The End of Hunt and Peck on Your Mobile Device is Here – Meet HandWrite by Google

It had to happen – an application that allows busy people to HandWrite their search query on the screen of their mobile device. It’s the latest offering from Google, and it can be used literally anywhere, at any time, by anyone. There’s no keyboard to fumble with if you have big fingers, and you don’t need to hunt for the right letters to type with two hands – just use your finger. While still in its experimental infancy, it is not intended to replace any other search function, but it does offer users yet another choice in how they use their mobile devices, in 27 different languages.

To use this latest application, it needs to be enabled in your settings. Open your browser, and search for Google.com, click on Settings, at the bottom of the page. Next, enable the feature, and save your settings. If you happen to have a tablet, enable HandWrite from the top right corner of Google.com, by clicking on the gear icon and selecting Settings.

When you write letters on the screen, there is a slight pause to remove the text you scribble, with new letters. This triggers search suggestions with each character/word you write out. If you happen to have a large screen, you have more room to write, in either portrait or landscape mode. Landscape gives you the most room to write. Be prepared to get a few odd responses on the handwritten letters converted to text, much like auto-correct with iPhone, which has been known to provide moments of unintended hilarity now and then.

This new feature may not be for everyone, depending on what system they use, or what their needs happen to be. It appears by early reports from users, that some have trouble getting it to work with Chrome. For those that prefer other methods of searching, like voice activation, or typing in a search query, and don’t want to try something like HandWrite, they can keep on using the keyboard, and just tap on the search box.

There is one thing to note that may deter users: the HandWrite feature currently “only” works on Google’s search page. Not everyone uses Google to search.

http://www.zdnet.com/google-adds-handwrite-to-its-mobile-search-input-options-7000001709/

Robert Armstrong
President and Co-Founder
American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.
9444 Balboa Avenue, Suite 300
San Diego, California 92123
Phone: (800) 846-1555
www.aaepa.com