There are many professions today in which note taking is not just about words but about gathering concepts and ideas.  Some of these concepts and ideas are best drawn out instead of written down which, until last year, required pen and paper in addition to ones Pocket PC.  That was when PhatWare Corporation released PhatPad 1.0, a note taking application that allowed users to draw diagrams and take notes in handwriting, allowing users to keep all of their information in one place:  Their Pocket PC device. 

With the release of PhatPad 2.0, PhatWare has taken the application further and has integrated it seamlessly with their other applications.  For everything that PhatPad has been, this new version is that much better and is a must-have application for Pocket PC owners.  Like the original release, PhatPad 2.0 takes the functionality and usability of Windows Mobile devices to a more complete level.  Further, with this new version, users now have perhaps the single most requested improvement of the original PhatPad release:  A Windows PC-based version of the application in which notes can by synchronized.  Further, the desktop version of PhatPad 2.0 allows users to print their notes.  Simply put, PhatPad 2.0 is a great step forward for an already great application. 

The installation of PhatPad is done via ActiveSync and the application can be installed in the Pocket PCs main memory or on a Storage Card.  The application itself has an excellent footprint of only 550K so installing in either location will not cost much from a memory perspective.  The desktop edition of PhatPad also has a small footprint of just over 4MB.    

Figure 1:  PhatPad 2.0 for Pocket PC’s default display 

Figure 2:  PhatPad 2.0’s Windows PC desktop default display 

The beauty of PhatPad is its intuitive nature.  By starting the application, users can simply begin writing or drawing a note without having to train or read any materials beforehand.  Obviously reading the Users Guide will provide answers to deeper questions to operation of PhatPad beyond the surface and it is recommended. 

Figure 3:  PhatPad drawing 

Figure 4:  PhatPad note taking 

In Figure 3, readers will note that there are two different colors of ink displayed.  This is one of the many advanced features of PhatPad.  By tapping the color icon on the taskbar, users can select the color of ink that is to be used.  By allowing multiple colors, PhatPad makes it easy for users to denote different aspects of a drawing or to emphasize a point in their notes.  Finally, users can also change the thickness of the ink lines as well.  This further allows users to easily and quickly see points of importance in their notes or drawings. 

Figure 5:  Choosing a new ink color with the ink pallet 

Figure 6:  Multiple ink colors make denoting and emphasis easy to see at a glance 

Figure 7:  PhatPad allows users to change the thickness of ink lines 

While using PhatPad, there are two key features that users have access to while using the application for two distinct purposes.  The first is Shape Corrector for when PhatPad is being used for drawing.  To enable this feature, users tap the Shape Corrector icon or select it off of the Tools menu.  At this point, when users draw a common geometric shape, PhatPad will correct the shape by drawing the lines straight.  Shape Corrector allows for rough drawings to quickly become clean and presentable.  Like all aspects of PhatPad 2.0, Shape Corrector works exceptionally well.  In test drawings of nearly fifty squares, circles and triangles, PhatPad corrected an amazing 96%.  This far exceeded expectations and made this feature truly usable. 

Figure 8:  Shape Corrector cleans up rough drawings of geometric figures 

The second feature is Text Recognition.  In order to use this feature, users need to have PhatWare’s Calligrapher installed which is an additional purchase.  In this mode, users can have the text they have written in PhatPad recognized and turned into typed text.  This is also true for the desktop version of PhatPad 2.0.  Users must have PenOffice installed for Text Recognition to function.  This, like Shape Corrector, allows for notes to quickly become presentable for others.  To have text recognized, tap the Tools menu or tap the icon on the taskbar.  Once activated, the display is split screen allowing users to see their written text on the bottom and the corrected text up top.  Because this feature in PhatPad is tied into Calligrapher, it works amazingly well with very few corrections needed after the recognition process.  The Recognition tool can also be configured in a variety of ways to make it, like all other aspects of PhatPad 2.0, more user friendly. 

Figure 9:  Text Recognition corrects written text in PhatPad 2.0 

Figure 10:  Text Recognition is configurable to each user’s preferences 

On the display of PhatPad 2.0, the taskbar allows users to access to most common features and functions of the application.  This too is customizable to allow PhatPad to be truly user specific in its setup.  Users can access by tapping the Tools à Options à Toolbar menu.  By tapping an icon, users are given a brief description of the function and then can add it by dragging it to the taskbar.  As seen in Figure 11, there are a multitude of options that can be added to the taskbar. 

Figure 11:  PhatPad 2.0’s taskbar can be customized to fit individual needs 

Unlike many note taking applications, PhatPad 2.0 allows users to save files in a variety of formats so they can be shared and viewed by anyone, including those who do not have PhatPad.  The ability to save files as JPEG and Bitmaps as well as PhatWare’s .pmi and .ink files opens this application to any Pocket PC user, knowing they can share their PhatPad 2.0 files with any Windows PC or Macintosh user. 

Figure 12:  PhatPad 2.0 can save in .jpg and .bmp files so they can be shared with virtually anyone 

Finally, a new and important feature in PhatPad 2.0 is the ability to add a .jpg or .bmp image as the background of the note.  This customization of the background is a new feature and great for those who want to personalize their notes with their company logo or to mark a point of interest on a photo.  To change the background, tap the View à Set Background menu…. Users can change the color of the paper itself or can select an image to be the background for the note. 

Figure 13:  The Open File dialog to select a background image instead of a notepad look 

Figure 14:  Using a background image allows users to highlight points on the background 

One of the advantages of PhatPad 2.0 is not something that will be found in the application but in the company PhatWare.  PhatWare, having been in the mobile application development arena since 1997, has outstanding technical and customer support.  Customer support is accurate and timely with answers provided within hours, not days. 

PhatPad 2.0 retails for $29.95 (US) with existing PhatPad 1.x owners having a special upgrade price of $14.95 (US).  For PhatPad 1.x owners who purchased the application on or after July 1, 2004, the upgrade is free.  This price includes the desktop version of the application.  As mentioned before, in order to use Text Recognition, users need to have Calligrapher 6.x installed on their Pocket PC and PenOffice 2.x for their Windows-based desktop PC. 

Whether a new user or an existing PhatPad owner, 2.0 is a worthwhile purchase and upgrade and should be a must-have application for every Pocket PC owner.  It is well written and performs beyond expectations, something that has become a trademark for all of PhatWare’s products. 

For more information on PhatPad 2.0 and other PhatWare products, visit the PhatWare Corporation website.

Clinton Fitch
Editor
Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com! (http://www.clintonfitch.com)
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