According to Tablet PC Talk Microsoft have announced at CES that they will release a beta copy of Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2004 (Lonestar) upgrade in March 2004. The only hint of what features Lonestar will include are in the Alpha copy that Microsoft is distributing to MVPs/OEMs and those who require access to the alpha. Improvements include:
A vastly improved Tablet PC Input Panel, which now floats near where text is being entered
An improved - essentially added - correction features within the TIP
A redesigned logon screen keyboard
Context sensitive recognition for things like URLs in the Internet Explorer address bar
Improved handwriting recognizers
Improved support for Asian languages
Support of ink in the browser through web controls
I"m sure this will be a welcomed upgrade for current and future Tablet PC users.
If you"re interested in using the Alpha for developing applications then use the Guest ID: LonestarGuest on BetaPlace.