Currently there are five smart pens on the market. They all use a similar methods to capture handwriting and audio input, but they all have varying features prices and add-ons.
What do they do?All the pens feature the ability to convert handwritten notes into text and view drawings. Some pens also record and play audio. The ability to search and edit handwritten notes is the obvious reason to get one of these. All pens come with software to get access to the media you write and record. The Wowpen is the first I have found that acts as an interface for a computer. Meaning you can use it like a mouse or a drawing tool. And the Iogear pen is the first to not require special paper.
How do they work?The pen has a memory card, small processor and laser scanner built into a regular ink pen. When you write on special paper covered in tiny dots (Iogear pen does not requre special paper), the laser within the pen scans your movement and translates that into an image that is stored on the memory card. When your done, you can use the included software to view your drawings or search and edit words that you wrote. Pen makers also provide ink replacements.
Where do you get the special paper?Each pen maker provides various sizes of notebooks that include the tiny dots and some allow you to print your own paper at home.
Which pen is the best?Choosing between these pens is difficult without directly using and comparing the actual product. It's easy to compare specifications, but the actual thing is often very different. For instance how well does each pen correctly analyze your handwriting? Or how easy is it to record and retrieve what you write?
Based on the fact that I only have the available specs to go by, if you own a PC, the
FLY Fusion Pentop Computer seems to have the most features for the price. As an Apple user, I myself am on the waiting list for the
Livescribe Pen. This pen seems to be better than the others, but time will tell.
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Iogear Digital PenCost: $130
OS: XP & Vista
Memory: 50 pages
Unlike all other digital pens, this one allows you to write on any surface. No special paper is required.
Built-in features:
• No special notepad, digital pad, or ink is required
• Included handwriting recognition software (OCR software) turns your handwriting into digital text
• Full editing capabilities allow you to easily modify your notes
• Write on any paper up to Letter or A4 size
• 12 Language OCR Support (English, Spanish, Traditional/Simplified Chinese, French, Dutch, Italian, German, Portuguese, Swedish, Korean, Japanese, and Russian)
Livescribe PenCost: $150-200
OS: Apple OS X, Microsoft XP & Vista (OSX software will be released the 2nd half of 2008)
Memory: 1GB (over 100 hours recording time or
16,000 pages of digital notes) or 2GB (over 200 hours recording time or
32,000 pages of digital notes)
Allows you to print your own paper at home so you don't have to buy there notebooks just to write. They also provide
SDKs for developers that want to create there own applications for the pen. Livescribe uses
Anoto Group AB technology.
Built-in features:
• Solves written math problems.
• Spoken dictionary description of written words.
• Post text and audio to a blog directly from the pen.
• Can record audio with written notes for better note taking.
• Tap on previous notes from your notebook to hear audio recorded at that time.
FLY Fusion Pentop Computer
Cost: $80
OS: Windows XP & Vista
Memory: 6mb (Optional 64mb upgrade)
Integration: Microsoft Office.
Features that require additional software:
• Translation: Write in English and hear the word in Spanish or French.
• Audio: Record, Download & Listen to MP3s on the pen.
• Calculator: Write the equation and let the pen tell you the answer.
• Many other
sofware add-ons are available here »Logitech IO2 Digital PenCost: $150
OS: Microsoft XP & Vista
Memory: 1mb
Storage: 40 pages of notes, up to 200 separate documents. 25 pages before it needs charging.
Integration: Microsoft Office, Lotus, Eudora, AOL.
Audio: None
Nokia Digital Pen SU-27WCost: $175
OS: Microsoft XP & Vista
MMS/SMS: Send SMS and MMS messages via bluetooth connection to a Nokia Series 60 and Series 80 mobile phone.
Memory: 1.3mb
Storage: 3 hours of note taking, 20 hours standby, Can hold 100 pages of notes.
Audio: None.
WowpenCost: $150
OS: Microsoft XP & Vista
Memory: None, just acts as an interface for a computer.
Audio: None.
Includes two assignable buttons for a left and right click. Also includes the ability to use pen or mouse mode (similar to a wacom tablet).
