Livescribe 4GB Titanium Pulse Smartpen
Posted by Notcot on Apr 27, 2010 in Portable Sound & Vision |
5 CommentsReply |
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So, I hesitated before I bought this pen – thinking that it would just be another gadget that had limited use. I was wrong.
This pen has changed the way I do my job. I use it in meetings to take notes, and as I write I can rest assured that if I miss something I can go back to my notes, point to the area I need to re-listen and boom, I’m back listening in on the meeting. It really does just work. To be honest, it’s become a bit of a talking point in the office, so much so that some people know about my pen before they have met me. It’s that good.
Pros
—-
1. It will record audio as you write, letting you re-listen to any part of the conversation by taping on that point in your notes
2. It will store a digital snapshot of your page for uploading to your PC (and once there, it automatically lets you search for words in your notebooks)
3. For $30 you can get a full-blown OCR (optical character recognition) add-on that works well at converting your handwriting to text (I tried the 30-day trial and it could read my child-like scrawl)
4. It has apps you can download from their website, such as a translator that will automatically convert what you write into a different language on its screen (and speak it out to you)
Cons
—-
1. Price (it’s not cheap – but rarely have a had so much day-to-day use from a single gadget)
2. Size (it can be a little big to hold if your hands are smaller than usual)
3. It rolls (there is no clip on the pen, so it can roll away from if you’re not careful about putting it in its included case)
Overall, 5 stars for doing what it says on the tin very very well.
Rating: 5 / 5
I had been debating for a while whether to invest in some tool that would capture my hand-written notes, and OCR them. I make extensive notes during meetings and wanted to find an automated way of transferring them (currently they all sit in moleskin notebooks – which I have to manually search).
This pen is amazing, it was recommended to me by a friend who insists it saves him a couple of hours a week. And after using it for just a week I can see why!
I’d highly recommend it. There are some small downsides, the paper is slightly more expensive that what I am used to paying, but not terribly so. The ink runs out quickly as the refills are small – i have already used up one (however i have written half a notebook since I got it). The OCR isn’t perfect (but neither is my handwriting), and you have to pay separately for the additional software – but it’s not something I’d really complain about.
I have no complaints regarding the audio recording – works extremely well.
Rating: 5 / 5
As a qualitative researcher who spends a great deal of time interviewing I find my Livescribe Pulse Pen immensely useful. I’d hate to go back to using a normal digital recorder with having to fast forward and backwards to find a quote or section of an interview. The Livescribe works well for both individual and group interviews (I interviewed a group of 8 teenagers spread around a large space and still got clear playback). Battery life is great between recharges – 7 or 8 hours of interviews. Interviewees are always impressed and often ask about it – it’s always a plus to be able to impress teenage interviewees with technology when one is a 50-something researcher!!
Rating: 5 / 5
Sorry, but this review isn’t about the product but rather about the UK (and European) distributor, Magicomm. Following a number of good reviews, I decided to purchase a Livescribe pen in November 2009. I opted for the 4GB Pro Pack. Unfortunately Amazon don’t appear to sell the Pack, so I had to buy it from Magicomm. In a nutshell, I expected the Pack to include: a 4GB pen, a Desktop PRO charging cradle, HARDBOUND JOURNAL notebooks, a DOWNLOAD CODE for a full version of MyScript® for Livescribe transcription software, a Blue premium leather case, and 5 x Blue Medium point ink cartridges. Well, what I was actually sent was the 4GB pen plus some accessories, which didn’t include the PRO cradle or the download code, and with the other items replaced by alternatives not always of equivalent value. Annoyingly, I could have bought the pen and these accessories for less than I paid for the so called “Pack”! Magicomm just ignored my complaints .. so I tried the US manufacturer, who were more sympathetic but said there was nothing they could do since it was up to each distributor what they sold. To be honest, part of the confusion arises because the web addresses for both the US[Livescribe] and UK[Magicomm] sites are similar, and the content of the web pages almost identical, so it’s not immediately obvious that there are differences in the products being offered. However, that certainly isn’t the whole story, for example when I complained to Magicomm that their website said the Pro Pack included the PRO cradle, and I hadn’t received it, they immediately modified the site to remove this reference! The bottom line .. if you really want a Livescribe pen buy it from a reputable supplier, e.g. Amazon whose guarantees and customer service are second to none. Meanwhile, I just hope my pen doesn’t develop a fault and I have to return it to this distributor for repair!
Rating: 3 / 5
I too resisted being an early adopter on this item as the initial price was a tad daunting.
Finaly took the plunge after revieweing it on Youtube (4GB Titanium) and can quite honestly say i am stunned at its performance.
I am an avid note taker in meetings and this little device has transformed the way i operate for the better. I love the ability to see my notes on the PC via the desktop software
Well done livescribe and well done amazon for a perfect and seamless transaction.
Rating: 5 / 5