New IRISPen scans 128 languages

IRIS Group today released its new IRISPen 6 hand scanner for students and others converting written words to computers. The new version is smaller, sharper, and more accurate; in many cases, the reader can copy text with no flaws at all, the company says. Intelligence also steps up as the update can recognize 128 different languages and, in a Translator version, will directly convert any of 11 languages. The pen is app-independent and now includes a smart wizard that helps negotiate scanning spreadsheets or other unconventional layouts.

IRIS notes the pen is completely app-independent and will work wherever a text cursor can be found, with the option of inserting grayscale images in most supporting software. The latest version of the IRISPen works with any Mac OS X Panther or Windows 2000 system and later and should be available now at $129 for the core Express model, $149 for the Translator version, and $199 for the deluxe Executive version which adds both the translation tool and a barcode reader.