When I work on the road, I often prefer writing to typing. No laptop open on the plane, no battery issues, etc. So I write all over my documents and then I get somewhere and I transcribe my own handwriting.

I've seen "smart pens" but have never used them. Has anyone used a pen-operated handwriting recognition system that actually increases your efficiency?

Thanks,

Robert

Just found this thread about Livescribe and its predecessors...

There are a couple of products I've tried. First one CaptureX digital pen. It requires special paper to write. Another on is DigiMemo, but this one requires an electronic pad that you put your notepad on. Both are good products, and they also integrate with OneNote, so your notes are searchable and easily accessible.

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I am a huge fan of the Livescribe products. I find that they provide value for me in two separate but both important ways. I have a lined notebook I use on my desk. Writing down notes from meetings, thoughts when reviewing projects, etc. I travel with a lighter notebook. Every week I save all my notes as a PDF and put them in a folder on Dropbox. That way I can get them wherever I am on my iPad if I need to review them. If I am away and have forgotten I can always plug the pen into the notebook I have with me and get the content. Same with old notebooks. The data is on the pen or a computer, not a loose piece of paper somewhere. The other way i use it is writing longhand and emailing the PDF to my assistant to type. Again, incredibly helpful to me while traveling. It does require special paper.

I love the concept of integrating the ancient pen with the hip iPad. The cool part of your solution is that you're getting around the iPad's content creation limits without an external keyboard or a second laptop, etc.

Have you tried JotNot Pro on the iPad/Iphone? Does it need transcribing, or just stored with a client file?

You can take a picture with the camera and the app converts it into a PDF file or other formats, and it allows you to email it etc.

I use it for keeping copies of notes, and for sending items from newspapers/magazines to myself or friends by email.

You can try the JotNot Scanner free app, and if you like it get the Pro. it only costs 59p in the UK, and worth every penny to me.

I have tried it but found that taking pictures of all the pages is a bit of a pain and not really a replacement for Livescribe. But I think it is a fine program for other applications and use it. I have not tried automatic transcription with any of these products, although I do voice to text transcription.

Another very useful iPad app is the program Note Taker HD. I use it and a Boxwave stylus to write notes on the iPad directly and those can also be sent as PDFs. I dont think the quality (nor feel) is as good as with Livescribe due to the limitations of writing on the iPad but I use it a lot (I take a lot of notes) as well as Livescribe. The notes from Note Taker HD can be emailed as PDFs as well. Im experimenting with using Livescribe in my office and at home and Note Taker HD while traveling.

Do u mean a pen like this DVR USB 4GB Pocket Spy Pen? Hope u find the best stuff.

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No. The pens we are talking about have cameras near the tip and record the movement of the pen over the special paper. Alternately, they have a receiver that tracks the radio signal while the pen moves. They are not at all like the "spy pens". These pens record what you write. The Livescribe can also record lectures in sync with your written notes.

Love my Livescribe Echo.

If you have a Target in the area, the old Pulse 2GB pens are on clearance for $24 and the 4GB Echo is just $34. That is about 75% off retail. I picked up a spare Echo in case my current one breaks or is lost. Paper is also on clearance, picked up a variety of paper packs.