Why MyScript Deleted Their Stylus Keyboard from the Appstore
As I always say, the MyScript Handwriting algorithm, which is also used by, GoodNotes4, and, Notes Plus, for handwriting to text conversion, is the best! Hence, I and the #PaperlessMovement, community were shocked when MyScript announced via Twitter and direct message, that they took the Stylus Keyboard off the AppStore!
So what alternative do we have?
Many of you have been searching for alternatives, and there is not much to find on the AppStore. Except the, Mazec Keyboard by MetaMoJi. Fun fact, this keyboard is ALSO using the handwriting algorithm that MyScript, provides to app developers. So this might be a reason, why MyScript took it off the market as MetaMoJi is offering the same thing (see the hint in the apps legal notices below).
It is also very interesting, that version 2.1.3 of the mazec keyboard was released beginning 2017 and the next version just before MyScript took their app off the AppStore. With this new version MetaMoJi added the following updates:
- Hide the Globe icon for iPhone X
- Improved Apple Pencil usability
- Updated handwriting recognition dictionaries
- Bug fixes
It seems to me, that this was done in preparation to take over the spot of the MyScript Stylus keyboard.
So what does the mazec keyboard offer?
Things people complained about using the MyScript Stylus keyboard was that they accidentally hit the delete button while writing, deleting everything. This is no longer the case with the mazec keyboard. Especially if you are using the Apple Pencil, the app is now rock solid. One big difference is, that you now write down what you want and then send it to the text field. It is also no longer possible to strike through the text to delete it or just add letters in between to correct words. This was one of the best features of the MyScript Stylus keyboard. However, mazec offers you plenty of options that MyScript didn’t offer, such as arrow keys to move in your text and selection of what you are writing (numbers, letters both etc.).
Is it worth the price?
If you buy the mazec handwriting keyboard for its quite heavy price, it comes with only one language. There, are 11 other languages available, including French,, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese,, Dutch and Polish. However, you have to pay extra for each language. This can become very pricy if you are multilingual. That said, it is a very good application that is stable and does what it says.
Conclusion
As mazec by MetaMoJi is the only alternative to date for the discontinued MyScript Stylus Keyboard, it is the one to go for if you want to write your emails and iMessages with your stylus. It is working very well and even my sloppy handwriting is recognized very well. If you are using Nebo and your handwriting is converted properly, you can be sure it will work with mazec too, as it uses the same algorithm. What is really missing, is the gestures, like strike through or inserting letters as you know it from the MyScript Keyboard or Nebo.
9 thoughts on “How to Write Emails With Your Stylus”
Hi thanks for a great article. I just got an apple pencil today and was very dissapointed about My script stylus being discontinued. After a few searches, I found something called DioPen Script and I was wondering what you would think of it.
Hi Tom and thanks so much for this article, kinda being looking for this for a while #paperlessmovement as well lol!
Was wondering why people can’t perfect or continue working on the Stylus Beta app since the company discarded it anyway and wrote a disclaimer that pretty much tagged this as an open source app. Been very depressed 🙁
As for the Mazec , too many people are complaining too much about its functionality when I checked online reviews on Play Store. Really don’t know if it can compare with the Stylus Beta. Seems to favour Japanese users more.
Would be nice if someone worked out the small kinks in the app and put it up for download , would be eternally grateful.
Please reply, value your input.
Friend from Africa.
Yeah, I am with you. I want the old MyScript Sytlus keyboard back. It worked very well and much more intuitive than mazec. However, after they took it off the App Store, mazec remains the best alternative. Hopefully, MyScript use their recources wisely and put it into improving their Nebo app. I have big hopes that this could do something equal in the future.
Thank you very much for taking the time to write up this review. It was exactly what I was looking for.
No problem! You are very welcom and I am happy it helped!
Is it possible to turn the recognition part off with the Mazec keyboard input or is one forced to turn handwriting into text?
Hi there, I are not forced to use Mazec only once installed. You alsways have the possiblity to switch between your normal keyboard and the Mazec simple by tap and holding on the globe sign on the left bottom corner.
Yes but then you can’t handwrite your message. I want to be able to send handwritten emails and messages without it being turned into text. With the normal keyboard you can only do this by Notes or from within Mail by adding a drawing. This is inconvenient.
Ah I see, well this is not possible with the Mazec Keyboard I am afraid. The only way is to use export from note-taking apps as you suggested already. Another option is using this app http://geni.us/AppStoreStationery