One of the best things about the Surface Pro 3 is homo-eroticismits pen. It's changed the way I take notes, brainstorm and review PDFs. As useful as the pen is, however, I can't help but think its implementation in Windows is a half-measure.
Currently, the pen's behavior is different depending on where you use it. In the operating system parts of Windows and in programs like Word, the pen is a mouse replacement. Then in certain apps like OneNote, it acts like a pen that you can draw with. You can mark up on PDF files, but not with JPG or DOC files.
This specificity is fine for knowledgeable users, but for casual users it's confusing to remember what the pen can be used for or where. If there's no clear sense how a tool will be used, chances are it won't be.
For the pen to ever have mainstream adoption, it should be used consistently no matter where you are, like the mouse or keyboard. Ideally, you should be able to write, draw and mark-up with the pen everywhere. The pen doesn't ever need to be a mouse replacement.
It made sense in a pre-touch world, where the pen was needed to be a navigation device. If the pen couldn't be used to navigate, asking users to switch from pen to mouse and back again would have been an unbearable hassle. In that pre-touch world, a pen is more stylus than actual pen.
That's changed with Windows 8, especially on the Modern side, where using a pen to draw and then using a finger to navigate is not only easy, it's intuitive. The only unintuitive part is that the canvas is limited to certain places. There's a huge opportunity for Microsoft to fix this and make the pen great.
For example:
You're probably asking why this is necessary. Two reasons: 1) To demonstrate the pen can be used anywhere. 2) A quick way to take notes. In addition to the standard screen cap, these notes can also be saved, archived and searched, just like if it was drawn on OneNote.
The notes shouldn't be fixed to the screen but to the content displayed. For example, if I scroll to the right, my scribbling should also scroll to the right.
Needless to say, the scribblings can also be deleted; with the button on N-Trig pens, and the "eraser" nub on Wacom pens.
I'd like to see something similar with Microsoft Office. I should be able to type with a keyboard and then reach up with a pen and mark up the document.
When I return to the document the next day, my scribblings should be saved. I should be able to search for them later too. Options to hide or print them all would be great.
How about a non-productivity related use case – being able to write or sketch on photos.
Adding a handwritten note to a photo can add a personal touch that you might treasure as much as the photo itself. In the current implementation, I have to import the photo into a program like OneNote just to write on it. How great would it be if I can just mark up an image from anywhere?
These are just three examples, but you get the idea. I should be able to use the pen everywhere, I should be able to save anythingI write and have it all searchable later. In short, the entire Windows environment should be like one giant OneNote canvas.
I'm sure that the technical implementation won't be easy, and it'll probably have to be done in stages, but the end goal is worth it. Moreover, it's a unique competitive advantage that other platforms like OS X, iOS or Chromebooks cannot easily replicate.
Steve Jobs once famously said that if you need a stylus, you've failed. I completely agree. A stylus is half-pen, half-mouse, with a confused nature that only the most committed will understand.
But this isn't about a stylus, this is about making the pen great.
Sunday's Fat Bear Week match pits two fat favorites against each other
The Desire to Be Visible
The Afterlife of a Coup
Self and Simulation
Best robot vacuum deal: Save $300 on the roborock Qrevo Edge
Scenes from a Protest
Molly Sussman
The Fear and the Fix
Patched Desktop PC: Meltdown & Spectre Benchmarked
Bridge and Tunnel Crowd
SXSW 2025: How 'Territory' is revolutionizing VR accessibility with aesthetic access
Stealing the Voice of Authority
The Year in Corruption
Boys Next Door
Best roborock deal: Save $400 on Q5 Pro+ Robot Vacuum and Mop
Eat and Be Eaten
Privileges of Misery
The Fear and the Fix
NYT mini crossword answers for May 9, 2025
Out of State, Out of Mind
Police drones with lethal weapons are one step closer to realityBlind 'Street Fighter' player wins his first tournament matchJustin Trudeau challenges Matthew Perry to a rematch of their elementary school fightMajor ISPs now say they won't sell your browsing history. Yeah. Right.Comedian brings kangaroo on stage in a harness, and animal lovers are angryTrump's election data firm doesn't think his White House looks that funPolice drones with lethal weapons are one step closer to realityBed Bath & Beyond is the latest chain to dump TrumpChina installs security cameras in churches by force'Rick and Morty' is back and everyone wants McDonald's Szechuan dipping sauce'Rick and Morty' is back and everyone wants McDonald's Szechuan dipping sauceIndian IT professionals face new challenges as Singapore shuts doorFancy cats make their owners give them food by ringing bellsCouple announces pregnancy in a perfect Bob RossCouple announces pregnancy in a perfect Bob RossJ.K. Rowling has some heartfelt, uplifting advice for budding writersBed Bath & Beyond is the latest chain to dump TrumpMiss Thing'Ghost in the Shell' VR, like the film, misses opportunity to be greatThese kids wrote a film script and OMG the horror Dude's trip to Target looks straight out of a 'Stranger Things' episode The curious case of Nelly Yoa, a supposed anti What it's like to ride in a self Dogecoin inventor thinks the cryptocurrency bubble will blow up in everyone's face Amy Schumer calls out 'E! News' for pay disparity ahead of Golden Globes Toyota unveils self Netflix mixes 'Black Mirror' and 'Breaking Bad' together for ad ACTON will launch glasses that stream to Facebook, Youtube at CES 2018 Hollywood stars will bring activists to the Golden Globes Amazon is bringing Alexa voice controls to your car, even when it's offline GoPro announces layoffs, end of drone business NASA scientists find the best evidence yet of the ozone hole recovery Drone footage of a frozen beach is just as stunning as you'd think Cree Nation leader calls out negative portrayal of historical figure in 'Civ 6' Golden Globes 2018: Oprah's powerful acceptance speech wins Golden Globes 2018: Seth Meyers opener features Amy Poehler A guide to watching all the Golden Globes 2018 Best Picture nominees Golden Globes 6 best moments Sony's Xperia XA2 Ultra phone has two selfie cameras 'Three Billboards' wins Globes' Best Picture but not everyone's happy about it
2.5046s , 10193.59375 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【homo-eroticism】,Unobstructed Information Network