PhatPad, a popular note-taking and collaboration program for the iPad, recently got updated.  Adding Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish languages to supported language mix, PhatWare also has added optimizations to take full advantage of the high-resolution Retina Display.

PhatPad’s key features include:

· Smooth-flowing digital ink technology, which lets iPad users scribble notes as if they are writing on real paper;

· The ability to combine drawing, handwritten text, images, and digital text on the same document page to create media-rich content;

· A powerful multilingual handwriting recognition engine, which automatically converts handwritten notes into text;

· Voice notes – record, play, and use in presentation mode;

· An advanced Presentation mode, which supports a VGA monitor and allows recording and playing presentations by synchronizing document pages and voice;

· PhatPad Document sharing using Dropbox synchronization, Google Docs and Evernote upload, direct access via WiFi or iTunes, and email;

· Printing to a printer on wireless network via AirPrint.

The beauty of PhatPad as a note-taking, collaboration and brainstorming tool, is that it allows users to draw pictures, jot notes, or put a mixture of pictures, drawings, handwritten and typed text on a virtual scratch pad. The included handwriting recognition engine allows PhatPad users to convert previously recorded handwritten notes into digital text, and edit text using either the handwriting input panel or the keyboard.

PhatPad 2.1 is available in the iTunes App Store at a reduced price of only $4.99. The price includes handwriting recognition in a language of the user’s choice. Support for additional languages can be purchased in-app for just $2.99 per language. The US English Medical dictionary is also available for PhatPad for $4.99. For more information about PhatPad, visit PhatWare’s web site at http://www.phatware.com/phatpad.

The Nexus S 4G will be the first Sprint device to get Ice Cream Sandwich, the latest and greatest new version of Android.  So what will Nexus S 4G users be in for?

According to the press release, Android 4.0 adds numerous enhancements and new features, including:

· A refined, evolved user interface that is simple, beautiful and useful

· Android Beam™: quickly share web pages, apps, contacts and YouTube™ videos with your friends by simply tapping two Near Field Communication (NFC)-enabled phones together

· Redesigned camera, which introduces panorama mode, effects like silly faces and background replacement and a powerful photo editor

· Data Usage helps you avoid data overage charges by allowing you to instantly see your data usage for any period of time or any app – and get notified before reaching your limit; you can even restrict background data for individual apps

· Web browser now lets you sync Google Chrome™ bookmarks, request full desktop versions of sites, see your open tabs in a new layout and even store web pages for offline reading

· People: browse friends, family and coworkers, see their photos in high-resolution and check their latest status updates from Google+ and other social networks

· Improved keyboard with incredibly accurate typing, an inline spell checker and improved copy and paste support

· New Calendar app that lets you add events quickly, sync with Google Calendar™ or Microsoft Exchange and even pinch to adjust your calendar display

· Redesigned Gmail™ app that now lets you swipe between conversations to catch up quickly, and search for emails even without a data connection

· Google+ integration that lets you hangout and video chat with up to 10 friends using your front-facing camera

If you have any questions about this update, help can be found on Sprint’s forums.

GoodReader, one of our favorite reader and utility software for the iPad just got sharper!  With an update that takes advantage of the new iPad Retina display, users will enjoy an unparalleled experience viewing documents, graphics, web pages, and videos on their iPads.  For those who are not familiar with Retina display, it increases the number of pixels by 4x.  With this 4x density, individual pixels can no longer be distinguished by the human eye.  Also since the last time we talked about GoodReader Freehand Drawing has also been added.

From the changelog:

v.3.14.2 – Mar. 23, 2012

• The new iPad (iPad 3) compatibility fix

v.3.14.0 – Feb 16, 2012

• Freehand Drawing: Handwriting Zoom Window to draw tiny details while seeing an overview of an entire PDF page
• Freehand Drawing: adjustable Palm Rest
• buttons to change pages while drawing or highlighting

Update to the latest version, or if you don’t have GoodReader yet, get your copy from the Apple App Store today!

GoodReader, the app we just reviewed got updated with Support for the  AFP Protocol.  Support for AFP, the standard protocol which all Mac computers use to share folders on a local network, makes it easier to connect from GoodReader to a Mac for sharing files between the desktop and mobile device.  GoodReader users have already been able to exchange files between their iOS devices and their Macs using other protocols, such as WebDAV, FTP and SFTP, but supporting AFP makes the process easier than ever because it is the native protocol for Mac OS and requires practically zero set-up. Users simply turn on file-sharing and they are ready to share files between their Macs and mobile devices for viewing in GoodReader.  Not only is AFP the Mac OS standard protocol for sharing folders on a local network, it is also used by Apple Time Capsule, a 1, 2 or 3 TB standalone hard drive with WiFi access that Mac users often use to wirelessly backup their Macs, as well as by a number of other 3rd-party network-attached storage drives. GoodReader’s support for AFP now makes it easier for users to exhange files with such drives directly from GoodReader, without using a computer.

The new version of GoodReader also makes it easier to find servers on a local WiFi network for wirelessly sharing files. GoodReader’s “Local Servers (via WiFi)” section now uses Bonjour to find local AFP, SFTP, FTP, WebDAV and HTTP servers automatically. The update also includes a host of other user interface improvements, including the ability to publish several iCloud files at once, and the new “Back to reading” button, which instantly takes the reader to the last read file, saving from the hassle of finding the file in the folder hierarchy.

Recently, PhatPad for the iPad was updated to v1.2.  This $8 program is powerful in that it turns the iPad into an advanced brainstorming tool by enabling users to draw, write, and type on the iPad, then instantly share ideas via email, WiFi sync, Dropbox, or with PhatPad’s built-in presentation mode.

With version 1.2, the following features were included:

• The new Folders feature allows users to organize their documents in the folder hierarchy. The new Document manager UI allows users to create, rename, rearrange using drag and drop, and delete folders and documents. The updated Dropbox synchronization feature supports synchronization of the entire folder hierarchy.
• The new File Manager UI allows users to search all PhatPad documents for characters or words.
• File sharing feature now allows users to specify the remote access password. If the password is set, it will be required to access PhatPad documents via WiFi. The password is also required when uploading files onto the device.
• The new Autoinsert Recognition Results option allows for continuous writing in the Handwriting panel mode. When this option is on, an adjustable marker is displayed on the panel. Starting a new word on the left side of the marker (on top of the previous writing) will send the recognized text into the application and start a new recognition session.
• PhatPad now supports background playback and recording for voice notes and the remote control. The remote control can also be used in the Presentation mode while audio is playing.