Viva the scanner revolution
A scanner revolution has been a long time coming, and I am excited to say that it’s not only here, but Iris’s new scanning tools rock the industry.
Maybe you’ve seen scanning pens that recognize text, or scanning apps that utilize your smart phone camera to digitize images, but what you may not have noticed, and never thought you could possibly need, is Iris’s 2 in 1 scanning mouse. That’s right, people, it’s a mouse and a scanner. A scanner AND a mouse!
Little tech, big possibilities
This is a ton of technology packed into one small (and relatively inexpensive) package. For sixty (or so) bucks this impressive little device can digitize and translate your handwritten notes into editable text, scan full pages of text and pictures and format them in microsoft word, and take impressive image scans from anything too bulky or inconvenient to place on your scanner bed.
Since we haven’t tested it ourselves the AG can’t say much about the quality of the scan but since Iris scanners are backed by Canon, image quality is probably tops.
The mouse is wired, and when you trigger the scanner button (located under your thumb on the side of the mouse) the software automatically opens and initiates a scan. This can be a pain if you accidentally trigger it, but aside from that, the mouse functions as well as any other and looks good with a sleek design and interchangeable colorful skins.
Pros
The benefits of the Iris mouse are many. First, the obvious, you can quickly and easily scan notes and pictures to text from your desk without having to get up and go to the office copy machine.
This also makes images from books easier to digitize without having to crack those library book spines. You can also scan text directly into google translate, so if you’re constantly reading authentic Japanese anime and want to know what’s going on, this is for you.
Ultimately Iris’s scanning mouse is a slightly more expensive traditional mouse that comes with a built-in scanner, for $50 more than you would pay for a traditional wired mouse, you get a scanner at your literal fingertips.
You don’t have set up and plug in another device.
That in itself is really cool.
the Cons
As with everything there are a couple of cons to this mouse, but while there are a couple other scanning mouses out there, Iris seems to be the market leader. So if this is the tech you want, Iris is probably the place to get it. Otherwise a traditional scanner should suit your needs.
According to a number of reviews, this mouse has difficulty tracking, and the scanned page needs to remain stable and solid (think taping it down or placing a thick piece of acrylic over the image) in order to get a crisp functional scan.
Other reviews note the company’s sparse instructions and less than satisfactory customer support making the scanner difficult to set up and use.
Scan on
With any new technology, though, there will be a couple of hang ups, but I for one am excited about a future with no scanning beds, and an easy way to turn my hand written notes into real text quickly.
Now I just have to go back to college, and this mouse will be one of the first things I purchase. Guaranteed.
#IRIS
