March 1, 2014 (Vol. 34, No. 5)
Rating:
Strong Points: Good handwriting recognition
Weak Points: Can be cumbersome to perform multiple calculations
Platform:
iPad/iPhone/Android
Cost:
Free
Summary:
Sure, the standard calculator app that comes already installed on your phone or tablet can perform mathematical calculations, but the MyScript Calculator app can do so by reading your own handwriting. This free app supports all of the basic operations encountered in algebra and geometry, including powers/exponentials, logarithms, and trigonometry expressions. When the app is opened, users are shown a blank screen onto which they can write out mathematical expressions and equations in their own handwriting. This handwriting is then converted to basic text depicting the expression, and an answer is calculated and displayed. The app comes with a brief video tutorial to familiarize new users with the mechanics, and the settings tab includes options such as the number of decimal places to display. Screenshots of your completed calculations can be emailed.
