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Apple patent filing hints at Apple Pencil support for an iPhone (and more)

An Apple patent filing (number 2020034037) for a “device, method, and graphical user interface for simulating and interacting with handwritten text” suggests that Apple Pencil support could be coming to the iPhone. It also hints at improved handwriting recognition on the iPad, as well.

In the patent filing, the tech giant notes that there’s a need for electronic devices with faster, more efficient methods and interfaces for simulating and interacting with handwritten text. 

Here’s the summary of the patent filing: “A device receives a user input that corresponds with a sequence of characters. In response to the user input, the device displays simulated handwritten text that includes varying the appearance of characters in the simulated handwritten text based on variations in handwritten text of a respective user.

“In response to receiving the user input and in accordance with a determination that a first criterion is met, a first character in the sequence of characters has a first appearance that corresponds to the appearance of the first character in handwritten text of the respective user. In accordance with a determination that a second criterion is met, the first character in the sequence of characters has a second appearance that corresponds to the appearance of the first character in handwritten text of the respective user. The second appearance of the first character is different than the first appearance of the first character.”

Dennis Sellers
the authorDennis Sellers
Dennis Sellers is the editor/publisher of Apple World Today. He’s been an “Apple journalist” since 1995 (starting with the first big Apple news site, MacCentral). He loves to read, run, play sports, and watch movies.