Adobe and Microsoft to improve Windows Ink with future Windows 10 updates

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Microsoft has teamed up with Adobe to improve the capabilities of its Windows Ink workspace and offer a brand-new user experience for the upcoming Anniversary Build. This is a sure sign of Microsoft’s efforts to take the digital ink experience to the next level and make it easier for users to jot notes with their styluses. While the tech giant has already announced its partnership with Wacom to deliver a universal pen for Windows 10, ultimately digital ink technology isn’t satisfying — one of the reasons why most people rarely use a stylus or a digital pen when taking notes.

At Build 2016, Microsoft seemed very optimistic about the end results of its partnership with Adobe, almost going as far as guaranteeing users that they would be able to write on their devices as if it were paper, create sticky notes, draw on a whiteboard, and easily share their analog thoughts in a digital format. The company also integrated Windows Ink into apps like Maps, Microsoft Edge, and Office to further appeal to potential users.

This is a very audacious task for Microsoft since the company’s aim is to combine the natural feel and the speed of pen and paper with the power of a PC. Judging by Microsoft engineer Bryan Roper’s demonstration at Build 2016, Microsoft seems very confident it can pull this off:

Look how that artist is easily able to use touch and pen together to be able to actually make these perfect lines on the shoe with the French curve stencil. I mean, that’s awesome. This is empowering new experiences. The tech is not getting in the way; it’s enabling. That is the goal.

According to Microsoft, billions of post-it notes are sold each year and more than 70% of people use a pen for more than an hour a day. The company thinks that productivity can be increased by incorporating more writing into the computing experience, with Windows Ink as the tool that will help people write down their thoughts on their Windows 10 devices and turn their ideas into actions. The first who will be able to put Microsoft’s affirmations to the test will be its Insiders since Windows Ink will most likely be part of the Anniversary Build that launches this summer.

We’ll keep you updated as soon as we learn more. Meanwhile, you can watch Bryan Roper’s demo on Windows Ink here.

  • READ ALSO: Windows 10 Redstone update to bring improved pen support and better Ink support

More about the topics: build 2016