Anoto-based Pens From Logitech

flanksteak writes "Logitech has announced the IO Pen, a ball-point pen with a memory. You write stuff with the pen, then drop it in its USB cradle and your bad handwriting appears on your PC. The pen is to be released in November. How cool would this be with support for a wireless protocol?" We've run some previous stories about this - no telling how well it actually works until it's tested, though. And at $9.99/notebook, the paper is about three times as expensive as regular paper.

Comments

The ultimate forger's tool.

[mooman]

Just lend this pen to people anytime they need to sign something.

Viola, you've captured their signature and can forge it whenever needed...

1. Lend pen to important people
2. Blackmail and defraud
3. Profit!

Re:The ultimate forger's tool.

[thelexx]

Must be nice to have so much money just laying around. At 5%, in 20 years $200 becomes $865. When it's shown that this thing is going to rock the world, and they make it a little less clunky looking, I'll consider it. Until then, my money is going toward retiring somewhere that the drinks are served in pineapples by scantily clad native women.

read the small print

[Anonymous Coward]

"The IO pen only works when used on location at one of Jupiter's moons"

handwritten e-mail?

[misterhaan]

Digitally capture handwritten emails

excellent! now i can keep a record of all my handwritten e-mails as well as my typed ones!

Re:handwritten e-mail?

[TheTomcat]

I once had a boss who would [have his secretary] PRINT all of his emails before reading them, then handwrite replies and [have his secretary] type them into his email client.

Now he can automate his stupidity.

S

Nice, but...

[Torinaga-Sama]

You know, I can't even read my own handwriting on regular paper, what good is it going to do if i can download my my own chickenscratch?

Thats why I went to typeing in the first place.

I WAS excited

[RestiffBard]

then I went to the website and learned that unless you use windows its a paperweight. not even a heavy paperweight.

I didn't even bother to find out how much it was. I really liked the idea at first but upon learning that I need MS IE and .Net in order to use the thing my desire to have one went out the window.

.NET REQUIRED For Full Pen Functionality

[limekiller4]

From the FAQ:
Why do I have to install the .NET framework?
The .NET framework is necessary for some of the functions of the Logitech io Software.

Oh isn't that special...

Re:Logitech

[RestiffBard]

why is it assumed that when new hardware comes out that the "linux geeks" will just figure out how to use it anyway, eventually. why not just create the thing with openness in mind?

its hardware. why must it be proprietary? the money for this device is in the friggin paper! not the device drivers.

Is your neighbor a pencil hoarder?

[Julian Morrison]

Is your neighbor hoarding pencils? Since the Prevention Of Subversion Act (2009) was passed, all pens have been required to have proper government wireless logging. Owning a pencil is illegal. Report hoarders to the police! Your house may be inspected for contraband at any time - if we catch you with illegal untapped writing materials, the penalty is incarceration as an enemy combatant in Traitor City X-ray. Remember citizen, information is the poison by which treason subverts patriotism. Eternal war for eternal peace! Heil Bush!