Note Taking Solutions

• Note Taking Solutions
  • Hand Written Notes
    • Cross CrossPad (CrossPad XP)
    • IBM ThinkPad Transnotes
    • InMotion E-Pen
    • Seiko InkLink
    • Seiko SmartPad
  • Audio Notes
  • Video Notes
  • Additional User Comments/Questions

This document list various hardware solutions used for taking notes real-time and making them available for use by wearables. Please feel free to update it as needed.

Software solutions are detailed in Wearsoft.NoteTakingSolutions. For reasons why should you take online notes in the first place, see Wearfore.NoteTakingSolutions?.

Hand Written Notes

Cross CrossPad? (CrossPad? XP)

• http://www.cross.com
• MSRP unknown - No longer manufactured
• Handles 8.5"x11" (original CrossPad?) and 5"x8.5" (CrossPad? XP) notepads

• Software
  • Windows
    • Available from Cross as part of the base package
  • Linux
    • Available from ftp://ftp.itojun.com/misc
      • Requires IBM Ink SDK

• Pros:
  • Available on EBay ~$50-$150
  • Ink refills available at stationary stores and at Cross web site

• Cons:
  • No longer being manufactured
  • Linux support requires IBM Ink SDK which is no longer available (at least I can't find it - FreemanPascal)
  • Offline solution only, notes must be downloaded and cannot be sent as they are entered
  • Does not support erasing
  • No place to store the pen when not in use

IBM ThinkPad? Transnotes

• MSRP $2499 - No longer in production
  • Avilable from Tiger Direct $699 (right hand pad) / $899 (left hand pad))
• Handles 8.5"x11" and A4 notepads
• Built-in pad solution w/ notebook PC

• Software
  • Windows 2000 on laptop w/ IBM Ink
  • Linux (unknown)

• Pros
  • Includes a 600MHz P3 laptop w/ touchscreen
  • very flexible packaging

• Cons
  • Includes a full notepad PC
  • No longer in production

InMotion? E-Pen

• http://www.e-pen.com/
• MSRP ~$149.00 (Cannot find anywhere to purchase - FreemanPascal)
• Handles 8.5"x11" and A4 notepads
• Clips onto notepad/notebook

• Software
  • Windows support with base package
  • Linux (unknown)
  • Cassiopeia version supported

• Pros
  • USB support
  • No cumbersom hardware pad

• Cons
  • Very new - little info or support at the moment

Seiko InkLink?

• http://www.seikosmart.com/products/inklink.html
• Tech support
  • Phone (US): 1-800-757-1011
  • Email: us-support@seikosmart.com
• MSRP $99.99 USD
• Handles Letter, Legal, 5"x8", A4, A5, and custom sizes in portrait and landscape modes.
• Clips onto notepad/notebook

• Software
  • Base package
    • PDA software (PC Pocket/Palm)
    • Windows
  • Linux
    • None yet - very new

• Pros
  • USB/Serial/IrDA interface
  • No cumbersom hardware pad

• Cons
  • Very new - limited software

Seiko SmartPad?

• http://www.seikosmart.com/products/sp582.html
• MSRP $149.95 USD
• Handles 5"x8.5" notepads

• Pros
  • Built-in keyboard
  • Small
  • Also acts as a carrier for PDA and cell phone

• Cons
  • PDA only solution w/download to PC

Audio Notes

Video Notes

Additional User Comments/Questions

FreemanPascal (06/09/2002) - I removed the references to jAugment for audio and video notes. This page is for hardware only.

FreemanPascal (06/04/2002) - I have purchased one of these and have contacted Seiko Instruments to get information for writting a Linux driver. The Windows PC driver and InkLink Notes Manager worked pretty well, even with my scrawlings.