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Microsocft MVP: Tablet PC
Livescribe - Time to ditch the Tablet PC?
29 August 2007Posted By: RobertPosted in: Accessories
Described as a ‘paper based computer solution’ Livescribe is apparently a new mobile computer solution which uses a combination of electronic ‘smartpen’ and special micro-dotted note-paper to both digitally and traditionally (i.e. ink on paper) record your hand-written notes, while at the same time recording the audio of a lecture or meeting. Once recorded a simple tap on an area of your written notes plays back (via the pen) the portion of audio recording pertaining to those notes. What’s more copies of the digital version of the notes, with the audio embedded, can be distributed and fully accessed via computer. There’s a student targeted ‘teaser’ video showing these features in action so I guess I’d be better shutting up now and inviting you to go along and see for yourself. Make no bones about it, Livescribe looks good on paper (no pun intended) but my immediate response is to wonder just how effective the mic is on that pen is (given it has such a central role of importance). However while I can’t realistically see Livescribe being a direct replacement for a Tablet PC (I just wanted to use a catchy headline :o)), the fact that the price is supposedly being set at under $200 must make it a viable addition to the techno-student’s ‘tool-box’ but that’s only on the condition that Livescribe performs as well as the hype suggests. The company are promising a Q4 release so we’ll no doubt find out soon enough.
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August 29th, 2007 at 10:38 am
Looks like a nifty data collection tool, but where’s the computing? Data collection is vital for a student and the price is right, but calling it a “computer” solution is inaccurate.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
I agree with Sumocat…
This seems like a low-tech solution for people who just “don’t get” computers or are unready to step up to mobile computing.
When I was in college, someone once tried to debate with me on whether the tactile sensation of using a pen and paper was the same as using a computer. Unfortunately, the person arguing against TabletPC’s admitted that she hated all technology because she didn’t know how to use computers very well and didn’t want to learn.
Anyway, I’m curious to know how much memory this pen has and how it organizes its data. It seems horribly inefficient to tie the audio to location on paper when you get to the computer side and need to organize things into the 4 classes you had that day (or meetings or whatever), so I would hope it doesn’t work that way.
August 29th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
Reminds me a lot of a Logitech Io I use to own without the sound recording part. The Io was a great product the only downside was the need for special paper which wasn’t available everywhere and in the formats you wanted. I had to travel to a computer store to buy the paper which was only available in a small notebook. If they can get past those limitations I feel this might just work.. also I worry about the distance you have to be for the microphone to actually pick up something actually understandable
August 30th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
One of the things about using a Tablet PC that I really like is the freedom to rearrange my notes while I’m taking them. I’ll often be writing stuff, drawing diagrams, and then realize that I would rather have that text or diagram elsewhere on the page. So I’ll just circle that Ink with a lasso tool and move it to it’s new location. I can even resize the Ink if need be.
Some how, I don’t think you can do that with this solution… But probably a nifty start for someone looking to digitize their notes without buying a whole new computer.
September 1st, 2007 at 11:37 am
Thanks for the Post Robert. I believe LiveScribe offers solution that will work well along with Tablet PC. The places I work mostly don’t prefer me carrying a tablet PC. These old timers feel weird if I carry any (I find out it is true in many places). Really. LiveScribe can help solve this problem.
Moreover, I know many of you guys can use tablet to do their homework, take their notes, many many things. I too use my tablet PC to take notes. But I find out one thing: Not all people can take notes “in long period” with a computer. Through my experience, unlike paper, your eyes are very close to a computer screen (or tablet screen) and it will strain your eyes and if you work more than an hour, your mind is dulled faster than writing on a paper. Plus, like any tablet PC, it is a natural heater in most situations unless you turn on a air conditioning all the time. It is very uncomfortable to take notes in classes that offer no air conditioning.
One last thing. I think all of you guys experienced this before. Some of you have 2 to 3 classes in a row or an hour or two apart. Right after using the tablet and you put in your backpack. It gets even hotter when you take out! Regardless whether it is hot environment or my packpack, tablet “pc” has many shortcomings.
But LiveScribe pen offers solution that tablet pc becomes inconvienet. I truly believe that a student should buy this low tech tool first. Even if you already buy a tablet pc, just like me (owning four already), buying a digital pen like this will definitely help me work well with my study.
By the way, IO2 and Fly Fusion sucks. Don’t buy these two: they are utter disappointment. Like tablet pcs, there are good tablet and bad tablet. I only hope LiveScribe to live up to the hype.
September 27th, 2007 at 8:41 am
Another solution to look at is http://www.pegatech.com/?CategoryID=158&ArticleID=142. The mobile Note Taker is being launched in a Vista version on 8 October apparently. No audio but great handwriting recognition - and no need to bring a laptop with you.
August 5th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Hey Robert!
I caught wind of LiveScribe around the same time that you wrote your post on it, and recently revisited their website. Now that the pen is on the market, I’m wondering if STPC can/will/wants to write a review on it? For frustrated Tablet-users such as myself, who are stuck with “regular” laptops and regularly come to STPC just to get our fix of ink-magic, it would be truly invaluable to hear the assessment of a true tabletter, especially one whom we’ve already grown to trust. … If not, it’s no biggie. Heck, I hate to impose especially after I’ve already gained so much from this site as it is! But if the answer is ‘yes’, then many, many, MANY thanks in advance!
Have a good one!