Print - 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.

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.

"I'm sure the half-dozen people that own Tablet PCs will really appreciate this" You mean the half a dozen people that use CRAPPLE computers right? Don't you CRAPPLE vermin have anything better to do with your stupid lives, than to hang around a Windows site and display your abject ignorance and stpudity on a daily basis?

Why doesn't MS release the Energy Blue theme for ALL XP users?! We're somehow less worthy because we don't have MCE or Tablet?

Hey Mr. CRAPPLE, maybe you should cut back on the caffeine. Did you ever consider that someone may have something bad to say about Microsoft and NOT be an Apple user? I think the initial statement is just stating a fact; that the Tablet PC is more or less a dud as far as the market is concerned. I've used a number of tablets and could only justify it for some vertical applications. For general use, I don't think it cuts it. But if you want to keep on ranting and raving about anyone who has something bad to say about Microsoft, go for it. You'll be creating a wonderful profile of a Microsoft zealot.

Paul, you're going to have to clean your keyboard after drooling all over it! My God, look at the breathless adjectives you use: "enjoyable... fun and exciting... cleaner and more professional looking...innovative...full-featured...amazing...stunning ... extremely fun and well-designed..." And folks wonder why you're viewed as Bill's *****...

"Hey Mr. CRAPPLE, maybe you should cut back on the caffeine. Did you ever consider that someone may have something bad to say about Microsoft and NOT be an Apple user?" Did you consider that you could be spending your life on a CRAPPLE site, where they post stuff relevant tothe OS that you use, instead of making a nusisance of yourself on the site of an OS that you don't even use? BTW, this guy IS a CRAPPLE user. They are easy enough to recgnise...exhibiting as it were acertain arrogance and incredible stupidity.

"I think the initial statement is just stating a fact" Its stating a fact to say that Tablet PC has shipped half a dozen units is it? I think you and Micheal Moore are smoking the same stuff. Get off the drugs!

" think the initial statement is just stating a fact; that the Tablet PC is more or less a dud as far as the market is concerned" Ummm... this is the latest on Tablet PC sales.. "1 million Tablet PCs sold - Roughly $2 billion dollars and growing " That is no dud. http://www.whatisnew.com/dailynews/showthread.php?t=3722&goto=nextoldest

You can get the Energy Blue theme for any XP machine. It just takes a little manipulating. DL the theme from MS (don't have the url off hand), then open the exe with your favorite unzipping tool that handles exes. Or, find someone who has put it into a ZIP format.

While a million units is an impressive number, keep in mind that the product was launched in November 2002. When you compare this number to the total number of PCs sold since November 2002, it pales in comparision, but yes, it is still a big number. I did a thorough analysis of a Fujitsu Tablet PC a while back, and it didn't cut it in terms of quality and functionality, but some of the newer units look to offer better price/performance. I have a couple of Toshiba hybrid units that look pretty nice and will be kicking the tires on them shortly. And sorry Mr. CRAPPLE, but I happen to be a Windows developer, and am typing this on my Dell Precision M60 laptop. Sorry to shatter your illusion that only Apple users say bad things about PCs and Microsoft. So should the people who are allowed to post here only allowed to say nice things about Paul and Microsoft?

Hmm, looks like Mr. CRAPPLE would score a few more points in the intelligence and maturity department if he got himself a good spell checker.

"While a million units is an impressive number, keep in mind that the product was launched in November 2002. When you compare this number to the total number of PCs sold since November 2002, it pales in comparision" # 1, you first claimed that and I quote: "I think the initial statement is just stating a fact that the Tablet PC is more or less a dud as far as the market is concerned" This was in reference to an earlier post in which some CRAPPLE idiot had come out and loudly stated that : "I'm sure the half-dozen people that own Tablet PCs will really appreciate this." In effect, you were agreeing that the Tablet PC had shipped just 6 units. Further you claimed it was a "dud" as far as the market was concerned. None of that happen to be true. # 2, CRAPPLE sales for the entire second quarter of 2004 was a measly 495,000 units in the US. When you compare that to the 1 million Tablet PC's sold that is not a bad showing at all, launched in 2002 or not. Lets not forget that Windows NT took over a year to sell 1 million units too, today Windows NT (as Windows XP) sells over 150 million units per year.

"BTW, this guy IS a CRAPPLE user. They are easy enough to recgnise...exhibiting as it were acertain arrogance and incredible stupidity." I am a Microsoft user, but I must note that you thoroughly display both those qualities yourself there buddy.

"Tablet PC shipments are expected to reach 550,000 units this year, In-Stat/MDR said. In 2002, the first year the device went on sale, less than 100,000 units were sold. Despite the increase, sales of the Tablet PC remain tiny in comparison to the overall number of personal computers expected to ship this year. Gartner Inc. estimates that number at 186.4 million." Good God. That's pathetic. Can anyone seriously argue that the Tablet PC is anything but a big, stinky dud?

"I am a Microsoft user, but I must note that you thoroughly display both those qualities yourself there buddy" # 1, nothing shows that you are a Microsoft user. Anyone CRAPPLE user can come to an anonymous internet board and attack anyone claiming they are "A", when in reality they are "Z", because the erroneously think it will lend some credibility to what they say. Well it didn't work. You will forgive me if I dismiss your nonsense out of hand. It's of no relevance.

"Mr. Crapple" is the PERFECT spokesperson for this site. Like none before, his insightful commentary gives us all the ability to hear what the trailer park thinks. I think Paul is honored by your presence, keep up the great work!

Tablet PCs have made a fare impact with their sales; however they still have a long way to go. For one thing, the prices keep going down and the power keeps going up. That will help them increase sales as time goes on. I myself use a Tablet PC and it is the greatest thing in the world. I will never go back to standard notebook. It is great for all the notes I take, plus it is a convertible so I can use the keyboard for everything else. I highly recommend them. Further, the new pack is pretty cool. The most noteworthy is the art program which is just awesome. When I have time, I will have to play with it more.

"Good God. That's pathetic. Can anyone seriously argue that the Tablet PC is anything but a big, stinky dud? " Going by your reasoning that Tablet PC ,w which has sold to the tune of over one million units is a "a big stinky dud" then CRAPPLE which has been in business for 30 years, and is still selling a measly 495,000 units per quarter ,while Dell which was founded long,long after CRAPPLE is selling 4.396 million units in a quarter, is an even bigger more stinky dud, as in: "Apple ranks fifth on the list with a total of 495,000 CPU units shipped, or about 3.7 of the market -- trailing Dell, HP, Gateway and IBM. Dell led the Q2 rankings with 4.396 million units sold -- a 32.9 percent market share that demonstrated 16.2 percent growth from year to year. That's well above anyone else on the list " So from now on,we are going to be calling CRAPPLE's sales a big stinky dud, whenever I feel like it. After all, those words are from the CRAPPLE fanatics themselves.:)

""Mr. Crapple" is the PERFECT spokesperson for this site. Like none before, his insightful commentary gives us all the ability to hear what the trailer park thinks. " I'll back my intelligence against the rabid, incredibly stupid, moronic, CRAPPLE vermin, the great unwashed hoard who don't have anything better to do with their lives, apart from showing their crass ignorance and stupidity for all the world to see by constantly posting nonsense Windows web sites. With such nasty, anti-social behavior,its not surprising that the CRAPPLE fanatics have managed to drive off most normal , clear thinking people on the planet. No surprise consumers on the entire plant have voted with their pocket books for Windows and massively rejected CRAPPLE. Way to go, guys!

Most intelligent people don't need to resort to name-calling to make their point. Mr. CRAPPLE must be an exception to the rule. Kids these days...

Thanks you, thank you, thank you!!!! I've been waiting for this pack for so long. More free goodness from Microsoft... And the Tablet PC is a stunning success. If Microsoft ever decides to market it to the masses, look out. For all you naysayers, the pen is an adjunct, not a replacment to the keyboard. The first time you sit on the couch, or in a comfy chair and surf the web by pen, you'll be sold. Or, as soon as Apple creates one..then suddenly, it'll be the second coming. You Apple fans as so predictable.

I just started using the tablet PC. I held off for a while, but with the new enhancements from MS and the SP2 TabletPC 2005, I think tablet is here to stay. Everyone who sees me use this baby (I'm posting right now writing on my M1300 Motion Tablet) wants this thing. I for one an glad Microsoft is "all in" for the Tablet platform.

Well, if theme works on Media Center and Tablet, all you have to do is pull the file and install it on your XP box and it should work, we just gotta find out what it is...

Maybe this will stop the flaming- http://geekswithblogs.net/jking/archive/2004/11/04/14345.aspx

Hey, Crapplehead, good to hear from you. The reason us mac fans come hear is for a few laughs. And I'm always glad to see you because you're one of the funniest! Man, keep it up bozo!

"And the Tablet PC is a stunning success. If Microsoft ever decides to market it to the masses, look out." "Microsoft" doesn't make Tablet PCs, so why should they "market them to the masses"? Besides, I see Tablet PCs at Best Buy and Staples, so they ARE being marketed to the masses. The masses just don't care. "For all you naysayers, the pen is an adjunct, not a replacment to the keyboard. ... as soon as Apple creates one..then suddenly, it'll be the second coming." Shows how little you know. I use a Wacom tablet and Pen--daily--for Photoshop work in particular. Nothing beats it. I wouldn't call it the "second coming", but it's damn fine. Oh, and Apple's Inkwell software supports handwriting recognition on the Mac.

I havent read all the comments, but with the use of a XP Pro computer i managed to "rip" the Energy Blue theme out of the package.. And it works very well on XP Pro SP2 Norwegian.. :) Try it. ;) I also got the wmp skin out of there, ill upload it tomorrow.. And the theme file, does not need any modifications on youre system, just doubleclick the .msstyles file, and it should pop right up.. :) http://home.no/hei-det-er-robin/EnergyBlue.rar

You should improve your research skills, Mr. CRAPPLE. Apple sold just over a million computers in their last quarter. Did you get your figure through a time warp, or just make them up?

The guy who thinks he's so smart because "Microsoft doesn't make Tablet PCs so why should they market them to the masses" is an idiot, plain and simple. Using his logic the Florida orange growers shouldn't advertise orange juice because they don't make orange juice. Geez, you're Apple bias is clogging up the few brain cells I ASSUME you have. Of course that assumption is a stretch I'll probably live to regret. And as for Apple's inkwell technology...it's time they took it to the second level. Wacom tablets are great -- never said or implied they weren't -- but I don't want to carry one around with me. And the more direct contact with the screen beats it almost every time. In the end, Microsoft AND its partners have precominantly marketed their tablets to niche players in niche markets. The early adopters, like myself, as a group, are probably (that means I'm not stating a fact, just an assumption) among the most satisfied computer users. We're as dedicated as Apple fanatics, but hopefully, not religiously fanatical about them.

you can get energy blue here, makes xp un-ugly hurrah!... http://www.uneasysilence.com/index.php?p=1837

"Apple fans are pathetic." Windows fans are virus-riddled unproductive time-wasting losers. See how silly blanket statements sound?

Zealots of any stripe are annoying. But until I came to this site, I didn't realize there were any Microsoft zealots out there.

"until I came to this site, I didn't realize there were any Microsoft zealots out there." Paul attracts them in the same way manure attracts flies.

Hi, Does anyone have, or know where i can get, the windows media player skin included in the pack? thanks