BargainPDA Reviews Bluetooth Pen from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.bargainpda.com/default.asp?newsID=1878' target='_blank'>http://www.bargainpda.com/default.asp?newsID=1878</a><br /><br /></div>"We met with the Bluetooth SIG at the CES this year, where they inadvertently revealed to us a new product. Their unmistakable logo was printed on the bright blue face of the first Bluetooth pen we have ever seen. I have a feeling the SIG wanted to keep things quiet though. It’s typical for them to allow the product manufacturer to make new product announcements, rather than stealing the thunder themselves. The cup of Bluetooth pens quickly caught my eye; inconspicuously positioned on the table next to Bluetooth cameras, printer adaptors, cell phones, headsets and the like. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/2527.jpg" /> <br /><br />I absent mindedly picked one up to ask about its features, but the meeting went in another direction, so I held on to it for later. Unfortunately, not until I found my Bluetooth pen in my notebook backpack did I even remember I had it. I quickly began testing the unit for this report."<br /><br />Sheesh, yet <i><b>another</b></i> Bluetooth device that can't pair properly. :roll:

[rocky_raher]

The review was very thorough. I wish all product reviews were that good.

However, there are a few points I would have liked to see addressed. Is this device English-only, or are other European languages supported? And what fonts and font sizes are supported? Can the user write text only, or can it draw graphics as well? If so, at what resolution?

[Jason Dunn]

I'm curious about the bandwidth as well - can it keep up that high-resolution ink output for very long?

[Kati Compton]

Finally! A way to merge PDA and paper planners!

[HTK]

the ink is easily replaceable?
how long the ink lasts after a full recharge?

and don´t get me started on range, maybe they should have made it wifi instead of bluetooth!

[Mitch D]

:grumble:

:helpme:

:grumble:

:wink:

[sponge]

Wow, I feel stupid. I thought it was some digital ink thing, I just about had a post typed up when I realized it was just a normal pen.

[backpackerx]

However, there are a few points I would have liked to see addressed. Is this device English-only, or are other European languages supported? And what fonts and font sizes are supported? Can the user write text only, or can it draw graphics as well? If so, at what resolution?

I believe release candidate 1.0 supports all known fonts due to the fact that it intuitively senses the user's language of choice and adjusts the display accordingly. Many European users report that their version of the device is able to display language in their native tongue and English but the manufactuer reported that the English market seemed to believe that one language version was all that was needed.

RC 1.0 also does some limited graphic display, in my case the device seems limited to stick figures and primitive 2D, 4th grade level graphics. Upcomming releases should include an ocular interface with one red and one blue screen that will enable true 3D display. Reports are that Release Candidate 2.0 will include a method of animation of images by rapidly flipping through the display pages. *keeping fingers crossed*

[Wiggster]

Was this pen released with prior knowledge to the State Department's recent ban of the fixed-width font Courier New? Is there some leak in the State Department that is being exploited by the Bluetooth SIG?

[danesh]

I was searching for BlueTooth devices to pair with my ipaq 1940 and found this pen. I am impressed with the review and convinced that this is the only BlueTooth enabled device I will ever need. The only concern though is, this pen (along with a few sheets of paper) would replace my ipaq :D

[T-Will]

Maybe it wasn't able to pair up or even power on because it wasn't charged up...does it even come with a charger, or is it a centrifugal charger where you have to vigorously shake the pen for 10 minutes then use it for 1 minute?

Also could they make it look any more attractive for thieves to steal...I mean once a thief or gadget freak sees the GIANT "Blutooth" logo that pen will be a gonner in an instant.

:wink:

[LarDude]

I think the author (and many respondents) missed the boat on this one. That bluetooth pen wasn't supposed to be used with a writing pad, it should be used on that nice delicate transflective screen on your PDA (make sure you "click" the pen so that the ink ballpoint is extended, otherwise the pen won't pair properly with your PDA).

[x999x]

First the rover, now this?

Cute?

:roll:

:|

[juni]

But I want this one:

http://akiba.sorobangeeks.com/revue_2.html

:(

[rbrome]

...if anyone was hoping for a real Bluetooth pen, they do exist - Anoto makes the technology, and both Sony Ericsson and Nokia offer actual devices.

But even cooler is the Siemens all-in-one pen-phone:

http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/4572.html

8) It's real, and you can dial a phone number just by writing the number on a slip of paper! Yes, really! And (more importantly) you can send an SMS text message by simply jotting it out, or send a sketch as an MMS. No separate phone required. How cool is that? :D

[juni]

This seems cool too, although not bluetooth + it doesn't sync with a pda:

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?countryid=19&languageid=1&page=products/details&CRID=1553&CONTENTID=6150

[Hau Wei]

Love the review...if only we could customize the ink type for the pen. Only one colour?? Amazing support for font types!

I'm sure lots of users would complain about the inconsistencies in the text display! :lol:

Gotta love technology!

[OtoPA]

Just a thought though. The external battery required for this pen to function, while easily replaceable , is going to be 70 kilograms, average.

[MadAxeMan]

It is only marginally as stupid as it sounds.

1) You can power a watch by movement so why not a pen.
2) Could a pen "learn" what letter you are writing by your movement rather than optically. Not sure how it would cope with spaces...
3) It would look dead cool with one of those rubber pencil ends you used to put on as a kid (I'm not talking the kind of rubber that comes in flavours...). You could have one in the shape of Tony Blairs head. His ears could come in handy for surreptitiously picking your nose during meetings. Just remember not to chew on it afterwards...
4) ...uhm, I'll shut up now.

[bargainPDA]

I'm glad you guys are having as much fun reading and commenting on this review as I did writing it!

Brian

[iPAUL]

Hey .... wait-a-minute ... DOH! :D

[jgrnt1]

I'm amazed at how easy it is to fix it when there are problems. Instantaneous soft reset, very quick hard reset, and installing a new ROM takes less than 30 seconds. My only concern is restoring from a backup. Backing up the device relies on demonstrably faulty storage media (very much like Sandisk, though biological in this case).

[Jonathon Watkins]

Backing up the device relies on demonstrably faulty storage media (very much like Sandisk, though biological in this case).

Nah - nothing is THAT faulty! :lol:

[jgrnt1]

Backing up the device relies on demonstrably faulty storage media (very much like Sandisk, though biological in this case).

Nah - nothing is THAT faulty! :lol:

Do you mean the biological system or Sandisk? :confused totally: :lol:

[David Prahl]

I would love to be able to write regular notes on paper, and then have a digital copy on my PPC or desktop. Too bad it does work! 8O

[rocky_raher]

But I want this one:

http://akiba.sorobangeeks.com/revue_2.html

:(

I took notice of this paragraph in the above link:
Battery life spam

Ok… so in a normal use, you can utilize your Pen up to 1 week, in deep hardcore use (You decided to rewrite the Holly Bible) you will need to recharge your pen everyday.
The pen described must be good for sending a lot of junk email, because of its good "battery life spam." I suppose the "Holly Bible" is those parts of the New Testament that detail European Christmas customs. I'd rather not think about what "hardcore use" might be!

[Jonathon Watkins]

Nah - nothing is THAT faulty! :lol:

Do you mean the biological system or Sandisk? :confused totally: :lol:

Come, come Jgrnt1, there really is only one answer to that! (See also the Mars Rover thread). :wink:

On the plus side, if this device has 'memory' leaks at least it will be easy to spot! :lol:

[Chafic]

Is there a bluetooth eraser or bluetooth whiteout to go with the pen ??

[SoAlive]

Not long ago I realized that I've made the transition from the archaic, i.e. Day Runners, paper notes, memos, etc. Life is now much simpler and better organized.

I can only imagine what this next step will bring us into . . .

[Mark Johnson]

I'm concerned about the process of soft-reseting the pen. Do you suppose they will add a reset hole switch on the 2.0 bluetooth pen unit? If they do does that mean the pen will be redesigned to have an integrated stylus in the pen to have handy?