By Andrew Liszewski
We’ve covered quite a few ‘smartpens’ over the years, but the Pulse from Livescribe was easily the leader in that market. Until today that is, since it’s just been knocked off the top of the podium by its successor, the Echo. Notable updates include a new rubber finish and a much needed size and weight reduction (though it’s still larger than even a fountain pen) the inclusion of a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, 4GB and 8GB models allowing up to 400 or 800 hours of recording respectively, as well as new software allowing you to share your ‘notes’ on popular social networks or email. There’s also a Paper Tablet application coming out sometime in the Fall that will let you use the Echo as a tabletless stylus, though it requires the pen to be tethered to a PC via a USB cable which isn’t the most convenient way to use it.
The new 4GB and 8GB Echo smartpens are available now for $169.95 and $199.95, while the original 2GB Pulse smartpen has seen a price cut to just $129.95.
[ Livescribe Echo ]