This is a new implementation of the Anoto technology which connects the pen and paper to a digital device and converts handwriting into digital form.

I first saw a prototype of the Anoto C-Pen at Comdex in the late 90's. In 2002 Logitech^® launched their digital pen, Logitech^® io^TMPersonal Digital Pen. I tested one at that time and although the first version was quite fat, it did work, but the paper was expensive and not readily available. They are being used today in some hospitals to capture the bed charts in a digital format so that the information can be accessed remotely by doctors with appropriate access.

Then in 2005 LeapFrog announced the FLY pentop computer, directed at young teens. LeapFrog added some interesting capabilities and brought the pen price down to under $100, but the necessary paper was again expensive.

Now LiveScribe has added a recorder to the pen as well as other applications. It will ship in Q4 with the smartpen at "less than $200." As to the cost of the necessary dot paper, they claim "Livescribe's dot paper notebooks and documents will be provided by the company and partners at prices near standard paper. Dot paper may also be printed on certified home or business printers."

For students, journalists, important meetings, this looks like a real winner.

In one example cited applicable to learners:

"One of the key applications at launch for the Livescribe platform is called "Paper Replay," which allows total recall from lectures, meetings or conversations by simply tapping on your notes. When used to take notes during a discussion or lecture, the smartpen records the conversation and digitizes the handwriting, automatically synchronizing the ink and audio. By later tapping the ink, the user can replay the conversation from the exact moment the note was written. Notes and audio can also be uploaded to a PC where they can be replayed, saved, searched or sent."

Check out the sneak peek.

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