Apple “Improving” Digital Ink Recognition: Can a New Newton be Far Behind? :-)

I’m trying not to discuss the rumored mythical Apple tablet. But, actual findings seem like fair game. And, this one from unwiredview.com made me chuckle…

Apple patents improved digital ink recognition techniques for pen-aware tablet

Why did it make me chuckle? The word “improved” was the cause. Apple doesn’t have any current product that performs digital ink recognition. So, although the word is probably used in context of the entire universe of digital ink recognition outside of Apple, I thought of the old Apple Newton Messagepad (of which I am still a proud owner). I was amused to think that something like the Newton might make its way back into the Apple product line (I should note that I really enjoyed using my Newton durings its day in the mid-1990s).

Having spent the past couple of days using my new Asus Eee PC T91MT touchscreen netbook running Windows 7, I can say that I really like and enjoy having a larger device (larger than my iPhone and iPod touch) with a touch screen. It is a very natural and easy way to interact with a computer. And, this is despite the fact that most software applications are not touchscreen aware themselves and have touch imposed on them by Windows 7′s interface.

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