Palm To Introduce New Handwriting System

Palm, Inc. has announced that it will replace its "Graffiti" handwriting recognition system used for its new Personal Data Assistant (PDA) devices and other handheld devices it produces. The new handwriting technology, known as "Graffiti 2 powered by Jot," has been developed by Communication Intelligence Corporation, and is reported to be more similar to natural handwriting. Microsoft's PocketPC handheld devices also used a Communication Intelligence Corporation handwriting system. Palm was sued by Xerox in 1997 over Palm's use of the original Graffiti handwriting recognition system, with Xerox claiming that it had proprietary rights for the Graffiti technology. While Palm won the initial round in U.S. District Court and the case was dismissed, Xerox appealed and the decision of the lower federal court was reversed. An appeal was heard last week by the U.S. Court of Appeals, but the Appellate Court's not yet issued its ruling. Palm's switch to Graffiti 2 should work in its favor regardless of the pending appellate ruling.