Some of us prefer carrying Tablet PCs inside meetings or the classroom because they help us capture handwritten notes directly on the computer. And writing with a pen in free-form anywhere on the screen is always convenient than typing a Word document line-by-line.
Now imagine a workflow where the Tablet is replaced by a traditional paper notebook – you write notes or sketch drawings in ink on paper and then transfer the notes onto the computer.
This is possible with Capturx – a kit that comprises of a digital ballpoint pen (only slightly thicker than a regular pen) and a paper notebook.
You write on a paper notebook with ink, connect the Capturx pen to the computer (via USB or Bluetooth) and all your handwritten notes are imported into Microsoft OneNote. The whole process is even simpler than transferring digital photos from some camera to the computer.
Once your notes are on the computer, you can search the handwriting or convert it to digital text with OneNote. If you add more text to some existing page of the paper notebook, Capturx will smartly download only the latest changes to OneNote. It actually works like magic.
And you are less likely to run into issues like the notebook running out of battery because the Capturx pen can capture several pages of text in a single charge.
Now the Capturx kit costs $350 and that doesn’t include the price of Microsoft OneNote software. You also need to buy special paper notebooks that cost ~$20 (for 150 pages). And the kit is only available in US though they plan to expand in more countries in 4Q.
The price of the unit (and the recurring cost) is a concern but otherwise, Capturx is flawless and a perfect choice for writing notes without those bulky Tablet PCs – it is not a replacement of Tablets but definitely a useful companion.
Capturx is available at adapx.com. You may also want to check out Warner Crocker’s video demo of Capturx while Kathy Jacobs has a detailed tutorial on troubleshooting Capturx.
Find this article at: http://www.labnol.org/software/organize/capturx-onenote-review-digital-notes-on-paper-notebooks-without-tablet/2788/
Tags: digital pen, feature, notes, onenote, tablet pc, Organize, Software
Reader Comments
My first reaction was “wow”, but then i thought if i really want my handwriting to be transferred to computer. At the end of the day, it is horrible and i prefer typing wherever i can, which leaves this gadget primarily for drawings. If that’s the case, i wonder if it really has advantages over a tablet-PC, especially when you factor in the price…?
Written by Dima on 04.02.08
OK, it looks like i was too quick to react. link are some additional thoughts.
Written by Dima on 04.02.08
I think at this price Capturx is a great idea for businessmen, and gadget freaks like me, other than that, this is expensive for pen and paper. What a brilliant idea though.
Regards.
Written by jsanderz on 04.02.08
Yup. I have been following this gadget for some time, but the fact that the paper is expensive and not reusable sours the deal for me.
Also, Amit, I am not entirely sure, but the imported handwriting to OneNote would still only be searchable on Windows XP Tablet PC edition or Vista, right? Not on normal Windows XP.
@Dima, if you are using a Tablet PC, then you need not worry a lot because the handwriting recognition is pretty awesome.
Written by Vaibhav on 04.02.08
@Vaibhav – I guess as long as you have OneNote, it doesn’t matter if you on XP or Vista because the handwriting recognition is present by default in OneNote.
Written by Amit Agarwal on 04.02.08
@Amit – I see… I didn’t know that… Thanks
Written by Vaibhav on 04.02.08
But that’s the whole point of a tablet PC. You don’t take notes on paper. You take them in your own handwriting but on your laptop or UMPC. And for older notes that have already been taken on paper, there’s good old OCR.
Written by anonymous on 04.03.08
Amit, how is this different to Logitech’s io2, apart from the Bluetooth?
Written by Jeremy Wagstaff on 06.03.08
Jeremy – Haven’t got a chance to play with io2 yet but looks like there are some differences.
Logitech iO2 works with any paper while Capturx pen requires a special notebook. Capturx can transfer text / sketches from the pen to Microsoft OneNote only but the implementation is pretty solid and the pen grip is nice.
If we look at the price, Logitech iO2 is almost double the cost of Capturx.
Written by Amit Agarwal on 06.03.08
I have an AceCad DigiMemo. This is similar to both. It is a digital clipboard and pen: you need both, but you can use any paper on the clipboard.
It is much less expensive (mine was $200 including a leather case). It works well. I use it three ways:
1. Take notes at meetings.
2. Whip up a handwritten presentation – you can transfer the files over to a PC and project them. If you don’t mind the presentation being more informal, it is quicker than preparing a PowerPoint presentation – you write it up, transfer to your PC, and then project your pages.
3. Use “live” – it provides some tablet functionality to any PC – for example, my more standard laptop. You attach the DigiMemo, start the software – then what you write appears on the screen! This functionality has one drawback – only landscape mode is allowed.
But it is less expensive and useful – and no special paper needed!
Written by tara hollingsworth on 02.26.09