Livescribe 3 smartpen digitizes notes straight to your iPad, starts at $150

Because Livescribe 3 gives over so much functionality to the app (which we'll get to later), the design of the pen is surprisingly minimal. Indeed, Livescribe's VP of Marketing, Bryan Rodrigues, told us that the company wanted it to look more like a pen than a gadget. With the screen and the on/off switch gone, we'd say they succeeded on that front. Instead of hitting a button, you turn it on by twisting the textured middle ring clockwise, which reveals the ballpoint nib as well.

Engadget , Livescribe 3 smartpen digitizes notes straight to your iPad, starts at $150, Livescribe 3 smartpen digitizes notes straight to your iPad, starts at $150