Windows XP Tablet PC Edition

Windows XP Tablet PC Edition is an edition of Windows XP intended for specially-designed notebook/laptop computers called tablet PCs. 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 Windows XP Media Center Edition which is not available in a retail or volume license form, a volume license version is also available.
Versions
There are two versions of Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.
* Windows XP Tablet PC Edition - The original version released in November 2002.
* Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 - The Tablet PC version released in August 2004 (codenamed Lonestar) as part of Windows XP Service Pack 2.
The 2005 edition is available as a service pack upgrade, or as a new OEM version.
It is unlikely that there will be new versions, as tablet PC functionality is included in the Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions of Windows Vista.
Included software
Windows XP Tablet PC Edition is based on Windows XP Professional and includes all the software features provided in it. In addition, it includes some of the following components:
* Tablet PC Input Panel
* Windows Journal
* Sticky Notes
* InkBall
* Energy Blue theme
The following downloadable packs released by Microsoft add more functionality:
* Microsoft Experience Pack
**Ink Art
**Ink Crossword
**Ink Desktop
**Media Transfer
**Snipping Tool 2.0
*Education Pack
**Ink Flash Cards
**Equation Writer
**GoBinder Lite
**Hexic Deluxe
Technology
Ink
Windows XP Tablet PC Edition utilizes 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 users 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
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 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 Vista
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, because of SKU feature changes in Windows Vista, and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition being based on Windows XP Professional. Windows XP Tablet PC edition is based on Windows XP Professional, and moving to Home Premium would cause 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 COM and managed code. 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. An update for Windows XP Tablet PC Edition containing Ink Analysis and StylusInput API support is also available. Support for touchscreens is also included. Also, in Windows Vista, InkBall can be played using a mouse besides a stylus.

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