FAQ

1. Are there grants available to subsidize the purchase of Livescribe Echo 2 smartpens, and/or training for the products (such as Ontario Student Assistance Program)?

SmartpenCentral does not work with the agencies, whose mandates are to assist students directly. We know however that MANY of customers have provincial-level subsidies provided across Canada through the special-needs champions at the school or the School Board. Please direct this question to them!

2. How can one use different notebooks at the same time?

Each Livescribe paper product is pre-printed with a grid of dots, barely perceptible to the eye. That grid is interpreted by a small camera at the tip of the smartpen, which then tells the onboard computer (for example): that: We're in Book 3, page 12, upper-left, and we just make a letter "S"

Each paper product has a number. In the four-pack of single-subject notebooks (sold as ANA-00017), there is a Number 1, 2, 3 and 4. You may use each of these books simultaneously (typically Math, Physics, Chemistry, English, for example) with no problem. You may also use ANA-00024 (three-subject notebook Number 1) independently as well, along with ANA-00025 (three-subject notebook Number 2) and ANX-00003 (the four-pack of smaller paper).

The only thing you CANNOT do is use two copies of the SAME paper product at the same time.

Why? Because the dot-pattern in ANA-00017 book 2 is the same for every ANA-00017 book 2. The smartpen doesn't know that you have two of them going. In the Livescribe+ application, you would see handwriting on top of other handwriting. Not good!

The Big Trick is that we can "archive" books. When a user fills ANA-00017 book 2 (for example), that physical book is archived in the Livescribe+ software (take 5 seconds!). All the content is preserved in the computer, but now the smartpen can work with a fresh ANA-00017 book 2.

The following is a link which explains archiving in more detail. Like everything, it is easy when you know how!
https://livescribe.helpscoutdocs.com/article/2375-echo-2-livescribe-archiving-livescribe-notebooks

3. Can one add/annotate to the downloaded text version of your notes?

No, one may not annotate note in the Livescribe+ app. One may, however, add additional content to the page while you are listening to it (which is to say, make notes-about-your-notes), right on the page.
Both new notes and old notes will appear in the Livescribe+ app.
This is the reason that it is an "advanced best practice" to leave about one-quarter of every page blank (bottom or left side) to leave room for these after-class notes.

4. If a notebook is not full - still has blank pages - Can you archive(remove pages) the full pages and use the remaining blank pages again for a class next semester?

Yes. If you archive the content of ANA-00017 book 2, and there is writing only on pages 1 to 20 (for example), the remaining pages can still be used. It really doesn't matter if the next semester "starts" on page 21.

5. Is there a setting in the App to archive the notebook? Is this App compatible with Chrome?

The Livescribe+ app is a stand-alone product that runs in Windows or MacOS. There is no intersection with any browser like Chrome. There are also versions of Livescribe+ for iOS and Android but we find that most students, in particular, prefer the PC-versions... and the reason is that students do school work with the keyboards and monitors on their PCs, not on their small cell-phones..

6. Is there a way to un-Archive a notebook if necessary?

No, there is no way to un-archive notes.

7. Once you download and Sync from the pen, does the recording of notes and audio get removed from the pen?

No, merely synching does NOT remove content from the Echo 2 smartpen. Only archiving removes content (and thus makes it possible for the device to work with a fresh copy of any given paper product).

8. Can you use any old USB-USB C cord and power block?

Yes, you can charge your Livescribe Echo 2 smartpen with a different standard USB-C cable. We provide one, but you can use any. Most people charge their smartpens via a computer USB port, but you may also use a phone charger.

9. Can you use the pen and charge it at the same time in case you are in class and run out of power?

Yes, the smartpen can be active while it is charging (even if it is charging from a computer). When running in Windows/Mac PC mode, the handwriting is NOT displayed in real-time. The notes are visible in Livescribe+ only after you conclude a session and you then initiate a synch.

10. Can you mix and match subjects in a notebook using page by page? Or do you have to keep the same topics together for the whole semester?

Can one mix and match content? The short answer is yes. This is an "advanced" technique, hard to explain but very easy to do. The only caveat is that one must keep different subjects/topics on different physical pages. The great advantage is that one carries only a single notebook all day!
Let's imagine that we have physics notes on pages 1, 2, and 3.
We then have chemistry on page 4. English on pages 5 to 9, and Math on pages 10 and 11.
In Livescribe+, initially, all the pages will be displayed in just that "chronological" order, as you filled in the pages. One may, however, create virtual folders in Livescribe+ and thus drag-drop all the physics notes together (in order), and do the same for the other topics. When I want to study physics, all my notes are in the physics folder.
The Big Advantage of this technique is that one no longer needs to carry multiple physical books. One can literally have only one physical notebook, write notes chronologically and they separate by topic only in the software.

11. Could the folio case in the bundle be the plain one without the iPad section or do you have to order separately or pay the difference?

Our iPad Portfolio is not perfect. Over the years, iPads have changed widths, lengths and thicknesses. A modern iPad is often a little too small to fit snugly, and one must stuff styrofoam (or something!) to secure your device adequately. If you are willing to do that, sure, add a note to your order and we will send the iPad portfolio case instead of the regular one.

12. How do we set up a one-on-one training?

Anyone can access our videos. If you need more help than that, yes, we offer training at $100/hr.
Please note: Such training is often reimbursable by the same provincial programs that subsidize the smartpen. It is optimal if a designated staff member at the school or the Board to take such training ("train the trainer") and then that person can train everyone in the community.

13. Does SmartpenCentral provide technical support?

The strict answer is "no", but we do know the product VERY well and we are pleased to help address the many little issues that come up. Just call.
We also refer you to the manufacturer's Tech Support pages here:
https://livescribe.helpscoutdocs.com/

There is some very high-quality content here (and a little stuff that is very old and no longer relevant). Look for "Echo 2" and "Livescribe+". You can generally ignore content related to Livescribe 3, Aegir, Pulse, Sky and the original version of the Echo from 2009.

14. Your smartpen has failed, and is not working. What should you do?

If you suspect that your Echo 2 smartpen has a mechanical defect, you must contact the manufacturer directly via email at the following address:
Livescribe Tech Support email: livescribe.customerservice@anoto.com
The manufacturer does not publish a phone number for technical support.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

15. Wow! SmartpenCentral is great. How can I, and my community, support you?

Gee, thanks for asking!
Please consider recommending SmartpenCentral to your friends and colleagues.
We want to earn your business and your loyalty!
It REALLY helps us if you can share your kind remarks in a review on Google!