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.

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.

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.

Let’s talk stock levels

Over the past 2 years of working with the fantastic team from Livescribe and you the Livescribe local community, we’ve not only had the opportunity to talk to thousands of you, but we also kind of get what you need from a local, dedicated, customers service supplier.

From time to time, we may not have every product in stock – in every case where this happens this is due to circumstances beyond our control. We know you need the stock.

Based on what we’ve learnt over the past 2 years we’ve quadrupled our investment in our stock holdings of Livescribe Smartpens and accessories. If it’s available in Australia we have it.

Let’s talk MyScript for Livescribe for a moment.

MyScript is a product we started offering to customers nearly 18 months ago.

We are still the only ANZ Livescribe partner to offer MyScript for Livescribe bundled with your Pulse Smartpen.

That’s 18 months of experience with a phenomenal software add-on – keep that in mind.

I’ve also lost track of the number of times I’ve demonstrated Livescribe and MyScript – these two products are made for each other. We are your home of Livescribe and MyScript in Australia and New Zealand.

What’s Next?

Stay tuned. That’s all I’ll say

For the past 12 months we’ve offered this product in conjunction with both the 2GB and 4GB pens.

We’ve also been using this application for since it was launched into the market 18 months ago.

What is MyScript for Livescribe

MyScript is an add-on software application that allows a user to covert hand-written notes into editable text. At present, Livescribe Desktop allows a user to print their notes or save as a PDF, but it has no edit function.

MyScript for Livescribe has been extremely popular with students, teachers, business users, executives – pretty much anyone using the Livescribe Pulse Smartpen.

Within a corporate/Government environment, MyScript has been very popular as it allows users to quickly edit and share notes that are generated by the user.

Some examples include:

• Within most if not all Australian state Health departments, Clinical researchers are able to capture and share notes ranging from internal meetings to interviews conducted with patients. MyScript gives these users the ability to quickly share information without the need to re-key information.
• Across many education units – ranging from State education, Catholic Education, Universities etc, administration staff are able to edit and distribute meeting minutes in a fraction of the time it was taking previously.
• Executive users are able to capture notes, dock the pen on a PA/EA’s machine and transfer notes for distribution quickly and without need to share or remove notes from notebooks.

Need more information?

Feel free to contact me directly if you would like more information

From talking to many of these users we’ve learnt that the Livescribe Smartpen is an important innovation for them on a number of fronts. Here’s a quick summary of our observations:

1. Keeping Good Records – The Livescribe Smartpen allows planners to keep better records. With the pen turned on, every time they take a note this is captured and can then be stored in their legacy business systems. This is one of the core markets we targeted when we introduced the Pulse Smartpen + MyScript bundle.
2. Focus on your Client – The Pulse Smartpen allows the planner to spend more time listening to the client, investigating their needs, and helping shape a suitable financial plan for the future. A pen is a pen – it’s not intrusive like a laptop, a digital recorder, or a tablet PC – this is a huge bonus for the planner as they can engage in meaningful conversation
3. Never Miss A Word – this tag line has two benefits. The second being the planner has a detailed, clear audio record of client meetings. These audio files are easily exported and can be stored against a client record in the event they are needed in the future to help clarify what may or may not have been discussed in a client meeting.

Have you wondered how the Pulse Smartpen could help your business?

I can see parallel application for business users who may be mortgage brokers, insurance agents, or involved in face to face selling roles. The benefits for users and their clients are quite clear cut.

Do you have a similar story to share? Feel free to use the comments section below to engage with us

But all good things must come to an end – or do they?

We’re currently investigating whether we extend the special offer or even create a special offer or special bundle.

We need your feedback.

If you purchased a Pulse Smartpen how important was it for MyScript to be included?

Should we extend the offer?

What are your thoughts?

The event is over 2 days as follows:

• Wednesday the 19th – Bankstown
• Friday the 21st in Newcastle

I’m really excited about this two day event as we’ve done a lot of work this year helping institutions, teachers, and students understand how Livescribe can help them with their studies.

We’ve got a really nice offer for anyone who wants to purchase on the day (a big discount), and we’ll also be giving away a pen each day for anyone who stops by and drops a business card into our prize bowl.

If you’re in Sydney or Newcastle and involved in education or you’re supporting students who have learning disabilities then I’d love to meet you at one of the two events.

• We’ll have both PC and Mac computers set up to demonstrate Livescribe
• Both computers will have MyScript for Livescribe installed so you’ll also have a chance to see how the MyScript transcription software works
• You’ll be able to purchase the Livescribe 2GB Pulse Smartpen at a nice discount to RRP

Over the two days we’ll be blogging live from the events, we’ll keep the Twitterverse up to date (search under #assisttechforum) and we’ll also post photos from the venues onto Facebook.

I got my pen a few weeks ago and I love the thing, it makes my exec and operation meetings easy as to track. It also helps clear up disputed points later on as I can replay for people exactly what was said and when

I also no longer madly try and scribe notes to my self, I will just right the topic being discussed and replay it later for further review this lets me control and get the most out of my meetings. I also got the transcription software so I just give my notes to my PA as a word document and she cleans up any transcription errors and gets the minutes out way faster now then ever before.

Diomedes, via Whirlpool

Two points stood out here for me. Firstly, Diomedes has found he/she is able to contribute more to meetings because the focus is less on writing things down and more on active listening and contribution.

Secondly, by using MyScript, Diomedes is able to streamline the capture, transcription, and distribution of meeting content much faster. This is a point we make to many senior executives. Feedback we’ve had from PA’s indicates that they find Livescribe and MyScript very easy to use and it reduces the instances of “Are you sure that’s what we agreed?”

Thanks Diomedes for sharing this feedback