MacMost Now 277: Using a Tablet to Write Text

With the Ink feature of Mac OS X you can use a cheap tablet and your Mac will recognize the letters you write as an alternative to using a keyboard. You can insert text and drawings into documents.

Comments: 19 Responses to “MacMost Now 277: Using a Tablet to Write Text”

    Robb
    15 years ago

    Gary,
    Which tablet did you go with? Im wanting to use one as a digital whiteboard for some training online and didnt really realize that Apple has this built in.

    Great podcast.

    Robb

    shany
    14 years ago

    Can't you use your Iphone as a tablet, since it has a touchscreen?
    Are there any (free) apps that allows me to us emy Iphone as a wireless tablet that helps me writing on my macbook?
    I'm not talking about remote control, just about using it to make docs on my macbook, without typing on my keyboard.

    CAN YOU SEND THE RESPONSE TO MY MAIL AS WELL, DEAR ADMINISTRATOR.

    thx

      14 years ago

      Not sure why you would want to do that. It would be far faster to type on a real keyboard.

    Shany
    14 years ago

    Well Gary,

    I'm lazy and prefer not to sit in front of my laptop and type, but lay down with my Iphone in my hands.
    More importantly:
    I want to use it for brainstorming. as if I would do on paper. Typing gets me out of my thinking. handwriting is much easier in this process.
    I found two possible programs: Finger (for Chinese characters, and I'm not Chinese) and Writepad (but this one doesn't connect to the desktop at the same moment.

    Maybe it will generate more possible solutions if I wouldn't say I need a writing app but a drawing app, that remotely controls the pen in whatever program: paint, drawer, ...

    so, any ideas?

    thx

    Shany
    14 years ago

    thx, I will. Remote buddy doesn't do the proper job.

    Gilbert
    14 years ago

    How did you make the video? Showing your desktop and a video of you talking?

      14 years ago

      I use Wirecast. But its little brother Screenflow will probably do what you need.

    Gilbert
    14 years ago

    Hi Gary, I do have one more question. I haven't been able to find the answer and I hope you can help me. I purchased the Bamboo Pen tablet but I can't seem to draw while I use Keynote. I want to be able to draw while I do a presentation. Is this possible?

      Gilbert
      14 years ago

      Forgot to mention, the OS I'm using is 10.6 (MacBook Pro)

        14 years ago

        There's no drawing function like that in keynote. It doesn't matter if you use a mouse or tablet. You'd have to switch to a drawing application to draw, and then back to keynote when done.

    atonchen
    14 years ago

    hi gary,
    I am from sg.recently brought a havon graphic tablet could it write chinese character on mac 10.6.Pls. advice.
    many thanks!

      14 years ago

      I don't know. You may want to look at the web site or documentation for the tablet.

    Paul
    13 years ago

    Gary,
    What is the name of the tablet (write to text) on MacMost Now 277? Is it a walkin or wakin (not sure of spelling)? Will it work with Mac OS X? Thanks.
    Paul

      13 years ago

      Its a cheap DigiPro 5.5x4" USB Graphics Tablet. Not sure if you can find it anymore. But there are many cheap little tablets around. Just search Amazon. Most (all?) work with Macs. I think you are asking about "Wacom"? They are the biggest brand name in the market.

    Rita
    13 years ago

    Hello Gary,
    I would like to build a business website that has an interactive whiteboard. I would use this with my students when we are not in the same place. We could both go online and use the whiteboard to solve problems, make a graphic drawing together, etc. Is it possible to do that with the tablet setup you are describing?

      13 years ago

      That's something completely different. The tablet would only assist in the drawing. But the bigger problem is having a whiteboard space shared over the Internet. Lots of companies offer this, but it is outside of my area so I have no recommendations.

    corinne
    12 years ago

    Can it recognize how to read even hard to read writings?
    The model you mention seems to be hard to find here in NZ anyway, any other one to recommend?
    Then I presume I can file my notes in either clarissworks (yes I still have that) or words, any version or pages? Thanks. Corinne

    12 years ago

    This video is more than 2 years old, so that exact model may have been replaced with a newer one. I don't regularly use tablets, so I don't have any recommendations.

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