1/6/16 UPDATE
It appears that Wacom has fixed the software bugs and I've raised my review to four stars. I haven't yet tried the handwriting-to-text function in the new app update, but I noted that it was offered on a trial basis. For core functionality the product now works well. The only really critical feature missing is the ability to auto-sync new notes to your preferred platform (OneNote, etc.). Syncing each individual note is a pain, so I use the Bamboo Cloud site for notes review. For heavy notetakers, I now definitely recommend this product.
10/16/15 UPDATE
I'm dropping a couple stars from my initial review. I've noticed that over the past couple of weeks all of my notes are showing up blank on the Wacom cloud website. They seem fine in the app, but not being able to access them on the site is a big problem. I emailed Wacom about the issue a week ago, but I never got a response. I also still don't see ink refills or other accessories available anywhere.
10/2/15 UPDATE
My comments below, from only a few days ago are still true. But I wanted to share two things I've learned that have made the Spark more useful as a notekeeping tool.
1. For an iphone or ipad, make sure that you've set the Spark app to allow background refresh. This won't resolve all of the bluetooth disconnection issues, but will make things run much more smoothly.
2. I was disappointed trying to use a "junior legal" 5"x8" pad. I felt like it was forcing me to condense my notes too much. So I tried the Rhodia A5 lined pads. I wasn't sure if they would be too thick or not, but they work perfectly
ORIGINAL REVIEW
I was pretty excited to purchase this and I've used mine for the last couple days exclusively to take notes at work and sync with Onenote. For some history, I've been looking for a seamless way to digitize and manage my notes for a while. But I'm a pen writer, and I've never found a tablet + stylus combo that felt "right". I've been hoping the Spark would be that solution.
First the good:
1. The core functionality of the Spark works great, in that it captures my notes very accurately.
2. It looks decently professional.
3. The battery life is pretty solid.
4. The pen is of good, but not great, quality. It writes well and clearly.
5. Wacom has tried to make the whole thing pretty simple to use.
6. Supports syncing to Evernote, Dropbox and Onebox (possibly others)
The bad:
1. The firmware could probably use some tweaking. While I haven't lost any notes, I find that I regularly have to manually re-connect my phone and the Spark in order for my notes to upload to the Wacom app. For someone like me, looking for as seamless a workflow as possible, this is an issue. Not a deal-breaker, but I seriously hope there's a firmware update in the works. To manually re-connect you have to go through the initial setup process all over again (which takes about 20 seconds).
2. I wish this was available in A4 size. A5 legal pads are rare in the U.S., and having to use 5"x8" loses a good amount of usable writing space.
3. The app could use more development. There are minimal setting changes you can make, and again -- losing the connection regularly is a big deal.
4. Lack of auto-sync. I should be able to create a setting in the app to have ALL of my notes automatically sync to my preferred service (ie. Onenote). Having to send each page manually is a time suck.
5. Hopefully some additional pen options are coming down the road.
6. No accessories currently available, including ink refills
Summing it up. GREAT potential. I'm hoping it's realized. I'll keep working with this for now, as it's better than anything else out there at the moment. But it does very much feel like a beta product. Hopefully Wacom actually supports it and continues to invest in development.
| Standing screen display size | 9.7 Inches |
|---|---|
| Average Battery Life (in hours) | 8 Hours |
