Jun 2, 2011 12:55 GMT  ·  By

PhatWare has launched PhatPad 1.4 for iPad, a major new update for their note-taking and collaboration app featuring handwriting recognition technology.

PhatPad is more than just a simple note taking application, its developers explain, as it enables users to draw, write, and type on the iPad, then instantly share ideas via email, WiFi sync, Dropbox, Evernote, Google Docs, or in PhatPad’s presentation mode.

In other words, these features effectively turn Apple’s iPad into an advanced brainstorming tool.

The new version includes improved digital ink that allows users to resize (zoom) selected strokes, including geometrical shapes, drawings, and handwritten text.

It brings the new WritePad 5 handwriting recognition engine with all-new configuration options (such as Letter Shapes), and the ability to upload WritePad documents as PDF to Evernote and Google Docs accounts.

Improved copy/paste functionality is also included. Now users can paste both text and images from other applications.

To rename a document, users can now quickly touching the application title and make the edits on the spot.

Rounding up the list of new additions is the improved synchronization with Dropbox, as well as the improved text styles that allow larger font size and user-defined names for custom styles.

The key features that make PhatPad a winner remain in place.

Those include abilities like type or scribble notes using a smooth-flowing digital ink technology; combine drawing, handwritten text, images, and digital text on the same page; convert handwritten notes into text with PhatPad’s powerful handwriting recognition software and more.

Priced at $4.99 USD (or equivalent amount in other currencies) PhatPad 1.4 is immediately available for download worldwide, exclusively through the iTunes App Store in the Productivity section.

Download PhatPad for iPad

The software is only compatible with the Apple iPad and iPad 2, meaning iPhone and iPod touch owners need to look elsewhere to achieve similar results. Evernote is probably the next best thing.