Build Developers Conference in 2016 was the hippest technological gig of April. There Microsoft revealed everything it currently works on and how it sees the future of technology: a new version of Windows 10, Skype updates, bots as a basis for the web and HoloLens. In this article, however, I would like to draw attention to a product that simply stands out – Windows Ink – a set of products for all users who still prefer pen and paper.

With a product like that it seems like Microsoft is really gunning for the iPad Pro with WIndows Ink. To date, however, nothing can be said for sure in regards to Windows Ink capabilities, we can only make assumptions.

Windows Ink is a set of products for Surface Pro and any other stylus supporting tablet. It ensures a set of functions in demand with creative people. On the conference the company announced Ink Workspace – a suite of applications allow you to use stylus as efficiently as possible for various tasks. For example, among these applications there is also a program for taking notes, which, using intelligent technology, is able to recognize words such as, for example, «tomorrow» and based on the concept of text carry out certain actions.

First of all, a stylus, and its capabilities are interesting to artists and designers. But the circle of users of the stylus is not limited to the representatives of creative professions. After all, the world is still full of people who prefer pen and paper over digital input. Thus, the new development by Microsoft may turn out to be a success. Those users who favor analog input by hand may begin to consider buying Surface tablets.

It should be noted that the new iPad Pro from Apple, which has recently been introduced, focuses primarily on the same audience – people who are constantly and intensively working with the tablet. iPad Pro – a tablet with a 12.9-inch screen running iOS operating system supports an optional accessory – stylus Apple Pencil. Like the Surface Pen, the stylus can be used to write notes and draw pictures. Apple strives to focus public attention on this possibility and even took out an ad featuring the work of artists on iPad.

That said, Microsoft Ink technology could do something unheard before. Workspace, which can be activated in Windows 10, has a ruler that, in the process of drawing with stylus Pen, can be moved with a finger. In addition, the company also offers other tools that artists find very useful in their work.

As it is typical with Microsoft technology, this functionality can be integrated into third-party applications such as Adobe Photoshop. Microsoft has changed its approach, and now the company wants to attract as many users as possible in using their software.Even those who are not Windows users. Suffice to say that on iPad Pro one can run all of the basic applications of Microsoft Office. And it might looks a little odd – Microsoft both competes with and strengthens iPad Pro position.

No doubt that Ink technology will attract the attention of people of creative professions to the Windows platform. Surface is becoming more attractive handheld device, especially when compared with the iPad. After all Photoshop version, that is available for iOS iPad users, is still very limited, when Surface computers can boast its full functionality.

No doubt, iOS is a very popular system. But that may also be the downside for iPads. Unlike with WIndows 10, iPad Pro users can only install Apple Approved apps that somewhat limit users who are accustomed to using third-party applications, and that in fact is a round number.

The openness of the Windows platform and Microsoft willingness to share their inventions and software can be a real advantage of the Surface Pro in the eyes of those people who will compare it with the iPad: Surface supports all of the software that a user can possibly need. Meanwhile, the iPad supports only the newest and hippest software, but it does not mean that that’s a set of programs each user need. There are certain tasks that will require a user to have both iPad and MacBook, when the same results can be achieved simply owning one device – Microsoft Surface. This is not the only and in many cases inadequate, but a very significant argument in favor of the Surface for a number of users.

When Surface was first introduced, many doubted its prospects. But now it is clear that Microsoft has managed to create an excellent device with a remarkable set of software. And all this is thanks to the universal platform, which is getting better every day.

Despite the many benefits of Windows 10 and the inevitability of the transition to it , Windows 7 is still the most popular operating system for the PC . Of course, this is not absolute inevitability, and users have an alternative in the form of OS X and Linux. And not every user finds the use of advanced stylus a significant advantage.

But there is no doubt that Windows Ink will become a significant argument in favor of the Surface Profor artists and designers.