Livescribe
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | January 2007 |
| Founder | Jim Marggraff |
| Headquarters | , |
Key people | Jim Marggraff (Chairman and CEO) |
Number of employees | approx. 100 (2011) |
| Website | livescribe |
Livescribe offers a computing solution centered on paper that integrates a digital pen, specialized digital paper, software suites, and development resources.
At the heart of its offerings lies the smartpen, a ballpoint writing instrument embedded with computing capabilities and a digital audio recorder. When used alongside Anoto digital paper, it digitizes handwritten content and links it with recorded sound, allowing users to replay audio by tapping on specific notes. Additionally, Livescribe Desktop software enables users to select audio segments through synchronized digital pages.
Founded in 2007 by Jim Marggraff—previously a LeapFrog executive credited with creating the LeapPad Learning System and the FLY Pentop computer—Livescribe has established itself as a pioneer in this niche.
In November 2015, Anoto acquired Livescribe for $15 million, broadening its international footprint in digital pen technologies.
The smartpen
Livescribe’s smartpens integrate multiple components such as a ballpoint ink cartridge, microphone, speaker, OLED screen, infra-red camera, and onboard flash storage to capture handwriting, audio recordings, and sketches.
These devices allow simultaneous note-taking and audio recording; tapping any written word triggers playback of the related audio segment. The pens support various built-in applications within their memory capacity, including calculator features and basic translation utilities.
To date, four smartpen variants have been introduced: Pulse, Echo, Sky Wi-Fi (known as Livescribe Wi-Fi in Europe), and Livescribe 3. Each model offers roughly 100 hours of audio storage per gigabyte.
- The Pulse (launched March 2008) includes storage options from 1 to 4 GB, connects through a proprietary USB cradle, and uses a 2.5mm headphone connector.
- The Echo (released July 2010) features 2 to 8 GB memory capacities, a more refined design with micro USB port, and standard 3.5mm headphone jack.
- The Sky Wi-Fi (introduced October 2012) enables wireless transfer of notes and audio directly to Evernote via Wi-Fi—eliminating the need for exclusive software—and is branded "Livescribe Wi-Fi" in Europe due to trademark constraints.
- The Livescribe 3 (debuted November 2013) employs Bluetooth Low Energy (BT 4.0) to synchronize content with smartphones, foregoing an OLED display and microphone in favor of using the phone’s hardware. This design enhances battery endurance while preserving note capture functionality.
Availability for operating systems
Originally compatible solely with Microsoft Windows, Livescribe Desktop expanded support by releasing version 1.0 for Mac in March 2009, requiring OS X version 10.5.5 or later. This Mac edition earned recognition as a "Best of Show" at Macworld Expo that year. While no official Linux client exists, community-driven projects such as LibreScribe and Smartpen-Browser provide alternatives; Livescribe also maintains a Linux user forum for support.
Compatibility issues arose with Apple’s Mac OS X Snow Leopard affecting Livescribe driver installation. These problems were mitigated with the August 2009 beta 1.2 update, which for some users necessitated manual removal of obsolete file extensions.
Handwriting recognition capabilities are provided through MyScript by Vision Objects Inc., a third-party software sold separately for $29.95 and available on Windows and Intel-based Mac systems. The Livescribe 3 supports iOS and Android platforms but does not offer compatibility with Windows or Windows Phone devices.
Paper, applications, and sharing
Livescribe’s unique paper incorporates a patented dot-positioning technology licensed from Anoto, which allows for accurate note capturing and seamless integration with its digital ecosystem.
The pattern
The smartpen functions exclusively on paper printed with the proprietary Anoto dot pattern, supplied by Livescribe in multiple notebook formats. Users also have the option to print compatible dot paper themselves using laser printers with a minimum resolution of 600 dpi. The pen’s infrared camera detects this pattern to determine its exact location on pages encoded with unique identifiers, enabling precise digital transcription.
Sharing
Through Livescribe Desktop software, users can distribute notes and audio recordings as "pencasts." Introduced in May 2011, the Livescribe Connect platform broadened sharing capabilities to include e-mail, Evernote, Facebook, Google Docs, and other services. Pencasts are also exportable as interactive PDFs viewable in Adobe Reader version 10 or newer. Nonetheless, Microsoft OneNote support was discontinued following the 2010 version.
Developer tools
Livescribe created a Java-based Penlet SDK to enable developers to design smartpen applications that operate directly on the device, featuring text display, menu navigation, and audio responses. Additionally, a Desktop SDK for Windows and Mac was planned to simplify file management.
At the JavaOne Conference in June 2009, Livescribe unveiled a pre-release SDK 1.0 and later hosted a global developer competition in December 2009 aimed at inspiring innovative Pulse smartpen apps.
The April 2010 Developer Challenge recognized:
- People's Choice Grand Prize: nodewave MasterMind by Michel Bagnol
- Expert Panel Grand Prize: Audible Healthcare by Charles Caraher
- Category winners included productivity tool nodewave SwissKnife All-in-One, entertainment app Sudoku, and educational programs iDK Words/Thesaurus and SpellingMe
In July 2011, Livescribe terminated its third-party developer initiative to concentrate on cloud service access and storage solutions. This move disappointed many developers committed to the platform and sparked campaigns advocating for the program’s reinstatement.
Use and reception
Between March 2008 and July 2010, Livescribe sold approximately 400,000 smartpens; around 30% of buyers were university students, while most users were professionals in fields such as journalism, law, and sales. Certain universities provide Livescribe devices to students with learning disabilities to reduce anxiety related to note-taking.
PC World awarded the original Livescribe Pulse pen a score of 93 out of 100. An Associated Press review in 2011 described the Livescribe Echo pen as "the best tool" for note-taking when compared to an iPad. In June 2009, Livescribe was listed among BusinessWeek's "Fifty Best Tech Startups." The company also received accolades including the Codie award, MacLife Editor's Choice, and Silicon Valley Business Journal's Emerging Tech Award.
Users have reported issues with ambient noise since the pen’s built-in microphone captures both writing sounds and background audio. While included headphones feature noise-reducing microphones, Echo model headphones are sold separately.
The recording function of the pen has prompted ethical debates; for instance, in 2009 Delta Air Lines accused an Atlanta airport manager of unauthorized recording during a meeting using a Livescribe pen. The investigation found no proof of deliberate wrongdoing. Livescribe recommends responsible usage of their product with respect for privacy similar to that expected when using cameras or mobile phones.
Some customers have voiced frustration over limited responsiveness to feature requests such as printing forms on dot paper or integrating a day planner. These requests surfaced soon after launch but have received only sporadic and minimal attention from the company.
OLED issues
The Pulse, Echo, and Sky (WiFi) models experience OLED display or firmware defects, leading to screen dimming within one to three years. This deterioration greatly reduces functionality since users lose the ability to visually verify whether the pen is powered on, relying exclusively on sound signals. Such a drawback, inherent to OLED technology, has negatively affected user satisfaction despite Livescribe’s efforts to address it through business measures. The company advises customers on maintenance practices and provides discounted replacement pens; however, some replacements still suffer from the same fading problem.
By capitalizing on improvements in OLED technology, Livescribe extended the warranty period for its smartpens to three years starting January 1, 2015. This move strengthened their customer service strategy and helped safeguard their market position. Nonetheless, the OLED malfunction has disappointed certain customers, particularly given the premium cost associated with both the smartpens and their accessories.
When the OLED screen ceases to function, users can identify pen status through infrared light detectable by smartphone cameras or rely on audio feedback from volume controls. Yet without the OLED display, confirming whether audio recording is active becomes impossible—compromising a fundamental feature of the device. Livescribe offers complimentary replacements under warranty and discounted options for out-of-warranty pens in the United States, underscoring its dedication to customer retention and brand loyalty across its international operations.
External links
- nodewave Smartpen Apps Winner of the Developer Challenge and provider of Smartpen apps connected to the desktop.
- The Shape of Computers to Come? at Wall Street Journal
- D5: A new pen for a new era at The Tech Chronicles, SF Gate.com