Google launches Handwriting Input Tool for both text and emoji on Android

Google Research today launched a new project, Google Handwriting Input. The new app allows users, instead of using a standard keyboard, to take a leap back to the ancient days of handwriting to write text on any Android app with or without a stylus. For now, the app recognises 82 languages and 20 distinct scripts, supports emojis, which can be entered by drawing them. Google Handwriting Input works with or without an Internet connection.

The new tool comes with voice as well, accessible through the mic sign. After typing, as the same with most keyboards, one can choose the word they intended if the app does not recognise it. Having tested the app in English, Zulu, Sotho, Afrikaans, Xhosa, and its accuracy seems impressive. And its recognition of handwriting is great. The app also offers a service in which users can connect to Google and this learns ones handwriting and remembers it, however cursive it is. Certainly useful for doctors.

There have been shades of this tool on Google Translate through the Google Input Tool it is only now that it’s available on every Android app.

The Handwriting Team at Google Research states that this app though it works on most languages, it is far more convenient for languages that can be difficult to type.

“Keyboards for ideographic languages (such as Chinese) are often based on a particular dialect of the language, but if a user does not know that dialect, they may be hard to use. Additionally, keyboards for complex script languages (like many South Asian languages) are less standardized and may be unfamiliar.” The teams said in a statement.

The new app is available in the Google Play store now.