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Connected Objects Writing

Cronzy is a pen that lets you write with a rainbow

Several years ago, at least some of us thought it was a major achievement when manufacturers introduced pens that could write in more than just blue or black ink. They were a dream come true especially for kids, artists and teachers who no longer needed to carry around separate pens for writing and correcting mistakes on their students’ tests, term papers and homework.

Cronzy is a pen that goes many steps further than most multi-color pens because it can write in pretty much any color that any user would want and can even match scanned colors also. The pen is capable of writing in more than 16 million colors, its makers say. Its main mechanism is based on solenoid valves like those used in various other devices and the pen features a special algorithm for mixing colors.

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Tech Accessories

Write2Go electronic pad lets you take digital notes the write way

Electronic writing pads have a few appealing functions, among them that they allow users to take notes and sketch designs while saving paper (and trees).

Write2Go is a small handwriting pad that uses electronic ink technology and transfers notes to Mac and Windows computers. In addition to notes and pictures, the device can be used to sign e-documents. Memos can be saved and scheduled in Google/Outlook Calendar.

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Connected Objects Input

Phree lets you scribble on any surface, saves notes to your phone

editors-choiceWhat do Texas and mobile device interfaces have in common? Everything’s bigger there. Touch screens such as those in nearly every smartphone and tablet today set a new bar for ease of use. But their fingertip friendliness came at the price of precision compared to the mouse, which could pinpoint things on the screen.

patent-claimedPhree, however, takes a fresh approach to the idea of a pointing device for smartphones. Unlike other smart pens that work directly on the surface of the smartphone or on paper, Phree allows scribbling on virtually any surface and sends its output to the screen and is compatible with existing pen-aware applications.

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Arts

PlexiSketch allows for erasable note taking, saves paper in the process

While most tablets and smartphones offer some great conveniences, including a place to take and store notes, sometimes it’s nice to jot down ideas and make quick sketches in a non-electronic way.

PlexiSketch is a portable dry erase board made from laser cut Plexiglas and has hand beveled edges. Its rubber grips allow for one-hand writing simplicity. In addition, it’s compatible with either dry or wet erase markers. The portable note taking board is slightly larger than a standard piece of copy paper at 8.5 x 11.37 inches, and is only 1/8” thick, so it fits easily in a briefcase, backpack, or large purse.

Where portability is concerned, there is some question as to how to keep the notes from smearing when toted out of an office environment. However, it may serve as a useful way for moms with children who are really too small for electronic devices to keep their kids occupied without needing to have paper or a coloring book on hand. This campaign seeks to raise $5,000 on Kickstarter. Early bird backers get one product for $14 with an expected delivery of April 2015.

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Input

Neo Smartpen N2 sends your scribbles to your smartphone

Only a select few smart pens have really stood out as serious contenders in the digital marketplace. The N2 by NeoLAB intends to follow in the footsteps of heavyweights like LiveScribe and Equil by offering the syncing features we’re all used to, but with a few extras to set itself apart. The pen’s versatility comes from its compatibility with industry standard D1 ink, the ability to import anything created into Photoshop or Illustrator for further tweaking, voice recording, and PDF editing and annotation to round it all out.

The Mimoto pen has also tried to break the mold by moonlighting as a stylus for touch screens, but in the end most smart pens are entirely too similar. The N2 does a valiant job differentiating itself with its feature set and the ability for users to print their own proprietary paper rather than be stuck if they’re out. If it’s up your alley, the basic package goes for $99 and comes with one N2 and a notebook.

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Writing

ThinkBook provides dry-erase tablet alternative to the never-ending notebook

ThinkBook  9697903696fb89405f4e644f40e3aacb_large[1]So you’re out at a restaurant and this really great idea pops into your head. Alas, you will imminently need that napkin for the sauce-doused pasta and any attempt to wrest the iPad back from your child will meet with vociferous protest. The creator of ThinkBook can sympathize. Hence, the idea for the 5×7 dry erase notebook was born. It comes with 15 pages and a dry erase marker, much to the relief of every waiter and waitress. Of course, with the pages a scarce commodity, you’ll need to find alternative means to sharing your idea rather than ripping out a sheet. Maybe you can borrow that iPad — or at least its camera — for a moment, after all. For $25 backers get a complete product and expected delivery of June 2014.