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Write on the screen and let the app recognize the handwriting

Write on the screen and let the app recognize the handwriting

Vote: (5 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: Google

Version: 1.9.3

Works under: Android

Vote:

Program license

(5 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

Google

1.9.3

Works under:

Android

Pros

  • Supports both printed and cursive recognition
  • Handwriting recognition is accurate, even for messy writers
  • Useful on wearable devices and larger tablets

Cons

  • App is slow to recognize and display input
  • Nobody would consider this app a necessity in today's form
  • Not faster than touchscreen typing or speech-to-text input

Google Handwriting Input takes a user's writing and translates it into text. It's a novel idea with a few practical uses right now. Currently, Android smartphones and tablets running newer versions of the operating system support the app. A handful of apps offer the same feature as Handwriting Input, but Google owns the best option on the market today. Not everyone will find this app all that useful, though.

What is it?

When users enable Google Handwriting Input, they're presented with an input area. They can then write text with their finger, or use a compatible stylus. Within seconds, the app takes input and turns it into text and punctuation. Emoji support is included in the app, too. Handwriting Input is compatible with cursive and printed words alike, which is an impressive feat that similar apps often fail to achieve.

Accuracy and Speed: The Deciding Factors

To provide value, handwriting apps need to succeed on two fronts: accuracy and speed. Google Handwriting Input does an excellent job on the accuracy side. The app doesn't struggle to identify either printed or cursive writing. Even sloppy writers will see words consistently translated with accuracy. In fact, this particular app is perhaps the most accurate option available now, and it's hard to trick the app.

Speed is, unfortunately, another story for Google Handwriting Input. Without a doubt, the app is faster than competing options. The time from writing a word to seeing it translated on screen is fairly quick but not instantaneous. Overall performance is great for Handwriting Input. Still, the app is trying to compete with touchscreen keyboards and voice input, two options that are far superior in speed.

Other Tidbits On Handwriting Input

Google's latest input app features many positives for its users nonetheless. First of all, Handwriting Input supports multiple languages. Users can toggle the language in a couple steps, and the app functions well in its supported languages. Google Handwriting Input is especially useful for languages with complicated symbols. In rare cases, writing out these symbols is faster than dealing with their text counterparts.

Should you download Google Handwriting Input?

Handwriting Input seems more like a gimmick than a necessity in its current form. Future versions and evolutions of the app may become more useful, though. Until that happens, Google Handwriting Input is a nice but novel app to own and use. It will impress friends and family members for sure. Most people won't replace a touchscreen keyboard or voice input with Handwriting Input any time soon. Google's app shows plenty of promise, and a boost in speed would benefit the app most of all.

Pros

  • Supports both printed and cursive recognition
  • Handwriting recognition is accurate, even for messy writers
  • Useful on wearable devices and larger tablets

Cons

  • App is slow to recognize and display input
  • Nobody would consider this app a necessity in today's form
  • Not faster than touchscreen typing or speech-to-text input