Livescribe Pulse Smartpen

I mentioned this electronic pen in a story I did a while ago about note-taking tools, but it looks like it's finally out for sale.

It's a pen that records your handwriting at the same time as it records audio. So in addition to your written notes, you have an actual recording to refer to later. After you're done with, say, an interview or class, you can point to a particular place on the paper, and the pen plays back what you were recording at the time -- sort of like OneNote for paper.

The pen also makes it easy to transfer note to your PC and upload them to the Internet to share, audio and all. I wish OneNote were as easy to share.

This could be a seriously cool tool for journalists -- I'd get one myself if the price were a little lower. If anything ever happed to my 2710p, I'd seriously consider buying a cheap laptop replacement and one of these Smartpens.

The Pulse does need special paper, and it doesn't look like they sell a reporter's notepad. They do sell a Moleskin-type journal pad that cost $25. Ouch. The company says you'll soon be able to print out your own special paper on any laser printer.

Reviews: Gizmodo, New York Times.