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In 2020, iPadOS 14 was released with a "Scribble" feature that automatically converts any handwriting written with the Apple Pencil into typed text. Scribble works in any text field, and this means the feature works with the revamped Siri on iPadOS 18.1.

iPadOS-Scribble-Feature.jpeg

iPadOS 18.1 introduces the first Apple Intelligence features, including the ability to type to Siri in an on-screen overlay. Given that Scribble works in any text field, this means you can now write a Siri query with an Apple Pencil and it will automatically be converted to typed text. Apple highlighted this "Scribble to Siri" feature, and discussed the new iPad mini, in an interview with TechRadar's Jacob Krol this week.

Apple previously confirmed that iPadOS 18.1 will be released to the public next week.

Scribble works with any Apple Pencil, but the revamped version of Siri is limited to devices with Apple Intelligence, including iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini models equipped with the M1 chip, M2 chip, M4 chip, or A17 Pro chip.

Scribble-to-Siri.gif
Scribble to Siri (Credit: TechRadar)

Typing to Siri technically already existed as an accessibility setting, but you could not easily switch between typing and talking to Siri like you can now.

Read the full interview with Apple marketing employees Tom Boger and Kurt Knight on TechRadar for more details about Scribble to Siri and more.

Article Link: Apple Highlights 'Scribble to Siri' Feature on iPadOS 18.1 in Interview
 
Now I’m picturing myself putting my feet up and writing Siri intimate letters it completely fails to comprehend.
 
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I used to use Scribble but it always deactivated my iPad's on-screen keyboard. Is that fixed?

I would think that people would like to use a combination of both Pencil and the keyboard –– at least that's how it feels it should be used. The Pencil exclusively is not a good text input mechanism.
 
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I look forward to this feature.
I look forward to trying this feature.
And I look forward to deciding for myself whether or not I like the feature, and whether I will use it or not.
Thank you MacRumors for telling me about it.
Thank you MacRumors mob, for telling me you hate it even before you have tried it.

There are a few folks who are willing to withhold their pessimism and see if this is going to be a good thing. I'm with you folks. "Wait and see" is a good plan.
 
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Can somebody explain why four years after the launch of this feature only 8 (!) languages are supported??

The biggest tech company in the world doesn’t have the resources for this?
 
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Typing to Siri technically already existed as an accessibility setting, but you could not easily switch between typing and talking to Siri like you can now
First batch of Apple Intelligence features: adding toggles to features that already exist.
Are am I misunderstanding the implication that the only thing keeping me from scribbling to Siri right now is that switching between text to Siri and voice to Siri is a bit cumbersome..?
 
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Reactions: CloneBB
I look forward to this feature.
I look forward to trying this feature.
And I look forward to deciding for myself whether or not I like the feature, and whether I will use it or not.
Thank you MacRumors for telling me about it.
Thank you MacRumors mob, for telling me you hate it even before you have tried it.

There are a few folks who are willing to withhold their pessimism and see if this is going to be a good thing. I'm with you folks. "Wait and see" is a good plan.
Spot on. Like you, I look forwatd to trying every new feature and determining what I find beneficial to me.
 
Has anybody here been wanting to pick up a plastic pencil to write down their Siri requests?
 
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Reactions: CloneBB
I was just thinking that this reminded me of Newton! I had one years ago. It had handwriting recognition ahead of its time!
For most people handwriting didn't work properly on Newton. This was the main reason that it failed.

BTW, Microsoft had handwriting recognition that worked well even with my handwriting, which most people are unable to decipher, just a few years later.
 
We have to literally spell it out to Siri because dictating it ends up in us going around in circles. It’s like the British adds for Loyd Grossmans sauces all those years ago… he just made it/did it himself.

Only a few aspects of Apple “Intelligence” will be truly useful. The rest will be padding as they jump on the AI train. And it’s very disingenuous to call it Intelligence at this stage and with this type of AI. I thought Genius Bar was bad enough, Apple Intelligence just sounds so dumb. Marketing could have came up with something far better, that isn’t embarrassing to talk about.

Oh sorry about the errors, my Apple Intelligence didn’t do as I had expected. Have you got Apple Intelligence? Does your iPhone support Intelligence.

I’m having a bit of trouble using Apple Intelligence, so made an appointment at the Genius Bar 😆
 
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