Livescribe Introduces Livescribe Desktop software for Mac users
Posted by Dave Merten 
Jan 6, 2009 at 4:33pm
Livescribe Inc. today announced its native Livescribe Desktop software for Mac, version 1.0, for its Pulse™ smartpen at the Macworld Conference. Livescribe’s Pulse smartpen captures handwriting and simultaneously records audio and synchronizes it to the writing, so users never miss a word they hear, write or speak. Users can simply tap on their notes to replay what was recorded from the exact moment they were writing.
With the Livescribe Desktop software, notes and audio recordings can then be transferred to a Mac, where they can be digitally stored, searched, or shared. A short demo of the Livescribe Desktop software is available at http://www.livescribe.com/smartpen/desktop.html. The Livescribe Desktop software for Mac will be available as a free download at http://www.livescribe.com/install on February 17.
“Since our launch earlier this year, the number one consumer request was for the Pulse smartpen to be Mac compatible,” said Jim Marggraff, Livescribe founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We designed the software from the ground-up using Mac OS X developer tools to ensure the application meets the high-standards that Mac consumers expect.”
“Mac OS X includes Xcode, Apple’s premiere development environment for the Mac, which enables developers to quickly and easily create powerful applications,” said Ron Okamoto, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. “We’re delighted that Livescribe has used Xcode to create Mac-only features for its smartpen.”
New Features Available Only for Mac Consumers
Pulse smartpen customers using the Mac software will have access to several Mac-only key features, including:
• Export and share your notes as PDF files locally from Livescribe Desktop.
• Export audio files (in AAC format) separately from notes so you can play them back in iTunes.
• Change the on-screen ink color of your digital notes.
After announcing the public beta Livescribe Desktop for the Mac in November, more than 10,000 consumers – including college students and professionals from numerous industries downloaded the software. Feedback received from beta participants directly improved the software design, including menu organization, features, and sharing capabilities.
Beta Software Development Kit Now Available for Mac Developers
Livescribe has an active developer community with more than 2,600 registered developers worldwide creating applications for the Pulse smartpen. Livescribe recently released version 0.9 of the SDK, which now supports application development on both Mac and Windows platforms. Hundreds of applications are underway, ranging from games to productivity tools to foreign language translators and interactive books. More details about future applications and the Livescribe Store will be made in 2009. Developers can download the SDK at http://www.livescribe.com/developers.
The Pulse smartpen is available in two models. Priced at $149, the 1GB model provides storage for over 100 hours of recorded audio. At $199, the 2GB model doubles the storage capacity and provides more flexibility for adding future applications. Accessories for the Pulse smartpen including leather cases and two-packs of journals in black and red are also available.
Pulse is available in the electronics section at Target stores nationwide, Costco wholesale stores nationwide, as well as at Amazon.com, Livescribe.com and over 100 major campus bookstores. The Pulse smartpen is also available in Office Works throughout Australia. Livescribe’s exclusive distributor for the Asean-Oceana region, BIG’ant, plans to launch in additional Asian markets in 2009.
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For more information about Livescribe, visit http://www.livescribe.com.
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Dave Merten
Dave was one of the founding guides at ‘The Mining Company,’ now known as About.com, in February 1998. Dave was their ‘Focus on Mac Support’ guide. In 2004 he started ‘G5 Owners Support Group,’ and in 2005, renamed it ‘Mac Owners Support Group.’ In 2006, he started the ‘MacOSG Support Corner’ column here at Macsimum News.
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