Windows 7 Will Support Handwritten Math Recogntion

Posted by | 10/28/2008 | 6 Comments

Now that folks are getting a chance to go hands on with Windows 7 at PDC2008, we’re starting to see details beyond the PDC2008 brief roll out. Here is some good news for lots of folks who like to use Tablet PCs to do some math. According to Gizmodo, Windows 7 will now support handwritten math recognition.

Check out more pictures and info on Gizmodo.

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Category: Software

About the Author (Author Profile)

Warner Crocker is a professional theatre director, producer and playwright and also a Tablet PC enthusiast. He is also a Microsoft MVP for Tablet PCs. Send email to Warner.
  • http://sumocat.blogspot.com Sumocat

    Wonderful! This should open up more educational interest in pen input.

  • Joe

    Stupid question but how is this any different from the Equation Writer here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=4861AAD3-1D67-4B02-BFD5-4ADD1879D3DC&displaylang=en

  • Frank

    same question, and how does it save this ink? As an image? If so, then it is the same as the Equation Writer. But maybe it supports LaTeX or at it could save/copy the equation as curves. But well, I don’t think that it will work for any serious uni like equation.

  • http://www.gottabemobile.com Warner Crocker

    Not stupid questions and we have no definitive answers at the moment. When we do we’ll post ‘em up.

  • GoodThings2Life

    OK, seriously… from a former math major in college, that is friggen awesome! :)

    It’s more like Word 2007′s equation editor. The equation editor there should be able to pick it up and allow you to work more hands-on with it. I suspect Office 14 will make good use of it.

  • http://www.whatisnew.com Lora Heiny

    There are three parts to this math feature:
    1) Math Input Panel
    2) math recognition
    3) Math Input Control

    This screenshot is of the Math Input Panel, which works with math aware applications. You can handwrite in complex equations and insert the results as MathML. Yes, fundamentally it can be used in a way similar to how people have used the Equation Writer, but where Equation Writer inserts an image this is MathML, has more sophisticated tools for correction, and the field autogrows as the equation is written. Additional screenshots / InkShows can help show this.

    Another major difference over the Equation Writer is the Math Input Control. Software vendors can integrate the control into their applications. (Page 18 of the Windows 7 Developer Guide: http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/Win7DeveloperGuide)

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