Google Handwrite – New Search Feature for Mobiles and Tablets

Those who like writing notes on a screen rather than typing on a virtual keyboard, Google’s new project called Handwrite is what you will admire and enjoy.

This information was first announced on Google’s blog last week, the company’s new beta project targets to make it easier to search, no matter where you are or what you’re doing. Everything you write will be immediately analyzed and converted into a search term, and Handwrite allows you to block print or write letters, words, and punctuation on the screen.

Google Handwrite

The feature can be turned on very easily. Those who own an iPhone can scroll down to the settings link on Google.com, enable Handwrite mode, then return to Google.com. Tap the new button in the lower right corner, which resembles a cursive lower-case g—to turn Handwrite on, and just start scribbling. Those who use the iPad need to click Search Settings from the Gear icon.

You might find Handwrite to be a little difficult on an iPhone or iPod touch due to the small screen. The service intelligently tries to guess at your letters and words, though, so if you only write “dowag” before you run out of room, you can continue with “er” and it will put the letters together to make “dowager”—and suggest you might be looking for the Dowager Countess from Downton Abbey, at that.

Using Handwrite on an iPad is a dream, especially if you use a stylus. You will have much more freedom in forming your letters and do not have to worry of real estate problems.

Unfortunately, Google’s recognition engine was much poorer at determining cursive lettering than it was at block printing. This maybe could be due to one’s style of cursive writing, but you may find letters dropping or misunderstanding words entirely. However, Google’s search engine is good enough to pick up the loose (turning “teasures” to “treasures,” for example), but it’s still a little annoying.

Handwrite is great fun, for a beta feature, and is something you could use quite often. For those who think their handwriting is faster than virtual keyboard touch typing, Google’s new search feature could be very handy.