Smart pens are set to revolutionize the world of writing and usher in a new age of note-taking. Smart pens are digital devices that simultaneously record audio in addition to your handwritten words then sync the two together. The pens utilize a USB connection to sync to a personal computer. Once on the computer, notes can easily be shared with others.
Inveterate note-takers will find much to love about smart pens. The pens record not only the lecture you’re listening to, but your handwritten notes as well. Provided that your handwriting is not totally atrocious, the words will be transcribed into a file. No more time spent typing notes into a word processor. No more valuable notes hiding out in a notebook left lying somewhere- everything can be stored digitally and physically.
Handwriting isn’t the only thing smart pens recognize. They also recognize images, flowcharts and graphs. These can also be digitally transferred to a computer.
Smart Pen Software
Basic Smart pen software is required in order to use the pens. The basic software comes with the pens so users are good to go once the pen is charged.
Handwriting to Text transcript with Livescribe pens requires the purchase of transcription software. The software is free to try and under $30.00 to buy making it affordable. People who do a lot of note-taking will find the software a true timesaver when it comes to making full use of notes.
The electric zPen by Dane uses a handwriting recognition process to familiarize the pen with your writing. The process covers the strokes needed to write words and sentences.
Smart Pen Paper
Smart pens like those made by Livescribe use what is called Dot paper. Dot paper can be printed using the pen software and an Adobe PostScript compatible printer. The dot paper allows the pen to recreate the handwriting based on the location of the handwriting within the dots. The pen is remembering where ink was used instead of actually seeing the ink.
Pens like the Dane Electric zPen Wireless pen do not require special paper. They can be used on any type of paper. The zPen can also operate with ordinary ink so there’s no special ink to purchase.
Sharing Notes
Smart pen users can upload their notes to sharing sites. This makes it easy for instructors, team leaders and others who need to share information to do so via the internet. “Pencasts,” as they are called, can be uploaded and made available online for others to watch and listen to at their convenience. Listeners who are reading along as well as listening can search for a specific phrase or word and a click of the mouse takes them to that portion of the pencast.
Writers, lecturers, instructors and others can step into a new age of note-taking with the arrival of the Smart pen. For anyone who still prefers writing in longhand over typing, smart pens are a dream come true. They’re handy little audio and video devices that make note-taking fun as well as more productive. There is a variety of smart pens currently available with improved models coming in the future.
