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Google Adds Handwriting Search to Android and iOS

Jul 26, 2012, 12:39 PM by Eric M. Zeman

Google today announced a new tool for touch-based devices: the ability to draw letters on the screen in order to compose search queries. Once enabled in the browser, the tool will allow Android and iPhone device owners to draw letters on their touch screen rather than type them on a software keyboard. The feature supports autocomplete, and users can tap automatically generated results before they're done spelling their search query. Handwrite search works in the browser of Apple devices running iOS 5 and up, Android smartphones running Android 2.3 Gingerbread and up, and Android tablets running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and up. Google suggests that its Chrome browser is the best option. The feature is already live, and doesn't require a download.

About the author, Eric M. Zeman:

Eric has been covering the mobile telecommunications industry for 17 years at various print and online publications. He studied at Rutgers Newark and University of Kentucky, and has a degree in writing. He likes playing guitar, attending concerts, listening to music, and driving sports cars.

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Tofuchong

Jul 26, 2012, 6:39 PM

"Handwriting"

So are we talking regular every day Printed letters, or are we talking Actual handwriting (Cursive). Anybody know ?

srich27

Well, it says it works one letter at a time, so I would assume printed letters. Depending on how good the recognition algorithm is you might be able to get pretty flowery with each letter though.

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Google Adds Handwriting Search to Android and iOS

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