Type, Scribble, Slide
By 
One of the biggest selling points of both the iPod Touch and the iPhone is the touchscreen and its ability to determine when it’s being touched multiple times simultaneously and in what manner (leading to wonderful games like this one). With this functionality, it is a natural evolution to create multiple methods of doing what should be one of the most common tasks on the device: inputting text. Whether it’s via freehand writing, sliding between letters or common typing, the iTunes App Store provides at least one program for each of the aforementioned methods.
I have reviewed three of the free ones so you can determine which works best for you without cost.
WritePad –
This is a handwriting recognition tool. To be honest, I had a great deal of trouble using it. The screen opens with a set of instructions in the text area that if you follow, you should be able to write, edit and delete text. But, of course, it isn’t perfect. I could draw letters fine using the tip of my finger and the program translated that to characters, but there is no easy way to delete the created characters. I also have a problem with the program’s inability to create new documents to write (you’re expected to compose the handwritten text into an e-mail) and my inability to master simple deletion with a left-right motion of the finger. The program does include a set of options and a help file for those who wish to further master it.
This is similar to the Notes program that comes built into the iPod Touch or iPhone, with a difference in terms of typing. By sliding your finger around the keyboard through the letters of the word you’re trying to type, the program will make suggestions. Its lexicon is about 60,000 words and the first ones I tried were the profanities (none were in their dictionary). However, they do provide a method of adding words to their lexicon. Unlike WritePad, this program does allow for new documents. Overall, I find the program cute but not very useful.
FireMail –
This is a simple e-mailing program similar to the one built-in, but it automatically sets the screen to landscape mode to provide for a wider keyboard. Of all the programs in this article, I like this one best. While it does not provide as much functionality as the built-in e-mailing program, it’s simple and easy to use and it does provide a suggested auto-completed word for each one typed that, for most of the time, gets it wrong. Once an e-mail is complete, it can be moved to the Mail program with the tap of a menu option.
Thoughts:
We live in a typing and texting world nowadays and the iPod Touch and iPhone make it simple. Most of the younger generation already knows how to type e-mails or send text due to the ubiquity of the computer and cell phone.
Even provided for free, these programs represent a step backward in terms of typing habits. If you’re a fan of freehand writing or sliding your finger around, then maybe WritePad or WritingPad is for you. However, I’m a standard typing kind of guy so I’m going to have to give those two the thumbs down. While FireMail is the best of the three, I’m already provided with a good Mail client within the iPod Touch software, so it seems unlikely I’ll be using that one either.
