A set of free downloads extends the digital media capabilities and adds other entertainment features and interface enhancements to Tablet PCs, portable computers that feature a touch-sensitive screen, a stylus for entering data as "digital ink," and a special-purpose OS, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. So far, Microsoft has marketed the Tablet PC strictly as a business product, but the Experience Pack for Tablet PC has a consumer focus, suggesting that Microsoft is trying to tap strong consumer demand for notebook PCs (particularly in Europe) to build sales of Tablets. IDC and Gartner both estimate that fewer than 700,000 Tablet PCs were sold in 2004—that's less than 2% of the 45.9 million notebooks sold (according to research firm iSuppli).

The Experience Pack includes the following applications:

• Media Transfer, for transferring digital audio, video, and photos from another PC to the Tablet over a home network (the other PC must have Windows Media Connect software, which is also available as a free download)
• A specialized edition of the Windows Media Player with controls that are easier to use with the touch screen
• Ink Desktop, which lets users write notes directly on the Windows desktop
• Snipping Tool, which lets users capture any portion of the screen as a circle, square, or freehand shape
• Ink Art, a new drawing tool that takes advantage of the Tablet's pressure sensitivity
• Ink Crossword, a crossword puzzle program that automatically downloads a new puzzle each day.

The Experience Pack requires Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005, the latest version, which was released in late 2004.

The Experience Pack download and more information are at www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/tabletpc/experiencepack/default.mspx.

Windows Media Connect is available from www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/devices/wmconnect.