debcook

2008-09-09 20:57:22 

The Livescribe Pulse Smartpen is one of the most interesting computer pens I have seen. I can think of so many instances that this little gadget would have made my life so much easier.

I recently wrote about digital notepads. The Livescribe Smartpen is similar in idea but has an extra feature - a voice recorder. Comparisons are:

• Livescribe requires a special pad of paper
• Digital Notepads can use any pad of paper
• Livescribe pen digitizes what you write
• Digital Notepads include digital ink pens
• Livescribe notes can be transferred to a computer
• Digital notepad notes can be transferred to a computer
• Livescribe matches notes with voice recording
• Digital notepads does not have voice recording
• Livescribe is available in 1GB and 2GB versions
• Digital notepads have 32MB internal memory and an SD Card slot for memory expansion

Voice recording is a big deal in this case. Notes can be monitored by the Livescribe and then matched to the voice recorded words later. Recording can be turned off and on at anytime.

Tiny dots on the special paper are read by the integrated camera in the Livescribe. These tiny dots tell the Livescribe Pen where the voice recording and the notes match up. If you need clarity on your notes just tap them and the voice recording picks up at that point.

In my opinion - digital notepads or the Livescribe Smartpen would be great for anyone that takes a lot of notes. However, for anyone that depends on specific clarification of notes such as doctors, lawyers or students the Livescribe may provide an extra edge.