3 smartpens that can help improve your efficiency
Smartpens are a cool office trend whose possibilities are constantly evolving. They’re still quite new to the scene, but so far, they are full of convenient features to make office life a little more efficient.
Most smartpens essentially translate your handwritten notes into computer files for easier review. Precisely what each smartpen is capable of doing, however, varies greatly.
IOGEAR Mobile Digital Scribe
This was the first smartpen on the market and, because of that, it comes without some of the special features that are available on newer pens.
The Mobile Digital Scribe captures and stores everything you write down for later review. Unlike other pens, you don’t need to write on a specific surface in order for it to register, a simple piece of paper will do. It even lets you connect the pen directly to a computer so that everything you write down will be displayed on the screen.
Logitech IO2 Digital Pen
The Logitech IO2 Digital Pen carries out most of the basic functions that you can find on IOGEAR’s pen. Once you transcribe your notes, you are able to save them in a number of different formats and file types.
You are then able to search your notes for keywords and phrases by date, file name or file type. This makes it much easier to scan your notes for details of a meeting or conversation. One of the inconveniences of this smartpen is that you cannot simply write on any surface – you must use Post-Its or a digital notebook made specifically for smartpens.
Livescribe Echo
The Livescribe Echo smartpen is by far the most technologically sophisticated of all the smartpens out there. It not only transcribes everything you write down, it also records audio and converts the recording into a number of different audio file types.
One of the coolest features that you can find on the Livescribe Echo is the introduction of Pencasts. Pencasts are basically when you are able to play back the audio along with the written notes, so you can see it all in one place. Apple has created an app that allows you to play these Pencasts, so sharing is simple and quick.
Smartpens are a cool technology that is sure to keep becoming more popular in the office setting. They make it easier to become a more efficient worker with little effort.
To check out a review of the Livescribe Echo, click here.
