Wacom Bamboo Spark lives on the bridge of paper and digital

For most writing on any surface other than paper can feel alien. But, what do you do if the job requires constant digitisation of notes and diagrams? The obvious answer would be a scanner or apps like CamScanner that capture all the detail on a page in digital format. However, if you do it more often and are looking for a way to capture it in more detail, the Wacom Bamboo Spark should get the job done.

The first thing that will strike you is its finished appearance. Unfolding like a folder, it has space for a notepad on the right and an option of tablet sleeve, gadget pocket or an iPad. The pen stays put at the spine and an elastic keeps the folder from opening up when not needed. A tiny switch at the bottom turns the notepad on and off.

While the notepad is as ordinary as ones available at any stationary, the pen is aware of when it's being used. So, switch the Bamboo Spark on and start taking notes, scribbling or doodling. When you're done, all you have to do is press the round button next to the notepad. And it will be sent to you phone in a digital format. Whenever you press the round button, it will register everything you'd done till that event from the time it was last pressed as one session. So, make sure you press the button every time you're done or about to start.

The app for Wacom Bamboo Spark connects to it over bluetooth and captures everything you write or draw on the page as an image or text. It can read handwriting and converts it into text or captures it as it is.

While the pen is an important part of the process, you can write on any notepad placed at the particular position and your work will be digitised. However, the refill can be bought only from Bamboo and replaced with a special tool provided by them. So, even though the Bamboo Spark could have been a great option for taking notes, it will keep you tied down to Wacom's refills whether you like the way it writes or not. If I had to spend ₹10,000 on a notebook that automatically digitises everything I write, I'd at least want ability to choose between a fatter or thinner nib.

Wacom is known for its professional line of tablets and styli popular among designers and artists. This hobbyist version is great for people who doodle or take a lot of notes. But we would recommend it only as a present to someone starting college