DailyTech - Handwriting Recognition Could Make Its Way to iPhone, iPod touch

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Gadgets Handwriting Recognition Could Make Its Way to iPhone, iPod touch
Brandon Hill (Blog) - March 28, 2008 8:22 AM

31 comment(s) - last by Smiting Eye.. on Apr 10 at 6:23 PM

Apple seeks engineers well versed in pattern recognition.

The iPhone's popularity shows no signs of dying down. When the device was first unveiled in January 2007, it took the world by storm and sparked a buying frenzy when it launched a few months later.

The iPhone was clearly designed with consumers in mind, focusing on phone, music and video operations. Later updates even provided mobile access to Apple's iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store.

The only people seemingly left out of the iPhone equation were business users. Apple announced its plans to rectify that issue earlier this month with the rollout of the iPhone SDK and a beta of the upcoming 2.0 firmware. The 2.0 firmware brings a wealth of business-oriented features to the iPhone including push email support, Cisco IPsec VPN, WPA2/802.11x and support for Microsoft Exchange/ActiveSync.

A new job posting on Apple's website reveals yet more technology that could be coming to OS X as well as the iPhone. The listing seeks a Handwriting Recognition Engineer that is well versed in pattern recognition, C/C++ coding, Cocoa programming and neural net algorithms.

Apple notes that the main area of focus will be handwriting technology for Mac OS X and that development/design "may extend beyond Mac OS X to other applications and the iPhone."

The handwriting technology could make for an interesting alternative input option for the iPhone. The iPhone has been oft-criticized for its on-screen keyboard, so any form of handwriting may be welcome by iPhone/iPod touch users.

Usage could also extend to the rumored tablet-based MacBook which has yet to materialize and the ModBook which use's Apple's existing InkWell handwriting technology.

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Apple ramping up

By eye smite on 3/28/2008 8:44:13 AM , Rating: 1

Looks like their finally going full tilt with the phone. It's no surpise with the succes this phone has had, it only makes sense. Hope they do it well enough to make most people happy cause I don't want to listen to the cranky IT people rant about this phone anymore. lol

RE: Apple ramping up

By Aloonatic on 3/28/2008 8:59:04 AM , Rating: 2

Have they made a 3G version yet?

i still don't really see what the fuss is about the iPhone?

I have never seen one in the wild tho, no-one I know is foolish enough to buy one.

Hand writing recognition has been around for ages on smart phones, my old old phone had it and I never used it.

I'm happy with my N95 8GB thanks :)

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RE: Apple ramping up

By Brandon Hill

(blog) on 3/28/2008 9:16:44 AM , Rating: 2

While I can't speak for the iPhone, I did recently purchase a 32GB iPod touch. The interface is simply wonderful (everything simply falls into place) and email/web browsing is a sight to behold IMHO.

I've always found it a pain to browse the Internet with Windows Mobile-based devices, the Safari on the iPod touch is actually VERY usable.

As someone who has dealt with a number of Pocket PC/Windows Mobile devices over the years ranging from the original Compaq iPaq H3650 to the HP Jornada 560 to the HP iPaq 1910 to the Dell Axim X50v to various Windows Mobile-based Smartphones, Apple simply has MS licked when it comes to the UI.

Again, I'm talking from my experience with the iPod touch, but the iPhone isn't really that much different.

To tell you the truth, I probably would have been in the market for an iPhone if they had a 32GB version -- and if they opened up the phone to other carriers. The latter won't come for a few more years I suppose and the former should be just a few months away.

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RE: Apple ramping up

By Marvlarv on 3/28/2008 9:53:02 AM , Rating: 2

Here is a good question. Will there be a Mobile version of FireFox for phone/pda? I think that would be a good idea for the iphone

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RE: Apple ramping up

By Brandon Hill

(blog) on 3/28/2008 9:57:33 AM , Rating: 3

A quick Google search provides:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/infoworld/20080229/tc_info...
http://www.blackberryblast.com/articles/2008/2/200...
http://forums.crackberry.com/f35/firefox-mobile-we...

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RE: Apple ramping up

By mondo1234 on 3/28/2008 10:35:23 AM , Rating: 2

Agreed. While I dont have an Iphone, many of my friends do, so I have used theirs. It is much easier to use than my Windows Mobile phone for surfing, ect. My next MP3 player will be the touch. As far as my next phone, we'll see this summer.

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RE: Apple ramping up

By Alexstarfire on 3/28/2008 11:33:15 AM , Rating: 2

Yea, it sucks that only AT&T has the phone, but it's not like you can't buy an unlocked phone anyways. It'd also be great if you weren't forced into paying $20 a month just for having the iPhone. I know it goes to the data it uses, internet and all that, but it means that people who don't use the internet and all are very discouraged from using it since it's an added expense they don't need.

To be honest, I've never seen the use of having the internet on a mobile device. I've needed it like 1-2 times when I wanted to check my bank balance, but that's only cause I don't remember the number I need to call. Other than that, I've never wanted or needed it. To me, that's the only thing the iPhone seems to do well at. It's not like it's hard to use for other functions, but it's not worlds easier either.

I believe the bad outweighs the good, IMO. Typing blows and no text messaging. I'm sure there are others, but no text messaging puts it in the grave as far as I'm concerned. In this day and age there is no reason not to have it. I also don't like the fact that I'm forced to get a HDD with it, or is it an SSD. Either way, I don't need 8 GB of space. And if I recall correctly, it doesn't accept memory cards of any kind. I guess that's all right for some people, but not for me.

I say it's a cool gadget, but a lackluster phone.

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RE: Apple ramping up

By Alexstarfire on 3/28/2008 11:35:53 AM , Rating: 2

Crap, I meant picture messaging.

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RE: Apple ramping up

By michael2k on 3/28/2008 2:42:10 PM , Rating: 2

The point of the "internet" on a mobile device is the same as having a "phone" on a mobile device. You clearly use a cell phone, you clearly use text on it... the internet is a superset of both, really.

Would you be the one, 10 years ago, saying, "I don't see the point of carrying a phone around..."?

There is really no difference between "having the internet" and "having the internet on a mobile device". If you can see the value of having internet access, period, then the same value applies when it's on a mobile device.

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RE: Apple ramping up

By Alexstarfire on 3/28/2008 3:28:50 PM , Rating: 2

I can see your point, and probably will be the one a decade from now being like "man, how stupid was I 10 years ago? Can't believe they'd even make a phone without internet on it." I can see the logistics of needing a phone to carry around with you, for emergencies. Granted almost no one uses it for that sole cause. The same can not be said about the internet though. You don't need the internet for emergencies, real emergencies anyways. To me, having the internet on a mobile device is more of a convenience than anything else. I for one don't need internet access 24/7 anywhere in the world. And honestly, I don't need a phone 24/7 anywhere in the world. In fact, I turn my phone off when I want to be by myself.

Like I said, it's not that it isn't cool, but I don't believe it's necessary. The same way texting is cool, but not necessary. Although, I wouldn't buy a phone without texting. Which reminds me that I saw a Sony Ericsson phone that's coming out that doesn't have texting on it, or a lot of other features. I kind of think it's because they don't know all the specs yet, but hey, they have some up there so I'll just go by what they posted.

To each his own. I'm just saying that variety can be useful when it comes to phones. Taking out some features can lower the price making more people want to buy it. I mean, if you took out the internet that's got for shave off some money. Plus, I don't think you'd need that data plan from AT&T anymore. That's $20 a month saved right there.

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RE: Apple ramping up

By AvidDailyTechie on 3/28/2008 4:17:56 PM , Rating: 2

I got in on the 8GB refurb deal from ATT for $250 (w/o tax) and unlocked it so that I didn't have to extend any contracts (which I already had).

I never understood what all the fuss was either, but after having this... I'm very pleased!

I got it simply because all the phones were way overpriced (couldn't upgrade), most somewhere in the $200 range... I feel that this phone easily justifies a $250 price tag.

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RE: Apple ramping up

By Oscarine on 3/28/2008 10:47:59 AM , Rating: 2

The N95 and iPhone are at completely opposite ends of the spectrum. If you enjoy investing tons of time into learning a product the N95 is a good bordering on great product, killer camera/video, good GPS support, and ok at a bunch of other things, HSDPA is pretty darn quick if your in an area that supports it.

However its got, lousy battery life, no decent input method, and it runs like garbage, besides its humongous.

Lets not get to the price, it actually makes the iPhone look like a bargin :P

The iPhone has great formfactor, its a great ipod, interface is extremely inuitive, Visual Voicemail is amazing, and browsing in Safari is pure joy compared to every other mobile browser out there.

EDGE data isn't great, but page rendering isn't horribly slow, its quite usable.

I guess compared to the N95 its short on frills, but its a joy to actually use in comparison.

Were all biased, but I guarentee you that take the average user put him in front of an N95 or an iPhone and the iPhone will seem at least twice as inuitive.

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RE: Apple ramping up

By Aloonatic on 3/28/2008 11:11:16 AM , Rating: 2

i guess it's mostly a price thing for me

8GB iPhone - £269 from 1 mobile phone operator

8GB N95 - Free on a couple of operators

I admit, I'm not so keen on Apple and feel that they are over priced and over hyped.

iTunes is just a pain in the arse too :)

The batter has been improved on the N95, but isn't great, granted.

The touch screen and what have you does look good on the phone, but I have never had a great experience with the longevity of them on any device, let alone one that i'll be leaving in my pocket along with my keys and change.

a lot of people seem to like Apple's stuff tho, so they must be doing something right.

Good on them, choice is a great thing :)

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RE: Apple ramping up

By Alexstarfire on 3/28/2008 11:38:11 AM , Rating: 2

I thought the iPhone already hand handwriting recognition software. I mean, it would make sense since the whole phone it pretty much a touchscreen. I'm shocked that it didn't already. Unless it's free, that's just something else that I think is dumb.

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RE: Apple ramping up

By glennpratt on 3/28/2008 11:50:59 AM , Rating: 2

quote:
I have never seen one in the wild tho, no-one I know is foolish enough to buy one

Interesting. The iPhone is already the single most used mobile web browser with (over 25%, beyond all of Windows CE/Mobile) because not only has it sold well, it's actually enjoyable to browse the web on (I think web standards play no small part in this!).

So while you haven't seen one, I see one or more at just about every reasonably sized dinner party - and I live in the south!

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RE: Apple ramping up

By InsaneGain on 3/28/2008 1:17:52 PM , Rating: 2

I've never bought anything from Apple before, but I just bought an iPod touch 16 GB. Despite the prevalent anti-Apple/anti-USA bias I hear all the time, I can't deny that it is a great product. The interface is intuitive and the whole thing is very well designed. I can type fairly quick on the virtual keyboard, and it has a very good auto-correct function. I'm looking forward to the new applications coming out. I just wish the battery lasted longer, but that's the case with every battery powered mobile device. I think I would get the iPhone if it was available where I live.

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RE: Apple ramping up

By mforce on 3/28/2008 7:54:51 PM , Rating: 2

That's what Apple is all about in case you didn't know. All kinds of gimmicks and "cool stuff" but pretty much useless in the end. A colleague bough and iPod touch and she realized she couldn't even easily turn up the volume because it had now keys , only the touchscreen. I'm not saying it's not cools sometimes it's just too cool to be practical.

The iPhone does have its merits though. It's got a huge screen , unlike Nokia stuff , it's got a very good CPU , again almost double what Nokia and others offer. And to top it all it's very cheap , if you only pay 400 $ for it and then unlock it nothing even comes close in that price range. Add the software that's beging ported , written for it , the nice touchscreen interface and all and you've got a winner.

I think maybe it's time for Nokia and others to wake up and offer some real smart phones for decent prices. And while they're at it give us a 3.0 inch screen and drop those lousy 300 MHz TI OMAP will you Nokia. Thanks.

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RE: Apple ramping up

By Brandon Hill

(blog) on 3/29/2008 12:07:13 AM , Rating: 2

quote:
A colleague bough and iPod touch and she realized she couldn't even easily turn up the volume because it had now keys , only the touchscreen.

All you have to do is double tap the Home button to bring up the volume slider. It's not that hard.

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RE: Apple ramping up

By ajdavis on 3/29/2008 1:02:23 AM , Rating: 2

Try doing that reaching down in your pocket... When you can't see the screen you can't find the button; that is unless it's a physical button in which case you feel a bump. Why bother having a pocketable music device if you can't use it in a pockeyt?

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RE: Apple ramping up

By Brandon Hill

(blog) on 3/29/2008 7:19:52 PM , Rating: 2

The iPhone/iPod touch is not JUST a pocketable MP3 player. If that were the case, it wouldn't need a display screen.

I think of my iPod touch more as a PDA b/c I use the email/browser functionality and third-party Jailbroken apps more than I do music (when I have the device in my hands).

The other times, it's just sitting in the nook on my center console playing music in my car where I use my steering wheel controls to manipulate the iPod.

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RE: Apple ramping up

By Aloonatic on 3/29/2008 5:47:48 AM , Rating: 2

Not sure how a iPhone @ £270 is cheap compared to N95 8GB @ £free???

I think there must be a EU/US price thing going on?

If the iPhone was free or even remotely affordable, I mite have gotten one, who knows? :)

If they were to reduce the price it would be a great way to get non Apple customers into the fold.

I need a new home computer and and have kinda been considering going with Apple as I don't game that much on PC any more (have a PS3, xB360 and Wii after all) but they always just seem overpriced style/hype over substance to me.

Perhaps a reasonably priced iPhone may have changed my mind?

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RE: Apple ramping up

By Smiting Eye on 4/10/2008 6:13:51 PM , Rating: 2

Will just be interesting to see what they market next.

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RE: Apple ramping up

By DeepBlue1975 on 3/28/2008 9:56:39 AM , Rating: 1

An sliding qwerty keyboard would be even better.

As a heavy texter, I can't even look at "touch screen only" phones.
Besides I really hate to see finger prints on a screen, and with this kind of interface its inevitable. The iPod only looks really good when no one has started using yet, once someone started to put his fingers on it it just looks like crap, at least IMO. I saw a "very touched" iPhone screen and I have to say I almost felt the urge to throw up, it's plain disgusting.

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RE: Apple ramping up

By psychmike on 3/28/2008 10:31:57 AM , Rating: 2

I recently picked up an iPhone and the display is simply stunning. You can see fingerprints when the display is off but they're generally not visible when the display is on. I'm not sure if you find your own fingerprints disgusting or just others. If it's just others', then don't let anyone use your iPhone. If you find your own fingerprints disgusting, I'd say the world must seem like a pretty gross place to you.

Mike

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RE: Apple ramping up

By DeepBlue1975 on 3/28/2008 4:25:20 PM , Rating: 2

I don't hate to know about the presence of fingerprints, I just hate to see them quite evidently on any device, specially on screens.

Nevertheless I own a Nokia n95-3 and would never exchange it for an iPhone. 3g capability, an open OS with lots of available apps, and a camera that serves almost like a P&S replacement (I still use my giant dslr when I mean to take a really good shot of something), and an actual keyboard are things I can't find on an iPhone.

In spite of the camera (which I didn't mind at all in a cell phone till I got the n95), I liked HTC's Kaiser better than the n95 (qwerty keyboard, and the GUI of WM5/6, which at least for me is more comfortable than Symbian's, for almost everything but using normal telephone functions) but its weight prevented me from getting one.

In fact the keyboard of my n95 is pretty mediocre, but at least for me, it's miles better than having none.

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RE: Apple ramping up

By Moishe on 3/28/2008 11:24:28 AM , Rating: 2

They should be.
This is Apple's opportunity to not only have a super-successful phone but a good PDA. They've already entered the market well and they need to keep pushing.

I can't imaging buying one, but there is a market for these devices and Apple has the ability to win. Personally I think they'd be wise to answer the Apple critics by producing products that aren't so locked down. Expense is one thing, but a locked down product is by the biggest complaint I've heard.

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RE: Apple ramping up

By Smiting Eye on 4/10/2008 6:23:17 PM , Rating: 2

Yeah, Apple should follow through on this and keep steamrolling like they have. I'm not an Apple fan, but they've made some in rows into market segments like this.

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Slight issue here...

By Carter642 on 3/28/2008 1:23:19 PM , Rating: 3

How exactly is the iPhone supposed to take handwriting input? AFAIK the iPhone doesn't include a stylus and handwriting with fingers is going to be very tough to implement.

Honestly though, I don't have any issues typing on the iPhone's touch keypad. Also Safari on the iPhone/Touch is the only version of Safari worth using.

RE: Slight issue here...

By michael2k on 3/28/2008 2:46:02 PM , Rating: 2

Why wouldn't "graffit" of some sort work on an iPhone?

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RE: Slight issue here...

By Carter642 on 3/30/2008 5:16:53 PM , Rating: 2

Handwriting recognition software would work just fine on an iPhone, HR is a pretty well proven and established technology.

The issue here is that the physical iPhone doesn't have a stylus. When it comes to touchscreens fingers are good for poking and some limited straight line sliding. Fingers have too big a contact patch to do handwriting reliably, not to mention they don't always provide a consistent surface for sliding (sweaty, dry, oily, dirty). It would be really easy to add the software but the device just doesn't have a stylus and was never intended to.

I'm personally looking forward to texture changing polymers that they're working with that can raise just slightly in a programatic manner allowing a touch screen to "grow" buttons as needed so you could touch type on the screen and reduce fat fingering.

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SonyEricsson have it for over 3 yrs!

By EclipsedAurora on 3/29/2008 10:34:27 AM , Rating: 2

The handwriting technology have been running on SonyEricsson P series Symbian mobile phone for more than 3 yrs. It even support several different languages (e.g. Chinese, Thai).

iPhone at most can said as catching up at distance only!