[Athen] Converting handwritten notes to typed text

[Shelley Haven]

With both the Livescribe Echo and Livescribe 3 smartpens, the user handwrites onto Livescribe’s special microdot paper.  As you know, the Echo holds both handwritten notes and linked audio recording in its memory, and these can uploaded later to Echo Desktop software on either a Mac or PC.  A MyScript add-on used to be available for either a Mac or PC to convert those notes to e-text, but that capability was discontinued 12/31/16:
http://www.myscript.com/volinks/en/webstore/myscript-for-livescribe/description/ <http://www.myscript.com/volinks/en/webstore/myscript-for-livescribe/description/>

The Livescribe 3 smartpen <http://www.livescribe.com/en-us/smartpen/ls3/>, however, sends those handwritten notes in real time directly to either a Bluetooth-connected iPad or Android device running the Livescribe+ app <http://www.livescribe.com/en-us/smartpen/ls3/app.html?cb=1>.  From there, handwritten notes can be separated into “snippets” and converted to e-text, and individual snippets (or the entire page) can be exported to OneNote, Evernote, or other apps.  Here’s a nice video showing the whole process:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CupzfD0zKU

On the downside, the Livescribe 3 (unlike the Echo) does not have a built-in microphone — it uses the iPad’s or Android device’s mic to record linked audio.  This means the user must have 3 items to take notes (smartpen, notebook, and tablet) and possibly fiddle with a balky Bluetooth connection, whereas the Echo only requires a pen and a notebook.

As for using a graphics tablet connected to a Mac (or PC) to convert handwriting in real time, I find that most users struggle with eye-hand coordination, in that the hand is writing on the tablet, but the results are appearing in a different location (the Mac screen).  Writing neatly and in straight lines requires a lot more concentration.  A touch screen works better for this reason, but of course that means “not a Mac”.

Hope this helps,
  Shelley

_____________________________
Shelley Haven  ATP, RET
Assistive Technology Consultant
www.TechPotential.net




> On Jan 19, 2018, at 2:58 PM, Heidi Scher <hascherdss at gmail.com> wrote:

> 

> Hi Maria,

> 

> I know of the app for converting handwritten text to typed text when using a Smartpen on the PC, but I've not found Mac version. Do you know of a Mac version? I did demonstrate the Echo pen for her, but since she uses Mac & iPad it didn't seem to be an option for the converting written to text.

> 

> I'd love to know of an app that works with the SmartPen desktop software on the Mac!

> 

> Have a great weekend!

> 

> Heidi

> 

> +++++++++++++++

> Heidi Scher, M.S., CRC

> Associate Director

> Center for Educational Access

> University of Arkansas

> ARKU 209

> Fayetteville, AR 72701

> 479.575.3104

> 479.575.7445 fax

> 479.575.3646 tdd

> +++++++++++++++

> 

> On Fri, Jan 19, 2018 at 3:35 PM, Maria Ortado <mortado at cfcc.edu <mailto:mortado at cfcc.edu>> wrote:

> Have you ever used a SmartPen <http://www.livescribe.com/en-us/smartpen/>? The notes must be written with the pen onto its own kind of paper. But once they are written, they can be converted to digital text. Of course this will not help for notes that were written previously, but they can help going forward.

> 

> Maria Ortado

> Interpreter Coordinator

> Disability Support Services

> Office: U216

> Cape Fear Community College

> mortado at cfcc.edu <mailto:mcortado334 at mail.cfcc.edu>

> Phone: (910) 362-7098 <tel:(910)%20362-7098>

> NC Relay Service for Video Phone or TTY: Dial 7-1-1

> Fax: (910) 362-7113 <tel:(910)%20362-7113>

> 

> On Fri, Jan 19, 2018 at 4:06 PM, Heidi Scher <hascherdss at gmail.com <mailto:hascherdss at gmail.com>> wrote:

> Happy Friday to all!

> 

> Wondering if anyone in ATHEN land has a good solution for converting handwritten notes into typed text? This would be for a Mac user who also has an iPad 2 Air, but does not type well at all. Any suggestions would be appreciated! 

> 

> THANKS in advance for any assistance!

> 

> Heidi

> 

> 

> +++++++++++++++

> Heidi Scher, M.S., CRC

> Associate Director

> Center for Educational Access

> University of Arkansas

> ARKU 209

> Fayetteville, AR 72701

> 479.575.3104 <tel:(479)%20575-3104>

> 479.575.7445 <tel:(479)%20575-7445> fax

> 479.575.3646 <tel:(479)%20575-3646> tdd

> +++++++++++++++

> 

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