Google Augments Mobile Search With Handwriting Recognition [VIDEO]

Web search has evolved from traditional query typing to voice search, to auto-complete and even image searches. Now search giant Google is taking the next step in making finding stuff on the web easier by augmenting its mobile search offerings with handwriting recognition. The new feature, Google Handwrite, will run on Android phones and tablets, and on iOS devices running iOS 5, with support for 27 different languages.

For now, the handwritng recognition is experimental so users will need to enable it in their settings to take advantage of the new feature. On your mobile device, login at google.com, tap on “Settings” at the bottom of the screen and enable the “Handwrite” feature. Then save your changes and refresh the homepage to get started.

To enable Handwrite, tap the icon on the bottom right corner of your screen. You can scribble on any part of the screen, not just the search box. After writing a few letters, autocomplete options will appear below the search box. Google Handwrite works in the background while you scribble your search so you don’t have to look back and forth from the keyboard to the search box. Google says the feature isn’t designed to replace keyboard search but instead supplement it.

Will Google Handwrite change the way you search on your mobile device? Tell us what you think of the new feature in the comments.

Thumbnail image courtest iStock, Hillary Fox

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