WinInfo Daily UPDATE, April 4, 2005

Microsoft has shipped an add-on pack for Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 that's designed to make Tablet PCs more enjoyable for consumers.

Paul Thurrott

April 3, 2005

5 Min Read
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In the News - Microsoft Ships Consumer-Friendly Add-Ons for Tablet PC ==== In the News ==== by Paul Thurrott, [email protected] Microsoft Ships Consumer-Friendly Add-Ons for Tablet PC Microsoft has shipped an add-on pack for Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 that's designed to make Tablet PCs more enjoyable for consumers. Dubbed the Experience Pack for Tablet PC, the add-on features six new utilities that enhance the Tablet PC in fun and exciting ways. The Experience Pack for Tablet PC consists of these applications and add-ons:
- Energy Blue Theme Pack. This theme, which now includes a new Windows Media Player (WMP) skin, first debuted with Windows XP Media Center Edition (XP MCE) 2005 and was previously available to Tablet PC owners as a separate download. The theme is cleaner and more professional looking than the default XP theme.
- Ink Desktop. This innovative OS add-on lets you jot notes and drawings directly on the XP desktop. You can configure Ink Desktop to display different templates (e.g., note pad, to-do list, monthly calendar) or to be completely transparent.
- Snipping Tool 2.0. A full-featured update to a classic Tablet PC PowerToy that lets you virtually clip information from Web pages and other documents, the new Snipping Tool includes a completely revamped UI, different clipping styles (including rectangular and complete window), and various paste targets.
- Ink Art. This amazing natural paint program is so realistic you'll think you're painting or drawing directly on the Tablet PC's screen. One stunning feature, the tracing paper, lets you paint "over" digital photographs, which produces artistic interpretations of your favorite pictures, even if you aren't an artist.
- Ink Crossword. A virtual crossword puzzle that comes with 12 puzzles and the ability to download more free and paid puzzles, Ink Crossword includes an optional timer and a letter-help feature and prompts you when you enter correct or incorrect letters.
- Media Transfer. This software-based Windows Media Connect client lets Tablet PC owners easily download or stream digital photos, music, and videos from other XP-based PCs in their homes. All these applications and add-ons require XP Tablet PC Edition 2005; they won't install on other versions of XP. You can download the Experience Pack from the Microsoft Web site (see the first URL below). The Experience Pack's release coincides with a recent marketing push by Microsoft and its hardware partners to expand the devices into more markets. "This is not a new direction for the Tablet PC," a Microsoft representative told me recently. "Instead, it's an expansion." First-generation Tablet PCs focused only on the enterprise and on select niche markets, such as medical and manufacturing, where pen-based computing makes sense. Today, there are Tablet PCs available for a variety of markets, including the volume consumer market, and at a variety of price points. I've been playing with the Experience Pack since last week and have found that most of the tools are extremely fun and well designed; I recommend that all Tablet PC owners check out the package. My full review of Experience Pack for Tablet PC will be available on the SuperSite for Windows later today (see the second URL below). http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/tabletpc/experiencepack/default.mspx http://www.itprotoday.com ==== Events and Resources ==== (A complete Web and live events directory brought to you by Windows IT Pro: http://www.windowsitpro.com/events ) Meet the Risks of Instant Messaging Head On in This Free Web Seminar Don't overlook IM in your compliance planning. Attend this free Web seminar and learn how to minimize IM's authentication and auditability risks and prevent security dangers. You'll also receive a list of the top requirements to consider when choosing a secure IM solution. Sign up now! http://www.windowsitpro.com/seminars/instantmessaging/index.cfm?code=0406emailanncs ==== Announcement ==== (from Windows IT Pro and its partners) Check Out the New Windows IT Security Newsletter! Security Administrator is now Windows IT Security. We've expanded our content to include even more fundamentals on building and maintaining a secure enterprise. Each issue also features product coverage of the best security tools available and expert advice on the best way to implement various security components. Plus, paid subscribers get online access to our entire security article database! Click here to try a sample issue today: http://www.secadministrator.com/rd.cfm?code=fseu2554up ====Sponsored Links ==== NetOp--Control PCs from a USB Drive Securely access PCs from your desktop, web, CE, or thumb drive http://ad.doubleclick.net/clk;15182371;8214395;h?http://www.crossteccorp.com/netopremote/?utm_source=winitpro&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=v8_90 ==== Contact Us ==== About the newsletter -- [email protected]
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About the Author(s)

Paul Thurrott

Paul Thurrott is senior technical analyst for Windows IT Pro. He writes the SuperSite for Windows, a weekly editorial for Windows IT Pro UPDATE, and a daily Windows news and information newsletter called WinInfo Daily UPDATE.

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