Axiotron Intros Quickscript Handwriting App for Mac, Tablets

Axiotron has announced Quickscript, the company’s new handwriting-recognition application for Mac OS X. Quickscript offers accurate recognition of cursive handwriting, hand-printed and isolated characters. It supports 26 languages, and is optimized for users of the Axiotron Modbook. The software also works with other Intel-based systems running Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) or 10.6 (Snow Leopard), as long as there’s a pen tablet connected. Quickscript ships pre-installed with Kopernikus, Axiotron’s exclusive digital assistant feature.

Quickscript employs handwriting-recognition technology developed by Vision Objects, according to Axiotron. “With its convenient pop-up writing pad, Quickscript gives you the freedom to enter and send text to almost any active application,” the company says. The software is compatible with the company’s Modbook (an original Apple MacBook turned into a pen-based tablet), and most pen tablet devices (such as Wacom's tablets). Axiotron warns that full functionality may not be available with some pen tablets due to driver incompatibility, while owners of those supported tablets will need to ensure they have the latest drivers installed.

“Employing a state-of-the-art handwriting recognition engine developed by Vision Objects, Quickscript recognizes cursive handwriting, hand-printed text and isolated characters in 26 languages,” Axiotron’s official announcement reveals. “Its many convenient features include a pop-up writing pad, configurable interface, basic gesture support, personal dictionary and handwriting recognition training. Quickscript enables Mac users to write in programs that accept text input such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Pages and TextEdit, as well as to enter text throughout the Mac OS X operating environment.”

Now available for download as a 30-day free trial, Quickscript can be bought at an introductory price ($29), an offer that expires on May 31, 2010. Visit Axiotron here to download Quickscript (version 3.0) and give it a go in trial mode. You can play with the software using just your mouse and keyboard, although it’s designed for pen-based systems.