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Livescribe Pulse Smartpen

September 1st, 2009 |

A journalist friend swears by these Livescribe 2GB Pulse Smartpens. I’m seriously thinking of getting one. Have you used one? Would you recommend them? They seem a little pricey but if the can genuinely digitise your notes and link them to audio recordings, they would be invaluable for work. What do you think?

10 comments ↓

#1 Guido Fawkes on 09.01.09 at 11:47 am

Just put it on expenses…

#2 David Taylor on 09.01.09 at 12:17 pm

Looked at one a while back. Don’t think they are compatable with Mac. :(

#3 Alex Coley on 09.01.09 at 12:19 pm

My first thoughts were that it’s freaking awesome! Second , like you, I thought hmm £178.99 for a pen?

It does sound pretty damn clever. I don’t have any experience with the product, but I am staring at my credit card and the amazon page as I type.

#4 Mo on 09.01.09 at 12:27 pm

Related curiosity: how is Hansard actually transcribed?

#5 tommu on 09.01.09 at 12:58 pm

Not sure of ethics in using this whilst in a meeting, although I can certainly see the advantage.

Could you unintentionally be storing personal information in your pen?!?

#6 Tom on 09.01.09 at 1:23 pm

Now Guido, behave.

Mo – There are an army of stenographers who also use audio transcripts to supplement their notes.

Tommu – I guess you need to make it clear that you are on ‘record’ before taking a note. But for committees (already recorded), lectures and interviews I don’t think it constitutes a problem.

#7 tommu on 09.01.09 at 1:32 pm

Tom – any meetings I attended would be even more unproductive if I had to make that disclaimer ;-)

#8 Kal Shah on 09.01.09 at 5:09 pm

Tom,

I’m an bioengineering student at UC Berkeley in California. I’ve been using the pen since they first came — absolutely love them. My initial complaint was the cost as well, especially since I’m a student. But in the long run, it’s well worth it.

I love the fact that I can just tap on the unclear part of my notes and my professors tell me all about the subject.

Hope that helps! Also I used the COUPON CODE: LS05DSC451 at http://www.livescribe.com. Believe they are having some sale right now, and the code takes off a few more bucks.

Yours,
Kal

#9 Andrew on 09.03.09 at 4:05 pm

Tom – One thing you could consider is a digital pen that uses normal paper, rather than special digital paper needed for the Livescribe.

Here is an example http://www.trustedreviews.com/video/e-Pens-Mobile-Notes-Digital-Pen.

The price is over £100 less than the Livescribe: £60.79 inc (but no audio recording)

http://www.computerwebstore.co.uk/web/ProductID/45550/productinfo.asp

#10 LiveScribe Pulse Smartpen Review | Dorkadore on 10.07.09 at 9:12 am

[...] it a love letter, while Shane Richmond at the Telegraph thinks it’s pretty damn spiffy. Even Tom Watson MP has been hankering for one.  It’s always a good sign when people start describing a gadget [...]

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