GoodNotes 6 brings new AI-powered handwriting features

GoodNotes is releasing a brand new model with options like AI-powered handwriting recognition, a market for digital stationery, and an academic module for maths within the well-liked note-taking app’s largest push in 4 years to win and retain clients.

The app, launched by Steven Chan in 2011, stated the brand new model, GoodNotes 6, has put immense effort to boost help for Apple Pencil. Whereas GoodNotes 5 already had a nifty handwriting recognition function, the brand new model helps spellcheck as nicely. Because of this for those who make a mistake whereas writing, the app can counsel a correction and even rewrite the phrase in your individual handwriting.

The app-maker stated it has labored intently with Apple to make the most of the neural engine, accessible in units like iPhone, the iPad, and the Mac, to boost handwriting recognition. At present, the handwriting spellcheck function helps English, Spanish, German and Dutch.

Picture Credit: GoodNotes

GoodNotes can be introducing an experimental phrase autocomplete function for handwriting in English. After customers write a minimal of three characters, the app will counsel potential phrase completions. In an interview with TechCrunch, Chan stated the corporate goals to supply full phrase prediction sooner or later.

The newest model additionally launched gesture-based actions equivalent to “scribble to erase” and “circle to Lasso.” Moreover, GoodNotes 6 unveils a brand new library view, permitting customers to customise folders, introduces dynamic pocket book templates and higher audio recording help.

Whereas the app is out there without spending a dime, it comes with constraints: customers can solely entry three notebooks and a restricted set of options. To realize full entry, customers must go for an annual subscription at $9.99 or make a one-time cost of $29.99.

Chan famous that whereas GoodNotes has been referred to as an iPad app — it gained an Apple award for iPad app of the year in 2022 — the corporate is bettering its typing expertise throughout the board. The app additionally introduces AI-driven writing options, enabling customers to increase or condense textual content, modify its tone, or paraphrase content material.

The app’s founder stated that the corporate is utilizing an AI mannequin that’s secure for all ages, given GoodNotes is utilized by a number of college students. Whereas the corporate didn’t point out the precise mannequin powering the AI typing function, GoodNotes confirmed that it’s not utilizing OpenAI’s tech.

Picture Credit: Screenshot by TechCrunch

Thursday’s launch can be illustrative of how GoodNotes is trying to diversify its income streams past subscriptions. To that finish, it has rolled out a brand new market for digital stationery equivalent to stickers, subject-specific revision notes, planners and varied paper and card templates. GoodNotes 6 will supply a few of these objects without spending a dime to subscribers, however different objects can be accessible as by way of in-app purchases.

At present, the corporate has teamed up with a number of creators — and is seeking to develop and invite extra — to curate an inaugural assortment of digital stationery for the launch. The corporate informed TechCrunch that whereas it can levy a price on creators, the specifics range. The preparations vary from charging a royalty price to outright buying the stock. As of now, GoodNotes isn’t contemplating adopting an App Retailer-like fee system for its in-app transactions.

GoodNotes   Picture Credit: GoodNotes

GoodNotes is branching out to appease the tutorial sector by rolling out modules tailor-made for college kids. This consists of SAT Math follow programs and English and Chinese language programs tailor-made for The Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Schooling Examination (HKDSE). The corporate has developed an AI-driven math assistant that may acknowledge handwritten math equations and information college students via challenges, guaranteeing it offers assist with out instantly revealing the solutions.

To make certain, different gamers within the schooling market equivalent to Khan Academy and Byju’s have been experimenting with AI fashions to assist college students.

GoodNotes has solely raised cash as soon as — a $6 million seed spherical from Race Captial in 2020. As of now, it has no instant plans to boost extra capital. The first focus for GoodNotes is to refine its academic options, Chan stated. Nonetheless, the corporate can be milling creating options to make the product extra enticing for enterprise clients with doc administration wants, a transfer that may put it towards companies equivalent to Notion.

Chan added that GoodNotes is at present dwelling to greater than 200 staff and greater than 21 million individuals are utilizing the app month-to-month.

Though GoodNotes has been a staple on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS platforms for a while, the corporate is now exploring variations for Android and Home windows. Chan stated he needs GoodNotes to make sure a seamless expertise throughout a number of platforms finally.