Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

Axo1ot1 · Jul 16, 2003, 09:24 PM

So I'm flirting with the idea of getting a PDA/cellphone combo for my trip back to college in the fall. I have been mostly interested in Palm OS models, but I noticed the Missing Sync software that was discussed in some other thread around here, and that was enough to make me go into my provider's store and check out the Siemens PocketPC/phone that they sell.

One of the things that pocket PC advertises as it's big advantage over Palm is its handwriting recognition. They claim you can write in your own handwriting and it will figure out what you're trying to do. Well at least with my handwriting (and my handwriting, while not great, is decent) this thing couldn't recognize a single letter. It was really quite astonishing. I was trying to use its web browser, but I was totally foiled because the only way to enter text was so piss poor. Besides that the machine was just generally unintuitive and irritating. Scrap that idea.

Axo1ot1 · Jul 16, 2003, 09:24 PM

oops, thought I was in the peripherals forum

mods? little help?

Paul Guyot · Jul 16, 2003, 11:29 PM

You're in the PowerBook forum but no moderator noticed your OT thread yet.

The only PDAs with a decent HWR out there is the good 5-year-old Newtons MP with NewtonOS 2.1. They're also one of the less supported ones -- MagicLink's situation is worse, though, so MagicLink owners often come and ask Newton users for help

Paul

AlbertWu · Jul 17, 2003, 01:11 AM

the "block recognizer" (or whatever) is close enough to graffiti that it's easy for me to use. inline recognition is useless. and the other character recognizer is difficult. keyboard is just annoying.

i hate how the B is different (you have to do the vertical line, instead of just doing a 3, and how some other time-saving graffiti tips i've learned over the years don't work on it.

Palm's "Graffiti 2" is worse though.

Drakino · Jul 17, 2003, 01:31 AM

Keep in mind the "Transcriber" (The full screen input mode on PocketPC) has a training mode, where you can bring the recognition up consideriably.

Eciton · Jul 17, 2003, 04:11 AM

Transcriber isn't bad, but for proper text input I'd go for something like Fitaly, or an auto-complete QWERTY like WordLogic, or Spb's new Full Screen Keyboard 2. Transcriber / Calligrapher works just great for some people, not at all for others, but saying that it's "the only way to enter text" is a little naive. There are several built-in, and loads more available.

I use an XDA (the brother of the AT&T SX56 you were looking at) when I'm not using my SPV, and have really enjoyed it. That said, I'm really loving the design of the new Treo 600, and the colour Hiptop also appeals. If you keep an open mind there're all sorts of smartphone options coming.