eSearch

Text recognition software is in a bit of an odd spot right now. While some users might see their potential, their practicality is questionable at best. More pointedly, in which case is such a solution viable? This also has to do with how efficient the software it at recognizing text to good effect.

eSearch is a screen recognition program in that vein, and it seeks to provide users with a simple-to-use, efficient, and versatile solution for a multitude of needs. Look up text and images, take screenshots, record a region of your screen, annotate an element on your display, and much more.

First off, the tool's Chinese interface might confuse some users. With it being the default language, you'll have to navigate to the settings (the fourth option from the bottom) by right-clicking the app's tray icon. You'll then have to reboot the app to finalize the language change. Even with the language change, it's worth noting that not all interface elements will be presented in English.

After setting up the language, it's best to familiarize yourself with the shortcuts. Alt+C works to trigger Automatic Identification, which serves to open up the app's toolbar upon pressing the hotkey. You can assign shortcuts to various other functions, such as Screenshot search, Selected search, Clipboard search, and so on.

Upon triggering Auto Search, several options will be presented to you: look up or translate the text, scan a QR code, annotate and edit your screen, take a screenshot, as well as record a region of your display.

Each of these options work rather well. In the case of looking up something, it's to be noted that, even after setting your preferences, you'll have to manually switch to the English Google interface, which takes no more than 5 seconds.

Aside from that, users can also blur parts of their screen, as well as enhance them through various visual changes, such as changing their brightness, contrast, and so forth.

eSearch is quite an ambitious program, but it sometimes feels rather inefficient, especially with the language-related bugs. Nevertheless, it's one to keep an eye on, as the potential is there.