Header Banner
gadgethacks.mark.png
Gadget Hacks Shop Apple Guides Android Guides iPhone Guides Mac Guides Pixel Guides Samsung Guides Tweaks & Hacks Privacy & Security Productivity Hacks Movies & TV Smartphone Gaming Music & Audio Travel Tips Videography Tips Chat Apps
Home
Samsung

How to Text More Accurately by Handwriting Messages on Your Samsung Galaxy S3

Nov 27, 2013 10:48 PM
Nov 27, 2013 10:50 PM
A person using a smartphone to write a message with a stylus.

I can't say that my handwriting skills are the best, and my cursive is even worse. I mean, I still don't know how to write a capital L in cursive, but who really cares when I do all my everyday writing with a keyboard now. I've gotten pretty fast at typing on my computer, but those tiny buttons on the Samsung Galaxy S3's keyboard is a totally different thing.

If only I could transfer my terrible handwriting into perfectly readable text messages. Well, my prayers have been answered. While the GS3 does not have a stylus to support "handwriting," you can still download My Script Stylus Beta in the Google Play Store for free.

The app is pretty self-explanatory. It allows you to use a stylus or a finger to write out your text. This is great for people like me who have a hard time using the standard touch keyboards, and also is just another fun way to customize your GS3.

After downloading the app, you will be prompted with a short three-step process and introduction. You can chose your language, activate, and then chose the input method.

App installation screen for Stylus Beta with options for language, activation, and input method selection.
Settings screen for Stylus Data application, featuring options for overview and settings.
App installation screen for Stylus Beta with options for language, activation, and input method selection.
Settings screen for Stylus Data application, featuring options for overview and settings.

Alternatively, you can change your input option by pulling down the Notification tray whenever you are in a text field.

Notification panel displaying options for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and input methods on an Android device.

Once you have chosen My Script Stylus as your input method, you can begin to test it out.

Handwriting input for the word "how" with the word "Wonder" above it.

I used my finger and it worked pretty well. I also have a spare stylus that I stole from my roommate and tried that out. Makes the writing a little neater, but the app is pretty good at guessing what you are trying to write. If you don't have a stylus at home, you can get super creative and make one yourself.

The app also takes into account natural spaces between words that you are writing and has a few gesture-based shortcuts to delete and insert words or letters.

Mobile app interface showing suggestions for text input with highlighted features.
Handwriting recognition demonstration showing various forms of the word "hello."
Mobile app interface showing suggestions for text input with highlighted features.
Handwriting recognition demonstration showing various forms of the word "hello."

You can easily change the text size, ink thickness, text color, and more in the app settings.

Text color selection options on a mobile device.
Ink thickness settings for handwriting input on a mobile device.
Text color selection options on a mobile device.
Ink thickness settings for handwriting input on a mobile device.

Overall, I found this app to actually be pretty good, especially for an app still in beta. If you are looking for a free alternative to the standard keyboards, or want to try out handwriting on your Galaxy S3, then My Script Stylus Beta is where it's at.

The next big software update for iPhone is coming sometime in April and will include a Food section in Apple News+, an easy-to-miss new Ambient Music app, Priority Notifications thanks to Apple Intelligence, and updates to apps like Mail, Photos, Podcasts, and Safari. See what else is coming to your iPhone with the iOS 18.4 update.

Related Articles

Comments

No Comments Exist

Be the first, drop a comment!