Liquid Crystal Paper Blackboard

I have horrible handwriting and am not very talented when it comes to drawing so you wouldn't think a note / sketch pad would be considerably valuable to me.  That is not really the case though.  If you think about it, typing on a keyboard can occassionally be impractical or impossible making handwritten notes essential at times.

My desk is often cluttered with papers and sticky notes filled with information I've written down during phone conversations.  Also, often times when assisting clients on criminal cases at court houses and jails I'm not allowed to bring a computer, phone or tablet into secure meeting areas so it is necessary to handwrite notes on paper.  That was until I got my hands on a Blackboard!



Boogie Board's Blackboard eWriter lets me easily take handwritten notes while on a teleconference or while having a conversation someplace where other types of devices are precluded and then digitalize the information so it can be accessed later on my pc or smart phone. Using the Blackboard has helped me reduce clutter around my office and be more organized.  Plus I'm saving some trees by not needing to use as much paper with the use of this eWriter.

After writing notes or drawing sketches on its 8.5" x 11" Liquid Crystal Paper screen, a free app that is compatible with Android or Apple phones and tablets allows you to electronically save the information displayed on your Blackboard.  Use your phone or tablet's camera through the app to capture the information on the eWriter.  Your scanned images can be archived within the app or transferred to a computer as a pdf.  So you can electronically catalog your notes by date, topic or a person's name when using a Blackboard compared to shifting through piles of papers and sticky notes later looking for a specific detail.  After scanning your Blackboard, you can also continue to draw on, highlight and enhance your work through tools available via the app.

Because my Blackboard doesn't take photographs, record videos, or otherwise store information I can take it with me into a secure area, use it for in custody consultations, and electronically save that information when I can later access the app after leaving lockdown.  Because images are generated on the Liquid Crystal Paper from the pressure placed against it from the included pen shaped stylus,  the Blackboard only uses a minute electrical current when something is erased. This means the eWriter utilizes such a limited amount of power there is no need to turn on, plug in or charge it. 

The installed button cell battery provides an estimated 5 years of use before needing to be replaced. You therefore won't find yourself worrying about whether or not your Blackboard needs to be charged up.  That is especially nice if you are traveling with it.

Utilize the stylus to write on the Blackboard just like a pen on paper.  A nice feature is that the stylus magnetically attaches to the base of the Blackboard with a firm grasp when not being used making it easy to keep track of.  The stylus also has an eraser tip function just like a pencil.  Hold down the single erase button at the top of the Blackboard while rubbing specific areas of the pad with this stylus feature and only images on those spots will disappear.

On the other hand, if you want to clear the whole pad simply hit the big circle at the top of the pad and the whole screen will be wiped clean.  Of course that could be very bad if you hit it by accident so there is a safety feature included as well.  Clicking on a lock button to the right of the quick erase feature will protect from accidental erasing.

You know the lock feature is activated when a red tab is being displayed.  This is one aspect of the Blackboard you always want to be aware of.  If you erase something before scanning it to the app your work is gone for good which is a mistake you obviously want to avoid.

Blackboard's screen is actually transparent so things can be placed underneath and traced onto it.  It also comes with four insertable background templates. One replicates the look of a lined note pad, another has a grid for drawing, plus there is an option that provides the layout of a day planner book.  My personal preference though is the template that just provides the visualization of a black backdrop.

I've found taking handwritten notes without using ink or paper then digitalizing them into an accessible electronic format to be very handy.  Check it out for yourself! You can purchase a Blackboard of your own from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Fred Meyer, Office Max, Office Depot, and Staples.  Find out more about Boogie Board's Blackboard by visiting liquidcrystalpaper.com

Boogie Board eWriters

 **A Geek Daddy received the featured product for free to review**

It seems whenever I need to print something for work from my home office all of the paper in the printer has miraculously vanished.  It is easy to find though as our refrigerator is covered with all my kids' drawing showing off their latest artistic masterpieces and highlighting where all my copy paper went.  While it is hard to be mad at my kids for having fun drawing it can be quite frustrating.  I may have found a solution to my problem though with Boogie Board eWriters!

Boogie Board eWriters provide a paper-like writing and drawing experience upon a light weight, reflective, pressure-sensitive, plastic liquid crystal display (LCD).  By pressing down on the LCD with a finger, stylus or other instrument images are created on it with the same effect of using a pencil or pen on paper.  When you want to change the image simply press an erase button on the ewriter and an electric field generated by a coin cell watch battery that powers the device will make it vanish.  The only energy the device uses is to wipe the LCD screen clean so you can get a lot of use out of it with a small battery while also being very environmentally friendly by reducing the amount of paper you use.

Boogie Board eWriters can serve as a multi-purpose paper replacement for helping students practice handwriting and arithmetic, taking notes, leaving messages, creating maps, playing games like Tic Tac Toe, even diagramming sports plays for a youth basketball team you may be coaching.  Oh and of course these devices are great for drawing pictures! The sky is the limit for applications and pretty much anything you write or draw on paper can also be done on a Boogie Board eWriter.  It sounds almost too good to be true, but my family has put two of their models to the test, a Scribble n' Play and the jot 4.5 CLEARVIEW eWriter, and both performed splendidly.

Scribble n' Play

My daughter loves doodling on the Scribble n' Play and I've noticed that the paper in my printer tray hasn't been disappearing as much.  She really adores drawing on her Scribble n' Play. This eWriter features Colorburst technology that provides a multi-color LCD writing screen.  It comes with four stylus tools that allow users to create a variety of lines and textures to enhance their drawings.  These stylus attach to the board for easy storage.  a FREE app for iOS devices allows you to save your Scribble n' Play creations on a phone or tablet then share it with family and friends.  With the simple push of a button the image on the LCD disappears and you can start on a new masterpiece.  Since the energy you need to operate the device is primarily to generate an electrical charge to reset the LCD it has really long life with the battery it comes with and when it is time for a new one you just need to pick up a replacement coin cell battery.

jot 4.5 CLEARVIEW eWriter

The jot 4.5 eWriter has a patented translucent LCD screen that makes it perfect for kids to practice writing their numbers and letters.  It comes with alphabet flashcards that can be placed behind the device for kids to practice their handwriting skills.  There is also a FREE iOS app that provides practice math drills that can be placed under the eWriter's clearview screen for kids to interact with using the device's included stylus. The jot 4.5 eWriter's quick, one-push of the button erase system makes it great for repetitive tracing and memorization drills that would be particularly useful for students in kindergarten through third grade.

This device isn't just for tracing though and while it is great for young students there are plenty of practical and fun uses for adults too.  Use it to write down things you'd otherwise need paper, scratch pads or sticky notes for.  It's also great for sketching!  In addition to using the included flashcards to practice his handwriting on the jot 4.5 eWriter, my son also has lots of fun drawing on the device.  Trace an illustration or if you have the artistic ability create your own work of art draw something freehand.

 

Affordable, convenient, practical and environmentally friendly, our family has had a great experience using Boogie Board eWriters.  I particularly like these devices get away from typing and encourage people to continue using handwriting.  The two devices we reviewed are focused on being primarily used by children but if you really appreciate this concept, Boogie Boards also has an eWriter aimed for adults, the jot 8.5, that features a sync app that easily transfers your content in a format that can be edited to a phone or tablet encouraging using the device for note taking, writing, and messages.

For more information about the Scribble n' Play, the jot 4.5 CLEARVIEW eWriter or Boogie Board's other products, please visit myboogieboard.com