PowerToys are additional programs that developers work on after a product has been released to manufacturing. They’ll add fun and functionality to your Tablet PC experience. Microsoft also released the Office XP Pack for Tablet PC. In the meantime, ZDNet published a 3-page article regarding Tablet PC: “What will it do for you“?
Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
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From the description in the article, it seems apparent that Microsoft failed to adequately integrate the speech and handwriting functionality of the tablet PC. It seems that to be the most successful, a combination of speech and handwriting recognition should be used, if only to avoid user frustration. It also sounds as if the handwriting dictionaries aren’t nearly adaptive enough.
Also, it looks like there’s several cases in which OLE is failing. I think Ink is an excellent test of Windows’ OLE functionality, and it seems that at least with this release it isn’t quite up to the challenge.
So, it seems like there’s a little bit more development needed before the “Tablet PC revolution” can truly begin.
I don’t really think sound recog is all that important for Microsoft’s target market. Microsoft target market is people needing their laptops to be like a clipboad. Many had tried handhelds, but they rather just write on a clipboard then use such a small limited device.
So in other words, I don’t see why sound recog is all that important. If it is important for Tablet PCs, then it should also be also available on other versions of Windows XP. Plus, it gives IBM a good reason to file antitrust charges against Microsoft on grounds of ViaVoice (for revenge, plus the fact that Microsoft stands in the way of their web services plan).