Philips VoiceTracer Pen

Capture recordings and convert speech to text

- HOLLIN JONES

$79.99 From www.dictation.philips.​com

Features 32GB storage, mono microphone, 16kHz sample rate, weighs 0.85oz

NOTE-TAKING OR minuting is an unavoidable part of many peoples' working day and seems like something that technology should be able to help with. Recording conversations is easy enough, since all our smartphones, placed on a desk, can do it. But it's a technique that draws attention to itself and can just leave you with a slightly tinny MP3. The Philips VoiceTracer is a pen - a regular pen, not any kind of special touch-sensitive one - that incorporates a 360° microphone that can be activated with a simple flick of a switch.