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Power to the pen
26/06/2002 07:59 - (SA)
Ilaina Jonas
New York - Microsoft unveiled new software on Tuesday that is designed to take the computer industry forward by taking a step backward - it allows users to write with a pen rather than using a keyboard.
Microsoft unveiled its long-awaited Tablet PC software platform at TECHXNY, the big technology trade show in New York, where it became something of the star product.
Jeff Raikes, Microsoft's group vice president of Productivity and Business Services, displayed the new software on a line of tablet devices designed by Microsoft partners.
The new computers resemble slimmed down, small laptops, and can be used with a stylus that allows users to write and scribble on the tablet's screen and erase with the other end, just like using a pen or pencil. The computers can also be hooked up to a keyboard.
People attending the TECHXNY trade show said the ability to write with a pen on a PC was an innovation they wanted.
"When I'm at a meeting or presentation, I want to be able to jot down an idea or an e-mail," Sondra Schneider, founder and chief executive of security training company Security University, said after the demonstration. "I've been waiting for it."
Although Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft unveiled other products at the trade show, the tablet, which will be available on November 7, was what most attendees of the event came to see -with half of the audience leaving the hall after the tablet demonstration.
"I think the stuff with the PC Tablet is what everyone was looking for," said Seth Gennett, a PC technologist for food service company Aramark.
The software also can change handwriting into a typed text. Other features allow users to mark up webpages or electronic books and send them to co-workers or other collaborators. Among the companies making tablet devices based on Microsoft's Tablet PC software platform are Toshiba Corp, Viewsonic, Acer Inc, Motion Computing Inc. - founded by former Dell Computer Corp. employees, Fujitsu Ltd and Hewlett-Packard Co.
Companies such as Corel Corp, SAP and Adobe Systems Inc have partnered to make various software programs for the Tablet PC.
- Reuters
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