Phatware Releases PhatPad 2.0

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.phatware.com/phatpad/index.html' target='_blank'>http://www.phatware.com/phatpad/index.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"PhatWare Corporation, a leading provider of software products and professional services for mobile and desktop computers, announces the full release of PhatPad 2.0, the latest version of its award-winning note-taking application for Windows Mobile-based Pocket PCs. Leading the improvements to PhatPad 2.0 is a companion desktop PC application that allows all of PhatPad's valuable features to be accessed from the user's personal computer."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20041006-PhatPadDesktop.gif" /><br /><br />The desktop application (screenshot pictured above; more on the site) looks pretty handy, and that's a major step up from v1.0. There's also a customizable toolbar, stroke layering and variable page size features. What <i>I</i> still need is bidirectional OneNote sync with my Tablet PC, which as far as I know no one's done yet... but for the rest of you, you may want to play with this update and see if it meets your needs.

[Zack Mahdavi]

Hmm.. the new updates look good, but I'm not sure it merits a cost of $29.95, or the $14.95 upgrade fee if you purchased PhatPad before July 1st. I think I'll stick with version 1.x for now.

[arebelspy]

So is the desktop version a FULL application (i.e. can use it for handwritten notes on a Tablet PC) or is it just a viewer type application for the PPC notes?

Sorry if this is obvious to everyone else, but it's not clear to me.. :lol:

-arebelspy

[alex_kac]

Desktop version is a FULL version.

[allenalb]

phatpad has always been my number one most used app on my PPC(because i have to do a lot of running around and getting scraps of info from other people).

I have been using the phatpad 2 beta for several weeks, and it is without a doubt INCREDIBLE. this is the way all companies should deal with products. every one of the beta versions ran perfectly, each one added more functionality.

the desktop componant is wonderful (would be better on a tablet, but i don't have one).

one suggestion i have for anyone considering buying phatpad/calligrapher for the recognition is to skip it, and buy phatpad/penoffice instead.
it's just easier to deal with the conversion (and copying and pasting) with penoffice on the PC than calligrapher on the PPC.

if you already have phatpad one, you owe it to yourself to at least try version 2, the editing capabilities are GREATLY enhanced over version 1.

[seaflipper]

What's the difference between PenOffice & Calligrapher?

Doesn't Calligrapher do hadwriting recognition on the PPC? Does PenOffice do that and more?

[Doug Raeburn]

Wow, up from $9.95 originally to $29.95. That's a huge price increase. I understand that it now includes the desktop version, but I know I wouldn't use it and frankly, I don't want to have to pay for it. They seriously need to decouple the Pocket PC version from the desktop version to get the rampant price increase under control. They need to give their customers that choice.

Another $14.95 after paying for it not that long ago just doesn't seem like a very good value to me. I won't be upgrading any time soon, if ever.

[allenalb]

What's the difference between PenOffice & Calligrapher?

Doesn't Calligrapher do hadwriting recognition on the PPC? Does PenOffice do that and more?

PenOffice is handwriting recognition on the PC, not PPC. i guess that's why they charge more for it.

[tbguy]

The main thing that strikes me as different is the ability to have larger pages...up to A2 (2380x3364) standard, and probably larger with a custom size. Zooming out at that size stops long before the full page is viewable, although 'fit to screen' does show more, even if some of the edges are chopped off a bit. And I'm pretty sure the previous version didn't allow the page size to be changed after creating a new file...I could be wrong.

There's also a 'change' mode which is used to change the color/width of lines, which is kinda nice. Haven't played with the desktop version as yet...doesn't appeal that much to me, although it will be useful for viewing notes.

I'm one of the lucky ones who purchased after the July 1st cut off, so I'll be upgrading...yippee :D

[socrates63]

Wow, up from $9.95 originally to $29.95. That's a huge price increase. I understand that it now includes the desktop version, but I know I wouldn't use it and frankly, I don't want to have to pay for it. They seriously need to decouple the Pocket PC version from the desktop version to get the rampant price increase under control. They need to give their customers that choice.

Another $14.95 after paying for it not that long ago just doesn't seem like a very good value to me. I won't be upgrading any time soon, if ever.
I agree 100% with Doug, and I, too, won't be upgrading any time soon.

[juni]

If it seems too steep there is always

MultiPad: http://www.mentalmotions.com/showpage.php?page=mp

or

HandNotes: http://www.choung.net/HandNotes/

:)

[onepieceman]

I'm waiting for EverNote. At least that integrates all the other forms of notes I need, not just handwriting. OK, so it isn't out yet, but allegedly soon...

[uhoo]

I'm waiting for EverNote. At least that integrates all the other forms of notes I need, not just handwriting. OK, so it isn't out yet, but allegedly soon...

Aren't PhatPad and EverNote made by the same company? :confused: That also makes Calligrapher? :confused totally: I think PhatPad's terrific, but the upgrade's too expensive, though I'm pretty sure EverNote's going to be priced sky-high..