PEN

As witnessed by the unfortunate travails of R2-D2, Star Wars product merchandizing can go horribly awry. So sometimes it's safer to go with a simpler product for branding purposes, even if it means going analog (gasp).

Case in point: These Lego Star Wars Pens as seen on Uber-Review. The set pictured here includes Yoda, Darth Vader, and, yes, even the hapless, chirping R2-D2.

In addition to serving as perfectly serviceable writing instruments, these pens can be dispatched so you can mix and match their various parts while waiting for the next blockbuster arrives from the Lucas Empire. Because there … Read more

As surprising as it may seem, one of the few combo pens we have not written about is an MP3 writing instrument. We were sure it would have been included somewhere in the pantheon of multi-tasking pens, which have been hitched with everything from cameras and DVRs to SD card readers and hot-spot finders.

Chinavasion's "MOQ MP3" is a ballpoint pen that's available with 1GB, 2GB, or 4GB of storage. Its four control buttons include one to tune an FM radio as well, according to Gizmodiva. But until they figure out a way to include aromatherapy, … Read more

Updated 4:15 p.m. with details on availability from a Livescribe e-mail.

Livescribe plans to start shipping the first preorders for its digital pen on Monday, narrowly hitting the company's already delayed target of shipping this month.

In a blog posting on Friday, CEO Jim Marggraff said the company has been "overwhelmed" by the number of preorders. The company's flagship device, the Pulse, combines a digital pen with synchronized audio notes and sells in two models. The 1GB device sells for $149, while the 2GB variety is $199.

Started by former Palm and LeapFrog executives, … Read more

The Genius MousePen 8x6 is a pressure-sensitive graphics tablet that lets you draw freehand in programs like Corel Painter. Usually such tablets start at around $80, and large ones like this run even higher, but Amazon has it for just $39.99 with free shipping.

I'm no tablet expert, but the reviews on Amazon and this one on About.com peg this as a pretty solid model (the ratings average 4 out of 5 stars). It features 1,024 pressure-sensitivity levels, a wireless pen, a wireless mouse, and a copy of the aforementioned Corel Painter. Although the specs indicate … Read more

For some reason, it seems that some Korean companies are convinced that there's a demand for mice that double as pens. First there was Wow-Pen, which continues to evolve its combos. And now there's a competitor with the inspired name of ISV PenandMouse. (With a moniker like that, we assume there's no need for a mission statement.)

ISV's latest offering is a wireless mouse that works with an accompanying 2.4GHz dongle and mousepad, according to Red Ferret. It has three programmable buttons and even a built-in scroll wheel somewhere.

If this trend continues, things could … Read more

Tag is a new gadget for children that does all the work of a teacher: it gives phonics lessons, sounds out works, sings songs, and most importantly, keeps track of the student's progress.

The pen-like device is from the same company that made the LeapPad, San Francisco Bay Area-based LeapFrog.

The demo of the Tag Reading System garnered the most buzz in the morning session here at Demo 08 in Palm Desert, Calif. Using the same technology found in its current product FlyFusion, which is aimed at 8- to 13-year-olds, the Tag gadget is aimed at teaching reading to … Read more

It may not be quite as rapid as the company had hoped, but Livescribe is ready to show the world its Pulse.

The digital pen company showed off a prototype of its technology at last year's D: All Things Digital conference, but missed its goal of shipping by year's end.

And although Livescribe is unveiling more details on the product at the Demo trade show in Palm Springs on Monday, it won't actually be shipping the product until March.

But a demo last week from CEO Jim Marggraff shows that the pen has a lot of interesting … Read more

With all the digital pens that are coming to market these days, one might ask whether the world needs yet another smart writing instrument. But unlike some of its competitors, Wow-Pen has a bit of experience on the subject.

Almost exactly a year ago, the Korean company came out with its "Traveler" version, which was really a mouse with an ergonomic design that could be handled like a pen. Now it's releasing its "Digi" model, which also reads and stores what you write through a wireless USB receiver. It can toggle back and forth from … Read more

Given the fascination that gadget makers have always had with the pen, something like this Wi-Fi detector was probably inevitable. After all, we've certainly seen stranger combo writing instruments, including everything from cameras and DVRs to SD card readers and, our personal favorite, aromatherapy.

The latest is a natural progression from the "Auto Detective Pen," which warns when you're in the vicinity of a wireless signal that could be used to operate a spy cam or other surveillance equipment. (Chinavasion makes both devices, but at least the hot-spot-finding version isn't based solely on paranoia.)

Using … Read more