Your Android
smartphone has all the photographic and processing power you'll need to snap up
those docs and get them into the cloud where they belong.
Here are a few mobile document scanning solutions we put through their paces.
Here are a few mobile document scanning solutions we put through their paces.
1. CamScanner
CamScanner
is a breeze to use, and you can test out the free version via the Market link
above. Snap a photo of your document and pull up the cropping tool. The app
will auto-detect the edges of the paper, but the slick drag-and-snap guides
will help you fine tune the dimensions.
The
processing enhancements are smart, and will compensate for low light and bad
focus reasonably well. Though the app generates a cropped and toned image, it
will also hang onto the original photo -- handy, in case you accidentally
cropped your boss' name off the letterhead.
The
app has built-in integration with Google Docs, Box.net and Dropbox, but for the
less fancy among you, it's easy to pipe scanned docs straight into email.
The
main issue we encountered was with PDF creation. The original image is stored
as a JPEG, but the option to convert it to a PDF simply opened the phone's
default PDF viewer. The file is viewable, but we found no apparent way to save
or share.
The
paid version promises to make things easier in this department, but you should
see how the free version performs on your device before purchasing.
Price: Free / $4.99 for
full license and features
2. Document Scanner
This
app scans directly to PDF with ease. The interface couldn't be cleaner, and
while the cropping tools aren't as snazzy as CamScanner's, they get the job
done.
There
are image enhancement features, but in our testing, they weren't as precise as
CamScanner's.
Document
Scanner also lets you upload directly to Google Docs, DropBox, and Box.net. It
even has Evernote integration -- a nice touch. Scan multiple pages in
succession and email them to your heart's content.
The
trial version will only last you seven days, but that should give you the time
to decide if you're ready to throw down four bucks on the real deal.
Price: Free / $3.98 for
full version
3. Droid Scan Pro PDF
Droid
Scan works similarly to the aforementioned apps with one exception -- it'll
send you out to the system camera to grab the image. No big deal -- in reality,
the other apps are simply wrapping the native camera with their interface.
Once
you're done shooting, Droid Scan picks right back up where you left off and
gets down to image processing quickly.
The
app has smart edge detection, intuitive (if small) color and contrast controls,
and a final menu that lets you select the docs you want to save down as either
JPEGs or PDFs (though PDF functionality is only available in the paid version).
Price: Free / $4.99 for
PDF functionality
4. Scan to PDF
Scan
to PDF scores big on interface simplicity. It's easy to start scanning or
adjust the settings right from the first screen.
The
app jumps over to the system camera by default (though you can adjust this
setting), and offers great image processing and enhancement, even in low light.
The
cropping function is intuitive but can be awkward -- rather than dragging and
snapping at the corners, you'll have to pull the edges. Occasionally, your
fingers will run out of screen or they'll accidentally drag the entire frame
away from the edge. However, This quirk is far from a deal breaker, and the
excellent gallery viewer more than makes up for it.
The
free version of Scan to PDF does it all, but if you like it and use it
regularly, you can show the devs a little love with a $.99 upgrade.
Price: Free / $.99
optional purchase for a job well done
5. PDF Scanner
For
those looking for the dead-simple option, PDF Scanner is the way to go. This
no-frills app cuts right to the quick.
Add
pages by hitting scan. The camera viewfinder that appears has no buttons, so
you'll have to just tap the screen to focus and snap.
The
camera makes use of your phone's flash, which is helpful when scanning in low
light. But be sure to frame and focus your image carefully because there's no
crop or image enhancement here. Snap away until your document is complete, then
email the PDF to its destination.
Regrettably,
there's not trial version of this app, but if you're looking for a way to
generate PDF scans quickly and easily, have no qualms dropping your coin here.
Price: $1.99
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