Microsoft has nurtured pen based computing inside Windows for a number of years, but what’s it like in Windows 8?

The Windows 8 developer preview build includes the ability to use pen based devices. Microsoft has improved its use of pen input for Windows 8 and extended it for use by developers. Third party Metro apps can easily implement an API call that will allow their applications to take advantage of pen devices and automatically recognize input from them. Microsoft’s recognition software appears to be improved in Windows 8. We threw a large number of poorly written words at it and it was shockingly precise.

Pen is one of the many ways to use a Windows 8 PC. Microsoft’s onscreen keyboard has been designed to fit the Windows Phone style of input. Feedback sounds are identical to Windows Phone and the keyboard features large surface areas for keys and a clever autocorrect system. Microsoft isn’t killing off the mouse and keyboard input though, they remain first class citizens and can operate Windows 8 in the same way as touch and pen.