Microsoft has announced that it is now partnering with start-up FiftyThree to support new inking features for OneNote. FiftyThree’s Pencil can now be connected to OneNote on iPad for better precision, while ideas scribbled on FiftyThree’s Paper can be shared to OneNote from iPad and iPhone.

In a blog post Microsoft said, “Simply pair your Pencil with your iPad and then select it from your stylus options in OneNote. You’ll immediately notice the added feedback of the Pencil is great for a variety of inking scenarios, and the ability to easily flip the Pencil and erase in a familiar way, making it a top selling stylus for iPad.”

Pencil went on the market in 2013 as a highly sensitive stylus using pressure-sensing technology. The stylus was created to work hand-in-hand with its digital sketching feature Paper, which had previously been awarded 2012’s iPad App of the Year by Apple.

When working with Paper, users can simply click ‘Share’ and select ‘Share to’ or ‘Share as Images’ and then share to OneDrive. Ideas written on Paper will be exported to all synced devices using OneNote.

Microsoft says after popular demand derived through feedback OneNote now features Ink Shape Recognition, which will turn your best efforts at drawing shapes into perfectly drawn shapes. Once shapes have been drawn with a stylus, touch, or mouse, click Convert to Shapes on the Draw Tab and see your handy work turn into something better on the eye. Ink Shape Recognition will be coming to OneNote for iPad and iPhone and the Windows 10 app in November.

Microsoft says that the new shape feature, which will work with basic shapes such as squares, triangles and circles, as well as some more complex shapes, should be a bonus to teachers and students studying math. As an example in which the feature can be used the company gives flowcharts, mind maps and Venn diagrams.

Photo credit: Microsoft