WritePad iPhone/iPad App Review

Handwriting recognition software is no new feat in the app world; however, WritePad 6.0 is the latest in the iOS market and currently runs at $3.99. Recognizing different kinds of handwriting, cursive and print, WritePad 6.0 is the most recent app from Stan Miasnikov, maker of PhatNotes, WritePad Pro and WritePad Notes.

Features:

1. Both Keyboard and Handwriting modes work in the app, so you can type then make hand notes on the same page as the text
2. Still access URLs and phone numbers with touch linking
3. Auto-completion for text in keyboard mode
4. Full screen Handwriting mode allows you to write on the screen wherever you want
5. Text input panel is a pop up area that lets you add text at the bottom of the screen
6. Shorthand utility helps you out with things: like when you write ‘date’ and then circle it, shorthand will automatically insert the current date
7. There are several of these handy dandy shortcuts, and if you’re feeling like you need to make your own custom shortcut—that option is available too
8. Calculator can finish or check your handwritten formulas
9. Save docs via Dropbox, Google Docs, or PDF and share or export in an email
10. Handwriting mode can be programmed to learn your handwriting patterns, auto-cap, and catch and fix spelling mistakes
11. Gesture command: inserting/removing spaces and text, and copy/paste

Cons:

1. Works best with large, careful writing (That’s not how I normally write)
2. Therefore converted text takes a lot of editing since it hasn’t really figured out my handwriting as well as I would have hoped
3. Doesn’t know what to do with graphics (PhatPad is supposed to do graphics and text)
4. 2 ½ stars on iTunes with the majority of contributions giving it only 1 star

Obviously it depends on what your needs are when it comes to software like this, so customer reviews are subjective. This can be a very handy and useful tool; just don’t expect it to be as intuitive as you are when it comes to deciphering someone else’s handwriting.

Ryan blogs about software and tech news for the Blog Content Guild and recently grabbed Dell coupons for computers to update his system and further geek out on electronics.