Handwriting on the Prime - Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime

I know there's tons of threads out there about this issue but I wanted a flat out answer. So is the diagonal line issue a firmware issue or a hardware issue? In my language class (vietnamese) I take handwritten notes using ipad 2 using notability and adonit jot, and I am very happy with it, however there are many things that the Prime does that the ipad 2 cannot do (e.g. flash) and I would like to transition into android however using the Prime I cannot draw the necessary characters in class due to whatever glitches in the hardware firmware. Vietnamese requires a lot of diagonal slashes, squiggles, and hooks and the Prime isn't cutting it for me right now. Is this something that can be fixed in the future or is it a hardware limitation?
P.S. not willing to wait then shell out a boat load of money for the atmus whatever pen.

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say what? Never heard anything about diagonal line issues link pls

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Works with stylus but you may want to use touch screen tune to tweak for smooth op with no skips. Palm detect does not work. I use a stylus daily for taking notes and works fine.

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Well it works alright if you have a good stylus, but i prefer real paper and a pen, or just write it with the keyboard dock. But thats just my preference.

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Does someone want to actually answer the OP
These responses are not helping the guy. He is not asking if you CAN take notes, or how it works or if it works well or not. He is referring to a specific issue with the Prime (and others regarding the rendition of diagonal lines)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHpfkI6l1-0&sns=tw
http://android.stackexchange.com/qu...mer-primetouch-screen-response-is-this-normal
If you don't have an answer for him, why post a comment? I will only say that the Prime, unlike HTC Tablets with digitizers and the Samsung Note I believe DOES have issues here. I am sorry that I do not know if firmware alone can fix it, all of my research has been inconclusive to date. If anyone knows if this is likely to be unfix able, and WHY that would be really helpful. For everyone who wants to say how they take notes with a a pen and paper, or like how the Prime takes notes with Adjonit Jot or other fine point styli, thats great, but not too helpful.

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SmartAs$Phone said:
These responses are not helping the guy. He is not asking if you CAN take notes, or how it works or if it works well or not. He is referring to a specific issue with the Prime (and others regarding the rendition of diagonal lines)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHpfkI6l1-0&sns=tw
http://android.stackexchange.com/qu...mer-primetouch-screen-response-is-this-normal
If you don't have an answer for him, why post a comment? I will only say that the Prime, unlike HTC Tablets with digitizers and the Samsung Note I believe DOES have issues here. I am sorry that I do not know if firmware alone can fix it, all of my research has been inconclusive to date. If anyone knows if this is likely to be unfix able, and WHY that would be really helpful. For everyone who wants to say how they take notes with a a pen and paper, or like how the Prime takes notes with Adjonit Jot or other fine point styli, thats great, but not too helpful.
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Hello thanks for defending me I appreciate it. I own the original asus transformer as well as the iPad 2 and I can say that both are much more capable of handwritten notes than the asus prime. It's not just the fact that the htc flyer and Samsung note have active digitizers it is the digitizer software or hardware on the prime that there are problems with using a stylus. If you slowly make a diagonal line in any program even with touchscreen tune you'll see that the lines are jagged for some reason and not straight like on the original transformer or iPad 2 which also do not haves active digitizers. I cannot use the prime to annotate PDFs as it is now and am wondering if this can be fixed in the future or should I look for another device to fit my needs if that makes it clearer at all. Thank you.

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But can you write in normal letters?
I ordered the Prime specifically for handwriting, so i really want to know this.
If not, is the original transformer capable of writing normal letters?

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It is quite choppy and doesn't feel natural at all. Asus transformer is much better but still not the best. If specifically for handwriting I would look elsewhere at this point like towards a lenovo thinkpad tablet or something with an active digitizer unless an update will fix this and make it like the original transformer. As for me i was looking for the best of both worlds and hoped to find it here but i guess not. Good luck in your search.
Splitert said:
But can you write in normal letters?
I ordered the Prime specifically for handwriting, so i really want to know this.
If not, is the original transformer capable of writing normal letters?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App

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Thanks, so it doesn't look like this on your prime?:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=195Z4V6qO-Y
This looks acceptable for me for handwriting.
Seeing this vid it looks like it is a problem with hardware, as a friend of mine doesn't have the choppy lines too.
Anyway, I will test it on the one on display in the shop before I buy it.

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Yes it is like that if you watch the video handwriting only registers when he writes really slowly. How is there any way I can keep up in class writing in slow motion? But anyway if this fits your needs and is acceptable for you then go for it the only way you'll ever know is by testing it out yourself right?
Splitert said:
Thanks, so it doesn't look like this on your prime?:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=195Z4V6qO-Y
This looks acceptable for me for handwriting.
Seeing this vid it looks like it is a problem with hardware, as a friend of mine doesn't have the choppy lines too.
Anyway, I will test it on the one on display in the shop before I buy it.
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Click to collapse

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handwriting just doesn't work for me
This is the best i can manage on the prime.
This combination of Bamboo stylus and Quill was *nearly* perfect for me on the Transformer.
The Bamboo and certain apps on a different tablet we entirely usable, even better than paper and pencil for me especially when taking notes on textbooks or pdfs in class. I *want* that ability on the Prime! It is essential for me.
In the image you can see three attempts that say approximately the same thing each time, written at a pace that worked okay on the Transformer, and perfectly on the iPad 2.
Each example also demonstrates three setting levels for Touchscreen tuner.
I need suggestions. Does anyone know how to get substantially better results?

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I've just ordered a few pens , dagi and Adonit jot. and planing on testing the screen/ touch calibration tool l found on the market.
Has anyone had any luck in improving the accuracy of the screen??

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I would like to see your results. my post above yours includes examples of using touchscreen tune.
now if i slow my pace of writing to glacially slow and write twice as large as i need to i can get better results. that example was at the pace i need.

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I'm still waiting for the pens, will probably have to root the device.

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a short story
Ok a short update / review:
I have ranked the 3 pens and tested them with 4 different apps.
The score:
based on 1-10 ( 1 = super crap , 10 the mother/father/brother of all pens thus far)
Quality : build quality from the handle to the tips. Potential durability
Accuracy: this is based on the "limited time" l have had to play with them, as well as the fact that l haven't yet tried to tune the screen etc
Speed: How fast can you ink with realistic accuracy
overall feel: how does it feel to use etc
total score: guess what this means....
Misc: other factors that might have en impact, both positive and negative. Note this one does not impact the overall score.
The targus and pogo sketch it pens l have rated as 6,5/10 .
Quality : 7 / 10
Accuracy: 6 / 10
speed: 6,5 / 10 ( you have to ink slower then feels natural)
overall feel: 7 / 10
total score: 6,5 - 7 / 10 depending on use
Both were ok, and decent enough for browsing and quick sketch, but note taking was a bit awkward in the long run. Quality was about the same, l got both second hand so wont go into detail.
Pens
Wacom Bamboo standard softtip
Adonit Jot swivel hard tip
Dagi swivel hard tip on a spring
For review sake l also got a pen from targus and sketch it ( both soft tips)
apps
supernotes
Freenotes
Writepad Stylus
Lecture pad trial
The app l had the most success with was actually the supernotes. Though the writepad stylus was a close second. This is based on accuracy and useability on the default settings. With that said writepad and freenotes have a lot of customisation functions, while supernote is rather basic. The lecture pad was by no means bad, it's very similar to freenotes , but has a lot more "lecture functionality" that l didn't test. The focus was on the pens and not the apps.
In short
out of the box, supernotes.
if you ahve time to tinker and play around with it then any of the other three will do just fine. The main difference is what you need it for and what extra functions , such as "notebooks" and save to pdf, jpeg ..other formats, are available.
Impressions of the pens.
Note these impressions are based on about 2 + hours of use with each pen. testing writing , notes, sketch and basic drawing ( l suck at the last part, but gave it a go non the less) I will mention accuracy , but will not provide any picture just yet ( having problems with rooting my tab and havent tuend the screen yet)
Wacom
Is one of the best soft tip pens l have tested. It has a good feel and solid gripp and the smalest soft tip of the 3 soft tip ones. Feels like a quality kit, though l can imagine the tips wear down fast if used a lot.
With that said the tip is a tad too soft. As in it caves in on it self , and for best effect you have to press harder then with the targus or sketch it ones.
Rating
Quality : 8 / 10. Fells like a good piece of kit, might have issues with the tips of the pen in the long run. 2 spares included.
Accuracy: 6,5 / 10 , ok for sketch but notetaking is too impractical. Needs a lot of preassure to register. Actually more then the pogo and targus.
Speed:: 7 / 10 , it takes some pressure for it to register and that slows you down, as well as the lack to sensitivity. Might be screen / app related-
overall feel: 7,5 / 10 , sits well in hand , there is enough resistance while inking that it has a sort of paper feel to it, and the tips are soft so no risk of screen damage.
total score: 7,5 /10
Misc: Questionable if it's worth the extra cash in comparison with targus, griffin or pogo. Spare tips are expensive
******
Adonit jot.
Very diferent from the other pens l have tested. Take a look at the site and you'll see what l mean. It's a sort of small glass plate attached on a ball joint that sort of swivels . Interesting and novel concept. It gives you a smaller "tip" and at the same time gives you a better view of what you are trying to draw/ write. An example is when you are drawing a box, hitting the lines exactly spot on is much harder when you can actually see what part of the tip is actually registering .with the see through plate you can hit the exact point ( more or less) and allows for much greater precision. Big bonus.
Overall quality is rather impressive. though on the web page they keep talking about a magnet in the pens so you can attach it to the side of the tab. that does NOT work on Transformer prime, though it did work with an ipad l borrowed.
The tip seems sturdy and you don't have to apply much pressure for anything to register on the screen. though l am a tad worried about scratching the screen. Guess that depends on how much you push. it comes with tip cover that is screwed on so the tips isn't exposed when it's not in use.( think old school pens with a smal cap on the tip)
Score
Quality : 9 / 10, feels like a premium piece of kit, high quality materiials used.
Accuracy: 8,5 / 10 , the see-through helps a lot, and you don't need to press down so hard. it glides quite easily over the screen
Speed: 8,5 / 10 sort of same reason as above, but you still have to move a tad slower then feel natural. again might be screen or app related.
overall feel: 9 / 10 one of the best l have tried thus far, sits well. easy to use. Good quality
total score: 9
Misc: Quick delivery, but no extra glass plates / tips for the pen?? not a big issue but still...
****
Dagi
It's based around the same concept as the Adonit jot, but instead of a ball joint it's connected to a rather stiff mini spring system. That in it self requires somewhat more pressure, and makes it a tad cumbersome to write and draw on and angle. Note, the tips are softer ,thig less glass and more rubberised plastic, still see through.It doesn't glide over the screen as smoothly as the adonit jot, but the extra friction does make it feel more like a pen. It's up to personal preference.
Quality wise it's very similar to the adonit jot, but the jot has a tad more premium feel to it. I'de say it a tad lower on the scale. One cool feature is that it got a pen clip function so you can attach it like a real pen. This is more look and feel the practicality. but it makes it easier to attach to a note book or in a case with a pen holder.It also comes with a pen cap / cover thing that you can screw on to protect you tips.
Quality : 8 / 10 , still good quality , but the jot feels a tad more high end. Still rather fancy. The tip is sturdier , and stiffer, but might be more prone to breaking / falling off. Though you do get 3 extras.
Accuracy:8 / 10 , it's somewhat stiffer and a tad more awkward to use at angles. It keeps wanting to straighten up. the increased friction of the tip might make it a tad less accurate.
Speed:: 8 / 10 the rubberised tip increases friction, but sensitivity isn't affected much.
overall feel: 8 / 10 , it sort of comes down to personal preference between this one and the jot. if l didn't have the jot to compare with then well then this one would have been the king of the hill.
total score: 8 / 10 not much to say really.
Misc, not much to say here either. It is a good little stylus. Relatively accurate , easy to get used to. I even got an extra gift from dagi ( no clue why), a mini iphone pen, same principle but much smaller .
Last Word.
Even with the best stylus, l had issues with snesitivivty and accuracy. And of course the wriggly lines ( when you try to draw a straight line). The straightness of the lines were direcly related to speed. the faster l drew the lines the more straight it got, but l still feel the accuracy was lower then on the ipad.
This doesn't have *that much effect on note taking. The biggest issue here is the sensitivity issue, and general accuracy when it came to note taking, ie writing legible letters. Even with the best one, l had to write slower and larger for it to be legible. I haven't don much inking on other tabs , but l do have a lenovo x210 tablet at home with a built in wacom pressure board. And trust me BIG difference. Lenovo = as good as a pen and paper , Transformer prime = pen and fat white board marker . ( ok maybe not *that bad, but close enough)
Hope this helps, I'm trying to root the pad and calibrate the screen. then l might take the time to do a point to point comparison test of accuracy and speed one again.

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Hi, I bought prime yesterday and updated it to ics and 9.4.2.21. One thing I would like to do with my tablet is to take handwritten notes. It doesn't seem to do that very well at the moment. Is there a safe way to install touchscreen tune in my device (will i lose warranty)? Or are there any similar apps that wouldn't need root?
Biggest problems seems to be that recognition of writing is too slow and it won't pick up small movement. Diagonal lines aren't straigth when drawing, but that isn't major issue for me.

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well the app in i self is very safe, but you have to root the unit. Since you only have to root the unit and NOT unlock it for the app to work then the warranty etc is still good to go.
Go here and follow the root instructions, trust me easy as cake , took like 2 min all good.
this one
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1427125
and this one ( same info but simplified)
http://www.androidauthority.com/root-asus-transformer-prime-in-one-click-44242/
let me know if you run into problems.

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DeBoX said:
well the app in i self is very safe, but you have to root the unit. Since you only have to root the unit and NOT unlock it for the app to work then the warranty etc is still good to go.
Go here and follow the root instructions, trust me easy as cake , took like 2 min all good.
this one
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1427125
and this one ( same info but simplified)
http://www.androidauthority.com/root-asus-transformer-prime-in-one-click-44242/
let me know if you run into problems.
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Thanks, but are you sure those guides work on latest update? Other users are saying, that there aren't root for .21 yet...
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using XDA

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You can take good notes with the Prime, im using a cheap 4euro Stylus and it works perfectly, BUT, Touchscreen Tuner is needed for it to work.
Check my post about it here

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Okay, I just copied one of your Posts using SuperNote and my Touchscreen Settings. It looks good imo, the last part looks way better not cause the Prime, but because I cant for my live write "pretty" if I have to write somewhat fast lol.
Here are my settings:
- Min movement amount: 0
- Disable movement filtering: checked
- Touch sensitivity: 30
- Palm detection: 0 (recommended for stylus writting).
then go to the menu (top-right) button, tap on "Set filter off value" and set it to 0. < this last part is super important, without this and filter check off it looks like your pic.
I think the prime does a wonderful job, I just gotta re-learn how to write lol sorry for my awful handwritting ^^