Taking notes on my device by hand - Is it possible?

By Panais, 6 May, 2023

Forum
iOS and iPadOS

Okay, I know, I could take a pen and scribble on my device, but then, although I don't give a damn about what people might think about the mess on my hardware, I still wouldn't be able to read what I wrote.
To get serious, what I need is to be able to quickly take notes on my iPhone or iPad without using dictation.
Even when using direct touch, my typing is way, way slower than what it needs to be in order for me to accomplish what I have in mind.
So, I'm wondering if there is a way. to write on my screen with a pen like those Android users have, and then have an app that recognizes my handwriting and converts it into text, which VoiceOver would read to me.
I'm probably asking for a lot, but who knows?
Thank you!

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Comments

By OldBear on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 - 16:59

Add handwriting to your rotor and try it out in the Notes app. Use a three-finger swipe up and down to change from capital or numbers from lower case letters.
I use the handwriting for entering my iPhone passcode because it is silent.
I've never tried the on-screen Braille input for some reason, but that seems like it might be faster than the on-screen typing or the handwriting.

By Panais on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 - 16:59

However, although I am able to make it work with Numbers and punctuation, when it comes to letters my input is not recognized. I am failing to type even the simplest letters.
I couldn’t find anything rrelevant in settings. Is there something I must do to fix it.
Thanks again!

By Sebby on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 - 16:59

I don't know if the game app called "DoItWrite" is still out there, but that might be a good way to test and/or practice writing letterforms.

But, yes, Braille Screen Input is the way I do it now. The world turned upside-down for me when Apple added that. I use it to enter complex passcodes and passwords every day.

By Unregistered User (not verified) on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 - 16:59

I was prepared to yeet my phone out a window when all I had was dictation and qwerty input. I agree with the others about BSI. It's not perfect, but the amount of raging after my phone adds extra words that I clearly didn't say has dropped dramatically since I started using it.

By Curtis Chong on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 - 16:59

Hello: For those people who cannot get Braille Screen Input (BSI) working, there is always the option of using a Bluetooth keyboard that is small enough to fit into a briefcase. I myself prefer the multistation Logitech K380 Bluetooth keyboard for this purpose. Typing this way is far faster than anything you can do with the on-screen QWERTY keyboard.

Cordially,

Curtis Chong

By OldBear on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 - 16:59

I prefer a keyboard, but not one with the mushy, squishy keys that may or may not type when pressed, or the ones that start typing because you placed your fingers on the home row. Those Logitech keyboards usually have good keys, but the one I have is just about a full size of a beast. I hate all forms of input when riding in a car over bad roads or in bad traffic.
I really don't know what to suggest to Panais, other than keep practicing letters. Unless, of course, there is some bug in the handwriting in the latest update to IOS, along with the other ten-thousand VO bugs.

By Panais on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 - 16:59

I believe it is a bug though. I manage fine in entering numbers and I used to practice handwriting back in the day, so I am confident about my handiwork.
Lots of thanks again to all. and who knows, the bug might have been corrected in iOS 16. I will find out when I master the courage to update.

By OldBear on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 - 16:59

I thought you were on the latest. I do seem to remember there was a bug a while back. It does work in IOS16 because I just fooled with it. I'm not on 16.4X yet though.
One thing you might keep in mind is it seems to like for you to write lower case letters if you are on that mode, and upper case if on the other. Lifting your finger off the screen tends to type the letter, so use cursive or try to print them continuously even if you have to backtrack on the leg of a letter. The two-finger-swipe to the right makes a space. The two-finger-swipe left deletes the character to the left. The three-finger-swipe right makes a line feed or return, but doesn't seem to do anything for the left swipe.
Note to self: I should use this more because it's much less stressful than the on-screen keyboard.