Microsoft considering writing input area on laptop wrist rest

[HEXUS]

Newly unearthed patent shows an e-ink stylus pad next to the touch pad on a Surface Book.

Read more.

[EvilCycle]

Since tablets came along I have no idea why this hasn't already been a thing for years, mobile professionals that sketch drawings a lot but can't replace a laptop with a tablet for whatever reason (software, keyboard layout etc.) would be all over this I would think.

[[GSV]Trig]

Given the area is pretty much wasted bar where the trackpad is I don't get why the entire area isn't being used for touch or something, image if the entire palm area was configurable to either all be touch, or you could move it from left to right in the software and configure what parts of it were touch, or write or dead spots etc

[Scryder]

Hasn't PDA's been around since the 90's? So is this really an innovation or rehashing of old ideas?

Also, I got this a while back for my daughter to play with: LCD Writing Tablet ... the only thing missing was a connection to the computer. I assume as these are now relatively cheap, the cost for MS to add this is now feasible, probably not in the past.

[Zhaoman]

Yeah it defo looks like a good idea. Maybe just make the trackpad bigger and make it a combined touch/writing input, that seems pretty logical to me and would provide a bit of best of both worlds for compatible laptops.

[duc]

Something like an IBM ThinkPad TransNote....maybe

[Ttaskmaster]

Awful idea. Hideous. Stupid concept. No-one will want this rubbish.
Microsoft will put it out in several devices, everyone will hate it and it will be chucked in the bin.

Then a few years later, Apple will 'innovate' and come up with the exact same thing, but call it something snazzy and catchy like the iWrite, charge a fortune for it, and it will be hailed as the greatest thing since bacon!

[philehidiot]

Awful idea. Hideous. Stupid concept. No-one will want this rubbish.
Microsoft will put it out in several devices, everyone will hate it and it will be chucked in the bin.

Then a few years later, Apple will 'innovate' and come up with the exact same thing, but call it something snazzy and catchy like the iWrite, charge a fortune for it, and it will be hailed as the greatest thing since bacon!

I suspect Apple will build it into a track pad. You'd have thought you could engineer a trackpad which could recognise a stylus and a finger as different inputs and treat them differently. I must say, the Apple track pads are utterly brilliant. I use a 2011 Macbook Air and the accuracy, smoothness and gesture control is just a world apart from any PC laptop trackpad. Macs have their flaws and Apple copy a lot but they seem to take bad ideas and then implement them well along with a proper dose of marketing bull. I have never found a PC trackpad I get on with. The Apple ones I do.

Worst part is, Apple were on my list of hateful companies who I won't buy from. Buuutttt.... honestly, I think when my Air finally kicks the bucket, I may buy another.

[LSG501]

I have this vague recollection of a laptop already having something similar from a few years back.....

Either way it would probably be much better to integrate stylus support (and maybe even a display, which has been done) into the touchpad,

[sinhaomar]

Not the best idea. Will be always drawing by error when typing)

[[GSV]Trig]

Oh I dunno, pretty sure palm detection is pretty good these days..