Linux-Based Smartpen Heads For Kickstarter

DeviceGuru writes with a snippet from LinuxGizmos: "A Linux-based digital pen from German startup Lernstift will go live on Kickstarter on July 10 for about 115 Euros, or $148. The Lernstift pen incorporates an ARM Cortex processor, a WiFi module, and a motion sensor, and is designed to correct penmanship, spelling, and grammar errors as you write. A set of 3D motion sensors, including a gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer help the smartpen's embedded Linux computer calculate the pen's 3D movements and generate 2D vectors. Kickstarter supporters pledging 99 Pounds (about 115 Euros, or $148 U.S.) will receive the first shipment of pens later this year, and standard pricing is expected to start at 130-150 Euros when production devices ship in early 2014."

Comments

Re:Or...

[somersault]

Sometimes it's not about lasting longer. At least, that's what she said.

Not for geeks

[DougOtto]

From TFA, it's a learning tool for kids.

Re:No italic-nib fountain pen option?

[Anonymous Coward]

Maybe you should RTFA? "The device supports exchangeable pencil, ballpoint, or fountain pens, and is available in multiple colors."

Hurf durf, just had to get that first post didn't you?

Livescribe

[EmperorOfCanada]

I have a livescribe pen and love many of its features. But their software is a bag of cloud crap. Basically in order to use the pen I have to sign in to their cloud stuff. Then they really try to get me to use EverNote (of hacked account fame). Then there is the fact that I need to buy their notebooks. And then on top of all that the tiny screen on the pen basically vanished on a recent firmware upgrade.

All I want to do it make notes and turn them into PDFs. If I want to "cloud" them then I will do that myself.
If this Lernstift pen gets good reviews and they keep it simple then there is a 100% chance that I will be upgrading to their product. Seeing that I love my Livescribe despite its serious flaws I would fall deeply in love with a pen that didn't require special paper, looked nice, and didn't stray from the core functionality of recording my scribbles. Most importantly if it didn't make me log in to some stupid cloud stuff.

Re:Livescribe

[Dcnjoe60]

I have a livescribe pen and love many of its features. But their software is a bag of cloud crap. Basically in order to use the pen I have to sign in to their cloud stuff. Then they really try to get me to use EverNote (of hacked account fame). Then there is the fact that I need to buy their notebooks. And then on top of all that the tiny screen on the pen basically vanished on a recent firmware upgrade.

All I want to do it make notes and turn them into PDFs. If I want to "cloud" them then I will do that myself.

If this Lernstift pen gets good reviews and they keep it simple then there is a 100% chance that I will be upgrading to their product. Seeing that I love my Livescribe despite its serious flaws I would fall deeply in love with a pen that didn't require special paper, looked nice, and didn't stray from the core functionality of recording my scribbles. Most importantly if it didn't make me log in to some stupid cloud stuff.

I, too, use livescribe all the time and it is great except for the issues you point out. That said, you are able to print off your own notebooks, which mitigates one of the complaints. Maybe it is because I'm older, but I find that I can take notes much quicker with pen and paper than with a laptop or tablet (and I do type 60 wpm). That plus the audio recording is fantastic.

The only real complaint that I have with my livescribe is that there isn't a linux client. At work we run Windows so it isn't a problem, but at home, I have to run a copy of windows under vbox to access the pen. The other issues, like evernote are more of a nusiance than a complaint. While I'm happy with my livescribe, I would certainly be interested in the lemstift pen, particularly if it works with a fountain pen tip, which is my writing instrument of choice.

Re:Livescribe

[Dcnjoe60]

After further reading, the lemstift pen is nothing like a livescribe. It doesn't store or transmit documents and doesn't appear that it is intended to do anything more than to work on penmanship, spelling and grammar. Too bad, at $145US per pen, there aren't going to be many school kids who can afford such a device. Something at that price point that made up for the shortcomings of livescribe, might catch the attention of business purchasers, however.

WTF?

[gstoddart]

The Lernstift pen incorporates an ARM Cortex processor, a WiFi module, and a motion sensor, and is designed to correct penmanship, spelling, and grammar errors as you write

Let me start of by saying "what the hell?", and move on to pointing out that auto-correct on mobile keyboards is a pain in the ass, and in a pen would only be worse.

There's no way in hell a pen is gonna help with my atrocious penmanship. This sounds like a solution in search of a problem to me.

But, hey, it's vaporware, runs Linux, and is on kickstarter -- which means someone is going "oooh, gotta get me some of that".

Now get off my damned lawn, you kids and your fancy wi-fi pens. You'll put someone's eye out!

Re:Obviously, 2013 will be ..

[DougOtto]

At least it'll finally be on the desktop.

I kid, I kid....

Shudder

[H0p313ss]

Is it just me or does any sentence with "linux-based" "smart" and "kickstarter" scare the willies out of you too?

Re:Or...

[WillAdams]

and all of those ball points would wind up in a land fill.

Glad to see that this supports options which include a fountain pen unit --- I go through roughly a bottle of ink year --- the glass bottle gets recycled and I purchase another one.