![\"\"](\"http:\/\/michaellinenberger.com\/images\/one-note-logo.png\"){kind=logo}
<\/p>\nMarch 27, 2013<\/b><\/p>\n
Microsoft in the last week or so updated its tablet app version of OneNote\u2014and I think it points to a bright future for Windows.<\/p>\n
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Why? Because it\u2019s one very nice app. It shows how well full-power applications can be adapted to the tablet-app environment.<\/p>\n
You see, up to now, most productivity tablet-style apps have been smartphone-like- apps\u2014almost too simple to take seriously as a competitor to any equivalent real desktop software. But the new Windows 8 app version of OneNote is one powerful app. It has nearly all the features of the desktop version, and is much easier to use as a tablet app. The buttons are more finger friendly, and using the pen is easier.<\/p>\n
The key is Microsoft made it easier while keeping it nearly just as powerful, which means there is hope for the idea of migrating all<\/i> software completely away from the desktop.<\/p>\n
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Imagine all the Office suite modules having the options of running in the same way. For example a full version of Outlook that is truly tablet friendly (not the disabled Window 8 Mail app). Or a full copy of Word.<\/p>\n
More Desktop-power Applications Needed in Tablet mode<\/b><\/p>\n
I think this is the future of Windows\u2014all applications being truly tablet friendly yet truly powerful, so you don\u2019t have to ever migrate to the desktop when using a Windows tablet. That\u2019s important because the desktop gets hairy when using fingers only in tablet mode\u2014it\u2019s just not designed for fingers and palms. I guess you could say this is the curse of a Windows Pro tablet\u2014you have all the power of the desktop when you need it, but the desktop really sucks when using a touch-tablet in your lap.<\/p>\n
For example, before this new version of OneNote app, I was using the desktop version of OneNote on my Windows Pro tablet, inking notes with a pen and the tablet in my lap. If I was careful it worked well, but if I got casual on where I put my hand, it was a pain. The palm of my hand kept hitting and activating desktop icons on the edge of the windows and other programs or modes would suddenly activate. I\u2019d go \u201cwhaaaaat?\u201d as things opened unexpectedly, throwing me out of OneNote.<\/p>\n
So this new Windows vision\u2014the one this new OneNote presents\u2014is quite compelling. It solves the problems since it occupies the full screen and it assumes I am using my fingers with an innovative set of controls that go well beyond the Office Ribbon. Full-screen, finger-friendly apps really make sense in a tablet world. For more about the new OneNote, see this link: http:\/\/winsupersite.com\/windows-8\/windows-8rt-app-pick-onenote<\/a><\/p>\n This also points out some problems:<\/b><\/p>\n It\u2019s good to see this progress. We all intuitively know there needs to be a way to merge a PC and a hand-held tablet. Windows 8 is getting there, and it\u2019s nice to see there is a trajectory that could get us completely there.<\/p>\n So tell me (by leaving a comment), do you think we can migrate most software completely to a tablet world? Or is that an impossible dream?<\/p>\n Michael Linenberger<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" March 27, 2013 Microsoft in the last week or so updated its tablet app version of OneNote\u2014and I think it points to a bright future for Windows. Why? Because it\u2019s one very nice app. It shows how well full-power applications … Continue reading \n