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Handheld Pen Scanner Gets the Picture

IrisPen II Executive offers an easy and accurate way to capture text and images while you're on the go.

Keith Shaw, Network World

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One of the first products I tested for this Cool Tools column was a handheld pen scanner that you could use to scan text from a magazine, newspaper, or other source, and store it in the device to use later. It was a great idea that fell short in its execution.

It wasn't a great experience, so I avoided looking at similar products until now. I'm happy to report that handheld image-scanning technology has improved.

The IrisPen II Executive from Image Recognition Integrated Systems Group is an extremely accurate and fast handheld pen scanner that can capture text, images, bar codes, and handwritten numbers. The device connects to a user's notebook or desktop PC via Universal Serial Bus cable and can scan text directly into applications, including Microsoft Word.

Easy and Accurate

The device and application were easy to set up, and learning how to scan with the device took no time at all. If you have employees who need to do a lot of data input of documents, this scanner may help them be more productive.

The scanner works well with newspaper and magazine scanning, but you are limited by the USB cable connected to the computer, so it's less portable than the pen scanner (from a different company) I tested two years ago. Narrow columns of text (and larger text in headlines) found in magazines and newspapers tend to increase the number of errors you get.

The IrisPen II Executive costs $130, and can be ordered online.

For more information about enterprise networking, go to NetworkWorld. Story copyright 2008 Network World Inc. All rights reserved.

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