TalkingPEN Support

Frequently Asked Questions

The following is a list of questions and answers that you may have and want. If your question is not covered in this section please get in touch with us via our Contact Us page.

1. How long does the battery last?
2. Can I use rechargeable batteries?
3. What does it mean when my TalkingPEN says, “Touch the Start arrow…”?
4. What happens when I want a new book or poster to add to the list of TalkingPEN recourses I already have?
5. What is the mode button for?
6. Do I need to slide TalkingPEN across the text?
7. My TalkingPEN does not switch on. Why?
8. How do I switch off a TalkingPEN?
9. How do I know when the batteries are running low?
10. How do I know when the batteries are running low?
11. I couldn't find the answer to my question, what should I do?

Answers

1. How long does the battery last?

   TalkingPEN runs on two AAA batteries. These typically last for around 12 hours, but the exact duration depends on how high the volume is set (the higher the volume, the shorter the life). If you use earphones, the batteries can last significantly longer. Note that TalkingPEN does not contain any moving parts, which would otherwise be a major drain of battery power.

2. Can I use rechargeable batteries?

   Yes, you can use either alkaline or rechargable batteries provided they are AAA. However, we do not recommend mixing alkaline or rechargable types. Most AAA rechargable batteries are of the NiCd or NiMH type, and should drained flat before re-charging in order to extend battery life.

3. What does it mean when my TalkingPEN says, “Touch the Start arrow…”?

   Every publication has an arrow labelled “Start” printed on it, usually on the inside front cover. The Start Arrow is used to tell TalkingPEN which book or poster it is reading. The Start arrow activates the appropriate audio file file that is already loaded into the TalkingPEN. If you have not yet purchased and loaded the audio file for a publication, your TalkingPEN won’t will remain silent when you touch the Start Arrow.

4. What happens when I want a new book or poster to add to the list of TalkingPEN recourses I already have?

   When we receive your order, say for example, an English only book of The Elves and Shoemaker with French/English and Polish/English audio versions – we will post you the book and ask you to send your email address. We will send you the download links of the two audio versions. Just drag and drop the two files onto your hard disk and then drag them to your pen. When TalkingPEN touches the Start arrow in the book, it will recognize that the book is Elves and the Shoemaker. When you touch the “language” button on the inside front cover, it will say the first language that you loaded…. French.

   If you wished to hear the story in Polish, then touch the Start Arrow again followed by the “language” button. TalkingPEN will announce Polish. You can have as many languages editions of Elves and the Shoemaker as you like on the TalkingPEN.

5. What is the mode button for?

   The mode button allows you to flip between English and the language you are currently running. So, on Page 3, if the text says, “the poor cobbler was very confused. Who made these beautiful shoes so quickly and quietly?” This text will be read out in English. If you wanted to hear it in French, press the mode button and touch the page and TalkingPEN will speak in French from then on.

6. Do I need to slide TalkingPEN across the text?

   No. TalkingPEN just has to touch the corners of the page to activate the audio. You do not need to press hard. Sometimes TalkingPEN can even detect what to say even without actually touching the page! This happens when the batteries are new.

7. My TalkingPEN does not switch on. Why?

   Please check that the batteries are inserted the right way round. Follow the +ve and –ve marking in the battery case. Also, make sure that you press the “on” button down for about 2 seconds until the blue light comes on. In order to prevent accidentally switching on, we designed the two seconds criteria.

8. How do I switch off a TalkingPEN?

   Press the Switch button again for two seconds until the blue light turns off. Very rarely, this action does not work. This is equivalent to your computer crashing. In this case will need to take out one of the batteries, wait for five seconds, and insert it again - then all should be well.

9. How do I know when the batteries are running low?

   You will be able to hear the noise deterioration and the fact that TalkingPEN takes longer to speak!

10. Are you planning any future developments for TalkingPEN?

    Yes, as you know in electronics everything moves forward as we extend the boundary of technological abilities. Our R&D operations are developing new ideas all the time so please keep watching this space.

11. I couldn't find the answer to my question, what should I do?

    Please raise your question with our support team. See our contact us page for various contact options.