ElearningWorld.org

For the online learning world

Applications

Using iPad for real work – iPadOS14 Scribble.

Is the iPadOS14 Scribble feature the thing I’ve been waiting for?

Apple iPadOS14 (released at the same time as iOS14) has a major new feature, called Scribble.

While iPhone users will be loving the Widgets, I think iPad users will be loving Scribble.

I’ve been writing a series of how I’ve tried to use an iPad as a ‘real work’ device. There’s no doubt it comes up short when compared to a laptop. However, the recent new keyboard with trackpad have changed the game somewhat.

And now there is Scribble.

From Apple:

iPadOS 14 brings Scribble to iPad with Apple Pencil, allowing users to write in any text field — where it will automatically be converted to typed text — making actions like replying to an iMessage or searching in Safari fast and easy. All handwriting and conversion to text happens on device. When taking notes, Smart Selection can distinguish handwriting from drawings, so handwritten text can easily be selected, cut, and pasted into another document as typed text. Shape recognition allows users to draw shapes that are made geometrically perfect and snap right into place when adding useful diagrams and illustrations in Notes.
Data detectors now work with handwritten text to recognise phone numbers, dates, and addresses, and offer users the ability to take actions like tapping a written number to make a call, adding an event directly to Calendar, or showing a location in Maps.

Being able to use the Apple Pencil EVERYWHERE is great !

And I have to say that even my handwriting, which is not the most legible, is detected REALLY well.

After 15 minutes using Scribble I just love it !

Replying to an email by scribbling my response felt natural, and not too slow. I’m sure if I write a little slower and neater the recognition will be 99% – which is truly impressive.

[I just thought, I should have created this post using Scribble!]

The functions and controls are simple, well thought-out, and work well:

  • Select a word or words – Circle the words, tap a word twice, or draw a single continuous line through the sentence.
  • Select a paragraph – Triple-tap a word, or draw a line through the entire paragraph.
  • Insert text – Touch and hold where you want to enter text within a sentence.
    Once a temporary space is made, start writing the text to insert, then wait for it to be added.
  • Add and remove spaces – Draw a vertical line where the space is to be added or removed.
    This will always err towards either maintaining one space or joining the words together, so in instances where there are multiple spaces between words, the action will always delete spaces until there are none left, then it will revert to its one-space-or-none behavior.
  • Delete words – Scribble a wavy line or “scratch” over the word to remove it.

I’m working away next week, and will take my iPad Pro and Pencil with me to meetings, to see how Scribble works “in the heat of the moment” – but it’s looking good !

Stuart Mealor
Latest posts by Stuart Mealor (see all)

Stuart Mealor

Stuart is interested in all things e-learning, with specific interests in Moodle, e-learning strategy, and business development. His experience in education over 30 years, MBA in International Business, and knowledge of e-learning systems implementation, together with graphic design background, give him a unique skill set for e-learning projects.

Add a reply or comment...