We still prefer paper for note-taking (and bug-squishing), but UPAD proves that taking handwritten notes on a tablet isn't completely futile. Use your finger to scrawl on one of the app's 24 preinstalled templates (fast but sloppy) or in a text box that lets you write one gigantic word at a time, which the app shrinks down to standard-rule size (slow but neater).
WIRED Scrawl on PDFs and photos. Templates include graph paper and musical staff.
TIRED Zoomed-in writing box takes a moment to register.