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The only problem with this, of course, is that all my handwriting has to be typed up later. I've tried many times to write straight to the keyboard, but I'm just not comfortable writing that way, and my creative flow is stifled.
So I've been looking around for years now for a device I can handwrite on and have it converted to text automatically.
Years ago, I had a little PDA that I used for writing. The hand recognition software would convert my handwriting to text as I wrote. That was an amazing little device, and I used it every day. Sadly, as computer software changed, I could no longer upload my files because they were no longer recognised, and I had no way to update the little device.
I immediately went in search of another one, or a computer or tablet with handwriting recognition software, but I couldn't find anything.
A couple of years ago, I came across a device called Remarkable that can recognise handwriting, but all the marketing for it suggested that it was more for art than writing. I also saw that Amazon had brought out their latest Kindle e-reader. It's called Kindle Scribe because it's for writing as well as reading. I put off getting one for a while because I wasn't sure it was exactly what I wanted.
I use the Kindle app on my phone and computer to read ebooks, and I’ve been using it for years, so I knew the Scribe would be good for that because it meant I could read my books on a screen bigger than my phone. And with the pen that the Kindle Scribe comes with, I'd be able to highlight and make notes in all my books( they're mostly non-fiction). I read my books over and over, so it would be good to be able to make notes and do summaries.
As the software in the Kindle Scribe improved, I became more and more intrigued by_ it. Last week I took the plunge and ordered a new Kindle Scribe, plus a folio cover for it and a box of extra pen nibs.
The Scribe has what it calls ‘notes' for handwriting, which is great. It also has the option to convert a 'note' to text and email it to yourself or to anyone.
So I tried it out and it works well. No matter how untidy my writing (and it is pretty bad when I'm writing fast), the software converts it quickly and effortlessly to text and emails it as a simple text file.
And I wrote this article about my new Kindle Scribe, on my new Kindle Scribe.
I hand-wrote a note, converted it to text, emailed it to myself, cleaned up the formatting, and I was done. It was ready for uploading and publishing without any typing needed. And it's great to read my ebooks on a bigger screen, and it automatically adjusts itself for brightness and warmth so I can read it in any light, or lack of light.
So far, this Kindle Scribe is beyond useful and is currently my favourite device.
UPDATE: I’ve had my new Kindle Scribe for almost a week now, and I’ve used it every day, both for reading and writing. It is now my favourite device. 😀