be saved to allow future reference. Many applications referencing the Ink object also allow handwritten notes to be filtered and searched through, based on the recognition results stored when Ink is saved.

===Handwriting Recognition:recognition===

Integrated with the operating system is a Tablet PC Input Panel (TIP) which allows handwriting to be converted into text for use in most non-full-screen applications. The integrated handwriting recognition in Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 can recognize print, cursive, or mixed writing. Accuracy can be increased by configuring the recognizer to expect left-handed writing or right-handed writing. Recognition in a variety of languages is available with the install of a [http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=080184dd-5e92-4464-b907-10762e9f918b&DisplayLang=en recognizer pack]. Unfortunately the handwriting engine cannot be trained to recognize a particular handwriting style so the user must modify their handwriting to be better recognized by the system in order to use this feature effectively.

===Speech recognition===

Windows XP Tablet PC Edition also includes speech recognition functionality integrated into the Tablet Input Panel. Compared to previous versions, a substantially improved speech recognition engine version 6 (which also ships with Office 2003) and a tutorial, microphone wizard and training modules are included. It is possible to dictate text using speech in certain supported applications and control the Windows GUI and applications using speech, although the accuracy improvements further made in Windows Vista surpass these features.

*==Windows JournalVista==

Despite the inclusion of Tablet PC support in Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate editions of [[Windows Vista]], it is only possible to upgrade Windows XP Tablet PC Edition to Windows Vista Business and Ultimate editions., Thisbecause isof because[[Stock keeping unit|SKU]] feature changes. Windows XP Tablet PC edition is based on [[Windows XP]] Professional, and so moving to Home Premium would cause a downgrade and loss of features. However, it is possible to perform a clean install of Windows Vista as a replacement for Tablet PC Edition legally.

Windows Vista includes intrinsic support for handwriting and ink, via a new ''Ink Analysis'' API which is available through [[Component Object Model|COM]] and [[managed code]].<ref>[http://msdn.microsoft.com/windowsvista/prodinfo/what/mobile/default.aspx Windows Vista Mobile API]</ref> A new control, the ''InkCanvas'' is made available by the API to add ink support to applications. Ink support can not only recognize handwriting and formatting, but also hand-drawn shapes which are converted to vector-graphics, rendered as the shape that was intended to be drawn. <ref> [http://blogs.msdn.com/swick/archive/2007/11/01/shape-recognition-with-wpf-and-inkanalysis.aspx Shape Recognition with WPF and InkAnalysis] </ref> An update for Windows XP Tablet PC Edition containing Ink Analysis and StylusInput API support is also available. <ref> [http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=884012e7-dd97-4dbc-bf79-68ce8ee2b590&DisplayLang=en Ink Analysis and Input Supplement for the Windows XP Tablet PC Edition Development Kit 1.7] </ref> Support for [[touchscreen]]s is also included. Also, in Windows Vista, [[InkBall]] can in played using a mouse besides a stylus.

Handwriting Recognition:

Integrated with the operating system is a Tablet PC Input Panel which allows handwriting to be converted into text for use in most non-full-screen applications. The integrated handwriting recognition in Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 can recognize print, cursive, or mixed writing. Accuracy can be increased by configuring the recognizer to expect left-handed writing or right-handed writing. Recognition in a variety of languages is available with the install of a [http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=080184dd-5e92-4464-b907-10762e9f918b&DisplayLang=en recognizer pack]. Unfortunately the handwriting engine cannot be trained to recognize a particular handwriting style so the user must modify their handwriting to be better recognized by the system in order to use this feature effectively.

==References==