Comments on: Livescribe Pulse Smartpen Review

By: Ron Smallwood

Ron Smallwood — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:39:02 +0000

Really slick technology but I took mine back for a refund. Pulse has set it up so the only way you can share files is through their website. You can’t save the files to your own web site or back them up on your own computers. Would you buy a camera from a company that said the only way you can share your photos was through their website? Not me! If I create something, I should be able to choose where and how I store & share my creation.

By: TEF

TEF — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:14:23 +0000

I am asking for this pen for Christmas this year and have been doing quite a bit of research to make sure I will have use for it. I am a student and this could help me while studying for tests and organizing notes. I wouldn’t be allowed to use this in class, but at home and at the library it would probably be a big help.

I heard you have to get special notebooks and paper-which wouldn’t be a problem-but what happens if you use it on regular paper? I have a Windows XP laptop, which I know will work-but I soon may be purchasing a new laptop. I think there is something called Windows 7 coming out soon and I don’t want the pen to not be compatible with the new system.

Also, I don’t want to get the pen this Christmas this and have a new version out by my birthday in July.

So, I still have many doubts and concerns about this. I just hope it works out. Also, I hope anyone reading this has realized some of the hidden problems I just brought up before purchasing this pen.

By: Pip

Pip — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:17:44 +0000

I bought Smart Pen for my lectures and boy oh boy am I grateful I did. I could really focus on what was being said, instead of madly scribbling down notes, my learning was so much more informed. When reviewing for assignments (I didn’t have exams) I could go back over the notes and pick up the details I had missed. I regret not knowing about Smartpen much earlier into my degree. However, it is something I will use in my career and future learning. Highly recommend it for high school students and definetly uni students.

By: Em

Em — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 23:01:40 +0000

For a sophomore in highschool, would this be a useful tool? My mom is willing to buy me the pen if I think it will help me be more organized with my large work load this year. I’m taking an AP euro history course and some other challenging courses and am looking for the easiest and most effective way to keep myself organized for a hectic year (I’m also in cheerleading which will take up a lot of time I would be using to organize notes). I’m very excited to be able to take these lectures home with me but am scared that for midterms and finals it will be a mess of information. Any suggestions? Thank you!

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:37:53 +0000

I think your review of the Smartpen is right on target. Great HW but mediocre execution on the SW which is essential to extracting full potential. I enjoy using my pen in the classroom but so far it is nothing but a toy in any other context. I think the vision and the promise are extraordinary, so a failure to deliver against them will be particularly disappointing.

By: Fluffy

Fluffy — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 01:58:36 +0000

When I first went to their website, I was compelled to find out more. This idea, has so much potential. I hope Lifescribe reads these blogs and then work out the issues that keep this from being a must have.

I can wait six months before I want one, and then I’ll reseach and see what’s available. I love sites like this. Thanks guys, I love the “thin-slice” you guys give. Does anyone know if this is a web 2.0 product? I am reminded of the Ray Kurzweil’s, The Singularity is Near.

By: Barr

Barr — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 01:16:55 +0000

“I cannot use the Pulse smartpen for meetings at the office because we are not about to upload proprietary information, notes, and conversations to a third party website”

How is that any different than loading data into Salesforce.com or other CRM tools? Recording conversations may be restricted by state laws, but capturing customer data with this technology shouldn’t be prohibited…can you provide more background?

By: wombat

wombat — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 06:37:59 +0000

seems like TIVO in early days, when it first came out we took the code and improved it, added things like 30 sec ffwd, these features were eventually removed in current product but it was alot of fun in the early daze.
for $200, an audio recording device with camera, positional recording etc isnt too bad.
i also work for a company that wont allow us to record/send our data to third parties. however how bad is the device for recording drawings you want to reproduce?
hmm many of these odd products are the result of marketing pushes in unfamiliar markets.
push questions at tech support and see what kind of access hcking you can perform to learn more about device/api
could be fun

By: Goat

Goat — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 22:42:26 +0000

Yes, meme is correct. With the pen either on or off, hold down the power button until you see the “REC” screen — this way you can start recording without having paper around. To stop recording, just turn off the pen (by clicking the power button once).

By: meme

meme — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:45:33 +0000

I heard there is a way to start the recording from the pen alone: press sth. for 20 sec. I guess it’s the power button? you can google it.