The Echo Smartpen, released in July 2010 by Livescribe, is the next generation of the company's original product, the Pulse Smartpen, released in 2008. The Echo's microphone, built-in recording device, sleek shape and rubberized grip, along with its other features, help this product win our TopTenREVIEWS Gold Award in digital pens.
The Echo is very easy to use. We were beginners in using digital pens when we conducted this review, but Livescribe's interactive, getting-started instructions made using the pen a breeze from the beginning. The pen actually talked us through the whole process when we tapped on icons in the accompanying instruction booklet and the Anoto-enriched tablet.
Both of Livescribe's digital pens stand apart from other models we reviewed because of their microphones and built-in recorders. While you take notes, you record the lecture or meeting you are attending. This function is particularly useful for anyone who needs to transcribe comments word-for-word, such as a secretary or journalist. Having a recording of a meeting serves not only as back-up to notes during the transcribing process, but it works as an easily storable reference that can be played back if anyone questions your interpretation of comments made. The recording device turns on each time you begin a new session simply by tapping on the "record" icon at the bottom of the page in your tablet.
Caution: Recording the audio of a session is also optional. You can tap the "mute" button if the audio is not important or if the meeting is confidential. Be aware that when you record the audio of a meeting, you should inform individuals present.
In a pencast, the audio, combined with the words and images you write and draw, is captured into a Flash file that you can upload to software on your desktop. You can then share it with friends and colleagues by uploading it to your personal blog on Livescribe's website, or you can convert the handwriting to a PDF file or graphic and send it as an email.
One drawback to the digital pen is that to convert your handwriting to text, you must purchase the MyScript optical character recognition (OCR) software for $29.95 that is available from the Livescribe online store. OCR technology has vastly improved since its inception, we might add. It's is about 85 percent accurate these days. However, the Echo has some built-in character recognition abilities. The pen now allows you to assign a password to it. Four digits long, you simply write them on the tablet when you turn the pen on, and it lets you in. Someone could just get your password from your tablet, so make sure to write the digits in different places or physically in varying orders on the page.
The Smartpen also has the ability to compose music. With the pen in piano mode, simply draw nine vertical lines and connect them on the top and bottom with two more lines. Add an "I" and an "R" at the bottom. Then click on the boxes, and you will make music. The function allows you to make sharp and flat tones, as well as regular ones. Begin a recording session, and you can share tunes with your friends and colleagues.
We test drove Echo's 4GB model which retails for $169.95, but this digital pen also comes in an 8GB model that costs $199.95. What do you need all that memory for? Besides storing notes sessions or "pencasts," the Smartpen has a number of downloadable apps, including games, references and educational tutorials, some which are free. The apps are available from the Livescribe online store or from retail stores that carry their pens, such as Best Buy and Target. You can upload these apps onto your pen. For example, for the dictionary app, you simply write a word you want to look up, and the app will provide a read-out of the definition on the OLED screen.
New features on the desktop component of this product include the ability to organize your pencasts into separate files, or custom notebooks. And the Echo is coming out with additional features all the time. iPhone/iPad apps were launched in August 2010, and by the fall of 2010, the device is scheduled to provide real-time communication from Smartpen to computer. In addition, by simply writing "Email" or "Facebook" on your pad of paper, you will be able to send your hand-written text directly to your email or to your Facebook page. It will also include functions to send a document to "Google docs" or "desktop".
Additional accessories are available for the pen as well, such as surround-sound microphones, ink refills in various colors, and additional tablets with the special paper. The paper can also be printed on demand one sheet at a time from the desktop software.
Uploading pencasts from pen to computer was automatic when we connected the pen to the mini-USB charger. The charger is an upgrade from the Pulse's cradle. The mini-USB connection will allow for real-time pencasts with output on your computer screen.
Because of the sophisticated Anovo technology in the paper, every word you write in a Livescribe notebook will be recorded when you are in a session without worry. Battery life of the pen is exceptional. Anytime you sync with your computer, you will be charging the pen.
The Echo's oval shape is an improvement on the Pulse's roundness, which has a tendency to roll, and its tapered shape and rubber grip make it more ergonomic. The pen is still fatter than your average Papermate, but we found it comfortable to use.
The pencasts are recorded in flash format but can be saved to a PDF or graphic file. They can also be posted in Flash format to 400MB of space on Livescribe's website that is given to each of their customers. Pencasts can be posted on the site publicly or privately.
Setup is a snap with the Echo. Simply download the free desktop software at the address provided in the setup materials, assign your pen a name, and give it a 4-digit password. The name you assign it will appear on the pen's OLED screen when you turn it on. That way if more than one person in your office has one of these pens, you won't get them mixed up.
The printed interactive tutorial with the pen takes you through audio, step-by-step instructions that quickly helped us understand this state-of-the-art equipment.
Livescribe provides excellent online support that includes frequently asked questions and tutorials. Also the Livescribe website, each customer has an account where they can also communicate with a Livescribe helpdesk technician or an individual in customer support. Printed tutorials that come with the product are interactive and provide audio instructions.
The desktop software is compatible with Windows Vista, XP and 7, as well as Mac OS.
The Livescribe Echo Smartpen is an excellent, multi-purpose digital pen that will meet the everyday needs of many consumers, especially business people, journalists, and college students, who it will help save time and money.
