Livescribe Pulse Smartpen gains Mac beta

Developer Livescribe is releasing a beta of Mac software for its Pulse Smartpen, which simultaneously records hand-written notes with sound. The company is also adding features to the Windows version of the software, allowing users to print the special micro-dot paper used by the pen. Add-on software allows Windows users to transcribe handwriting into editable text.

Livescribe's Desktop for Mac Beta will be available as a free download beginning November 24th. The native Mac OS X application -- written in Cocoa -- allows users to download, browse and search handwritten notes and the corresponding audio. Students, for example, can record classroom lectures matched to their notes and sketches.

Desktop 1.4 for Windows will also be released next Monday, allowing users with Adobe Postscript-compatible color laser printers to save money by printing their own Livescribe notebook paper. In addition, the company will release MyScript for Livescribe, which turns handwritten notes into editable text files, which can be copied and pasted into Microsoft Word, Outlook and other applications. Users can download a 30-day trial of the $30 software, which is being offered by Livescribe's partner Vision Objects.

The pen is equipped with its own processor, and requires paper covered with tiny dots to map out and record handwritten notes. A built-in microphone records the matching audio, which can be instantly replayed with a tap of the pen. Audio functions such as fast-forward, pause or playback speed can be controlled using a control panel printed on the special paper. A full-function calculator application works much the same way, with users tapping on printed keys, and the answer appearing in a tiny OLED screen on the side of the pen.

The Pulse Smartpen is available in two models: a 1GB version priced at $150, and a 2GB model for $200. The Desktop for Mac beta requires an Intel system and Mac OS X 10.5 or higher.

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