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Loading ...The Pitch: Livescribe has seamlessly fused the intelligence of a computer with the intuitive form of a pen and developed the first “smartpen,” a Montblanc-size computer that records and syncs audio to what you write, so you never miss a word. The Pulse smartpen features a high-contrast OLED display, audio jack for 3D long-distance recording, microphone to record clear sound, built-in speaker to play back recorded audio, USB connector to transfer notes, and audio and infrared camera to track everything written. Livescribe’s platform is comprised of a smartpen, dot paper, and desktop and web software. It uses a sophisticated dot positioning system (DPS) on paper to capture and synchronize audio with handwritten notes. A simple tap on your notes provides immediate access and recall. The dot paper effectively acts like a computer screen; draw a calculator that works, or write an English word or phrase to hear or read the Spanish translation instantly. The Pulse smartpen also features a thriving online community that allows users to upload notes and “pencasts,” Flash movies authored with smartpen and paper. Most recently, Livescribe unveiled Mac compatibility for the Pulse smartpen and announced MyScript for Livescribe, handwriting-to-text software for Windows users. The Livescribe Smart Pen will be available in March for either $149 for the 1GB version or $199 for the 2GB model. The pens record approximately 100 or 200 hours of audio respectively.
Pros: Apparently, 87 percent of students that have used this product plan to keep using it through the remainder of their studies, and it is easy to see why. It adds multiple dimensions to the written word, whether taking notes in class or at meetings. You can synch the audio of an event to your notes and share them within your own community or through Facebook. It’s a product that belies its sophistication in its simplicity of application.
Cons: Pens are simple, software is not. A lot will depend on application support for the device. There is a Java-based SDK available for developers and the company claims 2,300 have signed on to use it. We’ll have to see how it turns out.
Recommendation: Definitely a gadget that a true gadget lover cannot be without. It is also a very useful communication tool that changes the way you interact with notes. This should definitely go into the next round of the Last Gadget Standing competition.
