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."

Not for geeks

[Doug Otto]

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

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.

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: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.