Mobile Technology

iConvert Scanner turns hard copies into digital documents on an iPad

iConvert Scanner turns hard copies into digital documents on an iPad
The iConvert Scanner for iPad saves digital copies of scanned documents to a docked iPad's photo library
The iConvert Scanner for iPad saves digital copies of scanned documents to a docked iPad's photo library
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The iConvert Scanner for iPad makes digital copies of hard copy documents
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The iConvert Scanner for iPad makes digital copies of hard copy documents
The iConvert Scanner for iPad saves digital copies of scanned documents to a docked iPad's photo library
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The iConvert Scanner for iPad saves digital copies of scanned documents to a docked iPad's photo library
The iConvert Scanner for iPad is compact and portable
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The iConvert Scanner for iPad is compact and portable
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While the promised paperless office has yet to eventuate, scanners are still a standard piece of equipment in most workplaces - even if that workplace happens to be the road. With many a road warrior these days packing an iPad in their arsenal, it's not surprising to see the release of the iConvert Scanner for iPad from Brookstone. After slotting an iPad (1 or 2) into the dock on the top of the device and starting the iConvert app, documents fed into the front feeder slot can be scanned and appear instantly on the iPad's display to be saved as JPEGs in the device's photo library.

The iConvert's feeder slot can take documents from 2 to 8.5 inches (5 to 21.6 cm) in width and scan them at up to 300 dpi resolution. Once the document has been saved to the iPad's photo library you can email, print or delete it, or edit it on one of the many image editing apps available from the App Store. As can be seen in the video below, the unit itself is compact enough to not take up too much room in a bag and appears to be battery-powered, which would make sense for a unit designed to be portable - although just how many scans yo'll get before needing a recharge remains to be seen. The iConvert app will be available as a free download from the App Store.

The iConvert Scanner for iPad makes digital copies of hard copy documents
The iConvert Scanner for iPad makes digital copies of hard copy documents

And if you're asking why you couldn't just use a digital camera to snap off some shots of any hard copy documents you want to turn digital, well you can. But because a camera needs to be positioned at a distance from the subject, you won't end up with a 1:1 digital copy that doesn't have at least some distortion. Consistent lighting and a steady hand are other problems when going the camera option.

Brookstone is currently taking orders for the iConvert Scanner for iPad at US$149.99 with a listed shipping date of February 1st, 2012.

Here's a video from Brookstone showing the iConvert Scanner for iPad in action.

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5 comments
5 comments
Nofijuidi Jumri
another reason why ipad becoming more user friendly
JoeB
This is just another attempt to draw IPad users to buy something that defeats the purpose of the PORTABLE IPad.
While you are at it, I have a 27 pound color laser printer you can carry with your IPad to print your scans!! This printer is \'more user friendly\" too!
Grunchy
This is precisely the thing Richard Stallman was warning against: a proprietary device that only works with the Apple iPad and only via direct connection. How about using a generic, network-connected printer/scanner and access it via WiFi? It\'ll be cheaper, far more convenient, and will work with any device than just an iPad. In fact, speaking of Apple products, for years I have used a cellphone with bluetooth A2DP for music (both in the car and on my home stereo) instead of the Apple iPods and their clumsy docks. I never understood the iPod hype. I heard the iPod (and iPhone) can do A2DP finally, but to me that just means Apple has finally caught up with all the other MP3 player out there.
Ken Starr
How about a MacBook Pro and a time capsule. It works perfectly. Then I can use Dropbox for my iPad and don't have to use up valuable memory on my iPad. It works perfectly.
Ken Starr
I can take a picture of it with my iPhone and always have it in Dropbox.