PDA prizefight: Palm OS 5 v Windows Mobile 2003

Rick Broida CNET

Published: 26 Feb 2004

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Round 2: Entering data

	Palm OS and Windows Mobile handhelds are very similar when it comes to capturing data on the fly. With nothing more than a plastic pen, you can enter information by tapping or writing on the screen. The tapping aspect is pretty much a draw -- an on-screen keyboard lets you 'type' letters, numbers, and symbols -- although on most Palm OS models, the keyboard consumes half the screen.

With writing, disparities emerge. The Palm OS has long relied on Graffiti, a handwriting-recognition system primarily based on standard block characters. But with the release of Palm OS 5.2 came Graffiti 2.0, based on a more natural character set. For newcomers, it's simple to learn, but it's a major hassle for Graffiti veterans because it's so different from the old system.

Windows Mobile offers not one, not two, but three handwriting-recognition options. The first, Block Recognizer, is a letter-perfect clone of the original Graffiti, making for an easy transition from the Palm OS camp. The second, Letter Recognizer, is based on Communication Intelligence's Jot, which also was the basis for Graffiti 2.0. Finally, there's Transcriber, which allows you to write anywhere on the screen (rather than in a designated input area) and in cursive, no less. Transcriber works remarkably well, as long as you write fairly legibly.

The Windows Mobile keyboard, Block Recognizer, and Letter Recognizer are all virtual input areas, meaning they appear and disappear as needed. Most Palm OS devices come with a permanent Graffiti area that reduces screen space. But recent higher-end models, such as the PalmOne Tungsten T3 have virtual input areas, just like Windows Mobile. Nonetheless, you still get only one handwriting option instead of three, so Windows Mobile indisputably wins the round.

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