Livescribe Pulse Smartpen user reviews (1GB)

Pros Most effective technology for recording and playback of meetings, lectures and discussions yet produced. The Pulse smart pen effectively eliminates the problems of recording audio information for later reference.

Cons Requires a paradigm shift in thinking to make the most use of it, as it is not really a digital pen for turning hand written text into ASCII characters.

Summary The Pulse smart pen is a paradigm-shifting product for recording verbally communicated information - it is not really a good device for digitising hand-written information. The product is designed to counter the difficulties of recording audio and later on trying to get to specific points in the audio.

Consequently written notes no longer become the record of the communicated information. Now you only write down key words and phrases to mark points in the audio that you may want to get back to easily. There is no need to write quickly - more important to write clearly so the handwriting recognition works reliably.

When retrieving information later you raise the playback speed to counter the issue that you generally read faster than people can speak. High playback speed doesn't completely counter this, but it helps a lot.

To use it as a means to transfer hand written notes onto a computer is to misunderstand its purpose. It is an OK device for this, but that is not its real strength.

So if you often need to take notes in situations with mostly verbal information communication, this is the best product in the world!

Pros Too cool to describe and functional too. Good mic recording quality, even in a big room. Easy to use desktop software.

Cons The pen is a little big. Figuring out how to delete sessions from the pen is not straight forward.

Summary I love this pen. I'm using it all the time now. It took me a week to adjust to the thickness of the pen, but now I don't think about it.

I've used it in meetings, used it with my phone in speaker mode, and just use it to write and keep a copy of my notes.

if you spend time talking to people a length, trying to take notes, and then remember everything that was said... this pen is for you. Consultants, Students and Business people of all types will find this a useful tool.

Every time I show this to someone new, it takes them about 30 seconds to grasp what it does and then their jaw drops.

Love it!

Pros Easy to use
Digitises everything you write, handy if you loose a book
Links what your lecturer is saying with what you write
Share your documents online, great for collaborating
Desktop software makes searching in your handwritten notes easy

Cons Software for Mac missing features available in the Windows version
US$50 is a bit much to ask to add 1GB of storage to the base model

Summary This pen really is extraordinary. It is just so easy to pick it up and know what your writing is being backed up to the pen so you can back up your writing to your computer and have it searchable later on. Also, having the pen record as you write helps out with notetaking too. Having it link this recording to what your writing is ingeneous. Being able to share these recordings and notes with friends and colleagues online is even better, considering they get the same funcationality out of the digitised notes that you get on the easy to use desktop software. The Mac version is still in beta, and missing some features available in Windows, but these should be righted shortly. Overall, this is an excellent purchase for anyone who needs to take notes and be able to rely on what they have written.

Pros Creates a digital record of notes taken; can record audio for later playback and review; ergonomic design. Easy to use--company website has excellent product demos.

Cons Haven't found any yet.

Summary This is an excellent tool for anyone who takes notes. Would be especially useful for students: you can record a lecture while you take notes, no need to juggle two devices. We're buying these for staff to take laboratory notes which can then be uploaded into an electronic records system.