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One of the more popular third-party handwriting recognition solutions for Pocket PCs and Pocket PC Phones is CalliGrapher from mobile application developer PhatWare. The company recently released a beta edition of the eighth version of the software with support for the most recent Microsoft wireless operating system (OS), Windows Mobile 5.0 and more.

As with other such solutions, CalliGrapher analyzes a user’s pen strokes and converts them into text. It can recognize arbitrary alphanumeric strings as well as words contained in its dictionary.

PhatWare adds a new input method called Write Pad to CalliGrapher 8.0 (see top image). Write Pad is a specified writing area at the bottom of a Pocket PC's screen; similar to what Palm platform owners have benefited from since the beginning with Graffiti. You can choose to enter handwritten information anywhere on the display too.

The company says the CalliGrapher beta also offers an improved handwriting recognition engine, attachable and floating keyboards, as well as an extended CalliGrapher toolbar and Write Pad that occupies the entire width of a screen in landscape mode and more. In addition to English handwriting support, CalliGrapher supports 11 other languages and a 130,000-word professional medical dictionary for healthcare professionals. It runs on Windows Mobile 2003 or later Pocket PCs.

“We are pleased to unveil CalliGrapher 8.0 for Beta testing as user feedback is a key component to the developments we make,” said PhatWare President Stan Miasnikov. To take part in the beta program go to the CalliGrapher Web site. The shipping version isn't due until the third quarter.

Go to the CalliGrapher Web site if you want to take part in PhatWare’s beta test program.