8 Best Smart Pens and Tablets We've Tried So Far (2023)
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Photograph: Moleskine
How Smart Pens Work
The SpecsA smart pen doesn't act alone (at least not yet). You'll also need a special notebook and an accompanying app. An infrared camera near the pen's point tracks your writing strokes. As you write in the notebook, dotted grids plot the pen's movements. You then use a Bluetooth connection or USB port to transfer the files to your computer. Like regular pens, these do also require ink refills eventually.
For now, you won't be able to use your favorite paper notebooks, which is a bummer for those of us with serious notebook feelings. However, at CES 2023 we saw the Nuwa Pen ($279) that promises smart notes on any paper. We'll try it as soon as it's available (hopefully by the summer).
Smart pens can …
- Transcribe your notes into text files, making them easier to read and manipulate.
- Export files from the app as PDFs, Google Docs, Evernote files, and more.
- Be used without opening the app. Just make sure the pen is on. You should be able to transfer data later, but transfer frequently so you don't run out of storage (or in case you lose the pen).
★ Remember: You have to keep your pen charged and ready, so you don't run out of battery mid-sentence. The pen will still write, but it won't digitize anything.