New Logitech io2 Digital Pen Features Improved Handwriting Recognition, Advanced Shortcuts Using ioTags; Pen Turns Handwritten Notes Into Microsoft Word Documents in Seconds

The Logitech io2 Digital Pen's improved handwriting recognitionsoftware learns the user's personal lexicon and individual handwritingstyle for a more accurate conversion of notes into digital text.

With the Logitech ioTags feature, the pen improves people'sefficiency by allowing them to send portions of their handwrittennotes directly into their e-mail and calendar applications by usingwritten shortcuts. Originally introduced last September, the LogitechioTags feature now links the digital pen directly to Microsoft Word.When the pen is docked, selected notes appear instantly as bothhandwritten notes and automatically converted text within asplit-screen interface. Users can click a single button to have thattext instantly inserted into a new Word document, or they can firstedit the text as they compare it on-screen with the handwritten notes.When using the io2 Digital Pen, people can always go back to theimages of their original handwritten notes, because they areautomatically saved when the pen is docked.

"Our digital pen technology continues to get better -- with eachof the improvements designed to help professionals increase theirefficiency," said James Stanford, general manager for the digitalwriting group at Logitech. "We often sit in meetings and take severalpages of notes, and then we either spend valuable time transcribingthose notes, or simply put them aside. With the io2 Digital Pen, eachline of notes can be automatically sent to a new e-mail, task, meetingor Word document, maximizing the usefulness of the notes whileminimizing the time it takes to convert them."

Synchronized Personal Dictionary

Logitech's updated software makes it easy for people topersonalize and add words to the dictionary used by the handwritingrecognition software to convert notes to text. During the setupprocess, the io2 software completes a search of the user's contactswithin Microsoft(R) Outlook(R) or Lotus Notes(R) and automaticallyadds those names to the Logitech io2 dictionary. When the softwareencounters these recognized names, it correctly converts them from inknotes to digital text. To further adapt to the user's personallexicon, the io2 software frequently checks the custom dictionariesfrom all of the Microsoft Office applications. This ensures thatuser-defined words, acronyms and other terminology are translated moreaccurately. During regular use, the Logitech io2 software prompts theuser to add new words to the io2 dictionary when it does not recognizethem, continually improving the experience of using the pen over time.

Logitech ioTags

The Logitech ioTags feature gives io2 Digital Pen users theability to automate where different portions of their notes are sentwhen the pen is docked. Categories of ioTags include calendar entries,new tasks, e-mails, and standard text. To designate an ioTag actionwhile taking notes, a person simply draws the symbol for the type ofnote to be created; the symbol is simply a predefined uppercase letterwithin a circle. For example, the letter T with a circle around itdenotes a new task. When the pen is docked, a new task window opens inMicrosoft Outlook or Lotus Notes and automatically becomes populatedwith the converted text. The letter W with a circle commands thesoftware to open the split-screen interface from which users can sendthe converted text to a Microsoft Word document.

Affordable Price, Simplified Paper

The new-look, black-and-silver Logitech io2 Digital Pen, availablein Europe and in the U.S. beginning in May, is more affordable thanever at a suggested retail price of $149.99 in the U.S. Logitech alsohas redesigned the special paper that comes with the pen. The companyremoved the header and footer areas so that there is more room to takenotes on each page. Each retail package comes with a standard A5(5.83-by-8.27 inches) notebook; additional sizes and formats of paperwill be available in retail stores and at www.logitechio.com.

About Logitech

Founded in 1981, Logitech designs, manufactures and marketspersonal peripherals that enable people to effectively work, play, andcommunicate in the digital world. Logitech International is a Swisspublic company traded on the SWX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and in the U.S.on the Nasdaq National Market System (LOGI). The company hasmanufacturing facilities in Asia and offices in major cities in NorthAmerica, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Logitech, the Logitech logo, and other Logitech marks are owned byLogitech and may be registered. All other trademarks are the propertyof their respective owners.