Livescribe smartpens allow you to link audio recordings with your hand-written notes. The Pulse is the older, original smartpen, and the Echo is the newer model. Both pens serve the same function and work in the same basic way, but they do have slightly different designs and features.
Design
The most basic difference between the Pulse and the Echo smartpens is the design. The Pulse is matte silver, while the Echo is a sleek black. The Echo has a more ergonomic design -- the writing half of the pen is considerably thinner than the top half of the pen. The bottom of the Pulse is thinner than the top, but not noticeably so. The Echo has a rubber grip on the bottom of the pen, which the Pulse completely lacks.
Function
The Pulse and Echo smartpens work in the same way. To use the pens, you must have Livescribe dot paper. As you write, the pen records audio and links it with your writing. Review your notes and tap your smartpen anywhere on your writing -- the pen plays back the audio recorded at that exact moment. Both pens have an embedded microphone and speaker to record and play back audio. The Pulse includes the Livescribe 3-D recording headset. You can use the headset with the Echo, but you have to purchase it separately.
Features
Both pens feature a 96-by-18-inch OLED display, an ARM 9 processor and a high-speed infrared camera capable of recording over 70 images per second. The camera records the dot paper, not regular pictures. Both pens connect to your computer so you can transfer your notes and audio recordings. The Pulse includes a proprietary USB mobile charging cradle, while the Echo includes a standard micro USB cable. At 2 GB, the Pulse smartpen has less available memory than the Echo. You can purchase an Echo with either 4 GB or 8 GB of memory.
Packages
The Pulse and the Echo offer a note feature without audio recording and paper replay, which means you tap the paper to replay audio from that moment. The Echo offers password protection of your paper replay. Both pens include a scientific and basic calculator. You can purchase additional applications for either pen at livescribe.com. The Echo smartpen includes a launch line application, which makes it easier to launch the smartpen applications.
Tags: Both pens, paper replay, Pulse Echo, audio recordings, back audio
