PhatPad Brings Newton-like Handwriting Recognition to the iPad

[Wiley John Wright]

PhatWare has just released PhatPad 1.0 ($4.99) for the iPad. PhatPad lets you take handwritten notes and converts them into editable text. You can also draw simple shapes such as squares and circles, and PhatPad will convert them into perfect shapes. With so many note-taking apps available in the App Store today, it’s rare to find one that stands out in any significant way. PhatPad offers people an attractive alternative to the iPad’s standard keyboard.

PhatPad is quite polished especially for a 1.0 version. This is not too surprising, however, considering the fact that PhatWare has been making handwriting recognition, digital ink and note taking software for years now. PhatPad’s spotlight feature may be its handwriting recognition, but there are other intriguing features as well.

The ability to import pictures from the camera roll and take notes on top of them can be quite useful at times. Imagine loading a map image, then quickly drawing directions over the map by hand and emailing it out to a group of friends, all within a single app. Documents can also be saved as PDF’s and AirPrint is supported as well. Another nice feature that I’m happy to say more developers are incorporating into their apps is Dropbox synchronization.



Back in the 1990’s when Apple released the Newton MessagePad, the accuracy of its handwriting recognition was less than perfect. This type of software has had a rocky past, but it's good to see there are still developers interested in the technology. iOS devices have been designed with multi-touch screens and writing notes by hand can be easier at times than using the on-screen keyboard.

As the iOS continues to evolve, I am constantly impressed with what developers continue to come up with. PhatPad will surely find its way onto many iPads now that it has been released. Hopefully, PhatPad will also make its way onto the iPhone and iPod Touch, in the near future. Then I’ll really feel like I’ve got a twenty-first century Newton MessagePad, well maybe not.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t55Y6M-hriQ&feature=player_embedded]YouTube - PhatPad For iPad Demo/Tutorial[/ame]


Source: TUAW

[xerray]

cool

[GellBrake'rrrr]

cool

Saying "cool" is almost as /cool/ as saying "first". Please post something meaningful.

I'd be surprised if your comment stays on this page. Thanks for your depth of opinion.

[steve-z17]

Saying "cool" is almost as /cool/ as saying "first". Please post something meaningful.

I'd be surprised if your comment stays on this page. Thanks for your depth of opinion.

Thanks for your "depth of opinion" on the news...lol

Looks like a great start to some note taking apps. Good for some class situations.

[CaptainChaos]

Sweet. I doubt it could recognize my chicken scratch though.

[xerray]

Saying "cool" is almost as /cool/ as saying "first". Please post something meaningful.

I'd be surprised if your comment stays on this page. Thanks for your depth of opinion.

I'm sorry for expressing my opinion on this article, I had never knew there were rules of regulation on this forum and/or had touched a nerve for you. I am deeply sorry.

[MindGem]

Newton like? Newton MessagePad 100 isn't like that at all. What'ya mean with that?

[sucram6791]

this will be much easier than typing on the gigantic keyboard!

[Lombardo Joe]

PhatPad lets you take handwritten notes and converts them into editable text.

I definitely saw 'edible text' at first glance.

I sure hope they incorporate this into CPOE in hospitals. Doctor's handwriting can be butt.

[CynicalDriver]

Saying "cool" is almost as /cool/ as saying "first". Please post something meaningful.

I'd be surprised if your comment stays on this page. Thanks for your depth of opinion.

As opposed to the incredibly constructive post you just made? Name one person you helped with all that wisdom.

In any case, this will be very useful on the iPhone/iTouch as well. I can write without looking at my hands, and this would make copying numbers and small notes much faster than typing on the tiny iBoard.

[Hal05154]

what would be WAY cool is if they would make this app so it recorded meetings/lectures and had a time stamp to allow review of notes vs. recording! Ah la Audionotes.

[GellBrake'rrrr]

I'm sorry for expressing my opinion on this article, I had never knew there were rules of regulation on this forum and/or had touched a nerve for you. I am deeply sorry.

It's "Cool"

[sk8ertim]

NOW I want an iPad!

This is what I need from an iPad/tablet pc.

Guess who is getting iPad2 only cause of this!

And this is all because Im sick and tired of carting around a ton of papers to school, and all for notes, and then I cant find ANYTHING!
But with this, I could finally get my schoolwork core productive!

[EskimoRuler]

This app seems great in the video, I've been trying othe note taking apps but can seems to find a good hand writing one for classes, i like this because you can type and draw at the same time and be able to move objects around which is what I'm looking for.

[Rob2G]

I definitely saw 'edible text' at first glance.

I sure hope they incorporate this into CPOE in hospitals. Doctor's handwriting can be butt.

HaHa you said butt!!!

[Lombardo Joe]

HaHa you said butt!!!

Hahaha... Yeah. I guess I did.


Sent from my iPhone using ModMyi

[Trees415]

HaHa you said butt!!!

Saying "butt" is almost as /butt-cool/ as saying "first". Please post something meaningful.

I'd be surprised if your comment stays on this page. Thanks for your depth of opinion.