Livescribe 8 GB Echo Smartpen Review
I originally ordered a 4 GB Pulse from [...]. Upon receiving it I immediately noticed that it was really thick and because it was a polished metal type of pen, it was very unstable to hold in my hand. That prompted me to research Smartpens a little more and I elected to buy the 8 GB Echo two weeks ago. The Echo is far superior to the Pulse in terms of comfort and stability.
I'm blown away by the technology advances and this pen is, to me, a cutting edge technology. I'm 55 years old and retired but if I were a student or still working and regularly attending meetings then a device such as this would give me a tremendous edge. The other reviewers have written accurate descriptions of the attributes and flaws of the pen (e.g., the cap could get easily lost). One other thing I think the pen could really use is a clip so it could be held securely in a shirt pocket. My biggest concern with an item like this is that it could be easily lost. For practical purposes, I recommend buying the Livescribe Smartpen Portfolio Livescribe Smartpen Portfolio, as it has a pen holder in it will hold the Livescribe Journal Livescribe ANA-00004 Lined Black 1-2 Journal - 2 Pack or the A-5 spiral notebooks (Available from Brookstone or Livescribe's online store.
Another great accessory if you are going to use it in large meeting rooms or a college lecture hall is the earphones Livescribe AAA-00014 Echo 3D Recording Earbuds, well really they are microphones and they record the event exactly as you hear it but they are smart microphones and they eliminate much of the ambient sound that you don't need or want.
This technology is truly amazing. It's like having a perfect memory. I used it at a doctor's appointment last week. My wife always asks me "What did the doctor have to say" and I usually remember about 25% of the appointment. Well now, she and I both get total recall of what was said and, furthermore, the audible recording synchronizes with the note taking so you can watch your notes being written while listening to what was said at the time you wrote the notes!
It will be interesting to see how this product and competitor's products evolve over the next few years. I am confident the smart pens will end up being owned by a large percentage of the population, much like the iPod and the PC.
One more thing, the paper refills are reasonably priced but you can print your own paper if you have a good color laser printer.
Livescribe 8 GB Echo Smartpen Feature
- Smartpen with 8 GB of memory, redesigned with anti-roll body and rubberized smaller grip
- Capture thousands of pages of notes and over 800 hours of audio (recording time varies by audio quality setting)
- Share notes and recordings privately or online with 500 MB of free storage
- MicroUSB connector lets you transfer notes and audio to your Mac or PC
- Standard 3.5mm audio jack for use with your favorite earbuds
Livescribe 8 GB Echo Smartpen Overview
Find what you need with a tap. The Echo smartpen from Livescribe records everything you hear, say and write, and links your audio recordings to your notes, so you can find what you need. Packed with useful features, the Echo Smartpen helps you put your notes to work, so they're always accessible. The Echo smartpen records everything you hear and write, so you can find what you need with a simple tap. Ideal for meetings, conferences, or classes, this compact tool is as easy to carry as traditional pen-and-paper, but smarter. Replay your recorded audio anytime, anywhere, with a quick tap on your notes. Save and Search Using the Livescribe Desktop, you can save notes to your computer, which makes it a snap to integrate them into a report or presentation. Search for specific words or phrases within all of your notebooks, organize them they way you want, and export them locally for backup or transfer. Send and Share - Its easy to share your notes or recordings publically or privately as a PDF, audio file, or a pencast. What's a pencast? A pencast is an interactive flash movie of your handwritten notes and audio. You can publish pencasts online, share them privately via email, or post them directly on Facebook. Applications: Customize your smartpen with downloadable apps -from dictionaries to translators, time savers, games and more. As new apps become available, your smartpen evolves with you. What You Get- The Echo smartpen; 8 GB of memory; Livescribe Desktop software for Mac or Windows (download); 500MB of personal online storage; Starter dot paper notebook; Micro USB Cable; Interactive Getting Started Guide; Smartpen Tips & Tricks Guide;2 smartpen caps 2 ink cartridges What You Need Windows XP with SP3 or Windows Vista or Windows 7. Intel-based Mac with Mac OS X 10.5.5 or later, including 10.6 600MHz CPU or higher 300 MB minimum free disk space USB 2.0 port Internet connection for software downloadThe Echo smartpen works only with Livescribe Dot Paper.
Livescribe 8 GB Echo Smartpen Specifications
At work. In class. Find what you need with a tap. The Echo smartpen from Livescribe records everything you hear, say and write, and links your audio recordings to your notes, so you can find what you need.
The Livescribe Echo Smartpen (see a larger schematic image of all features).
Tap it. Get it.
The Echo smartpen records everything you hear and write, so you can find what you need with a simple tap. Ideal for meetings, conferences, or classes, this compact tool is as easy to carry as traditional pen-and-paper, but smarter. Replay your recorded audio anytime, anywhere, with a quick tap on your notes.
New cap and standard USB
and 3.5mm headphone jack.
Launch Line functionality.
Echo Enhancements
Redesigned with a sleeker look and more ergonomic feel, the Echo Smartpen features a new anti-roll body that's easier to control as well as a smaller rubberized grip that ensures the Echo won't slip out of your hands. It also comes with 2 caps to protect the Smartpen tip. The Echo has also been outfitted with a standard Micro USB port and 3.5mm audio jack on the flattened top of the Smartpen, as well as an OLED screen on the side to make it easy to navigate and interact with applications.
New Echo features include:
Launch Line
- Draw a short line.
- Write the name of an application on top of it (e.g., "Blackjack").
- Double-tap to select or wait a moment.
- Tap around the written word (up, down, left, right) to navigate the menu as needed.
Password
- Protect your recorded paper replay sessions in the case of a lost Smartpen
- Use a 4 digit number to protect the smartpen
- Forget your password? Reset it through your registered copy of the Livescribe Desktop software
Smartpen Name
- Give your smartpen a name when you set up Livescribe Desktop.
- The same name is briefly shown when you turn on the smartpen.
- Ideal for personalization and identification--particularly useful in office and classroom environments where multiple smartpens are in use.
8 GB of Memory
The Echo Smartpen offers 8 GB of memory to hold over 800 hours of audio or 128,000 pages of notes (actual recording time varies by audio quality setting). It works exclusively with Livescribe dot paper (starter set included), which activates all Smartpen applications.
Save, Organize, and Search
Using the Livescribe Desktop, you can upload, save and play back your notes and audio from your PC or Mac. Type in specific words or phrases in the search window, and the Livescribe Desktop will highlight every place you wrote them in your notes. Plus, you can organize your digital notes simply by dragging and dropping pages in to custom notebooks. *Note: custom notebook feature available for Mac users in September.
Send and Share
Its easy to share your notes or recordings publically or privately as a PDF, audio file, or a pencast. What’s a pencast? A pencast is an interactive flash movie of your handwritten notes and audio. You can publish pencasts online, share them privately via email, or post them directly on Facebook.
Some of the available Smartpen apps.
Smartpen Applications
The possibilities for Livescribe applications are endless, with tools and games that enhance personal productivity, learning, communications, and entertainment. With free and paid downloadable apps, you can read and hear a translated phrase in Spanish, French, German, Japanese or even Korean; rapidly access fun facts on a variety of topics from past World Series winners to U.S. Presidents; get help studying geometry, organic chemistry, or Hebrew chanting; play more than a dozen games like Blackjack, Video Poker or Hangman; or listen to classical music pieces--right from the 'pentip' of their Pulse smartpen.
Livescribe Desktop
The Livescribe Desktop software allows you to digitally transfer your notes and recordings from your Echo smartpen to your PC or Mac. See your notes animate or play your recordings. Play your notes and recordings, organize them, and search for words within your handwritten notes to find what you need.
Livescribe Community
Upload your pencasts online with the Livescribe Community for everyone to see, hear, and play. Share your notes, drawings, and recordings online as Flash movies or PDF files.
How Livescribe Dot Paper works.
Livescribe Dot Paper
Livescribe dot paper is regular paper printed with a unique pattern of tiny micro-dots. Livescribe's unique patented dot-positioning system enables the Echo smartpen to precisely track everything it writes on paper. A variety of dot paper products, including college-sized notebooks, journals, and note pads, and you can also print your own dot paper using certified laser-jet printers.
What's in the Box
The Echo smartpen with 8 GB of memory; Livescribe Desktop software for Mac or Windows (download); 500 MB of personal online storage; starter dot paper notebook; Micro USB Cable; interactive getting started guide; smartpen tips and tricks guide; 2 smartpen caps; 2 ink cartridges
The Echo smartpen works only with Livescribe Dot Paper.
System Requirements
- Windows XP with SP3 or Windows Vista or Windows 7
- Intel-based Mac with Mac OS X 10.5.5 or later, including 10.6
- 300 MB minimum free disk space
- USB 2.0 port
- Internet connection for software download
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Sep 15, 2010 02:45:04
