Google has rolled out a new experimental way to search – or rather, initiate a search – on mobile devices called Handwrite. Using Handwrite, it’s possible to scribble your search queries right on the Google.com home page. Handwrite is designed to work on smartphones and tablets, and it’s fully compatible with autocomplete. But don’t worry, Handwrite is intended to complement typing, not replace it.
Before you can use Handwrite, you’ll need to go into Google’s search settings and enable it. Once you’ve done that, a special icon will appear in the bottom right corner of the screen. Simply tap it and begin writing to start your search.
While there’s no reason why Handwrite couldn’t work on any touchscreen, Google has only enabled the feature on Android and iOS. Specifically, smartphones running Android 2.3 or later, tablets running Android 4.0 or later, and iOS devices running iOS5 or later. Obviously, Google recommends using Chrome on an Android device for the best experience.
