Microsoft has been promising a 2004 update to its Windows XP Tablet PC Edition version of Windows for several months now. At the Professional Developers Conference this week, Microsoft execs finally are talking a bit about that release, code-named "Lonestar." Microsoft says to expect Lonestar to debut in the first half of 2004. We hear that folks will actually get their first look at Lonestar much sooner. Lonestar is likely going to be the star of Chairman Bill Gates' Comdex keynote next month, we hear. Microsoft also announced at the PDC a new version (1.7) of its Tablet PC software development kit (SDK). The updated SDK adds support for inking on the Web, enhanced contextual support for handwriting recognition and a real-time stylus, according to the Redmondiands.