The short answer is no. You keep using your current version of Livescribe Desktop as the software will recognise the new pen and creating a specific space for content from this new pen.

Here are the key points:

1. Keep your current version of Livescribe Desktop
2. Give your new Echo Smartpen a new or different name (see screen capture below)
3. Use the Echo Smartpen normally, docking it via the USB cable to charge/update it and manage content.
4. Take the opportunity of the new pen to make sure your Desktop software is up to date and the pen software is current.
   1. Current Livescribe Desktop version – 2.2.2.41615
   2. Current pen Firmware version – 2.4.3

Can I still Access my Pulse Content?

Yes. Livescribe Desktop allows you to dock and manage multiple Smartpen’s. To view or access content from your Pulse Smartpen simply change the pen you’re viewing. You do this via the drop down list in the top right hand corner of Livescribe Desktop

Here’s a screen capture of my Livescribe Desktop – the red box shows you where to go to change what pen you are viewing.

When you click here it will drop down a list of the pens that you manage via Livescribe Desktop. This screen capture zooms into this box more and shows the pens that I manage via my Livescribe Desktop. Mr Smartpen was my most recent Pulse Smartpen whilst Mr Echo Smartpen is my current Echo Smartpen.

I hope this post answers any questions you may have about managing content should you decide to change from a Pulse to an Echo Smartpen.

Business use of the Livescribe product range here in Australia has been very strong – a reflection of just how switched on we are as business people in that we quickly realised the efficiency benefits the mobile computing platform could deliver.

A couple of things Jennifer didn’t touch on.

1. MyScript

This is a critical time saver

One thing we’ve learnt from working with business owners and executives over the past couple of years is how important the optional MyScript for Livescribe is. In simple terms, MyScript allows a Livescribe user to take one or more pages of hand written notes and then convert this hand writing into editable text – a very useful time saving option.

Pencasts – Collaboration on a Different Level

The other key feature we’ve been discussing with business users lately is the new Pencast feature. This allows a business executive who might be remote from his or her office to take meeting notes and then send these notes – hand writing and audio back to the office so that other key people can access, listen, and use the information. This creates really interesting opportunities for knowledge sharing, collaboration etc.

Yep. The Livescribe Echo Smartpen is a cool piece of technology – but the coolness extends well beyond the features that a journo might find amusing…

In this post I’m going to discuss some of the core differences between the existing Pulse Smartpens and the new Echo range.

Smartpen Product Line Changes

By now you may have noticed changes to the product line up. With the withdrawal of the 4GB Pulse pen, the products available here in Australia and New Zealand include:

• 2GB Pulse
• 4GB Echo
• 8GB Echo

As always, the Pulse and Echo Smartpens are offered with the option of MyScript for Livescribe.

Differences in the Product Packages

The introduction of the Echo Smartpens coincides with a number of new accessories being introduced to the Australian market.

This has resulted in a number of changes to what is included in the basic pen package. The following chart compares the two Smartpens for you and shows what has changed.

Comparing the Livescribe Echo and Pulse Smartpens

What this chart tells you is that the Echo Smartpen doesn’t include a set of headphones or a carry case. It’s worth noting that the Echo Smartpen now has a standard 3.5mm headphone jack so normal headphone like the ones I use with my iPhone now fit into the pen. This makes it easier for me if I want to quickly review content as I’m more likely to have my phone headset handy.

The lack of a carry case is made up by the fact Livescribe has introduced the Deluxe Carry Case along with a universal leather case (like the premium leather case for the Pulse Smartpen).

Changes to the Look of the Smartpen

The Echo Smartpen introduces a very different looking pen – on the surface. Under the hood there is very little difference other than the Echo being 4GB and 8GB models versus the 2GB Pulse Smartpen.

Obviously when you look at them you notice Livescribe has moved away from the anodised alloy case of the Pulse smartpen. The Echo Smartpen has a rubber-like grip area with the upper body being black plastic/Polyprop type material.

Here’s a simple image I took of the two pens with my iPhone

Personally, I found the Pulse Smartpen a very comfortable pen to use for long periods. I’ve been using an Echo now for 5 weeks and I’m finding it as comfortable, if not more so than the Pulse. The changes to the barrel are certainly appreciated as the Echo is less likely to escape from me.

So Which is the Right Smartpen?

There is no one answer to this question – it’s really down to how you’ll use the pen and your budget.

If you’re on a tight budget or you’re not that interested in some of the new premium accessories then I’d say go with the 2GB Pulse – here in Australia we offer it to customers as the basic 2GB Pulse pack, along with the option of bundling MyScript for Livescribe along with our own version of the Pro Pack.

If you’re in more of a business type environment or you think you’ll need to keep a lot of content on the pen for extended periods then I’d recommend the Echo Smartpen range. We offer the 4GB and 8GB as a standard package as well as both pens bundled with MyScript (handwriting conversion software).

I hope this post has helped answer some of the questions you may have about the differences between the Pulse and Echo Smartpens. As always, you’re welcome to contact me directly or ask questions in the comments section below.

The Universal Leather Case (http://www.smartpen.com.au/content/universal-leather-case) has been designed to suit both the Pulse and Echo Smartpens.

This case looks similar to the original Premium Leather Case – a product designed only for the Pulse Smartpen.

The Universal Leather Case is available now from Smartpen.

This year, we’ve created a special product bundle for anyone looking for a unique gift for their father. Rather than simply offering the basic pen packages we’ve gone back over our sales data and identified what product combinations have been the most popular.

So for 2010, our Smartpen Australia Fathers Day bundle includes the following:

• Livescribe Echo 4GB Smartpen
• MyScript for Livescribe
• Smartpen Portfolio.

This is a great product bundle for any father. Not only do they get the fantastic new Echo Smartpen, they get MyScript and the new Portfolio (a very popular addition to the product range).

So if you’ve got a dad who loves his gadgets, is a busy executive, or just needs a bit of help to organise his notes then the Livescribe Echo Smartpen is the perfect gift for him this Fathers Day.

This bundle gives Dad everything he needs to get working with his new Echo Smartpen.

Order before Thursday the 2nd September and you’ll save $25 on the RRP.

I have to say, this is a beautiful product. I didn’t get a chance to have a close look at this product initially as every one we had come in was assigned to an existing order. But now that our stocks are to the par I’ve had a chance to pull one out and let me say it’s not going back into inventory.

Given I have to travel every week this is exactly what I need. It fits really well into my laptop bag and works super well if I want to take notes mid flight or when I’m on a train or in a cab.

If you’re a business user and you have either a Pulse Smartpen or the new Echo Smartpen – then this is a great accessory.

Feedback from users has been very positive with most comments focused on the new look and feel. The new tapered underside is certainly appreciated by those users who’ve experienced the Pulse Smartpen rolling away from them.

The introduction of the new Echo Smartpen range has been followed by by an upgrade to Livescribe Desktop. We’ll be blogging later today about some of the new features – particularly the new ‘Share’ function

As many of our customers know, Smartpen are the only Australian sales partner to offer local customers the option of purchasing a Livescribe Smartpen bundled with MyScript for Livescribe.

We’ve now extended this to include the Echo range of Smartpens.

Exclusive offer from Smartpen Australia

Exclusive to Smartpen Australia we offer our customers the option of purchasing the Echo 4GB or 8GB Smartpen bundled with MyScript for Livescribe.

Details of these options are available:

• Here for the Echo 4GB Smartpen + MyScript for Livescribe; and

• Here for the Echo 8GB Smartpen + MyScript for Livescribe.

MyScript for Livescribe is a fantastic piece of software that allows a Livescribe Echo Smartpen user to take page(s) of hand written notes and convert these into editable text. MyScript sits behind Livescribe Desktop and is activated by clicking the ‘Convert to Text’ button that sits inside Livescribe Desktop.

Feedback from the user community about MyScript has been very positive – I encourage you to consider it when you go to purchase either a Pulse or Echo Smartpen.

If you have any questions about how MyScript for Livescribe works, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Livescribe Deluxe Carry Case

This is a fantastic addition to the product range. As you can see from this image, the carry case allows a Livescribe Smartpen owner to organise the key bits and pieces of their Livescribe tool kit. I can see this case being very popular with our large community of business users

Smartpen Portfolio

This new product was an instant hit yesterday when we announced the launch.

The Portfolio allows a user to have an A5 Spiral Notebook, Pulse or Echo Smartpen all in the one folder.

We’ll update our audience with more details on the new Echo Smartpen and other new accessories in the coming days

If you’re interested in the new Echo Smartpens – feel free to contact us or drop by the store where we have a full range of Livescribe Smartpens, dot paper products, and accessories.