Microsoft Previews Office 11, Tablet PCs

NEW YORK -- Stressing the theme of mobility at PC Expo/TechXNY here, Microsoft announced at its keynote address the November 7 release of its Tablet PC operating system and previewing Office 11, which features improvements for mobile workers.

Microsoft will launch the Windows XP Tablet PC Edition in November with the backing of an array of hardware vendors, including Acer, Fujitsu, Hewlett-Packard, and Toshiba. The tablet PC "has been a long-held vision in our industry," said Jeff Raikes, Microsoft group vice president of productivity and business services, in the event's opening keynote.

Raikes also gave a peek at Office 11, an update of Microsoft's Office suite that he said will be released in about a year.

Tablet PC Preview

The Microsoft executive shared the stage with a half dozen demo models from several hardware designers, illustrating the flexibility of the tablets' screens and their varied constructions. The selection included sleek industrial models for enterprise users, lightweight designs, and ruggedly built tablets intended for outdoor use.

Software developers supporting the launch include Corel, Adobe, Corel, Franklin Covey, and SAP. Raikes showed several of their forthcoming products, illustrating how Adobe's graphics software and Franklin Covey's calendaring features can connect to other applications running on the tablet PC.

He also demonstrated several features of the Tablet PC operating system using Microsoft's own applications. Handwriting recognition features allow notes taken in Microsoft Word to be quickly transferred to other applications such as Outlook; handwritten notes can even be sent via e-mail, Raikes said.

One demonstrated feature that drew applause from the audience was a tablet PC's pressure-sensitive screen. Pressing hard on the screen draws a thick line, while a lighter touch sketches a thin one, Raikes showed.

The tablet PC concept drew interest from a pair of technical staff members from the New York Department of Environmental Protection. Network manager Stuart Weiler said he has never used his Handspring PDA because the text input system is "too complicated." The Tablet PC's apparently fluid handwriting recognition impressed him.

His colleague, network administrator Donovan Pigott, said the tablet PC would be a big help during meetings. At one recent staff meeting, he recalled, many were taking notes on their PDAs, but people would occasionally have to duck out to check data on their desktop PCs. Wirelessly connected tablet PCs would likely prevent that problem, and could also allow staffers to communicate via e-mail or instant messaging with their colleagues about urgent issues without disrupting a meeting, he said.

Updated Software

Raikes also used his keynote to announce the next version of Microsoft's Office suite, an update to the latest version, Office XP, which came out in May 2001. The new overhaul, Office 11, will be released in mid-2003, Raikes said. It is intended to address some of the challenges mobile workers face in a corporate environment.

The only Office application update Raikes specifically discussed was Microsoft Outlook. The new Outlook will feature enhanced search and mobile-networking tools in an effort to help users better manage their e-mail in-boxes.

Raikes also demonstrated Pocket PC Phone Edition, a version of the company's operating system for devices that combine the functions of a handheld PC and a cell phone. The software will debut within the next few months on systems from VoiceStream Wireless, Raikes said.

Another Microsoft product scheduled for launch shortly is an updated version of Microsoft's e-book viewing software. Microsoft Reader 2.5 will be optimized for tablet PCs, Raikes said.