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Microsoft's new Windows Ink 'puts the pen front and center'

Microsoft's new Windows Ink 'puts the pen front and center'

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Microsoft is trying to put styluses "front and center" with its next update to Windows 10. To do that, it's introducing something called the Ink Workspace, which appears to be a hub within Windows for launching apps meant for writing and sketching. To help people fill that section out, Microsoft is also highlighting pen-enabled apps in the Windows Store.

Though stylus use is usually associated with graphic artists and design professionals, Microsoft thinks it can appeal to people who still use pen and paper. Its research showed that 72 percent of people still use pen and paper for at least one hour a day, which theoretically means there's a large base of people it can try to win over.

Coming in Windows 10's summer update

There are a lot of little changes Microsoft is making to its Office apps to make stylus use seem more appealing. If you're highlighting a line in Word, for instance, the app will automatically snap your drawing to the line so it looks smooth, rather than leaving your (quite likely poor) penmanship.

Microsoft is also updating Windows' Sticky Notes app to automatically recognize places and times that you jot down. It can then use those to create reminders.

Windows Ink is also a bit more than a launchpad for apps — it's also something of a workspace. When you're specifically drawing within the Ink mode, it appears that Windows will grant access to specific tools, like a digital ruler that allows you to make perfectly straight lines. Microsoft said that Adobe will be adding something similar to Photoshop, allowing designers to use drawing tools like a digital french curve.

Microsoft hopes to see a lot more stylus support in apps, so it's trying to allow developers to "quickly and easily" add Ink support into their apps. It says with just "two lines" of code, developers will be able to add support for Ink's digital ruler. It's beginning to roll some of the code out today.

Check out our Microsoft Build 2016 live blog for the latest updates and our Microsoft hub page for all the news!