Android OneNote and Stylus input

Anonymous
2013-10-10T21:17:55+00:00

BLUF: OneNote for Android NEEDS support for stylus input for drawing and annotating!

Let me first say that on my IBM X200 with digitizer that OneNote is my most used application. I absolutely love the ability to make rough design sketches then annotate them with information. (Parts lists, notes etc) My favorite feature though is the ability of OneNote to actually improve upon the simplicity of pen and paper. You have the freedom to use it as a simple notepad. But where it excels is with the ability to move and resize drawing and text elements. All though college I used it to take notes in class and being able to move a diagram around was a huge benefit.

Android needs the pen input functinality. I can't stress this enough. I'm not talking about handwriting recognition for text input. I'm talking about being able to use the application like a notepad. Initially I bought a Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 to use as my "idea pad". With all of the capability that the table has, the software available for the built in digitizer is abysmal. It does everything well except be a notepad. It's actually pretty horrifying how much trouble to have to go through to even try to use it that way. It was so poor at being a notepad that I returned it. The same is almost true of the Samsung Galaxy Note II I have been using as my phone. 

I have found an application published by Asus called Supernote that does a decent job at combining a notepad and drawing application. If the handwrighting recognition  feature were enabled it could give OneNote a run for it's money.  OneNote still has the advantage with the moving text and graphics around. If it could access the clipboard for the S-pen that would be great too...

The question is, with more and more devices being sold with digitizers and stylus', when is OneNote going to support their input? (Oh, and being able to ignore finger input while the pen in is use is an important aspect of that.)

Thanks for listening,

Michael

Microsoft 365 and Office | OneNote | For home | Windows

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-02-11T00:53:22+00:00

    I don't understand why pen use in OneNote isn't better advertised (If at all). I think it would be a great way to attract more college students who typically want to buy Apple products. Having a huge inking campaign targeted towards students in the Spring / Summer would likely bring in additional revenue, especially with the 10% student discount at Microsoft store. Microsoft's own tablet has a Wacom digitizer, but I don't think I've ever seen them advertise it's use. OneNote is a great program that no one knows about nor do they know how accurate these inking technologies can be. 

    Releasing a Windows phone similar to the Galaxy Note with OneNote inking capability would make me switch from Android in a heartbeat. I would love to see this released and Microsoft have a HUGE marketing campaign on OneNote with syncing between all devices

    • focused on students and business.

    I saw a clip of Bill Gates on Jimmy Fallon and when Gates was asked about the next big thing in tech, he said digital hand writing. So maybe something big is coming....

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-02-09T20:24:34+00:00

    I just got my Note 3 a couple days ago. I knew going in that OneNote for Android didn't have inking support, but I hoped I could work out a solution. Writing notes in LectureNotes or NoteAnytime and exporting to and image, then importing that image into OneNote is the only way I've found to get ink into OneNote. This isn't a good solution if you want to edit your ink.

    MobileNoter allowed native OneNote notebook reading and writing with ink support, but the reviews are bad and it doesn't support 2013 notebooks (I haven't tried this app). I've been an avid OneNote user since 2009, starting with a Wacom tablet in college, then an x201 tablet in 2010 that I still use to this day. I have years of notes in OneNote.

    Microsoft, as a heavy OneNote user, please consider my opinion that the most important feature to add to OneNote on any platform is inking on mobile.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-02-07T14:14:13+00:00

    Yeah I was shocked when I was not able to use my s pen on my note 10.1 2014 edition. Really hoping for this feature.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-02-04T18:06:05+00:00

    Yes stylus input is an absolute must.  I have a Galaxy Note 10.1 and a Note 3 and without stylus input I do not use OneNote.  If it had such input, I would use it.  So this is the single most important feature....that it lacks.

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-02-03T16:08:22+00:00

    Microsoft??? What use is a Note taking software without pen/finger/drawing input? Second the name of your program "OneNote" will never become ONE since it is only functional on ONE platform. It's really simple. Fix/finish your software and allow it to work completely on all platforms so that we can use One Note taking software and it's a win win for users and Microsoft. Everyone will be happy and Microsoft looks like the good guy again. Otherwise it really looks like a bratty company on it's way down. There is a reason Android takes off so well and is selling like crazy. Google makes their stuff work on all platforms. Users like that and they will win the platform war if Microsoft and Apple continue to look straight down the road and ignore what's in front of them. Duh. Really it does **** me off that companies can be so narrow minded and it's employee's too. If the employee's cared about their future they would work hard to help their companies adapt to the future. Job security. I like all the companies and platforms. I use mostly Android and Microsoft. Make them work together.

    Listen, Microsoft is pretty much embedded in every business and the old software companies are built around are on Microsoft. If you don't do something soon, Apple, Android WILL replace that. And it doesn't take a genius to figure out that it will be an UPHILL battle to get back.

    Chris

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