The New Age of Note-Taking

Smart Houses, Smart Refrigerators, smart toothbrushes. Is there a point where we say this is too excessive? Well, the people at RocketNotebook do not seem to think so. The RocketNotebook is a cloud-connected smart-notebook. Developed by Joe Lemay and Jake Epstein, Rocket Notebook has become Amazon’s #1 selling notebook.

In 2013, Joe Lemay explored different variations of the digital pen, tablet, and scanning applications, he was able to brainstorm an idea that would be a mix of traditional note-taking, as well as methods from the digital world. After pitching it to his friend and engineer Jake Epstein, they would have successfully created the world’s first microwave-to-erase, digitally connected notebook: the Rocketbook Wave. After multiple successful crowdfunds, and even an appearance on the critically acclaimed and multi-Emmy Award-winning entrepreneurial-themed reality show Shark Tank, the brand was able to grow and expand into what it is today.

So what exactly is a Rocket Notebook? There are many different products under the brand. The core notebook lineup is Core, Fusion, Matrix, Flip, Mini, Wave, and Orbit. The Rocket Wave Smart Notebook, which was the first-ever showcased, is an environmentally friendly dotted page notebook that can be re-used by microwave. It allows you to upload your handwritten notes to the cloud, with popular services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud, OneNote, Slack, and even more. The standard size of 8.5” x 9.5” is currently $27.00 on Amazon.

If you aren’t into having to use your kitchen appliance to erase, other Rocket Notebook products don’t even need microwave technology, such as the Everlast, Mini, and Fusion. They use Rocket Notebook Everlast wipe-to-erase technology that would be more efficient for people that prefer not to microwave.

Gif courtesy of Rocket Notebook from getrocketbook

And it’s not just notebooks either. Rocketbook also has smart cards, planners, and even beacons that you place around a whiteboard to focus on what to scan. If you don’t want to wipe all day, you can choose the Wave, or if you don’t want to be using your microwave, you can choose ones with Everlast technology.

Gif courtesy of Rocket Notebook from getrocketbook

How does it connect to the cloud? With an IOS or Android phone, you can download the free Rocketbook App and configure which cloud service you would like to use (or you can stick to email) and when you are ready to go, you just scan the page and it will be uploaded automatically.

Gif courtesy of Rocket Notebook from getrocketbook

Why should you get it? Since Rocket Notebook is not single-use, it saves you money and it saves the planet. The erasable page gimmick isn’t the only thing the Rocket Notebook has to offer either; The app itself sets itself apart from other scanners is the customizability: being able to send your scan to a pre-programmed location associated with symbols on the page you choose to fill out (If you color in the apple, it will send it to Pinterest, while if you color in the star, it goes in OneDrive, etc). The last cool feature that sets this scanner apart from others is handwriting recognizability, being able to fully scan and upload your notes with legible handwriting.

What are the downsides? Looking at the reviews of the Wave on their website, it seems that after a while, the book starts to wear down, with issues of erasing and having scratches from use. Using the microwave to erase on the wave notebook doesn’t always completely erase either. Also, the notebooks, such as the Wave or Everlast both require the use of a particular brand of friction-erasable pen. With a Rocket Notebook that has a wipe to erase feature, such as an Everlast, if you erase without absorbent paper, it takes a while for the ink to fully dry.

In conclusion, there are many things that the Rocket Notebook offers. With its wide range of models, there could be a model that is right for everyone. While all have flaws and none are perfect, the benefits that this company provides for people that want to have a more efficient way of note-taking are worth it over traditional notebooks.