How To Use A Tablet Pc

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1 Technical papers Tablet pc This document has now been archived Tablet PC Contents Introduction Types of Tablet PC Hardware Issues Tablet PC Screen Technologies Uses and benefits of the Tablet PC Pen input and handwriting Windows XP Tablet PC operating system The Tablet Input Panel: Windows XP Tablet Edition 2005 Bundled applications Sticky Notes and Windows Journal: Other applications: OneNote Office Third party applications The market and future developments Useful links Case studies/research Microsoft links News, reviews and comment articles Manufacturers: Introduction Microsoft and a number of hardware manufacturers (including Acer, Toshiba, Hewlett Packard, Fujitsu Siemens and RM) launched the Tablet PC in November The Tablet PC is a fully functional Windows XP portable computer that can be operated with a digital pen. The pen can be used to control the PC and also to write on the screen of the device. Integrated handwriting recognition technology enables users to create handwritten documents. Handwriting can be saved as an image, converted into typed text, and some applications, such as Windows Journal, allow the user to save and search digital ink documents. Tablet PCs offer an alternative to pen and paper, with a more natural and intuitive interface than a conventional laptop computer. Tablets can also be easily carried around providing enhanced mobility and ease of use. Microsoft positioned its Tablet PC operating system as being firmly for mainstream mobile computing, emphasising its enhanced functionality and ease of use in comparison with conventional laptop computers. However, overall sales of Tablet PCs have been below initial expectations. They have initially seen most success in vertical markets such as healthcare, insurance or the utilities, where they are used as clipboard replacements for tasks such as inspections, surveys and stock control. Organisations in these sectors often used proprietary tablet style devices before. The flexibility of the tablet design allows operation when standing, better person to person interaction and easy completion of electronic forms. Moving to Tablet PCs has enabled efficiency gains through the added flexibility of access to Windows applications and better integration with backend systems. The latest Tablet PCs have improved upon the original devices and in August 2004 Microsoft released a new version of the operating system called Windows XP Tablet PC Edition These factors may help increase sales, but it remains to be seen whether Tablet PCs will become mainstream devices. Becta page 1 of 10

2 The education sector has become particularly interested in Tablet PCs. There are links to several educational case studies and research projects at the end of this paper. Becta has recently commissioned the Open University to carry out research and produce reports on the use of Tablet PCs in schools: The reports should be published in the spring of Types of Tablet PC There are two main types of Tablet PC available at present, slate and convertible. Within these two main form factors there are a variety of designs of different sizes and specifications. Slate style Tablet PCs do not include a keyboard as standard, requiring use of the pen for all input; however, attachable keyboards and docking stations are typically also available. Convertible Tablet PCs resemble conventional laptop designs at first glance. They include integrated keyboards and open and close just like a laptop. However, unlike laptops, convertibles are dual-function. Their screens swivel or hinge back, folding flat to create a tablet with the keyboard hidden beneath. Some convertibles allow the keyboard to be detached completely (HP), allowing use in pure tablet mode. Market figures suggest that convertible Tablet PCs have become the most popular form factor with 80% of the market (Canalys i ). Convertibles offer the functionality of notebooks and are seen as a more familiar, safer choice. However, many schools use slate style Tablets. Many Tablet PCs are very similar to ultraportable laptop computers in specification, architecture and size/weight. They incorporate a full operating system (Windows XP Tablet Edition) and processors, memory and hard disks sufficient to enable them to run standard PC applications and software. They are fully networkable devices, with the majority including wired and wireless network connectivity as standard. Many conventional laptop features, such as modems, USB ports and expansion slots (PCMCIA, CompactFlash) are also provided on Tablet PCs, but like ultraportables, they do not incorporate internal floppy or optical drives. Also like ultraportables, Tablet PCs generally have smaller screens, slower processors and generally higher prices than conventional laptops. However, more recently some manufacturers have introduced larger, more powerful Tablets with 14 screens and built in optical drives eg, Acer Travelmate C300. Due to the extra size/ weight and heat production of these devices, they can be seen more as fully functional notebooks with Tablet PC capabilities, than as truly portable Tablet PCs. The first Tablet PCs were expensive and offered poor performance when compared to standard notebook computers. However, later generations of the devices have improved on the performance, battery life and ergonomics of the original designs. The displays are also brighter and sharper with wider viewing angles. A current high specification Tablet such as the Toshiba Portege M200 includes a Pentium M 1.8GHz processor, 512 MB RAM, and a 60GB hard drive. Hardware Issues While Tablet PCs are optimised for mobile use and newer models provide a degree of improvement in battery life over previous versions, they are a long way from being able to last for a whole working day, particularly when their wireless capabilities are heavily used. Many reviews of Tablet PCs highlight the fact that, as with small notebooks, the keyboards can be rather cramped. Robustness and build quality are also potential issues, particularly for industrial or educational use. The durability of screens and the need to purchase replacement pens if the original is lost should be taken into consideration as well. Rugged versions of Tablet PCs with extra protection have become available. Becta page 2 of 10

3 Tablet PC Screen Technologies The screens of Tablet PCs record pen movements to create the digital ink displayed as the user writes on the screen. Tablet PC screens work differently from the touch screens currently used on many PDAs. PDA touch screens are resistive, comprising two conductive layers separated by a gap and coated with a conductive material. The lower layer is rigid (typically glass) and the top layer is a flexible plastic film. Thus such screens can be operated using pressure from almost anything (a stylus, a fingernail, the edge of a credit card) to deform the top flexible layer so that it touches the rigid bottom layer, defining the position of the point on the screen. In contrast, Tablet PC displays are inductive, employing digitisers. A magnetic field above the surface of the display detects changes caused by the movement of a special pen equipped with either active or passive circuitry. The pen s position can be detected even when it is hovering just above rather than touching the surface of the screen. Professionals like graphic artists and designers have used digitising devices for pen input for many years. The technology is more expensive than resistive systems. The working parts of the system are mounted behind the screen, making Tablet PCs inductive screens sturdier than resistive systems. Inductive systems also tend to provide a clearer image with smooth and precise tracking. As the screen only responds to the special pen, other objects (such as the palm of a hand or a watch strap) that accidentally come into contact with the screen do not alter the position of the cursor. This allows a user to rest the hand on the screen when writing, creating a more natural experience. Conversely, a disadvantage of this technology is that no input is possible if the pen is lost. Current Tablet PC models employ digitisers from either WACOM or FinePoint Innovations. The added expense of the digitisers is one of the reasons for the price difference between Tablets and conventional notebooks. Currently the digitisers are fitted after the TFT-LCD displays have been produced. Manufacturers are looking at integrating the digitisers into the display manufacture process which should help reduce costs. The orientation of Tablet PC screens can be easily changed between portrait and landscape modes as required; most include a button on the chassis for this. Some convertible models alter the screen orientation automatically as they are switched between laptop and tablet modes. Uses and benefits of the Tablet PC Several key applications for the Tablet PC have emerged. These include clipboard replacement (inventory, form filling, surveys); annotation of documents; non-text input (equations, diagrams);collaboration; note taking (meetings, lectures), paper replacement for knowledge workers/students; data collection (field trips etc); and wireless connection to projectors for interactive presentations and display. Tablet PCs are primarily intended as highly mobile computing devices. When used in pure tablet mode, they can be carried and used comfortably in the crook of an arm by adults and older children. They can also be used standing up, whereas even an ultraportable computer is primarily designed to be used while seated. This greatly increases the number of situations and circumstances in which they can be used. As with laptop computers, the integrated wireless connectivity of Tablet PCs also provides great freedom of use. They have more subtle advantages too. The use of conventional laptop computers in certain situations (such as meetings, interviews and classrooms) can create a barrier between people. Tablet PCs more natural user interface is less divisive Tablet PCs can be laid flat on a table, and can also be passed more easily between people than a laptop computer. Some of these attributes have made Tablet PCs successful in schools and colleges that have adopted them. Evidence from case studies shows several benefits of Tablet PCs in education. They have been found to be useful as both a learner device and for teachers to deliver learning/organise their work. Tablet PCs mobility, ease of use and pen input has been seen to encourage their use and better integrate ICT across the curriculum. There are Becta page 3 of 10

4 indications that Tablet PCs can motivate students and adapt to individual learning styles more easily than notebook PCs. Younger students in particular find the pen interface more natural than traditional keyboards and mice and it may help to improve handwriting skills. Tablet PCs allow handwriting, drawings, equations and diagrams to be integrated into documents, manipulated and electronically stored. Teachers have found the ability to annotate documents useful for marking and returning work electronically. Wirelessly linking a Tablet to a projector provides an alternative to an interactive whiteboard and the device can be passed around the classroom. Pen input and handwriting Tablet PCs allow users to write and draw directly onto the screen using digital ink, mimicking pen and paper. Although these handwritten notes can be easily converted into typed text or saved as an image, some applications allow handwriting to be saved, edited, indexed and searched giving pen input equal status to the keyboard and mouse. The uses of the pen can be summarised as follows: 1) The pen can be used instead of a mouse and is capable of performing left and right clicks 2) The pen can be used to input text in place of a traditional keyboard 3) The pen can create static ink images that can be inserted into documents. Some applications allow both a static handwritten image and the results of conversion to text to be used in the same document. 4) Some applications support rich digital ink that can be saved, searched, edited and formatted. Microsoft suggests that to use Tablet PCs fully, a keyboard is still useful for quick, accurate input of large amounts of text. The handwriting recognition used within Windows XP Tablet Edition has been acknowledged as a significant step forward. It works well with both cursive and block hand writing and some applications are able to take advantage of pressure sensitivity. The system is not adaptive, so users do not need to train it to recognize their handwriting they can begin using it to its full potential straight away. This also means that a Tablet PC can be used by a group of users with each being able to take immediate advantage of the handwriting recognition system. However, this can also be a disadvantage while many users find the handwriting recognition system converts their notes to text very accurately, some experience less success. The lack of adaptability can make the Tablet PC s handwriting recognition a frustrating experience for a minority of users. Microsoft suggests certain ways of writing that increase the chance of accurate conversion such as ensuring even spacing and size of characters. The digitiser is also able to recognise gestures made with the pen. Gestures are strokes that correspond to a limited set of commands. For example a zigzag motion can be used to delete words in the Tablet Input Panel (TIP). Windows XP Tablet PC operating system Since launch Tablet PCs have been pre-installed with Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. This operating system is described as a superset of Windows XP Professional. This means that it offers all the functionality of Windows XP Professional with additional support for handwriting recognition and pen-based input and control. All applications that run on Windows XP are compatible with Tablet PCs. At first glance the operating system looks very similar to the standard Windows XP Professional, but there are a number of significant additions: Becta page 4 of 10

5 The Tablet Input Panel: The operating system provides pen support for all applications via the Tablet Input Panel (TIP). The TIP can be called up whenever the pen is to be used for input even with command line operations. The TIP has three main input modes writing pad, on-screen keyboard and write anywhere. Additionally, voice input is supported. In Tablet PC Edition 2005 the TIP has been improved (see below for details). Writing pad The writing pad is used for entering hand-written text, which can be sent (pasted) to a particular application. It is best suited to entering relatively short amounts of text, filling in boxes, and Windows operations such as renaming folders. On-screen keyboard The on screen keyboard is an image of a full keyboard that is pecked with the pen in order to enter text. This is a slow and tedious input method best suited to situations where handwriting recognition is likely to fail (uncommon words, symbols) or where accuracy is essential eg, entering passwords Write anywhere (not available in Tablet PC Edition 2005) This is a variation on the writing pad that provides a large, transparent writing window that is better suited to entering large amounts of text. It hides the Tablet Input Panel and allows users to write anywhere on the screen. Handwriting is converted into text and pasted into the application as before. Voice input The TIP also allows dictation and voice commands. The commands supported vary with different applications. Dictation suffers from the same problems associated with other voice recognition applications such as poor accuracy and the need to train the system to an individual s voice. Users can call up and adjust settings for the pen using the Tablet and Pen Settings icon on the Taskbar. This allows users to specify whether they are right- or left handed and to calibrate the pen to ensure accurate input. Windows XP Tablet Edition 2005 In August 2004 Microsoft launched an update to the operating system called Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005.The update is bundled with XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), which can be downloaded from the Microsoft website or ordered on CD-ROM. It is worth noting that this update cannot be installed separately from XP SP2, so users should check with their System Administrators before installation. New Tablets are expected to come pre-installed with the new operating system from autumn The update improves the handwriting recognition algorithm and user interface. The main improvements are as follows: Handwriting recognition has better word and case recognition and is context sensitive. For example, it will recognise that a user is filling in telephone details in Outlook and will only convert inputs to numbers, not recognising a 5 as an S. Developers can add context rules for different fields within applications. The TIP writing pad automatically expands to accommodate text and the write anywhere function has been removed. There is a character pad for inputting individual characters accurately. Becta page 5 of 10

6 A TIP icon automatically appears when the screen is tapped and the TIP floats below the input area. Handwriting is recognised in real time within the TIP. This allows text conversion to be checked as handwriting is input and before insertion in a document. Handwriting conversion mistakes can be more easily corrected within the TIP and a list of alternative words/characters is provided For more information: Bundled applications Sticky Notes and Windows Journal: Windows XP Tablet Edition includes two new applications as standard Sticky Notes and Windows Journal. Sticky Notes is essentially an electronic version of a post-it pad, allowing users to paste handwritten notes onto applications and the desktop. Windows Journal is a more powerful tool and is the main note-taking application for current Tablet PC models. On opening the application the screen resembles a ruled A4 pad of paper. Users can create, save and search handwritten notes and drawings with the pen, converting their notes to text if they choose. A lasso tool allows users to circle the words or notes they wish to convert to text. On selecting the convert to text tool a window opens that allows users to check and amend the converted text if necessary. This text can then be cut and pasted into other applications. However, Windows Journal recognizes handwriting as text straight away (regardless of whether the user manually converts their notes to text or not), allowing users to search through a handwritten document for a particular word or phrase. This always-on recognition is central to Microsoft s digital ink concept. Windows Journal supports pressure sensitivity and includes a variety of different pens and highlighters. Office files (such as Word documents or PowerPoint presentations) can be imported into Windows Journal, allowing users to make handwritten notes and comments on top of them. These notes and comments can then be saved; the document is converted into Windows Journal format as part of this process. A free Windows Journal Reader (similar to PowerPoint reader) is available for download from Microsoft. This allows Windows Journal files to be viewed (but not edited) on computers other than Tablet PCs. Other applications: OneNote Microsoft has launched an application called OneNote Although OneNote also runs on desktop and laptop computers, it is geared specifically towards Tablet PCs, offering additional functionality over Windows Journal. OneNote allows users to capture, organise, search and retrieve typed or handwritten notes, audio, video, pictures and sketches. In particular, OneNote allows users to record audio at the same time as taking notes; selecting specific notes subsequently will play back the portion of audio that was recorded as the notes were written. Audio is recorded in a compressed format that does not require significant amounts of disk space. Service Pack 1 for OneNote has improved integration with Outlook, offers the ability to insert Office documents as pictures and has public APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for creation of third party add-ons. Office Office 2003 provides full integration with pen and ink input. For example Word documents can be edited and comments added; PowerPoint slides and Excel spreadsheets can be annotated; and handwritten messages can be sent in Outlook. For more information: An additional free download pack is available from Microsoft for Office XP. This provides support for Office XP when used on a Tablet PC. Becta page 6 of 10

7 Windows XP Tablet PC MUI & Recognizer Pack/Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 Recognizer Pack The Recognizer Packs add handwriting recognition support for a variety of languages including Chinese (Traditional), Chinese (Simplified), U.S. English, U.K. English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. Third party applications Although some third party Tablet PC applications have been developed there are not great numbers available. Microsoft has recently improved the developer tools to encourage the creation of more Tablet PC applications and allow developers to more easily incorporate pen input in their programs. A number of additional programs for the Tablet PC (including drawing tools, games and a pen-based calculator) are available for download from the Microsoft website; note that these PowerToys do not form part of Windows XP Tablet PC Edition and are not supported by Microsoft. Many Tablet PC applications are simply ports of existing XP software and do not always take full advantage of the Tablet PC capabilities. However, some vendors have made good use of the pen-input on Tablet PCs. There are a variety of applications available which are either directly aimed at or particularly suitable for education. Below are some examples of applications in various categories aimed at the Tablet PC. Maths/science: eg, xthink Calculator, xthink MathJournal, JumpingMinds MathPractice Art/graphics: eg, Alias Sketchbook Pro, Ambient Design Artrage, Corel Grafigo 2, Fun Paint, Dictionaries: eg, Abletfactory Handwriting: eg, ABC Ink, Mind mapping: eg, Mindjet Mindmanager X5 Forms: Several companies produce software for the creation of customised forms that can be integrated with back-office systems eg, Active Ink Forms Developer Organisation: Agilix Gobinder 2005, FranklinCovey PlanPlus A list of over 100 applications can be found in the Microsoft Tablet PC application catalogue: The market and future developments As with any relatively new IT product, initial prices of Tablet PCs were quite high. This was due to the additional costs of the digitisers, the premium charged by Microsoft for the Tablet PC operating system and the lack of a mass market, which would enable economies of scale and encourage price competition. The price differential between Tablets and similarly specified notebooks is seen by analysts as one of the key barriers to take up. However, prices for Tablets have fallen and this trend is expected to continue. Microsoft has stated it will cut the price of the Tablet PC operating system to bring it in line with XP Professional. Prices for Tablet PCs start at around 800 (ex.vat), although 1200 (ex. VAT) is more typical. Initial sales figures for Tablet PCs have been low. In 2003, the first full year of Tablet PC sales, were sold worldwide. Annual sales are expected to reach in 2004 (Gartner ii ). As the price differential between Tablets and notebooks closes, sales are expected to increase to around 4 million in 2008 (InStat/MDR iii ). Tablet PCs have enjoyed success in vertical markets, but the Tablet PC advantages of capturing unstructured data, facilitating ad-hoc collaboration and easy note taking for meetings have not persuaded corporate IT purchasers to adopt Tablets over standard notebook computers in large numbers. This suggests that the business case for Tablet PCs Becta page 7 of 10

8 for general use has not been fully made. The reluctance of major players such as IBM and Dell to enter the Tablet PC market has also weakened confidence in the Tablet PC. Despite recent efforts to reposition the Tablet as a mobile entertainment device, consumer sales have been poor. Consumers looking for portable computers tend to buy desktop replacement notebooks, more concerned with performance and price than with mobility. Also, awareness of the Tablet PC is not high amongst the general public. Analysts expect the release of the next version of Windows in 2006, codenamed Longhorn, to address some of the issues with Tablet PCs and improve integration with the operating system. However, at WinHEC (Windows Hardware Engineers Conference) in May 2004 Microsoft were unclear about the roadmap for the Tablet PC and implied that pen and ink capability may eventually be subsumed into notebooks. Previously, Bill Mitchell, corporate VP of the Tablet PC has said Microsoft s goal is that within five years, most mobile PCs will have Tablet PC functionality, such as the digitiser and pen input Alternatives to the current Tablet PCs may emerge in time. The Tablet PC is being very much driven by Microsoft and it is likely that their competitors are keeping a close eye on developments. Tablet PCs are not expected to become mainstream computing devices in the near future, but they offer unique attributes particularly suited to the education sector. The updated operating system, more applications and lower prices may also help to widen its appeal. Useful links The OU is currently carrying out an evaluation of the Tablet PC in schools on behalf of Becta: Case studies/research Aberdeen trials of Tablet PCs BGfL trials of tablets Tablet PC trials in 8 Birmingham schools Cornwallis School Kent Greenwich Millennium primary school trials Hull Tablet PC trials t_pc's.pdf Invicta Girls Grammar School Kent Becta page 8 of 10

9 East Manchester Educational Action Zone (EAZ) Tablet PC trials National Institute for Technology and Liberal Education (US) Microsoft links Tablet PC home page XP expert zone Resources for education Tablet PC case studies UK Tablet PC case studies - US Downloads: Windows Journal Viewer, Office XP Tablet PC pack & PowerToys for Windows XP Tablet PC Edition OneNote News, reviews and comment articles EWeek article on future of Tablet PC (May 04) NESTA Futurelab PC Pro review of current Tablet PCs ZDNet review of Tablet PCs Becta page 9 of 10

10 Manufacturers: Pen computing i Canalys ii Gartner: [ iii InStat/MDR Becta page 10 of 10