Archive notice: This article was originally published on April 17, 2008. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
A Chinese software developer has programmed handwriting recognition for the iPhone. This gives Apple’s mobile phone another way, alongside the on-screen keyboard, to compose texts, SMS messages or emails and to fill in forms in the web browser. The software handles both Chinese and Latin characters. Naturally, the program, called HWPen, can only be installed on iPhones that have previously been opened to third-party applications with a hacking program such as Jailbreaker. HWPen also works on the iPod touch.
The small software application allows the finger to be used as a pen to draw letters on the display. The handwriting recognition is similar to Graffiti writing, which has been used on Palm devices and other touchscreen smartphones for some time. However, those systems work with a pen. This stylus makes it easier to enter letters and numbers. Various functions can also selected with it. It also enables precise navigation on the screen. Since Apple’s products can only be operated with a finger on the display, the writing area used by the handwriting recognition software is correspondingly generous.
A Flash video on technology portal Gizmodo shows how HWPen works. As with Graffiti writing, its use takes some getting used to for the unpractised. However, the correction software built into the iPhone automatically corrects errors that creep into the writing. Users who have previously worked with handwriting recognition should certainly welcome HWPen. The program is currently still in beta and has some bugs. For example, it works only when the device is held upright, not yet in landscape mode. iPhone users can download and install the software via Chinese portal iPhoneCake http://iphonecake.com for their device.
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