Tablet PCs

1. Tablet PCs 8841 Multimedia Presentation Final Project

2. Need/ Problem Addressed The innovation of the tablet PC was a result of innovative thinking about how to make the computer more user friendly and more interactive. The touch screen technology was to replace the keyboard and the need to be an efficient typist. The weight and size were designed to give the user the capability to use a computer in more diverse situations than what the traditional laptop computer allowed.

3. Research • 1888 - Elisha Gray patented an electric stylus device for capturing handwriting. • 1950’s- Styalator, electronic tablet with pen • 1960’s – Kay, researcher at Xerox Parc, proposes notebook with pen, never • developed • 1980’s – Nestor begun by Dr. Charles Elbaum • – GRiDPad – first commercially developed tablet PC • - GO • 1990’s – ThinkPad from IBM • 2000’s – Microsoft develops operating system for tablet PCs and offers different • versions as improvements are made

4. Developments • Problems encountered: • handwriting recognition • initially writing had to be in a prescribed manner, such as • specific block letters • screen durability • the material was the same as used on desktops, the • increased handling was not factored into the design • dismal performance led to overwhelming bad publicity, • interest drastically declines • very limited capabilities • algorithms very slow to respond • high cost

5. Commercialization • New companies, such as Nestor, were begun to create handwriting technology. • New interfaces developed • Tablet PC software applications developed • Declined in public market, but survived in private markets such as the health • industry