Livescribe 2GB Sky Wi-Fi Smartpen

I love my Sky Smartpen. I have been a longtime user of Evernote and I'm so pleased that the sky pen works with Evernote, which I think is one of the best organizational tools out there. I am primarily using my Sky to take online Chinese Language lessons with teachers in China by Skype. I use the (sold separately but very inexpensive) 3D earphones made just for these Livescribe Smartpens. For the Skype lessons, I use the 3D earbugs and then I use a logitech wireless headset with soft padding over the earbugs. The padding is standard on most logitech headsets and makes it so that the double setup doesn't bother my ears at all and the recording is crystal clear. I was really unclear with the data online about the ability to record phone meetings versus live meetings and lectures. Unless I'm doing it wrong, the answer is: you can wear just the 3D earphones during a meeting or a live lecture, they will pick up what you hear and also what you. If you're recording a phone/skype call you need to have a second layer which is the headset. I was using the headset anyway so adding the earphones has been nothing difficult or notable.I was worried about recording all of these classes because I only got the 2G version of the pen and I read online that in order to get data OFF of the pen, you have to archive the entire notebook; that erases all of the recordings from the pen but makes it impossible to keep using audio recording with the same notebook (though you can continue to use the notebook for writing notes). But then I realized that you get about 200 hours of recording even on the minimalist 2G pen and that should be more than adequate for each notebook and even using multiple notebooks for multiple subjects (which I'm also doing). If you archive one notebook and not another, it only deletes the archived notebook from your pen. The other notebook is not affected. NOTABLY, ALL OF YOUR NOTES ARE STILL IN EVERNOTE and readily available to you. In short, my concern about running out of recording space on the pen before I was actually finished with the notebook is not a legit concern. (The notebooks are very very reasonably priced).Also, I just clicked on one of the audio recordings in Evernote and a web-browser-based app opened up that had all of my notes in conjunction with the recording, so if you want to review your audio and written notes without having your notebook with you- it's completely possible. Great for travel or if you move on to a second notebook and don't want to cart the old one with you to class. Or, if you have your notebook with you, you just tap on the part you want to hear again while you're reviewing your written notes.It's really an extraordinary device. I don't know how I made it through law school without it... but back then we only had slate and chalk...The reviews that dislike the product seem largely to be from people who don't like Evernote or who were happy with other versions of the pen and thought that the sky was an expansion on the same pen rather than the introduction of a different pen with different features. For those who aren't afraid of learning the incredibly easy and intuitive Evernote system and who don't already have one of the other livescribe smartpens, I strongly recommend the Sky.

I have had a Pulse since 2009 and LOVED IT. Okay, more than loved it as it got me through some nasty work situations and university classes. The poor thing was worked to death and the battery no longer holds a charge and I am fine with that. I THOUGHT the Sky would be just as good if not better. How very very very wrong I was. Here are the good things I have seen so far from the Sky pen.1. Feels nice in my hand and it is easy to write with2. The microphone earbuds for lecture rooms and large conference rooms. (I don't have them but I like the concept)3. I can make recordings and write without the Wi-Fi being on.Now for the things Livescribe BROKE or did not think about:1. Cannot format the pen (no auto dimming, no military time, etc)2. Must use Evernote (not allowed in my company)3. Cannot use any Wi-Fi that requires a username (not able to use at work, school, or home and I don't want to tether the pen)4. No ability to directly sync to your computer5. No ability to back up your files to a CD or network drive6. No security for your files period, since you are on Wi-Fi/Public Cloud7. No email capabilities8. No One Note connector (my connection to company SharePoint)9. Bad registration/upgrade instructions (leaves you hanging after the upgrade and the pen keeps insisting that it has not been registered)10. Horrible documentation (in the box and on the website, need to explain things better)11. MyScript USED to be able to transcribe from Livescribe Desktop and worked really well. No Desktop, No Transcription. Thankfully, I did not buy this software when I bought the Sky pen or I'd be out more money.12. No auto turn off after a specified time.But the biggest problem is the fact that Evernote can use your files however and whenever they want. Any recorded lectures would be fair game for distribution to sites that pay for course material. Someone did not think this through or believes this is really just an overpriced child's toy and that serious students and business people would not actually use this. Frankly, Evernote is one of the worst packages in this category.Some things to make this better:1. Bring back the Desktop and Connectors2. Allow Wi-Fi to have a username3. Fix the registration/upgrade to get you past the upgrade step4. I would like to customise my pen so I can look at a glance and know what time it is and not have to get my glasses to see an am/pm.5. Auto shut off after a time I specify.What would be so cool I could love this pen:Allow it to connect to my home network as a device and I would be able to download content to the computers with the Desktop as I wanted or push it to my SharePoint.I have no problem syncing with my computer. From there my notes can go anywhere I want them to go and know they will be secure. Life is not always better in the Cloud and free is not always good. If you want this for a novelty toy, then this is the pen for you. Otherwise, go with the Pulse or Echo. I wish I could return this for an Echo but I threw out the box.25 Jan Update: Customer service has helped me get through all but one of the technical issues with the pen, it still does not auto shut off when plugged into the USB. Still outstanding too is the lack of a secure file transfer method. I did do an experiment with Evernote using a test recording and notes. Not seamless and very cumbersome especially if you have large files. The test file was immediately deleted from Evernote, and I was still able to pick the file up on my Kindle Fire and Windows Phone. Yikes!!!

I used the Livescribe 2GB WIFI for college. Sat in the front row for best sound quality. The pen picks up nearby conversations so try to avoid sitting near chatty people. Notes (including images) and recordings are synced with Evernote.com which was handy.A few downsides:1. The pen is bulky which makes it hard to hold for long periods of time. It also affects legibility and writing speed.2. The ink would run out pretty fast. Buy a few extra. (Note, it comes with 1 black ink)3. My pen died after a year -- no warning, errors, etc. It still turns on, but it won't record or sync anymore. I don't know what happened. That said, I suggest you sync often.If you're in school and have the option, I'd say you're better off video-recording your lectures. Because the livescribe makes it hard to write quickly, it's easy to fall behind on the discussion, feel rushed, write sloppily, and not really take anything in. An exception might be if your note-taking style is more graphical than text.In summary, best used for intermittent note-taking alongside discussion. Not suggested in writing intensive environments.