Is there really a need for paper anymore, especially since almost everything is going digital these days? Forms can be filled out electronically, news can be delivered digitally, and even traditional art media is being replaced by digital equivalents. We don’t even need post-its, notepads, or scrap paper anymore to jot down little notes or ideas as we can now do that on our smartphones and tablets. Despite all this, there’s still something special about using a traditional “pen and paper” that you still can’t quite emulate digitally, or can you? Some of you might have heard of this digital “pen and paper” device called the Boogie Board. It’s an electronic memo pad that simulates the feel of pen and paper but much more eco-friendly with the ability to write and erase multiple times without ever needing to be charged or connected to a power source. The model I checked out is the latest Boogie Board Jot 8.5, an update to the original Boogie Board that started it all.
The new Boogie Board Jot 8.5 is totally not what I was expecting. While the original Boogie Board was far from stylish, this new one is a looker. It’s no longer a pure rectangular slab of plastic and has a slightly more interesting shape to it. Not only that, the new Jot 8.5 is incredibly thin at around just 2-3mm in thickness. It also barely weighs a thing. This is mainly due to the fact that the body is made entirely of plastic.
The writing surface on the Jot 8.5 is an ultra light LCD screen that has been laced with magic. Seriously, I have no idea how the tech works on the Boogie Boards, but it’s literally almost like pure magic. You write on the screen using an ordinary stylus and it appears on the screen. You’re not even limited to using the stylus. Your finger nail works, a coin, the back of a pen, anything. What else is amazing is that its fully pressure sensitive too. The harder you press, the thicker the lines. When you’re done writing or doodling, your image stays on the screen for as long as you want until you tap the erase button at the top of the Boogie Board. In an instant, your image is magically gone, ready for something new.
The Boogie Board Jot 8.5 also features two magnets on the back which allow you to use it on a magnetic surface. Another useful features is that you can attach the stylus in a way where it becomes a kickstand for the Jot 8.5 allowing you to stand it up on a table.
If you want to keep a record of your notes or image that you made, you can download the free Jot app to your iPhone or iPad here. All the app does is takes a photo of what’s on your Jot 8.5 and “scans” it in as a black and white drawing. It saves this drawing as an image file in your photo library.
So who is the Boogie Board Jot 8.5 eWriter for? If you already own a tablet and do most of your note taking and doodling on that, it’s probably not for you. It is however great for kids and gives them an outlet for creativity without wasting a ton of paper. It’s also great for the kitchen fridge if you need to leave a quick note for another family member to see. I find it useful at work or home if I want to jot down a quick idea or doodle something, then I use the app to save it. Again, it’s actually really handy and a lot quicker than having to turn on my tablet or look for a scrap piece of paper and a pen.
The Boogie Board Jot 8.5 eWriter is available now in 3 different colors – Blue, Pink, and Grey.
