It seems like everyone has an App Store these days. And why not? As Apple has shown, great apps extend the power and functionality of a good device into realms no one could ever have dreamed.

Not wanting to be left out of the “App-Parade”… Livescribe has just announced the beta launch of their own application store. The store will provide Livescribe users…

with the ability to download more than 30 paid and free applications, which extend the functionality of the Pulse smartpen beyond its core feature of recording and linking audio to handwriting. Applications range from productivity and reference tools to games and entertainment to travel and education.

The initial releases are nothing too too exciting. They include a few versions of Hangman, a “Sexy Oracle” (don’t ask!) and a series of apps to help with the traditional chanting of the Hebrew Bible (called Magic Yad: Hebrew Chanting Made Easy). Still, it is great to see the functionality of this awesome device extended through the addition of apps.

I love my Pulse Smartpen and use it every day. The added functionality some of these apps can potentially bring will only make a great product better.

The full release follows.

Pulse Smartpen application reviews begin… later today.

LIVESCRIBE’S PULSE SMARTPEN GETS SMARTER WITH THE BETA LAUNCH OF AN APPLICATION STORE

Applications provide consumers with new ways to quickly access information, learn and play

OAKLAND, CALIF. – Nov. 19, 2009 /PRNewswire/ — Livescribe Inc. (www.livescribe.com) announced today a beta launch of its online Application Store, providing consumers with the ability to download more than 30 paid and free applications, which extend the functionality of the Pulse smartpen beyond its core feature of recording and linking audio to handwriting. Applications range from productivity and reference tools to games and entertainment to travel and education.

In addition to the beta launch of the Application Store, Livescribe released today the 2.0 version of its mobile computing platform, including software upgrades for both the smartpen and the Livescribe Desktop software – which allows consumers to save, organize and share their notes and recordings from their computer, as well as download and install applications.

The applications enable a broad range of new user experiences with the Pulse smartpen. For example, consumers can now read and hear a translated phrase in Spanish, French, German, Japanese or even Korean, rapidly access fun facts on a variety of topics from past World Series winners to U.S. Presidents; get help studying geometry, organic chemistry, or Hebrew chanting; play more than a dozen games like Blackjack, Video Poker or Hangman; listen to classical music pieces or even play a guitar – right from the ‘pentip’ of their Pulse smartpen.

“The initial set of more than 30 applications only begins to tap the potential of the Livescribe smartpen platform,” said Byron Connell, chief marketing officer of Livescribe. “We look forward to seeing our community of more than 5,500 registered developers create, develop and distribute the next generation of innovative paper-based computing applications to come.”

To see the beta Application Store, visit www.livescribe.com/store or access it through the Livescribe Desktop software. Consumers can easily browse, search and find paid and free applications, as well as review peer ratings and watch demonstration videos before purchasing. During the “beta” phase, only consumers in select countries will be able to purchase applications from the online store – visit www.livescribe.com/store for the most current information.

“For a developer, it’s hard to resist the allure of writing applications for a fully functional computer that fits inside a pen,” said Clarke Stevens, one of over one thousand third party developers who have downloaded the free smartpen SDK just in the last six weeks. “The tools provided for Pulse developers are some of the most simple and complete that I’ve seen for developing and testing embedded applications. This fact makes what was already a fun process into a relatively painless one.”

To manage and install new applications downloaded from the beta Application Store, consumers will need to update their software to the new release of Livescribe Desktop Version 2.0 at www.livescribe.com/smartpen/desktop. Once an application is downloaded from the store and the smartpen is docked to the computer, the application is automatically installed and available for use. The corresponding update for the smartpen software also includes a new “quick launch” and “hot spot” feature that enables faster, more convenient access to applications.

The Livescribe Pulse smartpen is available in two models: 2GB, storing more than 200 hours of audio for $169.95 and 4GB, storing more than 400 hours of audio for $199.95. It’s available for purchase at Best Buy, Staples, Target, Amazon.com, select Apple stores and Apple.com and Livescribe.com.

About Livescribe
Located in Oakland, Calif., Livescribe has developed a new low-cost mobile computing platform that enhances productivity, learning, communication and self expression for anyone that uses pen and paper. The Pulse smartpen revolutionizes the act of writing by recording and linking audio to handwriting, so users never miss a word. For more information, visit Livescribe at www.livescribe.com.