Filed under: Technology | Tags: livescribe, notebook, pen, pulse, sync, Technology
The Livescribe Pulse smartpen is a digital ink pen that, when paired with the associated paper, allows for an electronic copy of your handwritten notes to be stored in its built-in flash drive. Additionally, if desired, it will record audio associated with the written notes. In my effort to eliminate paper and clutter from my office space, I started using this device about six months ago. Aside from minor inconveniences (noted below), I have been very pleased with the outcome and look forward to future updates of this device.
Why it is cool:
- The notebook looks similar to a traditional Moleskin notebooks – compact size, contemporary black cover, elastic band to keep it shut.
- After syncing with your computer, your notes are organized by notebook and page, with images of the pages that you can zoom in on to review in detail.
- The notebooks have additional functions inside the cover for added convenience: calculator, time, date, battery life.The search functions searches your handwriting for words. Way cool.
- The audio recordings align with your note taking, allowing you to go back to an exact word and hear what was being said as you wrote that word.
- There is a convert to text feature, but I haven’t figured out how to work it yet. I think it is like an add-on app, but I can’t make it work.
What I would like to see in the next version:
- Ability to tag individual pages of notes for future searches.
- Sleeker pen design; the current version is bulky and practically screams “notice me” in every meeting.
- Ability export selected pages to PDFs for sharing with others. There is a share online feature, but that is cumbersome.
Filed under: Technology | Tags: Apple, iPod, Music, Shuffle, Technology, voice command
I couldn’t resist this tiny new Shuffle, despite the fact that both my first generation and second generation Shuffles are still quite functional. And now that I have had a week to play with it, I am in love and happy to have made my impulse buy.
First, the size. This thing is so small that I can discreetly keep it attached to me all the time and not have it ruin my outfit. This has always been an issue with my larger iPods because I really don’t have room to hide any bulky technology.
Second, the headphone controls. These are very convenient, especially given that I live to hide the Shuffle itself in my pocket and don’t want to have to dig it out to change my song or my playlist. I will admit, however, that I am not a fan of the traditional iPod headphones: they are simply painful in my small ears. So, I splurged for the Apple In-Ear Headphones with adjustable ear tips. This effectively doubled the price of my new Shuffle, but it was so worth it. These headphones have all the controls of the set that come with the Shuffle, and include a mic so I can use them with my iPhone.
Last, “VoiceOver” technology. So far, this works beautifully. With the click of the headphone control you can hear your song title and artist, scroll through your playlists and hear your battery power. It is simple to use and solves the problem with the older Shuffle models of not being able to select your music.
This little Shuffle is perfect for my use while at the office, while shopping and for moving through the airport. I still use my 2G version for running and big model for the car and home stereo.
Filed under: Movies | Tags: Ben Afflect, blogging, Helen Mirren, media, Movies, news, newspaper, online, print, Rachel McAdams, reading, Russell Crow, State of Play, Technology
In our new media world where everything is accessible online and we are seeing a decline in printed newspaper readership, State of Play has perfect timing with a character who is a blogger teaming up with a character who is a tried and true, hardcore newspaper man.
Russell Crow is our grouchy, sloppy and anything but sophisticated print edition guy. Rachel McAdams is our young, hip, yet not very experienced online girl. The initial interaction between the two characters plays to the animosity generally felt between bloggers and print writers. But after that meeting, the differences fade into the background of the movie and they become two reporters working together: one experienced and one still learning. In the end, the print edition is declared the superior medium for a tantalizing news story with a line from our young blogger that is something to the effect of, “I think people need to have newsprint on their fingers when they read this story.”
I have to call BS on that conclusion. Don’t get me wrong: I am an advocate of newspapers. I don’t want to see them die. But, the life of newspapers is not dependant on continued printing on paper. It is content that rules in this crazy world of changing media behaviors. A great story will always be great, whether read on a screen or on paper.
Forgive the digression, but I would have liked to see more play of the print versus the online throughout the movie rather than making it about experience versus inexperience. However, I applaud the movie for even bringing the issue to the forefront.
State of Play was a fine movie that kept me engaged during its entire run time. Politics, murder, corruption, affairs and the pressure of newsprint deadlines make this movie entertaining and interesting.
