Handwriting-capture device: PC Notes Taker

At first glance, it looks like an ordinary clipboard. But once you attach a sheet of paper to it, connect it to a PC via USB and start writing with the pen that accompanies it, you'll see that the PC Notes Taker is an input device that lets you capture, edit and organize handwritten notes, drawings or sketches to a PC or notebook in real time. It provides 100 dpi movement resolution. The pen is based on an ultrasonic and infrared sensory system and uses proprietary algorithms for signal processing, filtering and positioning. The tool has software to integrate it with MS Outlook, Office and ICQ, enabling you to send handwritten messages, personal e-mail and even chat. You can write letters in Word, enter data in Excel or create PowerPoint presentations in your handwriting. You can also use this as a tablet and work on graphics applications, such as Photoshop and PhotoCAD. There are five customizable virtual buttons on the base unit that function when the pen's nib is pressed. For instance, you can print or copy to JPEG with a touch of the nib. It works really well and the capturing is fast. It comes with a memo pad holder, refill and 3XSR41 batteries. It's compatible with Win 98/Me/2000/XP and requires 15 MB hard-disk space. A future version with Bluetooth will also be available shortly making it a mobile device.

The bottom line: As this tool digitizes everything you write and keeps it safe on your system, it is better to use this than paper, which can be easily misplaced.

Sudarshana Mishra