Google has added a handwriting feature for its mobile search, offering an alternative to typing keyphrases into the search box.
The tool lets searchers use their finger to write the search term on the touchscreen, where it will appear in typed form in the search field.
It recognises both print and cursive writing, although cursive writing can be translated poorly if the user has poor handwriting.
The tool is particularly helpful to users that aren’t used to a touch screen, or anyone with a disability that doesn’t allow them to use an on-screen keyboard easily.
The feature can be truned on via the Google home page on any mobile browser on the “Settings” link.
Once the new feature has been activated, users can reload the Google home page and the Handwrite icon will be displayed at the bottom right corner of the screen.
Tapping on the icon will turn the Handwrite feature on and off, thus allowing the user to scroll down the page if needed. The icon only appears on the home page, so users won’t have to worry about turning the feature off when a search results page is loaded.
Tied into the auto-complete feature of the search engine, letters that are being handwritten on the screen will start to appear within the search box.
At the bottom of the screen, users will find a spacebar as well as a backspace key next to the Handwrite icon. Also found next to the spacebar in the form of a question mark, there’s a helpful walkthough on how to use the new Handwrite feature.
The user isn’t limited to a specific space when writing out a search term and can easily write over the Google logo (see example below). Google software engineer Rui Ueyama also mentions that users can bring up the onscreen keyboard at any time by simply tapping on the search box.
According to Ueyama, the new handwriting feature is designed to compliment the onscreen keyboard rather than completely replace it.
Google has enabled the new handwriting feature on” iOS5+ devices, Android 2.3+ phones and Android 4.0+ tablets” with support for 27 languages. Google hasn’t indicated if this feature will be headed to laptops or all-in-one desktops that also have a built-in touchscreen.
Watch a video demonstrating how the service works below:
Read the Official Google blog here
