Calligrapher v8.2 for Pocket PC

Reviewed by: Paul Schneider, Ph.D., May 2006
Published by: PhatWare
Requires: Windows Mobile 4.x or 5.x; Pocket PC 2003/2003SE, 2005 or Pocket PC 2002/2003SE, 2005 Phone Edition; 3.2MB available storage space; reviewed on a Dell Axim X5
MSRP: US$39.95

Calligrapher is a handwriting recognition program designed expressly to enable you to write, print, or use a mixture of both to enter information, without any 'training', into your Pocket PC. If that isn't enough, Calligrapher also has a number of additional features such a configurable keyboard, user defined preferences, quick entries, its own dictionary, and multilingual support. Sounds pretty good doesn't it? The best news is that Calligrapher succeeds in performing all of these tasks. Read my earlier review of v7.4 here.

In this review I will focus on the new or enhanced features since v7.4. With v8.2 one of the key improvements is the handwriting recognition engine. Not only is this engine better than before, but it also has a statistical analyzer that helps improve accuracy over time. My first attempts at using Calligrapher 8.2 put in a smile on my face. While few humans can read my typical chicken scratches, Calligrapher did an admirable job. I had been pleased with its performance previously, but dare I say, it is even better. This is one time where it's certainly okay to trade in the old for the new.

In this review I will focus on the new or enhanced features since v7.4. With v8.2 one of the key improvements is the handwriting recognition engine. Not only is this engine better than before, but it also has a statistical analyzer that helps improve accuracy over time. My first attempts at using Calligrapher 8.2 put in a smile on my face. While few humans can read my typical chicken scratches, Calligrapher did an admirable job. I had been pleased with its performance previously, but dare I say, it is even better. This is one time where it's certainly okay to trade in the old for the new.

Besides the key improvements in the handwriting recognition area, which is probably the main reason to upgrade, there have also been a number of other changes. One of these is Write Pad. For people used to Palms or other devices with a specific writing area, Write Pad will be a welcome addition. With the new version you can still simply write anywhere on the screen and Calligrapher will recognize your writing, but now you can alternatively use Write Pad to create a specific location where you write, thereby preserving the rest of screen.

One of the biggest advantages I saw to using this option for inputting is that it provides you with an intermediate review step so you can see your results before they are actually placed into your document. Some people might find this helpful and others a hindrance, but that is the beauty of choice. You can set up Calligrapher to use one or the other. The only drawback I saw to this feature is that the Pocket PC has to be restarted to switch modes.

With the increased number of Pocket PCs being wireless and Internet ready it was only a matter of time before people had to write an abundance of "http://" and "soandso@anywhere.com" over and over again. Calligrapher 8.2 tackles this problem by adding a new writing mode. In addition to the mixed case, caps, and numbers mode, there is an Internet address mode. When in this mode, Calligrapher is optimized to recognize Internet addresses. As expected this mode works just as well as the numbers mode does for numbers only.

Speaking of numbers, there is a new tool called RiteCalc. While calculators are present in all Pocket PCs, they are not always instantly available. This is where RiteCalc steps in. RiteCalc incorporates a basic calculator into the native Calligrapher writing tool. With RiteCalc, which is automatically active, you can write in any simple addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division equation and Calligrapher will recognize the equation and calculate the results. Needless to say, this is pretty nifty!

The rest of the new features don't have quite as much 'bang', but are handy nonetheless. The configurable keyboard is still here and works as well as ever, but now it is floatable. You can drag & drop the keyboard anywhere you want and move it around when necessary. Another tool, PenCommander, also received a couple new options. PenCommander is basically a tool that allows you to create shortcuts. You write the shortcut onto your screen and it displays what you programmed it to do. Well now PenCommander also has an auto corrector feature and a copy tool. The copy tool is great for copying existing scripts and then making slight variations. After all, why do something twice?

Some other notable improvements include the ability to import or export both the dictionary and auto corrector word lists. With this flexibility you can share the information with others or use other input tools such as Notepad to edit or add to them. Calligrapher is now optimized for square as well as rectangular displays which should be good news for some Pocket PC or Windows Mobile Smartphone owners.

When I first tried Calligrapher 8.2 I discovered that my Pocket PC was behind the times. PhatWare has taken steps to upgrade their software and optimize it for the newer Pocket PCs, but in doing so they had to eliminate support in the 8 series for some older operating systems. Fortunately my partner had a newer Pocket PC and Calligrapher 8.2 worked perfectly on it. Can you feel my Pocket PC envy? All in all, the real strength of Calligrapher is in its usability and superior handwriting recognition. With Calligrapher 8.2, Phatware reasserts its strength in these areas and improves on an already great product.

KSN Product Rating:

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