Must be for portable devices...
"Inkwell" is a virtually useless technology for a desktop machine and keyboard - anyone can type faster than they can write by hand. Therefore, I agree with some of the other comments that this must be in preparation for implementation with mobile devices. Even if it just means notebooks with touch-sensitve screens; i.e. a "tablet" (though I'd MUCH prefer a handheld PDA device).
Don't get me wrong, I am TOTALLY enthralled with handwriting recognition, having owned a Newton Messagepad 2000 and purchased a new 3850 iPaq on the basis of actually handwriting recognition alone (not that hen-pecking joke called "graffitti" that Palm tries to pass off). Having witnessed the somewhat bizzare cancellation of the Newton by Jobs (just as it was taking off), I had presumed that there must be some valid reason that he wouldn't sell the technology outright to numerous companies that begged him for it.
I truly hope that Apple develops the "next generation" wireless handheld device - leapfrogging the competition by bundling the ease of Palm, technology of iPaq and connectivity of RIM. Apple - please deliver.
[Note: for those who are interested, owning both a Newton and iPaq, I can honestly say that the Newton is outright superior in OS implementation and sophistication over PocketPC. It's mind boggling how cuttin edge it was/is. Frankly, the hardware of the iPaq is its only real advantage - and I suppose it should be given its FIVE years newer than my Newton! Why switch you ask? I got tired of its large form factor.]